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Comments
rodut, I'm glad that you finally are convinced that the Pacifica is "Pacificrap"...
I have not signed in this forum for a while because I'm so disgusted and tired with the problems showing up one by one with my "Pacificrap". Just about every problem I read in this forum, I have already had it or it's about to show up. On top of that, my dealer is clueless. I have to bring it back many times to fix just one problem. The famous line "Unable to duplicate the problems"... "Parts back order"...Sounds familiar??? I have a job and I work for the living just like everybody else. They don't pay me for the time I spend at the dealership. It's a lot of valuable time wasted!!!
By reading this forum and doing my own research, I think I know more than my dealer about the Pac. Many time I have to direct them to the right issue with TSB. Why would Chrysler release such a nice (well almost nice) car and did not pay attention to the QA and training their technician?
This is the way Chrysler (and my dealership) do business and as a result, they lost my business forever.
Yes, rodut, INCOMPETENCE is a right word. Hey, Chrysler I hope you hear this forum.
Bye for now... And happy posting.
and rodut, I am sorry that your PAC turned into a lemon like so many others. You really were the champion of the PAC for quite a while on these forums. If the PAC can sour your opinion then what hope does anyone else have.
and will DC every get its act on quality together?
The clunky thing is just annoying to me.. maybe the sound varies per model, etc. but it's very noticeable to me and for $43+, I should not have to tolerate that. Some people are content, but I've never liked having the feeling as if I am not getting my money's worth or having to "settle" with something. Oddly enough, the dealership has been unable to fix the intermittent satellite radio issue (fading in and out, and not even working until the vehicle is restarted) and this has been addressed at least 5 times. They just cannot figure out what's wrong.
Heck, I may even consider looking at the RX330 just to "save" a little more money, but overall go out to the Lexus GX and RX forums here on edmunds, the GX forum has less than 100 posts under "Problems and Solutions?" Evidentally, someone's leading a heavy QA initiative over at Toyota!
http://www.lexus.ca
the Lexus LX470 is listed at $101,400 Canadian dollars (plus tax).
For my Touring FWD Pacifica I paid (after discounts) CAN$ 35,000 (plus tax).
Toyota / Lexus doesn't discount cars a lot, so it comes at:
3 Pacificas = 1 Lexus 470
Sorry, but the barely perceptible noise I have doesn't justify paying 3 cars for one !!! Let's be fair, even if Chrysler doesn't know how to make a dead silent suspension ! If price is no object why don't you buy a Greyhound bus ? They are dead silent !
Which begs the question...if Chrysler had any quality control at all going for the PAC and could actually have put out a PAC with the quality it should have...how many thousands more units would they have moved? I know of 3 people who were ready to buy a PAC, loved it upon first look/drive but then did not buy one because of all the problems.
For one, not many happy and contended PAC owners come and post how beautiful their PAC is because, I believe, they enjoy driving it rather than posting on these forums. I know couple of highly contented PAC owners (> 10 K miles) who are not aware of a forum like this at all. Go figure!
Just because Lexus LX470 forum has less postings means nothing... Maybe, the owners of LX have hefty amounts to spend on cars and don't give a squat posting minor annoyances rather than taking it to the dealer and fixing it.
For the value and quality, I don't think any other competitor can beat PAC. Period. Agree that there are some problems on PACs manufactured before Sep or Aug '04 but the ones that are built later are of prime quality or at least, that's what the owners I know vouch for!
For anyone buying a new car, you can probably find a "Problems & Soulutions" forum on it, whether it be edmunds.com or any other site. I found the same when I bought my Xterra two years ago and have not any problems.
I think whatever vehicle you buy you will always have a risk.
When you post your problems, can you give the TRIM as well? This will help us to narrow whether the problem is with the Base AWD or Touring FWD or Limited and so on. Since Limited and Touring trims have more options (lots of electronics), the problem might be some what related to that as well. Just a thought. Thanks.
As for the Freestyle, a vehicle that is competent, I'm sure, but OH SO BORING, I will bet you money that the Pacifica sales will be higher than Freestyle sales when all is said and done...........I mean, how many ways can you make an Explorer ?....................
And did I mention the 2000 lb tow capacity for the Freestyle ?
Given the chance to do it again, or buy something else, I wouldn't hesitate! I'd be lined up to buy another Pacifica in no time flat! :shades:
dcdchau, sorry you have had such a bad time with your Pacifica, but I don't and can't believe yours is the norm. Mine and a few others I know about certainly prove the car!
Good luck....
