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2018 Chrysler Pacifica

The Verdict

5 Total Klunk

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica has 888 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (405 complaints) and body (240 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Chrysler Pacifica, consider the 2025 model year which has 96% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 96% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Chrysler Pacifica dashboard →

5

Klunk Score: Total Klunk

Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 4

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

19V143000 SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica hybrid vehicles. The right front lower control arm may separate from the steering knuckle.

Risk

A control arm separation could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right front knuckle and lower control arm for damage, replacing the components as necessary. The right front lower control arm knuckle pin...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

18V493000 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the c...

Risk

If the axle shaft disengages from the CV joint, the vehicle will have a loss of drive or allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right halfshaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 18, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

18V492000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly c...

Risk

If the transmission weld fails, the vehicle will stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

19V886000 BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Pacifica vehicles equipped with an 8.4 inch radio display, 360 degree surround view camera system, and seat back video screens. A software erro...

Risk

The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysle...

Reported Dec 12, 2019

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20043841010133962
2005452669653594
2006271314931362
200772144017282
2008254184114
201741758171571321
20182402214040581
201992535710851
2020514365724
20218884218748
2022549308638
2023272535518
20247415128
2025103971

By Category

Engine
405
Body
240
Electrical
140
Transmission
81
Brakes
22

By Severity

1
439
2
404
3
6
4
39

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Body 1

Experiencing steering lockup around the 2 o clock position when cornering to the right. Doesn’t lock up to the left, only to the right.steering will Lock up and won’t release unless a slight tug on the steering wheel. We experience this every time you remotely hold in the 2 o clock position for the slightest bit of time. I have kids in this car and when we’re going 65+ down interstates, this is a serious safety issue and concerns me greatly for the safety of my family. Van only has 95k miles on it. Spent a considerable about of money on this can van and we can’t even drive it and have to pay a shop a few more thousand to fix this. It wouldn’t be a big deal if I was one of a few people but reports say 287k people are experiencing this. Unacceptable.

6d ago
Body 4

On the morning of October 18, 2026 my daughter an I were driving home from a trip. 10 minutes after we left a friend's house the hood of the van flew open and smashed the windshield. An "hood open" indicator light never came on. I had no reason to believe the hood was not secure. So the indicator light, primary latch and safty latch all failed. This could have been a lot worse if we were on the highway already. Luckily, we were on a backroad where I had room to regain control of the van and stop with no other cars around. We were able to walk away with minor injuries. I just don't want this to happen to someone else. Someone could get seriously hurt. It was probably one of the scariest things I have had happen in my life.

6d ago
Engine 2

My van has been reliable for 5 years until recall 73B was performed. Ever since it's install I have had 7 repair attempts and 250+ days out of service. Each repair attempt is preceesed by check engine lights, service hybrid system, check electronic throttle control, red wrench, blind spot temporarily unavailable, (occasionally) service airbag, service shifter, and stability control lights. Chrysler has been unable to fix this issue. They have replaced the abs module, 12v battery, can bus's, wiring, battery coolant heater, eflite motors and reducers, 400v battery, and the under hood wiring harness. Engineering has been involved, star cases opened, and technicians flown in to address these issues. The DTC code scans reveal many communication codes, both active and permanent. The last scan had 23 active codes. No one can tell me if this van is safe to drive, I don't think it is. I have had no drive events, and lost power steering momentarily at highway speeds. The latest incident had the messages start appearing at 45 mph. This can is unfit to be on the road, and stellantis does not seem to be able to fix it

6d ago
Body 1

Radio screen frozen plus loud sounds from speaker when unlocked

6d ago
Engine 2

Blown Head Gasket. Having the unknown blown head gasket issue may have caused extreme damage to other engine components. Vehicle has less than 145,000 miles.

7d ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and steering left or right, the steering wheelbecame difficult to turn. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Investigation: PE25009 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

7d ago
Electrical 2

An Electric Power Steering System (EPS) code came up on the dash and then it locked up the steering going down the road with my wife and children in the car on 10-13-2026. Bought the car from a dealer on 10-12-2026. Replaced main and auxiliary batteries on behalf of dealerships expense on 10-14-2026. 10-16-2026 the code came back up and locked the steering up again going down the highway with my wife and children in the car. The dealer is taking action as we speak, we will see what they do.

10d ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica modified with an electric wheelchair conversion and ramp. The contact stated that while opening the electric power sliding door, the hinges fractured and detached completely. When the automated sliding system activated and moved rearward, it broke the hinges and forced the door off the track. Due to the mechanical failure of the sliding door, the electrical system malfunctioned, causing the wheelchair ramp to fail to deploy. Furthermore, when the hinges detached, they struck the vehicle's glass, causing it to shatter. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the hinges were replaced for a second time; however, the failure reoccurred. The failure mileage was 19,500.

11d ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the engine seized. The vehicle was able to restart. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under an unknown recall associated with the failure because the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

13d ago
Engine 2

Head gasket issue. Known issue with this model. Costly repair "The primary reason is inadequate construction techniques, design, and materials. There isn't a preventive solution for this issue. If it occurs, it will be dealt with at that time." [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Cell INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

15d ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving and turning the steering wheel in either direction, the steering wheel was sticking while attempting to return the steering wheel to center. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The contact was notified of NHTSA Action Number: PE25009 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the investigation. The failure mileage was 72,000.

