The Lemon Index2018 Chrysler Pacifica.
The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 424 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 300, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 13 recalls, and it gets 22 to 32 mpg combined. The best Chrysler Pacifica year is 2020.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,106 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chrysler Pacifica year. 2018 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 4K to 32K miles on the car (427 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 4K–24K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 4K–30K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 4K–26K miles
Recalls 13
- equipment adaptive/mobility 2025
Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information.
- hybrid propulsion system 2024
The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire when parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position.
- electrical 2023
An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.
Show all 13 recalls
- back over prevention 2019
A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed on the radio after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse.
- electrical 2019
A loose battery ground connection may result in an intermittent loss of power steering assist and/or a stall.
- suspension 2019
The right front lower control arm may separate from the steering knuckle.
- 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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2018
A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
- transmission & drivetrain 2018
The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint.
- 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.
- equipment 2017
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf.
- 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.
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 491 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- CEL (Check Engine Lamp) Illuminates, Recent PCM Replace Or Flash Update Performed, DTC P057B…
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
- OpenLoss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.2024
- ClosedElectrical arcing and thermal events, potentially leading to fires, while utilizing enel x way usa, llc's juicebox residential charger.2024–2025
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
Two weeks into ownership and with only 750 miles driven, the engine started smoking and caught fire while I was driving my family to lunch. I was heading eastbound on highway 18 in washington state, toward I-90.
2018 Chrysler Pacifica owner · NHTSA complaint 11129517
More owner reports
While car parked, turned on car, car stuck in "run" position, unable to change gears, unable to turn car off.
NHTSA complaint 11241053
Vehicle stopped operating while driving. Check engine light. Chrysler states this 2018 Chrysler Pacifica e-hybrid needs a new transmission. It was purchased new. We put ~4k miles on the van prior to this incident.
NHTSA complaint 11181194
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 300; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chrysler Pacifica year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2018 Chrysler Pacifica problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (44%), engine (39%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica have?
13 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 2018 Chrysler Pacifica get?
22 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 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 2018 Chrysler Pacifica problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 4,500 and 32,000 miles. The middle report was at 12,600 miles, from 427 complaints.
Does the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica cost in fuel a year?
About $2000 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Chrysler Pacifica year is better than the 2018?
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