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Chrysler · NHTSA safety record

2020 Chrysler Pacifica

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 170 safety complaints about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica with the US government. Of those, 7 describe a crash, 3 mention a fire, 10 people were injured and no death is recorded. 5 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 64 complaints, 38% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 34,000 miles, the median across the 28 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers January 2020 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

170 complaints on file

170

Complaints

7

Describe a crash

3

Mention fire

10

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 64 · 38%
ENGINE 52 · 31%
POWER TRAIN 38 · 22%
STEERING 32 · 19%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18 · 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9 · 5%
SEATS 6 · 4%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 5 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 · 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5 · 3%
AIR BAGS 4 · 2%
SUSPENSION 4 · 2%
0 27 54

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 170.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 40.

44 33 22 11
20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2020 Chrysler PACIFICA, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test VAN AWD VAN FWD
Overall Not rated
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover Not rated
Chance of rollover — 11.6%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

5 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

26V362000 · June 4, 2026

Park outside until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 17,277 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:

25V876000 · December 17, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.

Rollx Vans · up to 86 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

24V793000 · October 24, 2024

The defect
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."
The risk
An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 26 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES

23V010000 · January 17, 2023

The defect
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.
The risk
An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 67,117 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

20V191000 · September 10, 2020

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed 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."
The risk
The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 319,610 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

Defect investigations

2 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.

RQ24004

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.

Transmission fault leading to loss of motive power

PE22008

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.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed

Driver side airbags failed to deploy during total loss head on collision.

NHTSA complaint 11733109. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed

Driver side air bags did NOT deploy resulting in injury

NHTSA complaint 11738242. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 500 miles

MY WIFE WAS STATIONARY AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE SECOND ROW. A CAR APPROACHED THE LIGHT AND SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF HER CAR II DON'T THINK THEY WERE SLOWING DOWN). SHE THEN HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT DID NOT FULLY ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, SHE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING FRACTURES, A CONCUSSION AND A MINOR BRAIN BLEED.*DT*DT*DT*JB*JB *TR*TR

NHTSA complaint 11367081. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed

Exiting I-75, vehicle initially slowed but then accelerated while braking. Result was a collision with vehicle on exit ramp. Vehicle is still at collision shop. There was no forward collision warning. Air bags did not deploy despite impact that resulted in radiator being punctured by hitch of pick-up truck.

NHTSA complaint 11503498. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I took my 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (VIN: [XXX]) to Sames Bastrop Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in [XXX], to have Safety Recall 52D performed on the high-voltage battery. Prior to bringing the van in, the vehicle was driving and charging completely normally with no charging errors. Sames performed the recall software update to the Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM) under Recall 52D, but their diagnostic scan logged an active high-voltage fault code (DTC P0E15-00 for the battery pack coolant heater) and a stored bypass valve code (DTC P0E7C-00). Despite these active thermal management codes showing up in their system, the technician marked the vehicle as passed and returned it to me. After

NHTSA complaint 11764090, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
I was about to pull out into a main road with my 3 kids in the car, and my steering wheel locked up and became impossible to drive, had to quickly reverse and could not make it home. I then received an error message on my dash saying power steering unavailable, service requested. The car only has 118,000 miles on it.

NHTSA complaint 11763944. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I experienced a sudden loss of power and steering while driving my vehicle. The screen advised me to pull over because the engine would shut off soon, but I already had lost steering and power. I turned the car off and was able to restart it and drive it 1 mile home, and the check engine light was on. I had it towed to the dealer. After 2 weeks of testing, the dealer reported, “When your vehicle was initially checked in, the following trouble codes were present: 5 BPCM FAULT CODES P1A21-00, P1D43-00, P1C01-00, P1A2A-00, and P1A29-00. We have completed Recall Y40.” The repair tech said they expected the engine to lose power again at some point and I would need to have it towed in again to be

NHTSA complaint 11762907, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS
Our family was driving and our teen in the third row said his seatbelt came apart. We pulled over to inspect. He was in the third row driver side seat. The stitching for the seatbelt and the seat had disintegrated. There is a sticky residue but no stitching. The leather is in pieces and the seatbelt is unusable. This vehicle is used for family transport so there is no known cause as to why this would have happened. The middle seatbelt stitching is also disintegrating

NHTSA complaint 11762579. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
We own a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid that had been operating without any significant issues for approximately six years. Recently, the vehicle was subject to a recall involving the charging system, and we brought it to the dealership to have the recall work completed. Nine days after the recall service, the vehicle would not start and displayed a “Service Charging System” error message. The dealership arranged to have the vehicle towed back for evaluation. They kept the vehicle for approximately a week and a half but ultimately stated that they were unable to identify any problem. We were charged $200 for the diagnostic evaluation, and our insurance covered the cost of the tow.

NHTSA complaint 11761392, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle has suffered from electrical issues since 2023 with effects to front windows causing window to reverse down when trying to roll up, radio malfunctions that is a known Chrysler issue that removes the ability to control rear entertainment center from front screen leaving the feature unusable with small children in the rear for long periods of time, rear cross traffic warning detection malfunctioning and not making audible alarms or warning with vehicles and pedestrians behind vehicle, loud noises when braking that according to Chrysler TA is potentially the ABS system wanting to engage but didn't, electrical shorts causing intermittent surging of interior lights - slower functioning

NHTSA complaint 11759715, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chrysler Pacifica

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 11 5 —
2025 28 9 —
2024 43 11 —
2023 153 14 —
2022 213 10 1
2021 372 7 —
2019 312 7 —
2018 876 12 —
2017 1,522 11 —

Other 2020 Chrysler models

Pacifica Plug-IN Hybrid 58 Voyager 13 300 9

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Chrysler on this site — 49 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst