2017 Chrysler Pacifica · symptom sheet
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard
- 213owner reports
- 30,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jul 6, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
468 of the 1,513 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 213 of those describe transmission shudder. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 213 reports
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (VMI) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor vehicles modified by VMI. The rear pinion bracket on both sides of the vehicle may crack, causing the axle not to be centered and the wheel to wobble.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: VMI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pinion brackets, free of charge. The recall began on August 14, 2017. Owners may contact VMI customer service at 1-800-488-9082. VMI's number for this recall is PAC20170728.
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Pacifica
Transmission fault leading to loss of motive power. Closed mar 27, 2024, led to recall 23V-010.
NHTSA summary
None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 17,000 and 44,110 miles, from the 155 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Around 79k miles the car began hesitating and rough idling. From the OBDII sensor: Error Code P0301: Cylinder 1 misfire detected”
Filed Mar 13, 2023 · 79,000 miles
“At low speeds when shifting into 2nd gear the car slips, rpm's raise and then it suddenly and aggressively jerks into 2nd gear. If the start and stop feature is enabled and you are in a situation where the feature is engaging and disengaging like traffic then after a few of the jerks into 2nd gear it seems the PCM will get discombobulated and display a P0732 error.”
Filed Oct 9, 2022
“Getting sharp Jerks when shifting gear there is problem in transmission, i have seen lot's of people are having same issue when i google & in youtube videos, customers are facing issues & company is taking fat profits & not providing any fix. Just have to keep reseting it that can last depending on your car usage.”
Filed Sep 16, 2022
“When accelerating slowly from a dead stop, the transmission will sometimes hesitate/ pause to shift and then shift with a hard bang. Most often this happens while accelerating in the 10-20 mph range but will sometimes happen while in the 20-30 mph range. It only happens if accelerating very slow. Quicker acceralation-no problems.”
Filed Feb 9, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 213 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 383 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 186 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 136 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 115 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 105 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 92 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 86 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 85 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 54 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 30 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 25 reports