Chrysler Pacifica: Problems & Solutions

bob15

Similar problem. After 4 days transmission leaked. Needs replaced. Stay away from this car.

tfuder

I plan on getting the ATC replaced, along with any other TSB's that are under warranty - it's the most annoying one.

As far as the rattle, I have verified that it is behind the airbag, but on top of the steering column. Sitting at idle, the vibration of the engine is at the perfect harmonic to make it rattle. If it put just a little pressure on the center of the steering wheel, it mutes the rattle. I'll let you know what we find. Will probably get it fixed this weekend. (now where's my steering wheel puller...)

Todd

KCRam

Next installment here at Edmunds:
Chrysler Pacifica Long Term Test

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hillfla

I first posted in #860, but got no replies. Am hoping someone out there can help me figure out why the low heat on the seats does not feel like any heat is coming thru at all. Does anyone else experience this? Is there some kind of programming that can be done at the dealer to make the seats hotter? Its not cold enough yet for the high heat but the low heat actually doing something would be nice.
Thanks!

azpacifica

Hillfla - I also had problems with the 'bun warmer' on the passenger side (one of many, many items that needed fixing on my Poc) and they found a bad connector (crimped) in the seat. The symptoms were intermittent but the low setting never generated any warmth. The dealer needed parts to fix it which took several weeks but it now works ok.

ericlyoung

I have the same problem. Is there anything you can do?

ericlyoung

Did you ever find out what the problem is? I have the same problem and the dealer keeps telling me that can't hear it.

ericlyoung

Did you ever resolve your problem? I have an engine ping and they are telling me to use better gas. I did that and the problem persists.

gatsby

Here's a recap of my problems, and what I currently know about each, after visiting the service center 5 times now in 6 months. I'm posting with the hopes that this will help someone else!!

1. Popping noise under hood ... happens when slowing down and braking, especially while turning, or while braking kind of hard. - THE TECHNICIAN I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH HAS LEARNED OF A TSB IN THE WORKS FOR THIS PROBLEM

2. Problems with headphones & remote not working with DVD player. (Intermittent problem) THEY FINALLY FOUND WHERE PACIFICAS WITH SUNROOFS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSORS (I GLASS CAP OR SOMETHING?). PART IS BEING ORDERED....FINALLY - I JUST KNOW THEY THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY SINCE EVERYTIME I TOOK IT IN IT WAS ACTUALLY WORKING

3. Foam trim panel for sideview mirror mount sticking out. AFTER REPLACING THE WEATHERSTRIP, STILL HAPPENED. NOW THEY'VE REPLACED THE ENTIRE MIRROR MOUNTS. WE'LL SEE...

4. Won't start without giving it gas with the gas pedal. CURRENT TSB IS IN THE WORKS AND DUE TO BE OUT WITHIN A MONTH

5. Rattling sound on dash (driver side toward the left side). HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THIS, BUT HAVEN'T NOTICED IT MUCH LATELY EITHER (MAYBE ONE OF MY "BANGS" PUT SOMETHING BACK IN PLACE!)

mrchips

I have a 04 with 11,155 miles, having a rattle while breaking. I had the dealer check it last oil change. I need to have all 4 rotors turned. My big issues is i bought the car as new ( had 6000 mile ) in 845 miles this would have cost me some big $$$. This is my 2nd time in for warranty issues we are going to give it till 25k if we have any more problems it back to imports.

bjbird2

mrchips.
You have an import. Built in Canada, owned by Mercedes.

