Over 67,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids Could Suffer Sudden Engine Shutdown

Jan. 28, 2023 6:11 AM ET by Jay Traugott Recall / 4 Comments

This recall affects 2017-2023 model year Pacificas but a fix is already ready.

Chrysler parent company Stellantis has announced a voluntary recall of 67,118 examples of the 2017-2023 Pacifica hybrid minivan in the US due to potential unexpected engine shutdown. Fortunately, no accidents or injuries have been reported. That's the good news for owners.

The not-so-great news is that the problem involves a faulty wiring connector inside of the transmission. This defective connector could potentially short-circuit and cause the vehicle to suddenly stall.

To date, there have been hundreds of warranty claims because of this problem. In some instances, the owner was able to turn the vehicle back on following the stall. There has been a total of six customer assistance records, 59 field reports, and 242 warranty claims. Fortunately, the fix has already been figured out and is relatively simple.

Chrysler

Chrysler says it will have to update the Power Inverter Module software. In some cases, a technician will also need to update the instrument panel cluster software. Owners who have already experienced this problem and were forced to pay for the necessary repairs will see those costs reimbursed, assuming they retained records of that service work. The recall affects Pacifica minivans produced between August 12, 2016, and January 9, 2023.

Owner notification letters are expected to be sent out on March 8, 2023, and dealerships have already been made aware of the situation. The recall notice on the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) website makes no mention that vehicles are unsafe to drive, so owners should have no reason to worry.

Chrysler

The future of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the standard gasoline-engined version remains unclear. The Ontario, Canada factory where they're built is expected to soon be re-tooled to handle production for the next generation Dodge Challenger and Charger. The Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid could be replaced by a smaller type of family vehicle potentially based on the 2021 Airflow concept.

This larger hatchback-style vehicle rides on a new dedicated EV platform and is powered by a pair of electric motors each with a total output of 201 horsepower. Its 118-kWh battery can achieve a 350 to 400-mile range on a single charge. Until Stellantis makes an official announcement, it's fair to assume the current Pacifica minivan will stick around for at least another couple of model years.