CarComplaints.com Notes: Engine cradle rot is a serious problem in the 2004-05 Chrysler Pacifica. Chrysler admits they didn't apply enough coating to the vehicle's sub-frame during assembly, but only offered to cover a very small portion of the vehicles they messed up.

So what happens when your engine cradle rots? Well, the engine could fall out for starters. It could also cause problems with the suspension and other components but did I mention THE ENGINE CAN FALL OUT? The worst part is you might not know because there's no way to see the problem without getting under the car.

If you have a 2004-05 Pacifica, make sure to have your mechanic inspect your sub-frame for rust and corrosion.

1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,234 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Chrysler Pacifica body / paint problems

body / paint problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #58

Jun 132016

Pacifica

  • 59,694 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While the vehicle was being serviced, the technician stated that the cross member cradle was fractured and had a large hole due to corrosion. Without the cross member cradle, the engine would fail to remain in place and could cause a crash while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,694.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #57

Aug 102015

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
Took our 2004 Pacifica in today for an alignment to fix the shaking when the car is driven on the highway and was told that an alignment would be a waste of money due to the rusted out frame under the car. Hadn't heard a single word about this issue until today. We've had this car since 2005, bought with 12, 000 miles on it and now it has 85, 000. Still not bad for a car that is 11 years old and the body and interior are in very good shape. Now what to do?!!! thank you Firestone for being honest and not charging us for your time. (can I mention that the car has been in for repairs about a year ago for another issue to a Chrysler dealership and not a word was spoken about this!!!) the engine mounts, K-frame is badly rusted to the point the suspension is out of alignment and cannot be adjusted. The car is unsafe to drive.

- Solon, OH, USA

problem #56

Mar 152016

Pacifica

  • 142,608 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. When the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have the brakes repaired, the technician noticed that the undercarriage was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,608.

- Suitland, MD, USA

problem #55

Apr 062015

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Every 3,000 miles a oil change and regular maintenance to my car has been done, in April of this year when they put it on the lift noticed all the big rust holes underneath. The mechanic did not want me to leave with it said it was not safe. Within a month it is busted.

- Plymouth, OH, USA

problem #54

May 232012

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 1 miles
Does the nhs care about all the complaints on the Chrysler Pacifica to have the million dollar company pay to fix this family car right or recall the car in general. I called the company and because where my car was manufactured its not entitled to replacement because it shouldn't have rusted subframes which is totally inaccurate my car has had nothing but issues is a 2004 and I'm not the only one my neighbor has a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica and its subframe is rotted out are we going to sit back and let them not take responsibility do we know what it means when the some subframe is rotted that means if you are unaware of this you can be driving down the road with your kids in the back of the car in your engine drops out of your car which could cause serious serious serious accidents is this what we want.their only answer was to contact the national highway transportation safety administration.

- Laconia, NH, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #53

Mar 192015

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 106,000 miles
Brought my car into Chrysler dealer for regular maintenance and they called me to say that they would not release the car to me because the entire subframe was rusted and rotted out in spots. Dealer told me the car is a total loss as the repair is $6500 (blue book value ~$3500) and this problem is very common but unfortunately there's no recall. I called Chrysler and the just said I am out of warranty and they will not help, goodbye.

- Mountainside, NJ, USA

problem #52

Jan 152015

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Sub chassis frame assembly rusted and corroded. Was found when taken in for a routine oil change. Was advised should not be driven in current condition.

- New Castle, DE, USA

problem #51

Feb 172015

Pacifica

  • 163,302 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the undercarriage of the vehicle was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 163,302.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #50

Dec 022013

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 73,548 miles
This is a garage kept car, low mileage. Had mechanic check car out and found that the sub frame had major rust and holes in it. Chrysler recalled 2004 Pacificas that were made in a 6 week time period and fixed those but no others. In researching this matter there are a lot of 2004 Pacificas with this issue and Chrysler is refusing to fix them.