yecats

2005 AWD Pacifica Touring...purchased 30 days ago. It has been in for service 3 times for a total of 18 days. So basically the dealer has had my vehicle longer than I have. Did I mention that I still do not have the vehicle back! Here are my problems...1) Engine Belt squeels, squeeks, etc. - finally fixed after I had to wait for the part. 2) Moulding on side of car comming off - had to special order new molding and was replaced. 3) Rattle on Drivers side at speeds over 55mph - in right now for 2nd time, don't know if it is fixed. 4) Oil Leak - in right now for problem, Can't fix as of yet and they have ordered a new oil pump (has been in for 8 days and counting this time). 5) Transmition Leak - what do you know...they can't find it? Will have to bring it back after it leaks again. 6) 3 Dome lights just stopped working - bulbs had burned out (?) and were replaced. 7) Fan belt caover under the car loose and missing clips - in for 2nd time now, same problem. Well I will leave out some of the other more minor issues. I plan to pursue the lemon law here in California when I hit my 30th day, which shouldn't be too far along if I have 18 days already in just 1 month The dealer has done nothing for me in regards to this issue...they won't even call me when my car is in for service to let me know what is going on. I plan to go in this week and give them a piece of my mind.

hydroee

2004 AWD - Has anyone noticed that the trim panel around the gear shift does not match from the left side to the right side? Specifically the space from the trim to the main console for the stereo and AC controls.

The day we signed the papers and picked up the car the AC display did not work. The module was switched with another car and the display worked. Cold that day. Didn't notice that the AC did not work until about a week later. After repair of the AC I noticed the trim panel. The service dept didn't put it together right. After several returns to dealer they told me it was a defect. Anybody else experience this? Besides the recall, the AC not working, a module controlling the fuel mixture (injection valves?)failing, weather stripping releasing, the rear seat overhead trim panel popping out and the engine light coming on this weekend (going to dealer tomorrow) the car has been pretty good.

jzehr

Lots of vehicles demonstrate this same phenomenon. As the car fills up with air from the open window, it sufddenly "releases" the additional air pressure. It's like sitting in a drum. The only thing you can do about it is to open one of the other windows slightly. Voila. No more "drum-noise"!

mrchips

So techenical, How about back to Japan.

bjbird2

????

blue04

Sounds like my last Buick. Except for a rattle or two my Pacifica has not had problems. I would try a different dealer. It is under Chyrsler warranty anyway so you don't have to take it back to those guys.
For you import lovers: I've had lots of Japanese cars. Not much different from Chrysler in the last several years. Personally I think the dealer quality is as big a deal as build quality. A bad dealer can mess up the best of cars. Maybe dealer quality is why Mercedes and Lexus can charge so much...

hillfla

Here's one for the books. Took my Pac into Dobbs Tire to get tires rotated (first time). I asked them to look at right rear tire, it had been setting off the sensor about every month or so and I would have to fill it up (it would be about 5 psi low). So they check it out and come show me a huge bolt that somehow got into my tire and it happened to hit the sensor and knock it off of the stem and the sensor was free-floating inside my tire! The sensor mounting is broken into pieces. So they patched the tire and put a standard stem on the tire for me.

So - I now have to go get a new sensor installed. Anyone know how much they cost?

Thanks!

slamdrgn

$40 at Tire Rack

hillfla

Even better news. I took my Pac in to the dealer yesterday and they replaced the tire sensor under warranty. Gotta love that!

katbird

Just bought a 2004 Pacifica. I have the exact same issue as 4, "Won't start without giving it gas". Took it to the dealership and they did not try very hard to recreate the problem (all they did was try to start it up once and of course it worked). Said the program was up to date. I got them out there with me and it delayed started. Now the next day they want to replace two fuel pumps which gramps said will entail taking the tanks off and why did they not check the starter, ahhh. Please let me know what your TSB is about. Thanks.

rodut

I think you care too much ... push the damn gas pedal half of the way when you start it and that's it !

My Volvo's check engine lighted up 150,000 Kms ago (about 100,000 miles ago). Who cares ?? I think you are very picky because your warranty didn't expire yet.

Judging by the lack of complaints related with engine, transmission, electrical system, heavy stuff ... I would say that now it's safe to buy the Pacifica !

