MODELYEARINDEX

Which Chrysler Pacifica years to avoid

Across 5 scored model years, the 2017 and 2018 model years carry the highest severity-weighted complaint rates.

Ownership label · Chrysler Pacifica Full report
F
Grade 2017–2021
2017 vs model median 2.2×
Model median3× median
Drivetrain 304
Engine 245
Electrical 223
Avoid

2017 · 2018

Best

2019 · 2020

Year by year

Severity-weighted complaints filed in each model year’s first 60 months on the road, so every year is measured over an identical window.

Year Complaint volume vs median Reports Grade
2017
2.25× 1,317 F
2018
1.13× 634 D
2019
0.38× 238 B
2020
0.21× 131 B
2021
1.00× 593 C
2022 P
0.61× 346 C
2023 P
0.39× 241 B
2024 P
0.09× 62 B
2025 P
0.06× 37 B

P — provisional. These years have not completed 60 months on the road, so their totals are incomplete and they are excluded from the verdict.

What owners report

The component groups most often named, with one representative report. These are unverified — allegations, not findings.

2017 F 1,317 reports · median 21,060 mi

  1. Drivetrain 304

    After placing the vehicle in reverse and applying gas the vehicle will start to reverse as intended. However, after moving several feet the transmission completely fails and the vehicle does not respond to added… owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  2. Engine 245

    The contact owns a 2017 chrysler pacifica. While attempting to accelerate from a red light, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the onboard computer displayed a transmission code. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  3. Electrical 223

    Speedometer not reporting correct vehicle speed. While barely touching accelerator vehicle reported me driving 67 MPH. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

52 crash · 12 fire · 42 injuries

2018 D 634 reports · median 11,127 mi

  1. Electrical 161

    We were driving home at night and stopped on a red light in an intersection on a highway. When it was 'go' our pacifica 2018 (400 miles on it) did not run. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  2. Engine 138

    2018 touring l plus towed. Was driving along and started losing all power, systems started to shut down, van was limited in speed and function. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

  3. Drivetrain 58

    After a stop, then stepping on the gas and nothing happens. Finally takes the gas and lurches forward. On 03/15/2018 the dealer updated the TCM software,said mine was out of date. owner complaint filed with NHTSA

35 crash · 17 fire · 12 injuries

The best year for the Pacifica

Ranked by overall score among years with a full 60 months on the road.

2020 is the best-scoring Pacifica model year with a full 60 months on the road, at 76.5 out of 100 — a score that combines complaint rate, recall campaigns and open investigations.

Yearvs medianReportsGrade
2020 0.21× 131 B
2019 0.38× 238 B
2021 1.00× 593 C

Recalls

37 campaigns on record, 2 carrying a Park It or Park Outside warning.

Campaign Component Model years Units affected
18V332000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING 2017, 2018 4,815,661
24V436000 BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA 2021–2023 1,033,433
20V191000 BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA 2019, 2020 319,610
26V189000 AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN 2022–2025 293,264
25V302000 AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN 2022–2025 250,651
18V395000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE 2017, 2018 240,242
19V348000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY 2017–2019 198,731
18V049000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE 2017 153,859
23V010000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES 2017–2023 67,117
17V824000 EQUIPMENT 2018 61,791
17V542000 SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER 2017, 2018 47,927
19V143000 SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM 2018 47,771

+ 25 further campaigns

How long do they last?

Complaint records show when problems get reported, not how long a car survives. Where owners gave an odometer reading, faults on the 2017 were reported at a median of 21,060 miles. Treat that as the point problems start being noticed, not a lifespan.

Common questions

Answered directly from this model’s record.

Which Chrysler Pacifica years should you avoid?
2017, 2018 carry the highest severity-weighted complaint rates of any Chrysler Pacifica model year measured over an identical 60-month window.
What is the best year for the Chrysler Pacifica?
2020 is the best-scoring Chrysler Pacifica model year with a full 60 months on the road, at 76.5 out of 100. The score combines complaint rate, recall campaigns and open investigations.
How many recalls does the Chrysler Pacifica have?
37 distinct recall campaigns are on record across all scored Chrysler Pacifica model years. A recall is a matter of record: the manufacturer filed a defect report with NHTSA.

How this was calculated

Every model year is scored over an identical window: complaints filed with NHTSA during the first 60 months after that model year went on sale. Without this, older cars look worse purely because they have had longer to accumulate reports.

Limitations. Complaints are unverified reports submitted voluntarily by owners; they are allegations, not findings, and reporting rates vary between models. Model years with fewer than 60 months on the road are marked provisional and excluded from verdicts. Cross-model comparison is withheld pending production-volume data.

Full methodology · Sources · Data vintage August 9, 2026

Working 2017 Pacifica
Complaints in window
1,317
Severity-weighted
2,331
Model median (weighted)
1,037
vs model median
2.25×
Recall campaigns (weighted)
11
Open investigations
2
Score 22.2 F