The Lemon Index2017 Chrysler Pacifica.
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 780 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 409, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 22 to 32 mpg combined. The best Chrysler Pacifica year is 2020.
Lemon alert. 4.1× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2020
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,613 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chrysler Pacifica year. 2017 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 47K miles on the car (821 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 6K–41K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 13K–44K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 9K–45K miles
Recalls 11
- equipment adaptive/mobility 2025
Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information.
- electrical 2023
An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.
- electrical 2019
A loose battery ground connection may result in an intermittent loss of power steering assist and/or a stall.
Show all 11 recalls
- electrical 2018
The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
- electrical 2018
The Manual Park Release (MPR) plug may be removed without a tool.
- electrical 2018
These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging.
- electrical 2018
The engine control software may become out of sync with the crankshaft position sensor, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
- seat belts 2017
In certain passenger seating and vehicle situations, the second-row center seating position seat belt buckle could cause the left outboard seat belt to become unlatched.
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
The rear pinion bracket on both sides of the vehicle may crack, causing the axle not to be centered and the wheel to wobble.
- brakes 2017
The crossed rear brake lines will cause the rear anti-lock brake system to be ineffective, increasing the risk of a crash.
- seat belts 2016
The center overhead seat belt stow clip may fracture and prevent use of the seat belt in the third-row and/or second-row center passenger seat (if so equipped).
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chrysler told dealers about
Chrysler sent dealers 534 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- "air conditioning inoperative this bulletin involves testing the a/c compressor operation and…
- A/C Suction/Liquid Line, A/C Discharge Dine, A/C Compressor For RU bodies ONLY; Issues with leaks
- Air Conditioning Inoperative This bulletin involves testing the A/C compressor operation and…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenIntermittent loss of electric power steering2025
- OpenIgnition-off high voltage battery fire (remedy effectiveness of recall 22v-077)2024
- ClosedStall/loss of motive power2017–2018
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler Pacifica VAN FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chrysler Pacifica PHEV VAN FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2000–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
When going at lower speeds as well as freeway speeds the car will lurch and roughly shift. It seems to have a difficult time shifting into gears while driving.
2017 Chrysler Pacifica owner · NHTSA complaint 11328780
More owner reports
The van shifts very hard and jerks forward when accelerating from a stop at either a stop sign or red light. The hard shift and jerking forward has almost caused me to rear end the vehicle in front a couple of times now.
NHTSA complaint 11143366
The van jerks and and stalls when shifting gears (especially on low gears). It then suddenly surges.
NHTSA complaint 11202832
Quick answers
Is the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 4.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 409; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chrysler Pacifica year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2017 Chrysler Pacifica problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (38%), engine (31%) and electrical (28%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica have?
11 safety recalls (latest: equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica get?
22 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2017 Chrysler Pacifica problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,000 and 47,900 miles. The middle report was at 25,000 miles, from 821 complaints.
Does the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 38% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Chrysler Pacifica year is better than the 2017?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2020, 2019 and 2022.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works