Exterior dimensions:
PAC Freestyle Length, Width, Height
199 199
79 74
67 68
PAC: Row 1, 2, 3
Leg 41, 39, 30
Head 40, 40, 35
Cargo 80, 44, 13 behind row 1, 2, 3
Freestyle:
Leg 41, 40, 33
Head 39, 39, 39
Cargo 85, 47, 21
I just noticed today that the area where the center speaker is located seems kinda caving in. I hope is not a big deal, no rattles or squeak yet. :confuse:
My complaint has been the sagging/stuttering/surging. Almost always in 2nd, except under hard acceleration. And sometime in 3rd.
The first time into service the dealer found no codes -- therefore, no problem found. This was just over 1000 miles, 5 weeks old.
The second time I took it in was because I had a couple of incidences where I've pulled into traffic and it stutters so bad it stops accelerating and I've been approached rather quickly from behind. Which to them, looks like I've pulled out in front of them and slowed down. Again, dealer says they drove it, no codes = no problem. And I disagreed. When I went to pick it up, I could tell they put 1.5 miles on it. I drove around the block and almost got hit from behind again. So I complained and set another appointment for 2 days later - this past Tuesday.
So the third time they had car all day and called me. Again, no codes, they drove it, no problem. I complained. They said they would keep it overnight, try it again the next morning. In the afternoon I called. They said they had driven it a couple of times - different people. No one thought there was a problem. So I said I would go to dealer and take someone for a ride to show them the problem. One of the Service Advisors went for a ride with me. As soon as I pulled out onto the road, it shifts into 2nd and I can feel it stuttering and unresponsive. It's a subtle feeling, but I can feel it because I'm the one pushing on the gas peddle and knowing it's not accelerating! My ride-along says he still isn't sure what I'm feeling. I stop and start out again. Then he says he feels what I'm describing as I'm driving. Get ready - THEN he tells me that the engine management system IS DESIGNED to reduce the power in 2nd gear in the 2005 Pacs. I just about went ballistic. During that discussion, I find out that they had some contact with their factory service support and was told about this 2nd gear power reduction. But they hadn't told me -- until I kept complaining. The Service Advisor tells me it is the "Torque Management FEATURE". Some FEATURE!
Well I've almost been rear-ended twice. We all know the Pac is so underpowered anyway. And at times when it sags in 2nd so bad, I feel like it can't hardly get out of its own way! I think this thing is dangerous to be on the road with.
The dealer says there is nothing they can do.
I've driven two (2) 2004 Pacs. They accelerated smoothly in 2nd. So I can believe this is a '05 only problem.
Does anyone else notice this situation? Have you complained? Had you had it in for service? Have you heard this or a different story about this.
Please, share you experience with me.
Thanks, JC
No, it is not normal. I do not have such hesitation with my 05 Touring. Try a different dealer but, get if fixed as it appears to be a dangerous situation.
As to the Pacifica being underpowered, I disagree on that. Certainly I would prefer the feel and the torque of a V8 but the 3.5 is a pretty fair compromise. You simply have to recognize that it is a 4 valve engine and as such it breathes and develops power at higher RPMs. If you keep the engine at such RPMs (over 3500) for uphill and passing, the power is sufficient. I live in the mountains and I am not left behind by too many cars on those winding, uphill climbs.
I was very pleasantly surprised by the perception of quality in the Pac. It's 4-speed is very smooth, and the cabin very quiet. Very un-Chrysler.
JC,
I have not experienced your stalling/sputtering issue. But I have noticed a reluctance for the transmission to downshift when I want it to shift.
A couple of times now, all highway, I've felt like the car was unwilling to move faster when I wanted a little more "giddyup". The engine and tranny are so smooth that it's difficult to tell what gear you're in sometimes. It feels like the engine is not producing the power needed to get you moving faster comparable to the amount of gas pedal pressure applied. I keep applying pressure until I get a surge of power as the tranny kicks down to the lower gears.
This car wants to stay in the higher gears for as long as possible. I guess for fuel economy purposes. It will downshift, but you have to press down hard enough for the computer to really understand that you want more power.
Before buying this car, my expectations regarding power were low. The car performed slightly better than I expected being that this car weighs alot w. so-so power and a 4 speed tranny.
If it's really sputtering on you on the highway, be careful. Good luck. I do hope you they fix it for you.
Nelson
Cruise set at 72, RPM in normal range at 2800/3000, all of a sudden revved to over 4000. Routine stretch of highway, not passing, not climbing and not going downhill.
