FaultScore

2020 Chrysler Pacifica fuel system problems

11 of the 259 complaints about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica are about the fuel system — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 39,000 miles.

B

11

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel/Propulsion System 8 72.7%
Hybrid Propulsion System 3 27.3%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Chrysler Pacifica year

2004 94 14.8%
2005 124 19.6%
2006 93 14.7%
2007 42 6.6%
2008 10 1.6%
2017 79 12.5%
2018 49 7.7%
2019 12 1.9%
2020 11 1.7%
2021 75 11.8%
2022 27 4.3%
2023 17 2.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Denver, CO

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

When driving on highway, electrical system started beeping and showing various signals, could no longer keep speed or accelerate. Had to put on warning lights and coast to side of road with four small kids in car. Was able to pull off to side and slowly get to safe location by resting vehicle in between events. When fully charged, didn’t seem to have issue so was able to drive to dealer. Thought was related to engine switching from electric to gas power. Dealer checked and performed two software updates. On way home from dealer, same problem occurred on highway. Super dangerous to loose all acceleration or same speed on highway! I got a video of second event as I was a passenger and my husband was driving. But as can see in video the car has a charge so the incident is not related to the switch from electric to gas power. Now we are very concerned whether Chrysler has the means to fix this at all and or whether the dealership will be actually able to identify the issue given the car was literally being driven home from the dealer. Attaching photos but have a full video. First time happened on April 4, 2026. Second on April 16, 2026

NHTSA complaint #11731725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,000 miles Fresno, CA

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The vehicle stalled with the check engine light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that there was an electrical failure in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V010000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System); and associated the failure with the recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

NHTSA complaint #11728627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fuquay-Varina, NC

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The hybrid propulsion system on my 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid has repeatedly failed, resulting in sudden and complete loss of power while driving at highway speeds. The vehicle enters full limp mode, displays a red turtle warning light, and the motor cuts out entirely, creating a serious collision risk. The failure occurs without warning and has happened on multiple occasions. The root cause has been traced through escalating component failures: first the Power Inverter Module (PIM) was found to have an internal failure disabling regenerative braking and causing the motor to cut out; subsequently the battery charging module was found to be failing, causing the high-voltage battery to drain to 0% and stall the vehicle. Both components were replaced by an authorized Stellantis dealership under warranty. Despite replacement of the PIM, the charging module, and ultimately the transmission, the defect has not been resolved. The vehicle has been confirmed defective by the authorized dealer on each visit and has been subject to a STAR (engineering escalation) case with Stellantis. Warning symptoms include the red turtle warning light, check engine light, and sudden power loss. The vehicle has been out of service for cumulative warranty repairs exceeding 130 days, including a continuous period exceeding 90 days. The vehicle remains unrepaired and in dealer custody as of the date of this filing. The dealer has confirmed the defect on each visit and has conducted multiple rounds of diagnostic testing and component replacement, none of which have restored safe and reliable operation. The component failures are available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA complaint #11721939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shawnee, KS Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The hybrid battery overheated and started burning the interior of the vehicle while it sat turned off charging in the garage. Smoke filled the house which had to be evacuated. Emergency services were called and the fire department brought the incident under control. An incident report was completed by the fire department and the vehicle is currently in the possession of insurance who is doing their own evaluation. There were no warning indicators or other problems prior to this happening.

NHTSA complaint #11677911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The car was running great, but then I had the check engine light on. When I checked the vehicle with an OBDD2, I got P0303 (misfired cylinder 3). A mechanic expert and I checked the vehicle for a possible blown head gasket, low compression, and defective spark plugs, and all was good. The car is a 2020 Chrysler pacifica and should have problems of this kind

NHTSA complaint #11629799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Poestenkill, NY

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11621548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,000 miles Fenton, MI

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where the relay sense circuit was replaced. The contact stated that one year after the repair, the failure returned with the check engine warning light illuminated. While driving to the dealer, the vehicle stalled; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the electrical wiring harness was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V010000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System). The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