- Portage, IN, USA

problem #49

Nov 212014

Pacifica

  • 106,000 miles
I recently took my 2004 Pacifica to my mechanic to get an oil change and he advised me that my subframe was rusted, rotted and cracked with holes. He said he had never seen anything like that in his many years as a mechanic. He also took pictures of it to show me. I contacted the local Chrysler and the headquarters and advised them of the same. They said that they were aware of the problem but couldn't help me because my vehicle's age was over 10 years old. I explained to them what the mechanic said and that the part was defective not because of the age of the car but because of the defective part. They do not stand by their product because they said that because of the age of my vehicle that they would not be able to help me. However, I am aware that some local customers in my area had their subframes replaced by Chrysler "free of charge", because the parts employee told me. He said that pictures of their vehicles were taken while on the lift and submitted to Chrysler and they were given authorization to replace the parts. However, they would not accommodate me because I didn't have an extended warranty with them. Chrysler picks and choses the customers that they want to help. Although my vehicle is 10 years old and I don't have an extended warranty with Chrysler, I always have maintained the use of my vehicle with regular oil changes, tune-ups, brake repairs, etc. With a privately owned mechanic. There is no reason that my vehicle should have a rusted, rotted part like this especially since I do not live in a flood zone area.

- Pleasantville, NJ, USA

problem #48

Nov 132014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 91,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After having my front tires replace my mechanic showed me pictures of what was left of my frame from rust and rot. He said I had 2 choices weld or replace. I took it to a welder who has welded for 35 years and could repair most anything. After inspecting my frame he said there was not enough metal left to make a weld that would hold and stated if it were his car he would get rid of it now. So I had a frame ordered. All I'm looking for is to be reimbursed for my expenses.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #47

Oct 122014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 116,000 miles
Wife and daughter in car when subframe cracked.this a problem with these model but Chrysler has denied to me they had any knowledge of the issie when I contacted them.

- Abington, MA, USA

problem #46

Sep 192014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 105,048 miles
Sept 27, 2014. 3 days ago I was informed that the underside (engine crdle subframe) of my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica was seriously rotted. 3 mechanics agreed that I definitely avoid driving it any longer. Nbc news reported that this is a problem with at least 7000 Pacifica models. The car has barely 105K miles and is in otherwise excellent condition. VIN# is [xxx]. what may I expect in terms of assistance for repair costs? please let me know the date of manufacture for this VIN#. nbc reported that models built between Feb 23 and Mar 31, 2004 are eligible for total repair cost assistance. However, assistance is supposedly not limited to these dates. Please advise as soon as you can what I should do to resolve this. Thx information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Avon, CT, USA

problem #45

Aug 082014

Pacifica

  • 202,000 miles
Had work done on my car and was told that the front sub-frame is rusted and has a fracture in it found out that this make is notorious for this problem but company wont recall the item......I need help fast...

- Manville, NJ, USA

problem #44

Aug 072014

Pacifica

  • 157,385 miles
I just recently purchased a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica as of this date I am filing this I got the vehicle home and put it up on ramps to take a look underneath at the exhaust and other parts only to find out the front sub frame is rusted out with a big crack and another hole in the frame. I did some research online to finding out that almost every Pacifica has the same problem, Chrysler should do something about this problem its obviously a major safety issue.

- Ashland, PA, USA

problem #43

Jul 222014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
Corroded front subframe.

- Fort Wayne , IN, USA

problem #42

Jul 152014

Pacifica

  • 97,000 miles
I brought my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica in for its annual nys inspection. It failed inspection due to the fact that the subframe was so rotted out it wouldn't pass. I realize the car is over ten years old, but this should not happen. I discovered that this is an ongoing issue with 2004-2005 Pacificas, and wanted to add my complaint to the record. We now have to incur an expense that we cannot afford, and should not have to. My mechanic is now going to contact Chrysler to see what they will do.

- Pawling, NY, USA

problem #41

Mar 082013

Pacifica

  • 89,291 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance performed, the technician noticed that the engine cradle and sub frame were corroded and fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not cover under the engine cradle extended warranty. The failure and current mileage was 89,291. Pam

- Port Murray , NJ, USA

problem #40

Nov 012013

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles
As owning the 2004 Pacifica for not even a yr.we had a noise as we were trying to find out the problem a friend had notice a huge rusted hole in the subframe.as I emailed a picture to the dealer their answer was "we are not aware of this problem." 6/25/14 I googled the problem and Chrysler is aware of this ! why was I not informed of this when I bought it and how in the world do they let this problem go !!!! I have no other car and drive w two children everyday.it is a ticking time bomb!!!!

- Washington Court House, OH, USA

problem #39

Jun 162014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 94,500 miles
My subframe is rotted and rusted just like every other 04 Pacifica its ridiculous. Chrysler needs to be a stand up company and fix it.

- Lawrence , MA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?