2021 Chrysler Pacifica: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 355 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, electrical, and engine. The 10 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021- Owner complaints
- 355
- Recalls
- 6
- 1 urgent
- Crashes reported
- 10
- 11 injuries
One recall on this model year told owners to park outside until the repair was done.
Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing it was completed for this VIN.
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/10 checked
2021 Chrysler Pacifica: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/3
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Pacifica is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cylGas | AWD, FWD | 20–22 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cylPlug-in hybrid | FWD | 520 mi range |
- The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- On the plug-in hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Pacifica that averages well under the EPA 20 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Hybrid loss of drive power
25,000–58,000 miles
Backup camera blank or frozen
40,000–55,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission1152 crashes
Drive power cuts out suddenly, mostly on plug-in hybrid vans at highway speed. A "Stop Safely, Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon" or "Service Charging System" warning appears, the accelerator stops working, and the van coasts. A restart often works for a few miles before the fault returns, and dealers frequently find nothing. Other reports describe the van locking itself in park and refusing to turn off, and hard shifts between 25 and 45 mph. Two crashes fall in this category. In one, the van would not accelerate out of a collision's path. In the other, a parked van left running rolled backward.
Electrical932 crashes
Highway power loss shows up here too. Owners report "Service Charging System" warnings, limp mode with a turtle icon, and vans that will not restart or shift out of park. Some cases happen on hot days or right after the hybrid battery runs down, and some owners say the fault came back soon after dealer repairs. Reported mileages run from 1,000 to under 40,000. One crash followed a power loss. In another report, a parked plug-in hybrid caught fire in a garage while not charging. Other complaints cite a power sliding door closing on a child's hand, false sensor alerts, and frozen screens.
Engine35No crashes
The van stalls at highway speed after a warning that it will shut off soon. Dealers often cannot find the cause, and some say parts such as the power inverter module are unavailable. A separate pattern involves internal damage to the gas engine: misfires, a seized lifter bearing, metal shavings in the oil, and rocker arms, lifters, and an intake camshaft that need replacing. These failures range from under 150 miles to about 101,000. Owners also describe check engine lights that keep coming back, a start/stop system that quit, and one engine failure after an oil change, blamed on a part that broke off the oil filter housing cap.
Backup camera25No crashes
While reversing, the rearview camera image freezes, goes blank, or turns blue, green, or red. Most reports, though, are about a recall repair that dealers could not do because parts were unavailable, and many of those owners had not yet had a failure. Where the update was done, several owners say the camera kept failing. One dealer said the camera replacement that was needed was not covered. Reported mileages run from about 40,000 to 55,000.
Fuel system13No crashes
Gasoline leaks in the engine bay are the most serious hazard. A high-pressure fuel line rubs against an ignition coil pack or a plastic clip until it wears through and sprays gasoline over the engine. The first sign is usually a gas smell inside or outside the cabin. Owners call it a fire risk and blame the factory routing of the line, and one report puts the leak at 70K miles. Other reports repeat the highway power loss with "Service Charging System" errors, describe vans that stop accepting a charge, and mention repeated replacement of the battery pack coolant heater.
Steering9No crashes
At parking speeds around 10 mph, the steering wheel shakes and clunks. In one case a dealer said the rack and pinion needed replacing at about 70,432 miles. Another owner reports the wheel sticking at certain positions so that a hard jolt is needed to free it, with a $4800 repair quote. Most other reports describe hybrid shutdowns at speed that take away power steering and brake assist. One describes a van rolling backward down a hill while the driver could not control it.
Seats8No crashes
Second-row seats fail to stay locked. When the seatback release cable breaks, the seat snaps forward or reclines freely and will not latch. Reports describe a seat folding onto a child and an unlatched seat sliding into the front seat. Second-row headrests also stop locking upright and stay folded down because a small plastic latch piece breaks. Both sides often fail, which leaves the seat unusable for a child seat. One headrest failure came just after warranty, at under 36,000 miles.
