2022 Chrysler Pacifica: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 284 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, electrical, and engine. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022- Owner complaints
- 284
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes reported
- 8
- 13 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2022 Chrysler Pacifica: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
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 2022 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 2022 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.
Stop Safely highway shutdown
350–28,000 miles
Steering rack knocking noise
7,062–49,424 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission1092 crashes
Sudden loss of drive power is the dominant complaint. The dash shows "Stop Safely, Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon," often with a red turtle, a transmission light, or a check engine light. The van then slows or stalls, usually at highway speed. Nearly every report involves the plug-in hybrid, and many start in the first few thousand miles. A restart often works briefly before the fault returns. Dealers have replaced the power inverter module and the transmission, sometimes more than once. Two complaints involve rear-end crashes. A separate pattern is a "Service Charging System" warning with a battery that will not charge.
Electrical521 crash
Loss of propulsion shows up here too. Owners see the same "Stop Safely" warning, or a "Service Charging System" message with a flashing battery light, sometimes in stop-and-go traffic. In one crash, the van would not accelerate during a left turn. Other reports describe hybrid battery overheating, battery coolant heater codes, inverter module replacement, sliding doors that stop locking, and rear climate control stuck on high heat. One owner had a starter fail after repeated auto stop-start shutdowns. One injury report blames sudden phantom braking.
Engine27No crashes
Sudden engine shutdown at highway speed is the main complaint. Owners see the "Stop Safely" message, the gas pedal stops responding, and a check engine light can stay on for a day or more. Reported failure mileages include 19,063 and 28,000. Dealers often find no fault or suspect the transmission, and several owners say the shutdowns continued after a dealer software update. Single reports mention a misfire code, an oil filter stripping on the oil cooler housing and leaking, and an engine that began knocking after both batteries were replaced.
Seats13No crashes
Second-row headrests that won't lock upright after using Stow 'n Go are the main complaint. Owners blame small plastic parts inside the headrest that break. Third-row headrests also flop forward. In a second pattern, the latch release cable fails and the second-row seat back and seat slide freely, slamming backward on acceleration. Owners see both as a neck-injury risk in a crash. One owner was quoted more than $1100 to repair a headrest. Some parents say child seats will not sit flush against the vehicle seats.
Acceleration and cruise control11No crashes
The main pattern is lost acceleration at highway speed, along with a "Stop Safely" warning or a prompt to shift to park and restart. Owners describe crossing several lanes with no power and having the fault repeat. Dealers often cannot reproduce it. Some owners say the shutdowns continued after dealer software updates, and one van waited weeks for back-ordered transmission parts. A false hood-open fault also cut power on the highway. One report describes the van accelerating on its own while braking for a stop sign.
Steering92 crashes
Two crashes involve loss of control, and both caused injuries. In one, the van turned sharply right after a loud snap and rolled over. The other describes the driver-assist system taking over braking and steering. Other owners report a knocking or popping noise from the front driver side that dealers traced to the steering rack. One rack was replaced at 7,062 miles and the noise came back later. Power steering also fails outright, sometimes at startup after the van has sat for days. Some reports here repeat the highway shutdown problem.
Brakes6No crashes
These brake failures are few but severe. Owners describe a rock-hard or seized pedal at highway speed with ABS, brake, and collision warning lights on. Dealers replaced the brake booster, master cylinder, or ABS module, and the failure came back. One report describes phantom braking followed by flames from the brake calipers. Another describes a skipping feel at 45,000 miles that remained after brakes and rotors were replaced 2x. A third owner says the front brake assist only sounds a warning and does not add braking.
Airbags6No crashes
Most of these reports describe repair delays, not air bag failures. Owners say they got a recall notice, but dealers told them repair parts were not available. One dealer said it gets only one kit per week and keeps a waiting list. None of these owners report a failure. A separate complaint describes a red "Service Airbag System" warning with the airbag light on, on a van the owner says does not show up for the recall.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Pacifica owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Driving on the highway at 70 MPH. Car stated "Stop Safely. Vehicle Will Shut Off." Check engine light came on. Dash light of a turtle with an exclamation point displayed. Pulled over and turned car off. Was able to turn vehicle back on and get back on the road. However, issue would recur every 5-7 miles. Eventually stopped at a hotel for the night and left car at a dealership. Car is currently being looked at. No contact from the dealership yet.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2025
Second complaint for same issue. Our vehicle stalled 6 times over the course of 17 miles driving around town, maximum of 50 MPH at times. We have multiple videos of this. Have contacted Chrysler and was told they do not have a fix for this issue even though they are aware it is a safety issue. Awaiting call back on how they will help resolve this issue ASAP as the car is basically undrivable with stalling that many times in such a short trip!
Filed with NHTSA, February 2023
We were on the interstate. Driving the 80 mph speed limit. Got warning that said stop safety vehicle will shut off soon. I had 4 kids in the vehicle with me. I barely got it onto the shoulder before it completely shut off and would not move. Had to get it towed to nearest dealership 60 miles away. No answers left and now we are stranded. We could have been killed. No warning signs.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2024
We just purchased the used 2022 Pacifica today., it was 75 miles back home. I left to get Dairy Queen; I turned left onto side road into Norton commons and an alert came up Stop safely your car will slow down soon. Very scary with a family and newb and kids and wife. Especially because cost bought it. Perhaps I should return it!
Filed with NHTSA, May 2024
at 5k miles, the engine light came on, and error message was a engine misfiring. This caused significant difficulty to drive. took it to Chrysler dealership. They ended up saying it was an transmission issue and replaced the entire transmission.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2023
Engine stopped at highway speed, instrument cluster displayed message for a restart sequence even though car was coasting. Once vehicle was stopped had to change from run mode to off mode and then was able to restart and proceed. Check engine light was amber. After restart engine stalling continued randomly without warning during our trip. I need this corrected and vehicle to perform as advertised, thank you.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2023
When returning the driver's-side, 2nd row seat into a riding position after being placed into a stow 'n go position; the headrest of the driver's-side, 2nd row seat will not return to a locked upright position - causing it to stay flipped forward. The concern is that in a crash, the passenger seated in the driver's-side, 2nd row seat will not have adequate protection from a neck injury due to the protruding headrest.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
Headrest does not stay in the upright position in the 2nd row due to manufacturer defect. My child is supposed to sit there and now there is no headrest, thus putting his safety/life at risk. This defect has been frequently reported across multiple forms on the internet of other vehicles with the same make and model experiencing the SAME defect.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2025
How the 2022 compares with other Pacifica years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 9 Pacifica years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Transmission10958
- Electrical5264
- Engine2735
- Seats133
- Acceleration and cruise control114
- 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.
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.
25V302000AirbagsMay 2025
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Pacifica and Voyager vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bags may have insufficient pressure retention from improperly sealed seams. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation.".
Risk: An air bag with insufficient pressure retention increases the risk of ejection and injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning October 14, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbers for this recall are 06C, 54C, 55C.
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.
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2022 owner complaints, side by side
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- 2022 Chrysler Pacifica284
