Diagsheet

2018 Chrysler Pacifica · symptom sheet

Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear

  • 31owner reports
  • 22,300median miles
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Apr 2, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

31 of the 38 reports of transmission shudder on the 2018 Pacifica describe jerking or hard shifts.

Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (38 reports)

Tick what matches of 31 reports

15
19
4
2
8

What got replaced

Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

18V-492Jul 26, 2018
Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the transmission weld fails, the vehicle will stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U85.
18V-493Jul 26, 2018
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the axle shaft disengages from the CV joint, the vehicle will have a loss of drive or allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right halfshaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 18, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U80.

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Pacifica

PE22-008opened Jul 22, 2022
Transmission and drivetrain · model years 2018 to 2024

Transmission fault leading to loss of motive power. Closed mar 27, 2024, led to recall 23V-010.

NHTSA summary
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22008 to investigate allegation of loss of motive power, potentially due to transmission malfunction, in certain Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. In a January 17, 2023 letter to NHTSA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) submitted recall notice 23V-010 involving a transmission motor wiring defect in 67,118 model year (MY) 2017-2023 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) manufactured from August 12, 2016 through January 9, 2023. FCA determined that an internal transmission connector short could result in an unexpected engine shutdown under certain conditions. Follow up correspondence with FCA confirmed this defect results in an electric motor position trouble code that was the basis for opening PE22008, therefore NHTSA is closing this investigation. The 23V-010 recall remedy is a software update to address the hardware failure associated with PE22008. When a hardware failure is detected, the vehicle limits motive power while instructing the driver to pull over to a safe location. NHTSA is concerned that drivers will pull over to an unsafe location when the warning message associated with the recall remedy displays on the dashboard. Due to the nature of the recall remedy and related reports, NHTSA has opened Recall Query RQ24004 to assess the recall remedy. The reports and failure report summary values included with this closing action are related to allegations of Recall 23V-010 remedy inadequacy.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 15,000 and 42,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.

318
719
320
121
322
423
424
425
226

What owners wrote

“At low speed 12-18 mph the transmission hard shifts. It slams so hard that you feel like someone rearended you.”

Filed Jul 8, 2024

“The transmission shifts hard when traveling around 14 mph then will jerk (like being rear ended), slows down then accelerates on its own. I'm afraid it will cause an accident. Chrysler said it is supposed to work like that and nothing is wrong with it. I have had 3 diagnostic tests done it and it shows nothing is wrong.”

Filed Jun 6, 2023

“My transmission jerks when shifting to first gear and sometimes when I'm going slow it feels like it is not getting gas and won't go then it will kick in and take off with acceleration that is more then it should be. The garage reset it back to manufacturer settings, but it only lasted a couple of months and it is doing it again. I'm afraid it will cause an accident.”

Filed Jul 28, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 31 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.

Other problems on this car