According with my experience the best car is the one never touched by mechanics (except yearly safety checks). Often we are tempted to discredit a car when in fact the mechanics were incompetent. I put my foot in car shops only if I estimate there is fire danger.

bigdaddy1

Has anyone had the problem of the outside rear view mirrors not responding to the automatic memory in the #2 position? In #1 all works great. In #2 all works fine except the mirrors. Was it easy for the dealer to fix? I hate to have people mess with my new car. My wife says leave it alone and she will adjust slightly as needed. It's just I think a new car should be close to perfect. Comments?

rodut

Comments ?
Your wife is smart, and your car is close to perfect !

bigdaddy1

You're right on both counts. After I sent my message I was sure some rascal would suggest the obvious cure for her, take my #1! Thanks.

obix

Having the same problem, but neither setting will hold memory for more than 24hrs. Took to dealer yesterday. Told them, push 1 then push 2, the mirrors won't move. What did they do? Set 1 then 2, pushed 1. Of course it worked! This morning same old story. Am taking back on next week to the one mechanic who knows what he is doing (he was off yesterday). When he fixes it, I will post what he did.

While Rodut is right that this a minor problem and I could just adjust the mirrors each time; I think the vehicle should work the way it is advertised. If the feature on a NEW vehicle doesn't work, don't advertise it will! If we don't make the companies pay for poor quality, they will never improve it!

We had a lot of problems the first month of ownership, but all were fixed. Rear latch failure, Climate control faded in and out, EVIC module bad. Each time it took one trip with an "unable to duplicate" and a second trip to call Charles out to show him that the problem was real. Had he been there yesterday, he would have believed us and tried to fix it. We have one of the first Pacs off the assembly line, so I expect to have a few more problems than most.

Overall, we love this vehicle and are considering trading our Lincoln LS for another to haul around our little rugrat and her things.

pscdoc

There seems to be a very bad problem with the aerodynamics or something with the pacifica as it relates to a terrible thundering sound and shake of the vehicle with ONLY the rear windows open.

This is the first time I have noticed this since I have had my pacifica for only about 6 weeks now. I just recently came back from a San Francisco road trip and on the way I happend to open just one of(initially the driver side only)the rear windows and the car starting making a ear popping thundering sound and made the car shake violently. This was more pronounced as the window was opened further. Also, it seems to be more pronounced on the rear window behind the driver side than on the passenger side. I was trying different combinations along the way to see if this happend all the time, but the intensity seems to be intermittent and probably has to due with the elevation of the road and the speed being driven. But the frequency is constant with either of the rear windows open and its just the intensity that changes.

Has anyone else experienced this?

yecats

Just an update...Chrysler finally decided that it would replace my car today (after 34 days at the service department) since they are still unable to repair my car. The latest issue was the engine light comming on and a rough idle that they were unable to repair (engine light kept comming on). The dealership was no help at all! They actually wanted to replace the ENTIRE engine this time. If you need help with a lemon, contact the manufacturer, dealerships are no help. I still don't have my car back as of yet, but at least I am finally going to be getting one that works...i hope

rodut

pscdoc, that phonic resonance when you open the rear windows at high speed happens at any car. Just the resonant cavity changes. Cars are like musical instruments. If you open just a little bit one of the front windows, or play with the rear windows you will "stimulate" the resonant cavity on another frequency (not the resonant one) and that thundering sound will stop.

It was more pronounced on the rear window behind the driver because it was closer to you ! The car is certainly symmetrical !

Also there is no shake. It can't be. It's just noise. You should hear some wide open sunroofs at 90 miles/hour.

imidazol97

It's not Pacifica's fault, necessarily.

I've read this discussed in Pilot, Highlander, and here. My 93 LeSabre had terrible resonance starting about 35 mph. It drove you to slow down. It was like torture. My later LeSabres are not so bad. It's a matter of the air flow pattern where the rear window is.

pscdoc

Well thank you to all that replied to my post. I guess it is a common problem these days or more with todays vehicles. I have never experienced this before in any of my vehicles and it was a shock or more like a jolt I should say. It's not a big deal as I still luv my pac and wouldn't trade it for anything. but I could have sworn there was also shaking involved

bigdaddy1

At 65-70 mph the sound was so loud I couldn't stand it. My grand daughter had rolled down the left rear power window. I did not think she could reach from her car seat, I now have them all locked. It was like a very loud drum. We very seldom use the windows at highway speeds, so this is not a problem for us. In town with the windows down there is no noise.

