2018 Chrysler Pacifica · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 95owner reports
- 25,700median miles
- $600median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
288 of the 876 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 95 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 95 reports
Dead battery 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: 2022, 2023, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These owners walk out to a car that's dead. Some find it drained after sitting only a day or two, some need a jump start every week, and some have had the battery replaced more than once without the problem going away. A good number describe the dealer testing the battery, calling it fine, and sending them home.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (84 reports), the module (12 reports), the starter (8 reports) and the alternator (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
5 recalls on the electrical system 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 electrical system 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.
Engine compartment fire. Closed apr 15, 2009.
What owners paid
31 of the 95 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $250 to $1,191.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 11,142 and 64,000 miles, from the 32 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 11 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.
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
Radio Remained On After Ignition Is Switched Off, Dead Battery From Excessive Radio Current Draw
No Start After a Flash or Powertrain Control Module (PCM), Body Control Module (BCM) Replacement
No Start, Start Stop Inoperative, Cluster Message Service Start Stop System
7 more on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica page.
What owners wrote
“While driving on the freeway, the van suddenly started to âdragâ and alarm that the start/stop system was unavailable. I was barely able to pull off the freeway before the van completely stopped moving and would not start up again.”
Filed Dec 30, 2024
“Driving through a parking lot when the van said shift to park and completely shut off while moving. Lost power steering and acceleration. Car then would not restart. Husband came and we hooked to his battery and somehow it cranked and we got it home.”
Filed Sep 5, 2023
“My car won't start it says that the engine or accessory is on when it isn't. I had this same problem last year during covid so I replaced both the batteries last year. Now it's doing it again. This time how ever the light is flickering on the drivers side. The doors when I first got it and sometimes says still that there not enough power to operate sliding doors.”
Filed Jul 15, 2023
“On 5/31/22 I took my vehicle for service due @ error. The dealership Mac Hakil I-55 Jackson MS slept my vehicle until 6/2/23 telling me it was my battery charging $813.00. I feel this was a ripped off”
Filed Jun 2, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 95 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
- 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
- Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 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