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Chrysler Pacifica: Problems & Solutions

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  • nuruc7nuruc7 Member Posts: 98
    One word of advice get the pollution controls checked at 30k, as recommended, it will save you some gas!
  • pacfanpacfan Member Posts: 7
    You need plastic cleaner for your 19 inch CHROME wheel??? why cause its PLASTIC not chrome!!!! well maybe you all knew that but we didnt and dh was really disapointed to find that its not chrome its plastic on top of metal or something-- he actually took the wheel out to spray the bolts and that is how he found out --he saw the glue and tapped on it to find the plastic , The sales man said its chrome we are a five star dealer its pure CHROME latidaaaa... blah blah blah- YEAH my [non-permissible content removed] ok SO what do you all use on it? plastic cleaner or chrome cleaner...
  • kevin_msukevin_msu Member Posts: 1
    i had a yukon and its the same deal. you have a car/truck that is shaped like a box. you open only one window and you're going to get suction. there is nothing you can do about it. its worse in the pac if you just have the sun roof open. thats a GOD AWFUL NOISE.
  • valcopacvalcopac Member Posts: 3
    Fixed! (I hope). Seems as though the entire fuse box needed to be replaced and the mechanic mis-wired a connection. I'm picking it up today so I HOPE this is the last of the problems. I would really love to drive it being I've owned it for two weeks and have driven it for 2 days! Thanks for all the replies.
  • thimmakerthimmaker Member Posts: 33
    pacfan! Many types of "plastic" as you call it, can be Chrome plated just like metal. This is not vacuum plating as a cheap part is, like a model car, but actual Chrome plating. It can be cleaned or polished just as a metal part but since it has a softer material under the Chrome, it can be dented or scratched much easier. The 17" wheels are Chrome over aluminum.
  • imabikerimabiker Member Posts: 5
    My question is about the "memory mirrors" on my 2005 Pacifica...
    Why Chrysler calls them "memory mirrors" is beyond me as they can not remember
    where you set them... Chrysler says that this is normal and they are not going to
    change them... The mirrors on my 300M and my Chrysler t/c always went back to
    the exact position where you set them, it should be a no brainer for them to work
    on the Pacifica... As far as I know they have no plans to correct this as it's been
    this way since day one on the Pacifica... I read were (sitedrifter) wrote in message
    #375 that Butler Chrysler of NJ was working on the problem but I never found out
    if they got fixed... Can anyone help as Chrysler will not or cannot...
  • imabikerimabiker Member Posts: 5
    Can any one tell me how to get the rear seat headphones to work... I have the six cd changer, the headphones and remote... I do not have a video screen... I used the procedure in the owners manual and it does not work and the dealer does not know how to make it work... This is on a 2005 Pacifica...
  • hatemypacificahatemypacifica Member Posts: 4
    :lemon: I have a 2005 pacifica that did not even hit 1000 miles before it went to the shop. first it was we could not lock the doors and the lights on the dash went out and that also included the dinging sound for the headlamps. THEY WERE NOT ON. We have had it in the shop 2 more time and I barely have had it 5 months. Now we lose power while driving the car. my small wife has trouble steering the large car when we lose power steering. this last time the engine died to. Dealer has no idea what it is and suggested lemon law. I am pursueing that now. Any suggestions
  • rodutrodut Member Posts: 343
    It's not relevant it went to the shop before the 1000 miles mark. My wife's Pacifica actually went to the shop before we touched the steering wheel the first time !!! (Before delivery I saw that a piece of a door handle was missing, so they replaced the handle). It's weird that now (8 months old) we cannot manually unlock that same door. The power switch unlocks it though. Well ... I'll leave it for later (waiting for the next trouble to happen).

    Dealer suggested lemon law ?!? I keep thinking that these dealers are actually nice people. I guess Chrysler didn't train them enough. My 5 star definitely had good intentions. ;)
  • nelson33nelson33 Member Posts: 100
    That's scary for I experienced something similar w. the dashboard lights. After shutting off the car for a moment, I noticed that I could not open the tailgate and the remote would not work. When I turned on the car, the car started but the dashboard lights would not turn on and the headlights turned on in daylight and stayed on despite turning off the headlight switch. I drove home w. no dashboard lights. The shift indicators worked at least, but the AC did not. Really weird. Little while later, I tried the remote and it worked just fine, as well as the dashboard . BUT, the OBD picked something up because the fault indicator stayed on. It turned off a while later. Only 1200 miles on the odometer. Worried.