Any similar experiences?
Does the Freestyle share the Ford 500 engine? The reviews of the 500 engine have been less than stellar. Ford is in serious trouble with their new designs, and Chrysler is doing very well, so the marketplace is voting.
About your post 1281 suggestion, I don't have and don't need reading glasses. You could have some trouble with your memory though, because in post 1276 you talk about the the LX470, and in post 1272 you talk about the GX470. Sure the price is different.
I answer so late because I was enjoying my beautiful and reliable Pacifica in the Acadia National Park, in Maine. Better drive it than post about it (or give medical advice).
My Poc needed an intake manifold, gaskets and manifold actuator plus various parts to to bring it back to its normal underpowered self. Some $700 dollars worth of stuff and labor. Since I still had 2,850 miles left on the 70K warranty, the tab was picked up by DCX. I still have good things to say about my dealer's service department but the Poc, it's lack of quality and its pathetic re-sale value certainly left a bad taste in my mouth. Good luck to all of you -- over and out!
:sick:
But you're right that you have to really press down on the gas to get that downshift. I try to reduce those downshifts as much as possible these days. Especially w. gas prices going up.
I do hope Chrysler looks into your symptoms further.
I have an 2005 Limited AWD and now it has approximately 13,000 miles on the odometer. Last night while attempting to curb-side park, I came to a complete stop, put the vehicle in reverse and hit the gas to find that the vehicle was unresponsive, yes.. it DIED! I kind of looked at it as a possible "one-time" affair until today. The vehicle has stalled on me twice today, once while makiing a rolling left-hand lane turn with oncoming traffic!
Well, I remembered there had been several complaints about this so I am saving all of the and having customer service add my new issue to the my case log. This is rediculous people! I really do like my vehicle, but you are all right. This condition is very unsafe! Any resolution to the stalling issue??
Thanks!
formerly ingeniousguy... now living4goodlife
1. Airbags are not specifically excluded
2. Only one air bag went off indicating a defect and
3. Even if I had hit something and only the passenger airbag delpoyed it is still a defect.
After three weeks Chyrsler aggreed to cover under warranty, but now I am not sure I can trust it not to go off again. What if it happens at interstate speeds and not the driveway? How many people might be killed?
Im' thinking :lemon:
Has anyone else had this problem. If so, please post.
:confuse:
:lemon: :mad: :sick:
Is there anymore icon for me to post???
Since it's a lease vehicle, I don't baby the car at all and push it pretty hard and it always responds accordingly without any trouble. I'd recommend it to anyone!
I am unaccustomed to car troubles and I HOPE this is just a bug that can be corrected. This is the second time it's happened, while driving, and it only has 1,600 miles on it!
Anyway, my story is so similar to yours, it's uncanny. The first time I took it in, July 27th, they couldn't replicate the problem and they couldn't find any diag. codes either. They also couldn't enter my visit into their service system (even though they told me they would), since they showed me as having a 300 model (NO IDEA WHY - NEVER EVEN LOOKED AT ONE!), so they now have absolutely NO record of me being there before for the same issue. This really ticks me off, but that's another topic.
Well, two days ago, August 17th, it happened again while I was driving at a slow speed. I had just turned into my parking lot at work and wa-la----NOTHING! It was all I could do to coast into a parking space since "standing" on the brakes is very hard for me to do and steering is as well, naturally (it's a big, heavy vehicle).
I called the dealer immediately and dropped it off yesterday. They gave me a loaner and said that they would call me. Well, NATURALLY, they found no diag. codes again and they were ready give the car back to me again. I reminded them that this was the second visit for this issue in several week's time and I further expressed that their answer was unacceptable and the car is UNSAFE. And, I told them I would be keeping their loaner until they fix the problem. So, I am now dealing directly with their service manager.
Last night, the service manager asked permission to drive my car home to see if he could replicate the problem by driving under the same conditions. I told him to do whatever he needs to do to get it fixed. He said that he thinks it could be the IAC, too, since it seems to happen after driving at a normal rate of speed, slowing down to a very low speed and just before making a turn. He suggested that maybe it was "skipping" steps . Evidently, there are generally 40 steps to an IAC motor and perhaps my car is missing the last 5 steps before slowing down, so it stalls. I am so not mechanical, so forgive me.
Well, I guess I am just hopeful that others have had their IAC changed and can offer some positive feedback. I can't wait to get out of the loaner Jeep Liberty I have(hate it!) and back into my PAC. I pray this will be the last time for this issue.
Regards!
Kerri