2017 Chrysler Pacifica Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 1498 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 11 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica receives a 3.7/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 1498 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 11 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports with a median failure point at 63,763 miles (IQR: 21,000 – 82,000 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $950 – $3,200 .
332.9 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
11 Active / Free Remedies
Top Reported Problem Clusters (7)
Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports
- Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
- Abnormal oil burning / consumption
- Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
- Engine overheating / coolant loss
“I have had this happen twice in the last few months, most recently in the last three weeks. I was driving on a 45 mph highway with the cruise control set at 49 or 50 miles per hour. On the most recent time, I was coming to a red traffic light and applied the break to slow down...”
“While driving, the vehicle unexpectedly shut off without warning. The engine stalled while the vehicle was in motion, causing an immediate loss of acceleration and power and creating a serious safety hazard in traffic. This vehicle previously received the Safety Recall U01 rep...”
“While driving, the engine stalled and produced a cranking noise. Subsequently, the display screen turned black. Currently, I am experiencing a problem where I cannot turn off the vehicle or shift gears, rendering it immobilized. I have taken the vehicle to a Chrysler dealershi...”
Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports
- Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
- Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
- Transmission slipping between gears
“The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a red light, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, shifted into park, and shifted back into drive, and the vehicle retur...”
“While driving, the vehicle unexpectedly shut off without warning. The engine stalled while the vehicle was in motion, causing an immediate loss of acceleration and power and creating a serious safety hazard in traffic. This vehicle previously received the Safety Recall U01 rep...”
“While driving, the engine stalled and produced a cranking noise. Subsequently, the display screen turned black. Currently, I am experiencing a problem where I cannot turn off the vehicle or shift gears, rendering it immobilized. I have taken the vehicle to a Chrysler dealershi...”
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“I have been had intermittent loss of power steering during gradual turns and then suddenly it returns. Very dangerous situation!!”
“My 2017 Chrysler Pacifica (VIN ..., approximately 99,880 miles) intermittently loses electric power steering assist while driving. The Service Power Steering warning illuminates and steering effort increases substantially. Assist returns on its own without restarting the vehic...”
“While driving, the vehicle unexpectedly shut off without warning. The engine stalled while the vehicle was in motion, causing an immediate loss of acceleration and power and creating a serious safety hazard in traffic. This vehicle previously received the Safety Recall U01 rep...”
Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports
- Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
- Steering wheel pull or highway wander
- Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
“Steering is sticking on curves, creating a hazardous condition. Condition comes and goes”
“The electric power steering intermittently sticks when the steering wheel is returned toward center after a turn. When this occurs, the wheel does not return to center on its own and requires noticeably increased effort to move. When the resistance releases, the wheel moves ab...”
“The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the steering wheel was sticking intermittently while turning, causing the steering wheel to overcorrect after being turned. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicl...”
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“While driving my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica at highway speeds the steering wheel locks or sticks in a curve and is extremely scary! This happened to me back in 2022 and took several trips to the dealer to determine the problem as they could not recreate the occurrence. After sever...”
“I have a big problem with this van’s brakes I couldn’t brake when I was driving on the freeway it didn’t brake properly and so dangerous and I was terrified luckily didn’t get into accident I complained about this issue to the nhtsa about this Chrysler Pacifica”
“The vehicle has an unresolved electrical/propulsion failure involving sudden shutdowns while driving and CAN C bus/lost-communication faults. Since the high-voltage battery was replaced through a recall-related repair, the vehicle has had repeated shutdown/loss-of-communicatio...”
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“While driving at highway speed, my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV suddenly entered limp mode, displaying a red turtle warning light and red battery icon, and lost propulsion. My family was forced to pull onto the shoulder of a busy expressway, creating an immediate safety risk to...”
“The vehicle has an unresolved electrical/propulsion failure involving sudden shutdowns while driving and CAN C bus/lost-communication faults. Since the high-voltage battery was replaced through a recall-related repair, the vehicle has had repeated shutdown/loss-of-communicatio...”
“After purchasing a used 2017 Chrysler Pacifica from Massey Cadillac of Orlando, a warning light appeared during the initial drive indicating a malfunction in the Auto Start/Stop system (capital letter “A” inside a circle with an exclamation point). The system was disabled and ...”
Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports
- Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds
- Extended engine cranking / failure to restart
- Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay
“My 2017, Chrysler Pacifica van just stopped for no reason whatsoever scaring me to death, I was just driving with no issues then all of a sudden as, drove into a Restaurant parking lot my van just turned off on its own before I could get in parking spot. It would not restart s...”
“2017 Chrysler Pacifica at 70k miles, check engine light came on. After engine warm up, engine starts to rough idle. Diagnosis is misfire on cylinder 2 (code P0302). In addition, vehicle voltage fluctuates in gage cluster between 12-14 volts. No issue until engine is warm and n...”
“We bought this vehicle from a local dealer in March (9months ago) in the time we’ve had it… it’s been in the shop for about 6 of them. 1- About 3 weeks after the purchase it shut off while I was driving on the highway. We then took it to the dealership in Jasper, Ga bc the err...”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (11)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) plug may be removed without a tool. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Pacifica vehicles equipped with engine stop/start systems. A loose battery ground connection may result in an intermittent loss of power steering assist and/or a stall.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Pacifica vehicles manufactured February 22, 2016, through April 28, 2016. The center overhead seat belt stow clip may fracture and prevent use of the seat belt in the third-row and/or second-row center passenger seat (if so equipped).
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
Summary: Vantage Mobility International, LLC (VMI) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor vehicles modified by VMI. The rear pinion bracket on both sides of the vehicle may crack, causing the axle not to be centered and the wheel to wobble.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage Mobility) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor vans modified by Vantage Mobility for wheelchair accessibility. The affected vans have rear brake lines that might have been crossed during the modification. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles equipped with a 3.6l engine. The engine control software may become out of sync with the crankshaft position sensor, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles equipped with the 8-passenger seating option. In certain passenger seating and vehicle situations, the second-row center seating position seat belt buckle could cause the left outboard seat belt to become unlatched.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEVs). An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:
Summary: Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
Before purchasing a used 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:
Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).
Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.
Verify that all 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.
Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.
Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
Is the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica a reliable used car?
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica earns a 3.7/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 1498 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.
What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica?
The leading complaint category is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports, with a median failure point around 63,763 miles (IQR: 21,000 – 82,000 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica?
Yes, the NHTSA records 11 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.