    I will keep an eye on it to but will see if I can wait until my next oil change before I take it in. I'm not going to panic just yet. Hopefully Chrysler will figure this out w. enough similar complaints.

    Other than the electrical bugaboos, it's driving fine. At least right now.
  • hatemypacificahatemypacifica Member Posts: 4
    I hope that you don't continue to have a problem. The service dept has been fantastic though. I wish you good luck. I would make sure you keep it documented and I would be returning it ot the dealer when you have these problems.
  • nelson33nelson33 Member Posts: 100
    If you're car is losing power, that is a safety issue. You should probably report it to the NHTSA. If enough of these similar complaints pile up, the manufacturer might have to address them OR a recall may be issued by NHTSA.

    I can understand your frustration. It seems alot of these new cars these days have some sort of problem or another. Check out the VW Touarag (excessive front end tire wear) forum or even the Toyota Sienna (transmission probs?) forum. Alot of frustrated people out there who pay all this money on a car that niggles them w. problems. I only know this because prior to purchasing, I researched my options to see where the problem areas were. The Sienna wasn't really an option cuz I'm just not a minivan kind of guy, but I was curious.

    It's good to know that your dealership is working w. you. Hopefully, when I take mine in for service, I will be so lucky. Good luck and please keep us informed regardless of the outcome.
  • hatemypacificahatemypacifica Member Posts: 4
    Thanks for the NHTSA info. I did file a complaint and it seems there are many more others with similar problems. I printed them off so I could show the dealer to just give up as the others don't have resolutions either. So Sad that a manufacturer has to have so many problems and no accountability. I have more confidence in my 02 Acura w 50+ thousand miles on it. I will go back to a manufacturer that can build a car in which I need to only change the oil and put tires on them. You know who they are.
  • rasldaslrasldasl Member Posts: 74
    I just noticed that the carpet under the passenger side floormat (front seat) was wet. I have always felt a "windy" chilly feeling in the passenger footwell in the wintertime. Do you know exactly how the dealer fixed this?
  • steelydan0613steelydan0613 Member Posts: 144
    I believe that would be the condensate water from the a/c operation during the summertime. The drain could be plugged , I have never had this problem, but I did park uphill one time with the a/c on Max cool in hot, humid weather, and I briefly experienced some condensate water "running the wrong way" and onto the floorboard.

    As soon as I resumed moving, the problem never returned....
  • nelson33nelson33 Member Posts: 100
    My rear drivers side door lock button seems like it came off the door lock assembly for it feels loose and does not function. I cannot unlock that door w. that switch but I can open it w. the "unlock" button in the front driver side and the remote. Seems like an easy fix, they probably just need to replace the unlock switch cover. I'll deal w. that on the next oil change. From what you describe, it seems a little different for you mention the door handle. Just thought I'd mention it.
  • pssimonpssimon Member Posts: 144
    I now have over 40,000 miles on my 2004 Pacifica. It looks like I will be needing tires soon. If anyone else has replaced tires, what brand/model have you been using? I just looked up Goodyear and the tires list for $198 each! :cry: Amazing!

    I know it came with Michelins.... but I want something better than a 40,000 mile tire. The Goodyears are rated at 620 whereas the suggested Michelins are only 400.

    All thoughts appreciated!

    ---Paul
  • wesley1derwesley1der Member Posts: 49
    I started hearing a ticking sound, on my 04 Pac, only when the car is moving. It seems to be coming from the right side of the dash. The faster you go the faster the ticking. Slow down, it slows down, when you stop it stops. Could it be a cable the runs the odometer or something connected to the speed of the car?
  • steelydan0613steelydan0613 Member Posts: 144
    I have 26,000 miles on my 04 Pacifica, I have rotated the Michelins every 6000 miles (lifetime rotation/balance is a bargain at a good tire store, I think mine was $28.00). I have balanced them every 12000 miles.

    These Michelins look great, I think they will go 60,000 miles......My question to you is this ...How often have you rotated and balanced during those 40,000 miles............?

    Good luck , I would just wait for a Goodyear sale........
  • steelydan0613steelydan0613 Member Posts: 144
    When the car is moving , try letting off the gas and just coasting. If the sound goes away, it is engine related and not speed related. Check your tires, it could just be something imbedded in the tire.

