The 2021 Pacifica Hybrid pairs a 3.6L Pentastar V6 with a dual-motor eTransmission, and while the hybrid system itself is generally solid, this generation suffers from catastrophic engine failures tied to cylinder deactivation issues and oil consumption, plus cooling system weaknesses that can take out the expensive hybrid transmission.
Catastrophic Engine Failure - Cylinder Deactivation System
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), Misfires on cylinders 2, 3, 5, or 6 (the deactivating cylinders), Metal shavings in oil, loss of compression, Sudden loss of power, engine knock, check engine light
Fix: The cylinder deactivation solenoids fail, starving lifters of oil. Lifters collapse, damaging camshaft lobes and rocker arms. By the time symptoms appear, you're often looking at a complete short block or engine rebuild. 25-35 labor hours for short block swap in a Pacifica.
Estimated cost: $8,000-14,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure and Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid mixing with coolant (strawberry milkshake in reservoir), Transmission slipping, delayed engagement, Overheating warnings on dash, Coolant loss with no external leaks
Fix: The internal oil cooler in the radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to cross-contaminate. In the hybrid, this destroys the eTransmission's electronics and clutches. Requires radiator, transmission flush or rebuild, and full cooling system flush. On hybrids, trans damage often means replacement unit. 15-20 hours labor if trans survives, 25-30 if it needs replacement.
Estimated cost: $3,500-12,000
Hybrid Battery Cooling Fan Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Reduced electric range (below 25 miles on full charge), Hybrid system warning lights, Battery temperature faults in scan data, Fan noise absent when charging or driving in EV mode
Fix: The 16 kWh lithium-ion pack has a dedicated cooling fan that fails, causing the BMS to limit charge capacity to protect cells from overheating. Fan assembly is under the second-row seats. 2-3 hours labor to access and replace.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Transmission Mounts Collapsing
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle, especially with A/C on, Visible sagging of powertrain when viewed from below, Harsh engagement into gear
Fix: The hybrid eTransmission is 100+ lbs heavier than the conventional unit, accelerating mount wear. Front and side mounts are common failures. Replacement is straightforward but requires supporting the trans. 2-3 hours per mount.
Estimated cost: $400-900
Fuel System Contamination from Poor Fuel Quality
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Hard starting after sitting (common in PHEVs with infrequent engine use), Rough idle, stumbling on acceleration, Fuel trim faults, lean codes, Stale fuel smell from exhaust
Fix: Plug-in hybrids often run on stale fuel because owners drive electric-only. The 2021s are prone to fuel filter and injector clogging if gas sits more than 3-4 months. Requires fuel system cleaning, filter replacement, sometimes injector service. 3-5 hours depending on severity.
Estimated cost: $600-1,800
Head Gasket Failure from Overheating Events
Rare · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Bubbles in coolant reservoir when running, Overheating under load, oil contamination with coolant
Fix: Usually a secondary failure after an overheating event (often from the oil cooler issue). Both head gaskets typically need replacement. On the 3.6L in a Pacifica, figure 18-22 hours labor due to tight engine bay and HVAC components in the way.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Owner tips
Run the engine at least 15 minutes every two weeks to cycle fresh fuel and keep seals lubricated, even if you drive electric-only.
Check coolant reservoir monthly for discoloration (pink fluid turning brown or milky means oil cooler is failing).
Monitor oil consumption religiously—if you're adding a quart between changes, get compression tested immediately before catastrophic failure.
Use Top Tier fuel and add stabilizer if the tank will sit more than a month; PHEV fuel systems are not designed for long-term storage.
Consider an extended warranty that covers hybrid components and powertrain—repair costs can exceed the vehicle's value quickly.
Skip it unless you find one with a documented engine replacement under warranty and can verify the transmission cooler has been addressed—the catastrophic failure risk is too high for the money.
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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Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
Consequence: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the battery pack assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 23, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 52D. The Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 11, 2026.
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.
Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. 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: Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters was mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN · 24V793000
2024-10-24
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Pacifica and 2020-2021, 2023 Voyager vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the side curtain air bags may prevent the air bags from deploying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the connector, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is A8B.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 24V436000
2024-06-13
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.
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.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY · 22V181000
2022-03-24
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Pacifica and 2021 Voyager vehicles. The second-row seat-to-floor mounting latch may bind and stick open, preventing the seat from properly securing to the floor. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Consequence: An unsecured seat increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second-row seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Z22.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.