The Lemon Index

All cars · Chrysler Pacifica

2023 Chrysler Pacifica.

The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica is so far worse than average by owner complaints: 195 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 136, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 14 recalls, and it gets 20 to 30 mpg combined. The best Chrysler Pacifica year is 2020.

Early read

136Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Early read: worse than average. 1.4× the average car's complaints.

Best year 2020 · Worst year 2017

Chrysler Pacifica
Photo shows a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, a, Wikimedia Commons · CC0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints195first 3 years
Fuel economy20–30 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 195 owner complaints, owners reported:

4crashes
2injuries
0fires
5tows
Early read. The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2023 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

engine33%
electrical29%
transmission & drivetrain29%
airbags19%
fuel or ev drive system11%

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.

Transmission problems in every Chrysler Pacifica year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 16K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 50K miles on the car (20 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 14

  • airbags 2026

    The spring inside the front seat harness connector may contact electrical terminals.

  • back over prevention 2026

    Contamination in the central vision processing module or improper programming may cause the rearview camera image not to display.

  • equipment adaptive/mobility 2026

    The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Show all 14 recalls
  • airbags 2026

    The right and left side curtain air bags may have insufficient pressure retention.

  • equipment adaptive/mobility 2025

    Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information.

  • equipment adaptive/mobility 2025

    The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

  • back over prevention 2025

    Due to a manufacturing error, the rearview camera image may not display.

  • airbags 2025

    The right and left side curtain air bags may have insufficient pressure retention from improperly sealed seams.

  • airbags 2024

    An improperly secured connector for the side curtain air bags may prevent the air bags from deploying.

  • back over prevention 2024

    The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying.

  • airbags 2024

    The steering column control module may not be welded properly, which can prevent the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash.

  • electrical 2023

    An electrical short may occur due to an incorrectly installed 12-volt battery isolator post, resulting in a fire while parked or driving.

  • fuel system, gasoline 2023

    The fuel line may be deformed, causing a fuel leak.

  • electrical 2023

    An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Chrysler told dealers about

Chrysler sent dealers 361 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Incorrect Serpentine Belt and Tensioner This bulletin involves inspecting and if necessary…
  • ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
  • ENGINE ASSY - 3.6L AUTO TRANS Before replacing the engine due to an abnormal ticking noise,…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

  • OpenLoss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.2024
  • ClosedTransmission fault leading to loss of motive power2022–2024

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
NHTSA front crash test of the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chrysler Pacifica PV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Chrysler Pacifica AWD PV AWDnot rated★★★★★★★★★★not rated
Fuel cost and engines

About $2150–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl.

In owners' words

2023 Pacifica puts itself in P while stuck in traffic then won't let us put in D. We had to shut off car and back on again to move the knob to D The knob was stuck in park it woukdnt let us do anything in middle of freeway traffic

2023 Chrysler Pacifica owner · NHTSA complaint 11531075
More owner reports

Vehicle Posted Message To; Pull Over and Park Safely As Vehicle Would Be Shutting Down

NHTSA complaint 11678335

Lost engine power on highway with warning on the dash "Stop Safely, Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon"

NHTSA complaint 11587105

Quick answers

Is the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica reliable?

It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 1.4× the average car's complaints per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 136; 100 is average). The best Chrysler Pacifica year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.

What are the most common 2023 Chrysler Pacifica problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (33%), electrical (29%) and transmission & drivetrain (29%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica have?

14 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica get?

20 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2023 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 2023 Chrysler Pacifica problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,800 and 50,600 miles. The middle report was at 16,000 miles, from 20 complaints.

Does the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 29% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica cost in fuel a year?

About $2150 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica have?

3.6L 6-cyl.

What Chrysler Pacifica year is better than the 2023?

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

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data