Brakes53 crashes
Pressing the brake pedal can make the van surge forward a few feet. In other reports it creeps ahead while held at a stop. Three of the five reports involve crashes, and two involve injuries. One crash happened at highway speed when the van did not stop and neither the forward collision warning nor emergency braking acted in time. In two cases, inspections found nothing wrong. Other complaints describe rolling on hills once the foot leaves the brake, and false collision alarms that shut off ABS and cruise control.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Pacifica owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
While driving vehicle went into full lock down. Vehicle remained running with all systems on except completely unable to engage drive, shut vehicle down or even power it off. Towed to dealer. Dealer stating codes stating hybrid error and transmission errors. Vehicle has 7021 miles and was purchased March 2021. My wife and 2 children were stranded on the road in a vehicle that would not move. Terrifying for me.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2021
While driving at full speed on an interstate, I received the message, "Stop Safely, Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon." The van then lost power, and I was able to pull over safely (thankfully!). After about 15 minutes, the van restarted, and I made it about 10 miles until it happened again. After two more shut-downs, I was able to get the van to a dealership, where it has been sitting undiagnosed for over a week now.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2024
The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid will lose all power while driving. I have had it back to the Dealer for this Problem. I got a Recall for this in April. I took it in to the Dealer to do. They told me that Chrysler does not have a fix for this yet. Within 400 miles after that it done it again while my wife was driving and caused a crash.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
Vehicle thinks it is charging mode when it is not, sitting in a parking lot. Vehicle when attempting to start says 'Service Charging System' and won't go into drive or even neutral appropriately. Vehicle is stranded otherwise. Under 40,000 miles on vehicle. Online this appears to be a very common problem that Chrysler is yet to adequately address with a recall.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
My vehicle stopped while driving. I was able to pull of the road and get towed to the dealer 11/1/23. They performed the recall, I left the dealer 11/21/23 and while driving my van back to the house, I had the same thing happen. The error message lit up and the car slowed down til it would no longer move. I do not feel safe in this vehicle, as this is the second time it has happened in a month, and the recall was taken care of the day I picked it up.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2023
The engine has a known recall for failure. The "fix" was adding a warning to the dashboard to let me know it's about to happen. Respectfully, that is not a fix. That is a bandaid on a gaping wound. As a single mom of tow, one being special needs, it is absolutely terrifying to know that my vehicle can stop at anytime and cause a crash. Giving me a few seconds to try and pull over is not acceptable and doesn't keep my family safe.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2023
For the most recent recall, the rear view camera has not been working since August 2024. I’ve been to the dealership 3 times, once in August and twice in November and they cannot resolve the issue. They told me that they’ve sent information to Chrysler and they would contact me in a few days and I have not heard back. This is a huge safety issue as my rear view display is not visible, it’s either a blue screen or grey screen. I need help please
Filed with NHTSA, December 2024
How the 2021 compares with other Pacifica years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks second for owner complaints among 9 Pacifica years, about 1.4 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Transmission11558
- Electrical9359
- Engine3534
- Backup camera250
- Fuel system137
- Steering926
Recalls to confirm (6)
Recall repairs are free at any Chrysler dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V538000Fuel systemPark outsideJul 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire when parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position.
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until they are repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module (BPCM) software. In addition, dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the battery pack assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 72B. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 22V-077.
25V877000Equipment Adaptive/mobilityDec 2025
Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters was mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
25V876000Equipment Adaptive/mobilityDec 2025
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
25V759000Equipment Adaptive/mobilityOct 2025
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, 2022-2025 Toyota Sienna, and 2022-2026 Honda Odyssey vehicles equipped with wheel chair restraint retractors. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Risk: An unlocked wheelchair can move during transit or during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2025. Owners may contact Q'Straint's customer service at 1-800-987-9987 or Braun's customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
25V381000Seat beltsJun 2025
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, 2022-2025 Voyager, and 2024-2025 Toyota Sienna Hybrid vehicles. The occupant restraint tie-down puck fasteners may have been improperly tightened.
Risk: A restraint tie-down puck with loose fasteners may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed mailed July 7, 2025. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
24V436000Backup cameraJun 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.
Also looking at these instead of a Pacifica?
Cars shoppers compare with the Chrysler Pacifica, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
- Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van1
- Ford Transit Connect Wagon5
- Chrysler Voyager14
- Lexus NX30
- Mercedes-Benz GLE76
- Audi Q5126
- 2021 Chrysler Pacifica355
