The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is FCA's minivan built on an all-new platform with the 62TE 9-speed automatic and 3.6L Pentastar V6. Early production quality issues plague this first model year, particularly transmission cooling failures and catastrophic engine failures from piston ring/bearing defects.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure Leading to Transmission Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission slipping or harsh shifts, Milky or chocolate-colored transmission fluid, Check engine light with trans temp codes, Catastrophic transmission failure if coolant mixes with ATF
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler and flush/replace transmission fluid. If coolant contamination occurred, complete transmission rebuild or replacement required. 3-4 hours for cooler only, 12-18 hours for full transmission work.
Catastrophic Engine Failure - Piston Ring and Bearing Issues
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1qt per 1,000 mi or worse), Knocking or ticking from lower engine, Low oil pressure warning, Blue smoke from exhaust on startup, Metal shavings in oil during changes
Fix: Early 2017 Pentastar V6s suffer from defective piston rings causing oil consumption, eventually leading to bearing failure. Requires complete engine rebuild or short block replacement. 18-24 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $6,500-9,500
9-Speed Transmission Shift Quality Issues and Software Glitches
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: Harsh 2-3 or 3-4 upshifts, Hesitation from stop, Transmission hunting between gears at highway speeds, Delayed engagement when shifting to Drive or Reverse
Fix: Multiple TCM software updates released by FCA. Start with latest flash update (1.5 hours), then adaptive learning reset. Persistent issues may require transmission valve body replacement (8-10 hours).
Symptoms: Second or third row seats won't fold electrically, Grinding noise from seat tracks, Seat stuck in partially folded position, Intermittent operation requiring multiple button presses
Fix: Power folding seat motors or track assemblies fail, often from debris/corrosion in the floor storage bins. Motor replacement 2-3 hours per seat, track assembly 4-5 hours.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 per seat
Water Pump Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant weeping from weep hole, Whining or grinding noise from front of engine, Overheating in traffic or at idle, Visible coolant leak below water pump area
Fix: 3.6L water pump bearings fail or seals leak. Not a timing chain-driven pump, but still requires serpentine belt removal and accessories moved. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $500-800
Electrical System Glitches - Ignition Module and Wiring Connector Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: No-start condition intermittently, Multiple warning lights on dash (anti-theft, check engine), Push-start button unresponsive, Accessories work but engine won't crank, Radio/Uconnect system freezing or rebooting
Fix: Recalls address ignition control module and wiring connector corrosion. Diagnose with factory scan tool, often requires RFID antenna module replacement or connector repair/reseal. 2-3 hours diagnostic and repair.
Estimated cost: $400-900
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from Park to Drive, Vibration at idle in gear, Excessive driveline movement felt through floor, Visible sagging or torn rubber on mount
Fix: Front transmission mount hydraulic fluid leaks out or rubber tears. Requires supporting transmission and replacing mount. 1.5-2 hours.
Estimated cost: $300-500
Owner tips
Check transmission fluid condition every 30,000 mi for coolant contamination - milky fluid means immediate cooler replacement needed
Monitor oil consumption religiously; if consuming more than 1qt per 3,000 mi, start budgeting for engine work
Ensure all TSBs and software updates applied, especially TCM updates through 2019
Clean out Stow 'n Go bins regularly to prevent debris jamming seat mechanisms
Avoid 2017 first-year production if possible - 2018+ models have many running changes that address these issues
Pass on 2017 unless it has documented proof of transmission cooler replacement and shows zero oil consumption; too many expensive grenades waiting to detonate for a used minivan purchase.
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.
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.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 18V049000
2018-01-11 · DP17003
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.
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U01.
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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · 17V482000
2017-07-28
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.
Consequence: A wheel wobble may cause a possible loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: VMI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pinion brackets, free of charge. The recall began on August 14, 2017. Owners may contact VMI customer service at 1-800-488-9082. VMI's number for this recall is PAC20170728.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 17V342000
2017-05-25
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."
Consequence: The crossed rear brake lines will cause the rear anti-lock brake system to be ineffective, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Vantage Mobility will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear brake line attachments, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082. Vantage Mobility's number for this recall is Pac-20170525.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · 16V490000
2016-06-30
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).
Consequence: If passengers occupying the third-row and/or second-row center seats cannot use a seat belt, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the third-row and, if necessary, second-row center overhead seat belt stow bezel, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S42.
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