NHTSA complaint #11611810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

las Vegas, NV

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The issue is the Pentastar V6 engine defect. It has caused engine misfires resulting in bucking and surging, decreased engine performance, hesitation, loss of power, premature wear on internal components. The potentially dangerous issues on the “defective design” of the engine’s needle bearings within the rocker arms, the use of sub-standard materials and procedures during manufacture, “defective or miscalibrated” ECM software, and poor quality controls.  The Defect causes unsafe driving conditions because the Class Vehicles, that includes 2020 chrysler pacifica, have a significant chance of failing while being driven. Further, even the lesser symptoms of the Defect affect vehicle performance and safety, making it harder for a driver to control the vehicle as it loses power, hesitates, or misfires. the vehicle has only been inspected by the mechanic at the dealership we leased the vehicle from.

NHTSA complaint #11544421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Herndon, VA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While driving at highway speeds a warning flashed on the dashboard "Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon". I was able to coast to safe stop off the highway and drive slowly on battery powered acceleration for a few miles until the vehicle completely died. The gas engine did not engage during this period. I shut the engine off with emergency lights on while on a two lane road. After restarting the engine, I drove for about 30 seconds before it completely failed again, and pulled off in a residential area. I waited about 5 minutes before restarting the engine and attempted to drive the vehicle again. The gas engine did not engage and the same warnings were displayed as we attempted to reach a charging station to get to safe place to stop. The vehicle lost all power again after about 20 seconds and we pulled over. I waiting about 10 minutes until restarting the vehicle and the gas engine engaged. We were able to drive the vehicle to a safe location to park and unload 2 kids and an infant. My family was absolutely at risk during this incident. I'm bringing the vehicle to a dealership immediately and considering a complete replacement. This is unacceptable. A family should not have to fear for their lives while driving a American made vehicle on American roads.

NHTSA complaint #11524349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Omaha, NE

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car has been going thru the refresh for gas and oil for the last few days. the motor has been running to empty out the "old" gas. so today, i took it thru a car wash on a conveyor belt system, with cars behind me. at the end of this i went to put it in gear so i hit the brake from the neutral position and put it in drive. i hit the gas and it went nowhere! there was a note on the dash that said i had to put the car in park, hit the brake and then put it in gear. i did this and it finally started to move. the car and five others behind could have been in serious trouble if i didnt get this figured out quickly, damn close to causing a wreck inside the car wash. now you tell me why a safety feature almost killed me?????

NHTSA complaint #11470522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,200 miles Ocala, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WENT FOR 1ST EVER OIL CHANGE, TECHNICIANS NOTICED COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY (SHOULD NEVER BE) AND THERE WAS LEAKED COOLANT ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND BOTTOM OF CARS PROTECTION PADS (BAD ISSUE). TOLD ME (GET IT TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY), WHICH I DID, TAKING IT TO PHILLIPS CHRYSLER OF OCALA. IN ORDER FOR MY ENGINE NOT TO BLOW UP. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS FOR 7000 MILES SINCE I PURCHASED IT WITH ZERO MILES. THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS SAID (THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS CONDITION) IT CAME FROM THE CHRYSLER OEM PLANT THIS WAY, SAID THAT ALL THE BOLTS TO THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE HOUSING THAT FITS ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK WITH BOLTS WERE COMPLETELY LOOSE AND THE ONLY WAY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN IS THAT THE OPERATOR AT THE MANUFACTURING PLANT THAT ATTACHES THESE UNITS TO THE ENGINE DID NOT OR FORGOT TO BOLT DOWN COMPLETELY THE COOLING UNIT TO THE ENGINE. THIS IS GROSS NEGLECT ON THE PART OF T HE OEM AND COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FREEZE OR BLOW. CALL PHILLIPS CHRYSLER IN OCALA FL AT 352-732-7577 AND ASK TO SPEAK TO ABRIEL ARCHER ABOUT MR. KNAUER'S CHRYSLER PACIFICA V6.

NHTSA complaint #11389733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2020 Chrysler Pacifica problems

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