2020 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-IN Hybrid

Still open recall query · opened February 27, 2024

the electrical system

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE22-008 regarding complaints alleging a loss of motive power condition potentially due to a transmission malfunction in Model Years 2019-2021 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV).  On January 17, 2023, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) issued safety recall (NHTSA Recall 23V-010) involving 2017-2023 Model Years (MY) Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) produced between August 12, 2016, through January 9, 2023. The recall states that the loss of motive power condition in these vehicles is caused by an internal transmission wiring connector that may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.  An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.  In discussions with FCA on Recall 23V-010, ODI confirmed the recall was related to investigation PE22-008.  The remedy for 23V-010 is to update the Power Inverter module (PIM) and/or Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) software to provide drivers a message stating “Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon” followed by a chime and MIL, PRNDL blinking (on cluster and shifter knob), low SOC (State of Charge) warning and reduced power mode.  The recall remedy does not replace the defective hardware that was described in Recall 23V-010, and the wiring connector short still exists on these vehicles. To date, ODI has received 132 reports for the population of vehicles subject to recall 23V-010.  These reports allege a loss of motive power condition that reduces the vehicles speed, followed by dashboard warning lamps displaying messages associated with recall 23V-010.  The presence of these warning lamps and messages indicates the vehicle likely had the recall remedy applied. Follow up discussions with FCA confirm their remedy does not prevent a loss of motive power, but instead limits torque to the engine and after an unspecified number of miles or period of time, the engine will shut down.  When this occurs, FCA relies on the owner to transport the vehicle to a dealership after they experience a loss of motive power condition, at which time the defective hardware is replaced.  Furthermore, the dashboard messages introduced in the recall remedy may cause the driver to pull over in an unsafe location. Pulling over in an unsafe location may expose the occupants to undue harm. The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the adequacy, frequency, and safety consequence of the remedy for recall 23V-010.  To review the ODI reports cited in the opening resume ODI report identification number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened July 22, 2022 · closed March 27, 2024 · led to recall 23V010

the power train

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22008 to investigate allegation of loss of motive power, potentially due to transmission malfunction, in certain Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. In a January 17, 2023 letter to NHTSA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) submitted recall notice 23V-010 involving a transmission motor wiring defect in 67,118 model year (MY) 2017-2023 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) manufactured from August 12, 2016 through January 9, 2023. FCA determined that an internal transmission connector short could result in an unexpected engine shutdown under certain conditions. Follow up correspondence with FCA confirmed this defect results in an electric motor position trouble code that was the basis for opening PE22008, therefore NHTSA is closing this investigation. The 23V-010 recall remedy is a software update to address the hardware failure associated with PE22008. When a hardware failure is detected, the vehicle limits motive power while instructing the driver to pull over to a safe location. NHTSA is concerned that drivers will pull over to an unsafe location when the warning message associated with the recall remedy displays on the dashboard. Due to the nature of the recall remedy and related reports, NHTSA has opened Recall Query RQ24004 to assess the recall remedy. The reports and failure report summary values included with this closing action are related to allegations of Recall 23V-010 remedy inadequacy. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

crash · towed · 300 miles

BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN PRESSED, LEADING TO COLLISION WITH CARS IN FRONT OF US BECAUSE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP.

NHTSA complaint 11395480. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

crash · towed · 27,000 miles

The contact owned a 2020 Chrysler Pacific. The contact stated while entering the vehicle unknown warning lights illuminated, and the contact shut down the vehicle and restarted it. When the contact restarted the vehicle, the contact noticed that the engine was running rough and shut down the vehicle. When the contact exited the vehicle, it roll backward on its own and rear-ended into a fence causing damage to the fence and damage rear passenger side bumper. No one was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown place. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 27,000.

NHTSA complaint 11523879. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 58,000 miles

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated and slowed down with a message to “Pull Over Safely – Engine Will Shut down” displayed. The contact pulled over and the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that software update needed to be performed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 58,000.

NHTSA complaint 11533103. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

57,016 miles

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in-Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the "Turtle Symbol” was displayed with the message "Vehicle Will Shut off Soon - Pull Over" displayed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure again. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving at various speeds and was a recurring failure. The …

NHTSA complaint 11662828, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

We were driving down the freeway at 70 mph and the vehicle displayed "Vehicle will shut off soon, pull over safely" and IMMEDIATELY lost power and the gas pedal would do nothing.

NHTSA complaint 11650449. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

We have a broken 2nd row captain's chair on the passenger side. The seat broke with my child's car seat in it so we didn't notice until we took the carseat out and noticed the seat back was swinging freely forward and back and would not latch. In doing some research we found dozens of other people with similar age Pacificas with identical problems. You can see some details here; [XXX] Some in this forum have mentioned this specific seat part is needed for the repair: Mopar part number 68324912AC - Latch Release Cable It is extremely scary to me this seat latch could just break as the seatback would put the passenger in extreme danger in an accident. I hope you can investigate! INFORMATION …

NHTSA complaint 11642639, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I received a service hybrid electric vehicle system warning. Also vehicle speed may be limited warning. When I shut the vehicle off, it was loud and remained running. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because the warning happened while I was driving and I couldn’t get speed to park in a safe location. I had my car towed to a local Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealer and they updated software related to my car that was the source of the problem. They also told me the battery completely drained. The recall was due to a faulty PCM that the recall was for. You can see in the invoice the problem I communicated to the manufacturer before they diagnosed my vehicle. You can see clearly the …

NHTSA complaint 11638995, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

towed · 50,000 miles

The contact's mother owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that his mother observed the message "Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon" and immediately after the warning light was illuminated the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the residence and was later restarted, and the vehicle was taken to a dealer. The contact stated that the dealer had diagnosed the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure. The dealer recommended that the vehicle be returned to the dealer if the failure was returned. The failure reoccurred and the vehicle was taken …

NHTSA complaint 11633190, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

A coolant leak in the engine led to contamination, misfiring spark plugs. Check engine light came on while driving, and very soon thereafter (~3 minutes) car began sputtering while accelerating and shaking while idle. Acceleration seemed particularly unreliable and dangerous, leading driver to immediately exit the highway and continue straight to dealership on back roads. Dealer found that coolant had leaked into the engine, causing the need to replace right side cylinder head, gasket and spark plug.

NHTSA complaint 11615566. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.