2018 Chrysler Pacifica · symptom sheet
Auto start-stop will not restart the engine
- 39owner reports
- 17,780median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jan 13, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
539 of the 876 complaints on this car are about the engine. 39 of those describe auto start-stop failure.
Tick what matches of 39 reports
Auto start-stop failure on other Pacifica years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Start-stop complaints describe one moment: the engine shuts off at a light, as designed, and then doesn't come back when the driver lifts off the brake. Owners report sitting in traffic with a dead engine, having to shift to park and restart by hand, and dealers who find nothing wrong on the first visit. It usually happens more than once before anyone files.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (16 reports) and the start-stop module (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
5 recalls on the engine cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.
A loose battery ground connection may result in an intermittent loss of power steering assist and/or a stall.
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.
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."
These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging.
All 12 recalls on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Pacifica
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.. Open.
Ignition-off high voltage battery fire (remedy effectiveness of recall 22v-077). Open, led to recall 26V-362.
Stall/loss of motive power. Closed mar 1, 2018, led to recall 18V-049.
Engine compartment fire. Closed apr 15, 2009.
Engine stalling. Closed nov 29, 2006, led to recall 06V-432.
Engine stalling. Closed jun 22, 2006.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 8,000 and 50,000 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
No Start, Start Stop Inoperative, Cluster Message Service Start Stop System
No Start, Start Stop Inoperative, Cluster Messages to Service Shifter or Service Start Stop System
What owners wrote
“Vehicle engine shuts off while driving down the road. Will start up after a few minutes. Traction control light and auto start stop light will come on. Random right wheel noise will come and go. Have had multiple mechanic shops check vehicle with no findings. Vehicle loses all power when shuts down.”
Filed Jun 19, 2025
“While driving on the highway, the car suddenly had a flash of start/stop system and then car stalled as soon as I moved to the exit lane. Once I stalled I had to stop car. Wait several minutes, and try to restart car. After several attempts and me blocking busy traffic, it restarted. This happened repeatedly even after technician said they cleared codes.”
Filed Aug 26, 2024
“I was driving and pulled up to a stop light. The car all of a sudden turned off. I had to place the car in park, and reset. The error light said to service the auto start stop feature. This is the third time the car has turned off in the middle of driving.”
Filed Jul 17, 2022
“1. The battery for the auto start/stop system has been dead (since a week after my warranty expired). The Start/Stop warning light has been on ever since. 2. The side sliding doors on both sides are temperamental. It takes a few tries to make them stay closed. 3. The button on the outside front door handle no longer functions when I push it to lock the doors. I can lock from the FOB or from the inside of the car.”
Filed Feb 21, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 39 reports involved a crash. 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 221 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 172 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 160 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 96 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 95 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 73 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 71 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 69 reports
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 39 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 38 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 37 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 31 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 30 reports