robyn2

I was just wondering if you got anywhere w/ this? I have had my 2004 PAC since July. It stalled once when I was going about 45MPH in a slow turn left. And again today, in an almost idle speed hard right turn. I also know about the "stall" recall, which my car didn't fall w/ in the months of production for the recall. The first time the dealer said nothing showed on puter and just changed the battery. Still waiting on results of todays problem. thanks Robyn

pssimon

Has anyone had problems with the gas gauge or sensor? Mine has started going wacky. Driving down the road, with no bumps, acceleration or anything, the gauge will go to empty and the LOW FUEL warning will come up. It will sit there, sometimes for milliseconds and sometimes for 10-15 seconds and then return to normal.

I can't make it happen, but it seems to be happening a little more frequently. I am waiting for it to fail solid before taking it in.

All thoughts appreciated.... Paul

millpark26

Paul,
How long has this been going on? You will find that this has been discussed on thiis forum so check around. It happened in my Pacifica for a day or so and has never happened again.

abeasley1

I was really in love with this vehicle, but ever since I broke my buying ways and bought a Pacifica turning away from Honda, i have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. I have only had it for 3 months app 2100 miles, I have had it in the shop 3 times, First was because of an awful rattle from the engine, supposedly fixed, two more times for that same rattle twice more supposedly fixed now the washer fluid is low light remains on, regardless of how much fluid I put in it. I am at wits end. Can anyone help me?

rodut

I think you waste your time going there for every small complaint. The washer low light can't be big deal. Ask for it (and other small complaints) to be fixed when you go for the oil change.

I am a little bit worried about the engine rattle (because yesterday I ordered for myself a new Pacifica). What was the cause of that rattle ? What mechanics said the 1st, 2nd, 3rd time ? Some bad internal engine parts or just some flimsy plastics somewhere ? Was it fixed when you left the service and it appeared again later ? It sounds unbelievable that they fixed the rattle 3 times (so they found the real cause) and were unable to fix it for good. Either they never fixed it (so they never found the cause), or they fixed it for good (so they found the cause).

You shouldn't be at wits end. My neighbor is not there yet, even after replacing two automatic transmissions at his Honda Odyssey. It looks like doesn't matter what car you buy you will have some problems. You had almost no problems up to date. The days of my 1994 Honda Accord I drove for 140,000 Kms and replaced the muffler and the tires ... those days are long gone. Never replaced the brakes ! My new 2001 Accord needs new brakes at 50,000 Kms !!! Toyota engines melt ... (search with "Toyota engine sludge" on Google and see what you get). All manufacturers go toward an "universal quality" which is far from perfect.

pssimon

It has been going on for about a month. It seems to mostly happen at a half tank. I see there have been other notes about it being the sensor within the tank. Guess I see another visit to the dealer in my future!

laurheis

We had the same problem. Ours would go to empty and the low fuel light would come on. The next time the car was started, the gauge would go back up to about 1/4 tank, and then would fall RAPIDLY within about 8 miles of driving. This is what the invoice for the repair says, "Software related failure. Diagnose and flash update the body control module with the latest software per Technical Service Bulletin #08-038-03."

2005pacifica

I have 2005 FWD Signature Series with remote start. When I use the remote start, the headlights come on and stay on while the car is warming up. I then get in the car and turn the key to on and the headlights go off because I don't have auto headlights. After driving and turning the headlights off and turning the car off, the headlights come on again. Then I have to turn them on and off again or just let them go off automatically after 30 seconds. Is this normal? Anyone else experiencing this phenomenon? If it makes a difference I have the HID headlamps.

okpacifica

Does anyone else have issues with the 6 disc changer cycling through and shuffling all the discs upon a cold start. Until recently(since it got cold) the changer held it's spot and started on the disc where it left off. Now it shuffles through for several minutes and resets to disc one. Have I missed something, or shall I go back to the dealer?

traron

I also had that happen to me once on a cold morning. I ejected disk one and it reset and never happend again. Seeing it happened to someone else now I suspect it probably will happen again at some point in time.

va_guy

I've had my pacifica since 11/1/04 and it's happened to me at least 4 different times. My dealership told me this was "normal" as the system resets itself from time-to-time. But it does seem like it has something to do with the cold weather as well, as mine has only done this on mornings when we've had frost.

plazpad1

greatings....

