The 2018 Pacifica is a feature-rich minivan with serious mechanical vulnerabilities. The 9-speed transmission and 3.6L Pentastar engine in this generation have well-documented failure patterns that can lead to catastrophic damage, often outside warranty coverage.
9-Speed Transmission Failure and Oil Cooler Leaks
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh shifting or delayed engagement between gears 2-3 or 3-4, Transmission slipping or going into limp mode, Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle from cooler line failure, Check engine light with transmission-related codes
Fix: Oil cooler replacement is 3-4 hours labor; full transmission replacement or rebuild runs 12-18 hours. Cooler line failures can starve the transmission of fluid causing internal damage. Many require complete transmission replacement even with relatively low miles.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 for cooler; $4,500-7,000 for transmission replacement
Catastrophic Engine Failure - Cylinder Deactivation System
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (quart per 1,000 miles or worse), Misfires on cylinders 2, 3, 5, or 6, Knocking or ticking noise from engine that worsens under load, Metal debris in oil, low oil pressure warning
Fix: The cylinder deactivation system causes premature wear on valve guides and piston rings, leading to oil burning. Once started, damage accelerates rapidly. Requires complete engine rebuild (30-40 hours) or short block replacement (25-35 hours). Head gasket jobs alone don't solve the underlying piston/ring wear.
Estimated cost: $8,000-12,000 for engine rebuild or replacement
Electrical System Wiring Failures
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: Random warning lights, especially ABS/traction control/ESC simultaneously, No-start condition with multiple system faults, Stalling while driving with electrical system reboot, Backup camera, power sliding doors, or liftgate intermittent operation
Fix: Multiple recalls address wiring connector corrosion and ground issues, particularly in the engine bay and sliding door mechanisms. Diagnosis is time-consuming (2-4 hours) as problems are intermittent. Common culprits: positive battery cable connection at PDC, body control module grounds, and door harness flexing points.
Estimated cost: $300-1,500 depending on affected circuit
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in drive, Harsh engagement during acceleration, Visible drooping of transmission when inspected on lift
Fix: The rear transmission mount deteriorates prematurely due to the weight and torque of the 3.6L/9-speed combo. Replacement requires supporting the transmission and subframe work, approximately 2.5-3.5 hours labor. Often done alongside other transmission work.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel System Contamination and Filter Clogging
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting after sitting overnight, Loss of power on highway acceleration, Rough idle and hesitation, Check engine light with fuel trim or pressure codes
Fix: In-tank fuel filter becomes clogged with debris from deteriorating fuel pump sock or tank contamination. Filter is not separately serviceable—requires fuel pump module replacement. Access through rear seat area, 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $600-900
HVAC Blend Door Actuator Failure
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Clicking or tapping noise from behind dashboard, Inability to change temperature zones (hot on one side, cold on other), Air only blowing at one temperature regardless of setting, Battery drain if actuator motor stalls in fault position
Fix: Multiple actuators control the tri-zone climate system. Diagnosis requires scan tool to identify which actuator has failed. Dashboard removal for driver's side actuator: 6-8 hours. Passenger side or rear: 3-4 hours. Parts commonly fail due to plastic gear stripping.
Estimated cost: $500-1,200 depending on location
Owner tips
Check oil level every fuel fill—this engine burns oil by design but excessive consumption indicates ring failure is starting
Service transmission fluid at 50,000 mi intervals (not lifetime fluid despite manual claim) with Mopar-spec ATF
Address any transmission shifting issues immediately—cooler leaks can destroy the transmission in under 100 miles
Verify all recalls completed before purchase, especially wiring and battery cable recalls
Budget $500-1,000 annually for unexpected repairs after 60,000 miles
Hard pass unless under comprehensive warranty—engine and transmission failure rates make this a financial gamble that typically doesn't pay off.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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.
Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
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.
Consequence: An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Power Inverter Module (PIM) software and, if necessary, update the instrument panel cluster (IPC) and the electronic control module (ECM) software, free of charge. FCA US will notify dealers and begin notifying owners on or about: 03/21/2023 for 2021 model year vehicles, 05/02/2023 for 2019-2020 model year vehicles, and 06/15/2023 for 2017-2018 model year vehicles. FCA began notifying owners on February 23, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03A.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 19V886000
2019-12-12
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 error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed on the radio after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: 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. Chrysler's number for this recall is VE2.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY · 19V348000
2019-05-09
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.
Consequence: A loss of power steering assist or a stall can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery ground surfaces, clean the contact surfaces as needed, and properly reassemble the ground connection, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US' number for this recall is V53.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · 19V143000
2019-02-28
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.
Consequence: 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 pinch bolt will be replaced with a larger-diameter pinch bolt. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 26, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V15.
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.
Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 18V492000
2018-07-26
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 causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
Consequence: 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 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U85.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT · 18V493000
2018-07-26
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 constant-velocity (CV) joint.
Consequence: 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 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U80.
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."
Consequence: If the MPR is engaged unintentionally, the vehicle could roll away striking and injuring a bystander or cause a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the MPR plug, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U50.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 18V332000
2018-05-17
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.
Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
EQUIPMENT · 17V824000
2017-12-21
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · 17V542000
2017-08-31
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.
Consequence: Inadvertent unlatching of the left outboard seat belt can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a shorter second-row seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T54.
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