The 2021 Pacifica (especially the hybrid) is a sophisticated minivan with solid bones but suffers from some catastrophic engine failures on V6 models and transmission cooling issues that can end the vehicle prematurely if ignored. Electrical gremlins and stow-n-go seat mechanisms also plague higher-mileage examples.
Symptoms: Sudden knocking or rattling from engine bay, especially on cold starts, Metal shavings in oil during routine changes, Check engine light with misfire codes (P0300-P0306), Complete loss of power or seized engine in worst cases
Fix: Rocker arm failures in the cylinder deactivation system drop valves into cylinders, destroying pistons, rings, and cylinder walls. Requires complete engine teardown or replacement. Short block swap takes 18-24 hours; full rebuild 25-30 hours depending on damage extent. Some cases covered under powertrain warranty extension to 150k mi on certain VINs—check TSB 09-002-21.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
9-Speed Transmission Oil Cooler Failure and Fluid Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission slipping or harsh shifts, especially 2nd to 3rd gear, Pink or milky transmission fluid (coolant cross-contamination), Overheating transmission temp warnings on dash, Limp mode or refusal to shift above 3rd gear
Fix: Internal transmission oil cooler cracks, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. Requires new cooler, complete trans fluid flush (often multiple flushes), filter, and sometimes new torque converter if contamination is severe. Caught early: 4-6 hours. If internal damage occurred: transmission rebuild or replacement adds 12-16 hours.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500 early detection, $4,500-7,000 with trans damage
Hybrid Battery Cooling Fan and Cell Degradation (Hybrid Models)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Reduced electric-only range (drops from 30+ miles to under 15 miles), Hybrid system warning lights or 'Service Hybrid System' message, Loud whining or clicking from rear cargo area where battery pack lives, Engine running constantly even on short trips
Fix: Cooling fans fail or battery cells degrade unevenly. Fan replacement is 2-3 hours. Full battery pack replacement (if out of 10yr/150k hybrid warranty) requires 8-10 hours and is dealer-only work due to high-voltage systems. Individual cell replacement not available—whole pack or nothing.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500 for fans, $8,000-12,000 for battery pack
Stow-n-Go Seat Mechanism Binding and Motor Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Power-folding seats move slowly, stop mid-cycle, or won't fold at all, Grinding or clicking noises from seat motors during operation, Seats stuck in partially folded position, Error messages on infotainment about seat position
Fix: Motors and cables wear out from dirt/debris in tracks or mechanical binding. Clean and lube tracks first (1 hour). If motors failed, replacement is 2-3 hours per seat assembly. Third-row seats fail more often than second row due to less frequent use causing lubrication dry-out.
Estimated cost: $150-300 for cleaning/service, $800-1,400 per motor assembly
Backup Camera and Liftgate Wiring Harness Chafing
Common · low severity
Symptoms: Intermittent or complete backup camera failure (black screen), Liftgate won't open or close electrically, or reverses unexpectedly, Third brake light or license plate lights intermittent, Water intrusion in rear cargo area during rain
Fix: Wiring harness between body and liftgate flexes constantly and wears through insulation at hinge points. Inspection and repair of visible damage takes 1-2 hours. Full harness replacement if multiple circuits affected: 3-4 hours. TSB 08-074-20 addresses this with revised routing.
Estimated cost: $200-500 for repair, $600-1,000 for harness replacement
Front Lower Control Arm Bushing Wear
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front end, especially one side, Steering pulls to one side even after fresh alignment, Uneven tire wear on inside edge of front tires, Vibration through steering wheel at highway speeds
Fix: Heavy minivan weight plus pothole impacts destroy bushings prematurely. Front control arms aren't serviceable for bushings alone—full arm replacement required. 2-3 hours per side, alignment mandatory after. Both sides typically done together.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400 for both sides including alignment
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 50,000 mi regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims—ZF 9-speed is notoriously sensitive to fluid condition
Use 0W-20 synthetic oil and change every 5,000 mi to help rocker arms survive in the 3.6L V6
Inspect transmission cooler and coolant for cross-contamination at every oil change—catch it early to save the transmission
Clean and lubricate Stow-n-Go seat tracks every 20,000 mi with dry silicone spray
Hybrid models: verify battery cooling fan operation annually—listen for it running when battery is charging
Check liftgate wiring harness at door hinge annually for chafing or exposed copper
Buy a 2021+ with remaining powertrain warranty or get a pre-purchase inspection focused on engine internals and transmission cooler—these catastrophic failures can total the vehicle economically, but well-maintained examples with no engine damage history can be solid family haulers.
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.
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.
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