    I don't think the Pacifica , as in a lot of other modern cars, even has a speedometer /odometer cable. It's that drive by wire thing..............
  • rodutrodut Member Posts: 343
    Nelson33, we have exactly the same problem. I quote you:
    "rear door lock button seems like it came off the door lock assembly for it feels loose and does not function".
    Me too I can:
    "open it w. the unlock button in the front driver side and the remote".

    It means the door handle was a different thing, so they didn't damage anything when they replaced it (pre-delivery). I'm glad the service people were not guilty. Except the boss who doesn't answer emails, I kinda liked them.

    Me too I'll complain at the next oil change.

    Cheers
  • pssimonpssimon Member Posts: 144
    They have been rotated (by the dealer) every other oil change (about 6000 miles)! ... and yes, they are properly inflated!

    The rating on these tires (Michelin MXV4 Plus) is 400. That is kind of low as far as treadwear goes. For what it's worth, the Goodyear Fortera SilentArmor is listed as 620, or 70,000 miles.... in other words, about a third less, or 45,000 miles for the Michelins. Mine are wearig out about when they are supposed to!

    Sounds like you got lucky!
  • thimmakerthimmaker Member Posts: 33
    I'm at 59,000 miles on my Pac with Michelins and they look good for another 10,000. I'd stick with the same tire when I do need them. By the way, thats the same mileage on my brake pads!!!!!!.
  • pssimonpssimon Member Posts: 144
    Interesting....

    I have already replaced my front pads.... and I would say 3/4 of my driving is highway driving!
  • thimmakerthimmaker Member Posts: 33
    Took it to the dealer for my last oil and tire rotation and talked to the mechanic about the brake pads and was told their at about 50% life. He thought it was all the highway driving but I also use the Auto-stick a lot on any down-hill runs in the Tenn. mountains. 1st gear all the way down in the Smokies.
  • wesley1derwesley1der Member Posts: 49
    Thanks for the comeback:
    I checked tires nothing imbedded, when letting off the gas ticking still there, slows down as car slows. Gets faster & loader the faster you go. Gets annoying at 50 MPH & above. Seems to be coming from behind the dash. I will get to a dealer next week & let you know what's the cause. Till than any other suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
  • rodutrodut Member Posts: 343
    Very useful post, thanks. Ours never stalled, but I always save on my computer this kind of very useful posts.
    About your mileage, something is wrong. Ours gets 20.5 mpg in a 75% highway - 25% city driving, but it's a FWD.

    It's interesting that often our wives drive the Pacs, but we talk about them ! I get to drive ours in the weekends only, when it competes with our 17 yrs old Volvo (which I love more than any car I ever owned). Why in the world they don't make 240 wagons again ???
  • kutehartkutehart Member Posts: 11
    Update: The IAC did not correct the stalling issue on my car. Currently the car sits at the dealership (week 2) waiting for fuel pumps. Myself and many others having the same problems have filed complaints with the NTHSA. I suggest anyone else having a stalling problem also file a complaint. The NTHSA has responded and are starting an investigation into the issue. hopefully the fuel pumps will correct the stalling but, at this point I am less than hopeful. If they can't repair the car correctly soon it's lemon law time. Good Luck
  • tampafltampafl Member Posts: 3
    I have a brand new 2005 that I just bought. Before I even got 700 miles on it the car had stalled twice. First time I thougt a fluke..second time called dealership. I took it in and they called me back and told me fuel pump. Also was told it was on back order and they put me in a rental pacifica and asked if I was comfortable and told me to stay in it until they got the part. Pump has been replaced and no stalls yet...but we will see.

    I also have this rattling, ticking noise that i need to check out. Of course they could not reproduce it...but I heard the same darn noise on the rental pacifica. I am sure there is already a thread on this board and hopefully I can telll THEM what the problem is.
  • hatemypacificahatemypacifica Member Posts: 4
    I am seeing that the fuel pumps are not the problem. I have had 3 stalls and they all had full tanks. the ones that are stalling with fuel pump issues are 1/4 tank or below. NHTSA called me last week after I filed my complaint so they are compiling information. Keep sending stuff to www.nhtsa.dot.gov and file the complaint. this is the only way chrysler will be forced to come up witha resolution. File every time you have an issue.
  • hands4uhands4u Member Posts: 2
    I had this same problem this summer. It was the A/C condensation hose backed up. The dealer fixed it no problem.
  • rodutrodut Member Posts: 343
    Have a safe trip steelydan0613.

    donmckinley, there is an old Eastern Europe proverb who says:
    "I got rid of the devil and then met his mother !"
    Be aware of lots of new Honda's broken transmissions, or warped brake rotors (a pair is in my garage, on my Honda), new Toyota's sludged and self-destruct engines etc. My Pacifica's clunking noise attenuated in time (or I got used to it ???) and if it's the only problem you have ... well I don't think it's worth to put lots of money in garbage by trading it.

