2018 Chrysler Pacifica · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 221owner reports
- 14,000median miles
- $6,823median quote
- 4involved a crash
Newest report Aug 19, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
621 of the 876 complaints on this car are about the engine. 221 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Pacifica.
Tick what matches of 221 reports
Stalling 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: 2026.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (54 reports), the fuel pump (5 reports), the ignition coil or plugs (5 reports) and the alternator (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
7 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.
A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint.
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.
Transmission fault leading to loss of motive power. Closed mar 27, 2024, led to recall 23V-010.
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.
Fuel tank punctures. Closed oct 11, 2007.
Engine stalling. Closed jun 22, 2006.
Fuel tank punctures. Closed jun 15, 2006.
What owners paid
10 of the 221 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,700 to $8,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 6,406 and 46,000 miles, from the 131 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“At 120,000 miles the head gasket has started leaking into the cylinders. We are unsure if it is reparable or if I will require a new engine. This is a know problem with Pacificas and is an issue they should be fixing since the problem is on the engine part they installed.”
Filed Feb 13, 2026 · 120,000 miles
“The engine was unresponsive and made it difficult to pull into the oncoming traffic. We found out the head gasket was blown and it finally just shut down. Then after we fixed that the lifters and heads were gone even after we had the heads milled and got new gaskets and other parts amounting to $11000.00 so far. We have this car for two years and we have put less that 5000 miles on the car.”
Filed Dec 2, 2024 · 5,000 miles
“Warped cylinder head (right side) causing cylinder misfires and loss of power; loss of coolant. Engine could have hydrolocked while driving. Check engine/P0303 code shown 17May2023 Dealer inspected 18May2023 and found warped cylinder head. Engine: 3.6L V6 24V VVT Engine with ESS; engine origin Mexico. 2018 vehicle with 69,000 miles odometer.”
Filed May 18, 2023 · 69,000 miles
“Ticking noise began out of nowhere, 2 days later accelerated from a stop light felt a jolt and then lost power and check engine light flashing. Took to closest dealer to have looked at. Dealer determination new engine needed, or have cams, headers, rockers, and lifters repaired. Engine has 68,000 miles on it.”
Filed Dec 20, 2022 · 68,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 4 of 221 reports involved a crash and 2 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. 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
- 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
- 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