I'm in the middle of purchasing a 05 AWD pac... I was reading a couple post pages back and saw that some one had mentiong about the auto lights... which I was kinda confused about so heres what mine does.... my lights have the delayed shut off but they will auto shut off.... on the other hand I find it really odd that they don't come on automatically like the dusk sensing lights.... do any of the models have this or do you have to manually turn them on... I know on mine at least there auto off ... mainly cause I was at the dealorship and watched them shut off while I was signing papers... but it still baffles me as to why they don't auto turn on when its dark out... oh well....

rasldasl

I'm not familiar with that particular configuration. My 2004 Pacifica with auto headlights (no remote start) has a setting on the EVIC for how long to leave the headlights on after shutting off the car. I think the choices are 30, 60 or 90 seconds. I'm not sure offhand if there is a setting for 0 seconds. Check the EVIC (if you have one) while the car is in park and see if there is an option for that. This is also where you select settings such as easy-exit for the driver's seat.

traron

My '04 has auto lights for at dusk "on" and auto off when either the outside ambient light increases, or the vehicle is shut off. The off time is selectable through the EVIC. I believe the auto on feature is now an option in '05.

redwingsfan

We recently bought our Pac pre-owned - 2004 with 10,150 miles on it - and took it into the local 5* to get it checked over this morning. (We bought it from a Nissan dealership who had taken it in trade and figured they wouldn't know jack about the Pac.) Issues I had them look at: Somewhere along the line the gas cap hadn't been tightened all the way so the MIL was lit when we got the car - Nissan didn't know how to check it out or reset it. I have been reading this forum for the last week and found out that the ATC control head problem wasn't just in ours (thank God) but others had it too. I speak of the intermittent fading out of the display rather than it being in the "delay" mode." Finally, the AWD badge on the liftgate was delaminating and looked out of place on an otherwise sparkling Pac.

We took it in and I waited for the phone to ring this afternoon. I was all ready for the "we couldn't duplicate the ATC display fade out" argument but to my surprise the Advisor said, "Got your car done. We replaced the ATC control head, replaced the AWD badge and reset the fuel pressure sensor. It's ready to go.....oh, and we also checked out the 2 current recalls, they were both completed by the previous owner."

After hearing horror stories about Chrysler dealers I was floored by this. Thus far the wife loves her Pac and it's all put back together correctly. Everyone's happy for once. I have developed a couple of questions while perusing this forum. I hope to not sound stupid.....but I really don't know the answers to these questions:

(1) I understood that the Pac had AWD available. I see some posts mention FWD. Is this the same thing used interchangably or is there truly a FWD Pac available?

(2) The orginal sticker wasn't in the glove box so we have no idea what trim level this Pac is - it has the 3.5L 24 Valve engine. It's also pretty loaded.....upgraded Intermezzo sound system, moonroof, heated seats (1st and 2nd rows), leather, AWD, 17 inch wheels, fog lights but no overhead DVD. I don't see any special "Signature or Limited" badging so I assume this is a tarted up Touring edition. Sound right?

imidazol97

You can go to the new car section here, go to Pacifica in the full list of Chryslers. Where the choise is 2005 pacifica, there is a 2004 in parentheses.

Go to options just like you would for 2005 and the options list is there. You can see what was available and match it with what options are present!

guest

Thanks for the info. I was looking at the Chrysler website and since they had Touring, Touring Signature and Limited editions for 2005 I figured 2004's had the same levels.

Again, didn't mean to be ignorant of the 2004 situation.

Thanks again.

guest

By looking at the (2004) link as suggested above by post #920 I discovered that the color of our "new" Pac is Onyx Green Pearl rather than Magnesium Pearl.

You learn something new every day.