2018 Chrysler Pacifica Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 844 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 12 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica receives a 3.6/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 844 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 12 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports with a median failure point at 64,000 miles (IQR: 26,196 – 83,500 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $950 – $3,200 .
187.6 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
12 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
“Failed head gasket that put vehicle in compromised working condition on the roadway - check engine light flash, poor and inconsistent engine running. First indications were 5-10 seconds of rough idle after startup when sitting overnight, then p0303 check engine code for cylind...”
“I was driving to the dealership and stopped at a light and the start stop button turned off completely. Brake locked and wouldn’t start back.”
“The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, there was white smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and i...”
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver, and the vehicle stalled. The message "Power Train" was displayed on the instrument panel. The failure occurred on several occasio...”
“I was driving to the dealership and stopped at a light and the start stop button turned off completely. Brake locked and wouldn’t start back.”
“• July 19 (PM): While driving, the vehicle displayed: ◦ Service Hybrid Electric System (red wrench) ◦ Check Engine Light • July 20 (AM): All warning lights had cleared. • July 20 (PM): While driving, the following warnings appeared simultaneously: ◦ Service Hybrid Electric Sys...”
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 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver, and the vehicle stalled. The message "Power Train" was displayed on the instrument panel. The failure occurred on several occasio...”
“I have a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. At approximately 110,000–115,000 miles, I began experiencing an intermittent sticking sensation in the steering while driving. When traveling straight and then making a gradual steering correction or beginning a turn, the steering wheel sometim...”
“• July 19 (PM): While driving, the vehicle displayed: ◦ Service Hybrid Electric System (red wrench) ◦ Check Engine Light • July 20 (AM): All warning lights had cleared. • July 20 (PM): While driving, the following warnings appeared simultaneously: ◦ Service Hybrid Electric Sys...”
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
“Driving down the road at medium speeds, steering seems to bind or catch at about "1-3pm" when turning to the right - had two near misses and several others that would have been if I had not been on alert. This issue developed in the last 200 miles. Current mileage is 99,995.”
“Driving at speeds above 50 mph the steering wheel sticks or catches when I’m trying to turn. If you check subreddits and other places online, this is a very well known issue that needs to be addressed. It could be very dangerous if you couldn’t correct it while in a curve. I’m...”
“I have a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. At approximately 110,000–115,000 miles, I began experiencing an intermittent sticking sensation in the steering while driving. When traveling straight and then making a gradual steering correction or beginning a turn, the steering wheel sometim...”
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“I was driving to the dealership and stopped at a light and the start stop button turned off completely. Brake locked and wouldn’t start back.”
“• July 19 (PM): While driving, the vehicle displayed: ◦ Service Hybrid Electric System (red wrench) ◦ Check Engine Light • July 20 (AM): All warning lights had cleared. • July 20 (PM): While driving, the following warnings appeared simultaneously: ◦ Service Hybrid Electric Sys...”
“Yes, the problem has been reproduced by the technician. When you put the car in reverse, it would start to go in reverse and as soon as you let off the throttle or the gas pedal, it would go forward at 15 to 20 mile an hour as you slammed your other foot on the break that’s wi...”
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“I was driving to the dealership and stopped at a light and the start stop button turned off completely. Brake locked and wouldn’t start back.”
“I was in a motor vehicle accident when my passenger side vehicle got t-boned on 3/22/26. My 2018 chrysler pacifica limited airbags failed to deploy and the driver and passenger sustained whiplash injuries.”
“Chrysler performed the 73B recall and n my van in August of 2025. Ever since performing this recall the van has a continuous stream of check engine lights and error codes. The van has been at the dealership at least 6 times for well over 100 days. The check engine lights and e...”
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
“As I was leaving the gas station the Check engine light flashed on and off then the car was like turning on and off fast and a loud clunk sound and the Fuel pump module exploded gas sprayed all over the gas station. Huge fire hazard and the car began to smoke Vehicle experienc...”
“In at least 3 different drivers experienced the engine shutting off while driving at low speeds. It happened either while stopped at the traffic light, or shortly after being stopped at the traffic. The engine stalled and the message on the dash said to stop the vehicle, turn ...”
“Our 2018 Pacifica after only 77K rough miles has a blown gasket and a misfire in cylinder 3. The safety concern is that my family bought this van and are the original owner with the safety standards in mind. We have a 6 year old and a 3 year old. we have had this van since our...”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (12)
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."
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
Summary: 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.
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
Summary: 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.
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.
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.
EQUIPMENT
Summary: 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
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Summary: 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."
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.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2018 Chrysler Pacifica
Before purchasing a used 2018 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 12 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: 2018 Chrysler Pacifica
Is the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica a reliable used car?
The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica earns a 3.6/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 844 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 2018 Chrysler Pacifica?
The leading complaint category is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports, with a median failure point around 64,000 miles (IQR: 26,196 – 83,500 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica?
Yes, the NHTSA records 12 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.