    My advice for you is to go to one or two dealerships and test drive one or two other Pacificas, in exactly the same conditions. If they have the same noises like your Pac, it means that yours is OK. If not, complain about it.

    If you let us know about your test drives, please write down the manufacturing dates of those cars (they are written on the inside of the driver's door).

    Cheers,
  • kjpeterkjpeter Member Posts: 1
    My ALLWHEEL 2004 Pacfica 30,000mi--- I live in ALBQ and drove to Elephant Butte Lake (onLabor day). Because our 4 year drought the lake level had receeded and there was now 50 feet of sand before you got to the water. I was driving around looking for a spot to park at about 10-15 MPH when I lost traction and the front tires started to bury them selfs in the sand. The AWD did not kick in. And no movement of the rear wheels at all. I took it to the dealer next day. They said it was just a very rare experiance and there was nothing wrong with my auto. Never had this problem with my Jeep Grand Cherokee. I might be dumping the pacifica if this happens a few more times. Anyone else have similar AWD problems?

    KJP ALBQ NM
  • nelson33nelson33 Member Posts: 100
    How did you get yourself out? That is unusual.

    Since we are on the subject. Does the AWD indicate when it's sending power to the rear wheels? I don't recall seeing any indicator light on my dash.
  • tewtew Member Posts: 1
    We have bought a Pacifica about 3 weeks ago. Yesterday my wife was driving it and the engine turned off while she was driving on the highway. All power steering etc was gone. Fortunately no one hit her as this could have been catastrophic. We have it at the dealers to check it out. I have heard other owners may have had the same issue. Any thoughts?
  • notkatrinanotkatrina Member Posts: 1
    I LOVE MY PACIFICA! 2005 TOURING- bought w/25k mi, from dealer(last week). took a few days to get the headphones, a few more to get nav disk and still waiting on a remote (how $ and where could I buy one if they don't caugh one up?)are the Nav disks outdated? How do I get rid of info that is previously stored on there? :blush: Thanks so much!!!
  • mrrogersmrrogers Member Posts: 391
    I will be receiving a 2006 Pacifica company car shortly. The Edmunds site says the width of the car is 79.3 inches. I am assuming that that is the body, and that with the mirrors extended it is wider. I rented a Ford Expedition from Hertz once, and I had to fold the mirrors to get the car in my garage. Edmunds says that the Pacifica is a half inch wider than the Expedition. My garage measures 93 inches wide at the door. Will I be able to get the Pacifica in without folding both mirrors? If I just had to fold in the drivers mirror it would be easier.
  • pssimonpssimon Member Posts: 144
    A new NAV disk will replace any data that is currently there. It loads the new software and brings in maps as requested. In other words, to get rid of the old maps, take out the old disk! ;)

    Hope that helped....

    ---Paul in Southern NJ
  • wing103wing103 Member Posts: 14
    Hi
    I want to know anyone have this problem? I have a problem on my 2005 AWD Pacifica, the memory sit will not work in a cold morning, the heater sit too. the rear sit is fine. But the front driver & passenger sit is not working. I bring it back to the dealer almost 5 times. I make a appointment next week, Hope this get fix. This is the only problem i have. I request the dealer replace the wire and the computer. Hope they will do it.
    Can anyone tell me have the same issue or error ... and how you get it fix.. Thanks a lot for your help. :lemon: :lemon: :lemon:
  • dcdchaudcdchau Member Posts: 41
    Wing103,

    TSB # 08-03-905 will take care of your problem. Make sure you mention to your service advisor about it. If He (or She) does not know -- the possibility is high... lots of incompetent service people out there when it comes to servicing Pacifica!!! -- This explains why you have to come back 5 times.