17d ago
Transmission 2

The transmission shifts harshly, clunks when shifted into Drive or Reverse, and hesitates before suddenly lurching. Engine RPM rises before the transmission engages, and some describe the resulting jolt as feeling like being hit from behind. The steering wheel locks stiffly during gentle turns to the right, then suddenly releases causing a jolt back to the left at times, all other times it requires a hard pull of the wheel manually to get the steering to release, which also causes a hard jerking to the opposite direction. Battery and stop/start system: Repeated Auxiliary battery replacements which power the stop/start system and warning lights. On 5 occasions the Aux battery has been replaced and within a week the system fails with no diagnostic readings identifying the cause. This leads to harder drains on the main battery. The main battery (purchased from Autozone, has been replaced on warranty because it never makes it past the 2-year mark) occasional starting difficulties, and inconsistent stop/start operation. Dash Screen: The screen freezes or turns blank while operating the vehicle. Complete loss of cabin temperature control. At other times the display will freeze on the Chrysler brand logo and is completely unresponsive to any haptic touch. The software just freezes. Even after complete shutdowns and time outs the display does not reset immediately. It's a coin flip if it's going to work. These problems have been ongoing since I purchased the vehicle in 2019. Dealerships have recognized them and consistently say that until Chrysler is forced to fix this the Dealerships can't do anything about it without charging me repairs/replacement.

19d ago
Body 2

Over the past year or two, especially as the temperatures begin to get cooler outside, I've noticed a sensation when doing a gradual turn anywhere between 20-60 MPH, and the steering wheel is at the 11 or 1 o clock position, the vehicle "sticks". I then have to put force on the steering wheel to get it back to center and straighten out the driving path. It happens more when returning to center from left hand turns vs right hand turns. This puts me and other drivers on the road in danger because it's extremely easy to oversteer and swerve off the road or into another driver, injuring or killing passengers. The auto centering nature found previously in the van is not consistent. I mentioned this issue to my dealer when it first started, they were unable to duplicate. As the issue persists, I did my own research and see there are numerous articles online clearly stating this is a very dangerous issue-specifically with my 2018 model year (as well as with 2017 models). I see no warning lights that accompany this behavior. And that makes it all the more dangerous. Without any awareness of the issue, it's a lot more probable to experience the behavior and cause an accident.

20d ago
Body 2

While steering my steering wheel sticks and I have to turn it hard to get it to straighten back out. I am afraid that I am going to over compensate and go into other lane of traffic

28d ago
Engine 1

First, I had camshaft related error which turned out to be a bad intake camshaft on bank 1. The Camshaft, all rocker arms, lifters, camshaft adjuster and all VVL actuators have been replaced with genuine mopar parts. 3 weeks latet, the head gasket on bank 2 failed, caused coolant to leak into the cylinder. The van has 89k miles, very clean and always maintained on time.

1mo ago
Body 1

I am writing to offer corroborating evidence for NHTSA PE25009. The electric power steering system malfunctioned, and on this vehicle, that is a single unit with the rack and pinion, electric assist motor, and controller. At any point in time, the driver can turn the steering wheel and the vehicle will fight them. If attempting to turn left, it’ll maybe get as far as 11:00 and refuse to turn more. For a right turn, it’s the same but 1:00. This could easily cause a crash. The issue has been confirmed by Parkway Chrysler in Pampa, TX. As far as I know, no representative of the manufacturer has inspected the component other than the dealer service center. All warning messages (Service Power Steering in the gauge cluster) are concurrent with the temporary failure described above; no prior warning is offered.

1mo ago
Engine 1

Head gasket blown! Vehicle is under 100k miles, never overheated, service properly maintained. When researching symptoms, I discovered I am one of hundreds if not thousands of 2017-2018 model Pacifica owners who have suffered this issue. Heads are known to be faulty and Chrysler will not address the root of it. It's very possible this could lead to a locked engine while driving and cause harm to driver or others.

1mo ago
Body 1

Intermittent Loss Of Electric Power Steering. Steering sticks at 11:00 and 1:00 and has to be pulled back to prevent running of the road. NHTSA Action Number- PE25009

1mo ago
Body 2

Intermittent loss of power steering, giving the sensation of "sticking" when the wheel is turned about 30 degrees clockwise. Generally happens at highway speeds, but can happen at lower speeds too. Steering feels locked me momentarily, needing extra force to either continue the turn past 30 degrees or to bring it back to center.

1mo ago
Body 1

I have a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica with approximately 125,000 miles. At around 110,000 I started to notice that the steering would randomly stick when driving at speeds between 25-45 mph. Now, the steering wheel is beginning to stick almost everytime I drive the van, but seems to get worse after about 20-30 minutes of driving. This now seems like a severe safety hazard at both neighborhood and highway speeds. As I turn the wheel when driving down the road, the steering wheel becomes physically stuck when passing through the 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock positions. In order to return the wheel to 12 o'clcok, I have to extert extra force, can feel the power steering kick back in, and the van will sharply react as the steering wheel straightens risking an over-correction accident. This is now a recurring issue and makes it very difficult and dangerous to drive my vehicle. These symptoms seem to exactly match what my research has uncovered online regarding a failing steering rack and column. I believe a NHTSA invesigation has already been opened into this safety issue (seems to match the description for NHTSA PE25009).

1mo ago

888 total

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