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 Oct 2, 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
Jerking or hard shifts 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
This is the narrower sheet inside transmission shudder for shifts that jerk, lurch or bang. Where the wider sheet also takes in slipping and vibration, these reports are about a shift that arrives too hard: the car lunges forward, or a clunk comes through the floor as it drops into gear.
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.
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.
All 12 recalls on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 15,000 and 42,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“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. 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
- Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 39 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