    Here is the helpful link:

    http://alldata.com/tsb/Chrysler/1122620400000_1123570800000_08-039-05/index.html

    Good luck.
  • b25nutb25nut Member Posts: 202
    The width with mirrors is 87 inches. I think I would fold in the driver's side mirror to give an extra margin.

    With 41,000 miles on it, my AWD 2004 Pacifica is as quiet as the day I bought it, has more power than the initial 3000 miles, brakes feel and sound as good as new, and it has about 20,000 more miles left on the tires.
  • mrrogersmrrogers Member Posts: 391
    Thanks for your reply. I will take your advice, and fold in the driver's mirror.

    It is good to hear that your 2004 is giving you such good service. I hope to do as well when my 2006 is delivered.
  • msalb75msalb75 Member Posts: 1
    "It may catch on fire while you're not looking".

    That's funny, I bought a brand spanking new ford focus back in '03 which turned out to be a lemmon. Two week after I bought it the main computer chip quit on me... and that was just the beginning. I got rid of that piece of junk last week and bought a used 04 Pacifica with 15K miles on it. I like the style and its pretty comfortable. Thus far the only thing I've noticed wrong is the AC display fading in and out, i'm going to take it in for that soon. I'm not expecting this car or any other to be perfect specially after owning the Ford Focus. And since my model is from the first year of production I would be surprised if i didn't visit the dealer a few times a year. I wonder how this vehicle performs in ice/snow and -40 temps, I live in Alaska so I will soon find out.
    :) msalb75
  • rodutrodut Member Posts: 343
    The AC display fading in and out was a known problem of early Pacificas. They replace the display and that solves the problem (it's what I read on this site).

    Let us know how it starts at -40 degrees !! It's Kelvin or Celsius ?
  • phoebusphoebus Member Posts: 4
    Has anyone noticed a lean on their Pacifica? Mine is lower on the drivers side by an inch. The local 5* dealer tells me that this is normal though I have a hard time believing him as I can see a noticeable lean.

    BTW, this is the first North American car I have bought in 20 years (I have always been a Honda and Toyota purchaser). I thought I would give our local economy a boost, and figured north american manufacturers must have it together finally, otherwise how could they stay in busisness.

    I have had the worst experience ever. :mad:

    I called Chrysler customer service and asked if they could tell me the spec for lean on the Pacifica and they told me they only would provide that information to dealers. What a croc! Here my dealer tells me that there's nothing wrong, that an inch of play is normal and Chrysler customer support tells me they won't tell me what the spec is - they can only tell the dealer? Bizzare and dissappointing.

    Anyways I asked my 5* dealer to find out what the spec is and he told me that the Pac could be out by 3/4" (measured from ground straight up through the centre of the wheel to the bottom of the wheel well I get 33" on the passenger side, 32" on the drivers side.) I'm also going to go to his lot and measure the Pacificas there and compare to mine.
  • tristan1tristan1 Member Posts: 39
    How fast do you take them exit lane? Everytime you exit out of the highway it's mostly a right turn thus, making your Pac lean on left. No offense...you don't weigh 800 lbs. right? Maybe the angle where you park? :confuse:
    Anyways, how many miles do you have on your Pac?
  • rodutrodut Member Posts: 343
    For a proper measurement phoebus you should have a perfectly flat surface. Got less than 1/4" difference on my Pacifica. I doubt my garage floor is perfect. Nothing is perfect in these houses. Did you ever measure if your house is vertical ? If not, don't do it, because you will have nightmares after that !

    Possible causes:
    _ different tire pressures / wear. It could be on the front OR on the rear wheels.
    _ very slightly uneven pavement. I would measure a couple of times using an HORIZONTAL mall parking.
    _ some heavy tools loaded on one side of the car (one of the kids hiding in the trunk ??)
    _ bad coil spring (front or rear).
  • scooter15scooter15 Member Posts: 1
    HI, I have the same problem. I take it to the dealer and it never makes that grinding sound. They replaced the right front wheel bearing, and it still makes the sound.
    Any ideas, or have they been able to find out on your Pacifica?

    Don allen
  • phoebusphoebus Member Posts: 4
    No, I'm not grossly overweight and I park on level ground. I've got 40,000km on my Pac.
  • bdakotacbdakotac Member Posts: 1
    My up/down audio control buttons on the left side of my Pacifica steering wheel are broken. Is this an easy fix?
This discussion has been closed.

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