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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
106,654 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2004 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 1 of 6)

problem #114

Nov 012020

Pacifica

  • 11,800 miles

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

The under carriage that holds engine in place is completely rusted through. I bought brand new tires from belle tire on September 9, 2020. By November 1 2020 I was observing extreme wear on the brand new tires. Went to my mechanic and was told the car is unsafe to drive due to the cradle rust rot, and the engine is about ready to fall out and would cause catastrophic emergency I and my family could die. Trying to find replacement and am being told it is such a problem that there is no parts available to fix this problem

- Hudsonville, MI, USA

problem #113

Jun 122020

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 167,000 miles
Vehicle was taken to service. Shop would not work on vehicle stating the deterioration of the subframe was to extensive and they would not work on it. Upon closer inspection showed the frame in a great state of decay, with some places only being held together with thin strips of metal. These vehicles were recalled in the past for defective frames however not all were recalled and this is one vehicle that was not. The motor in these vehicles will fall out and could cause an accident which could result in serious injury or loss of life. These frames are defective in workmanship from the factory and should be handled by the factory across all 2004-2008 Chrysler Pacifica's affected by defective equipment knowingly installed by the factory that will lead to an accident and cause serious injury or death. Thousands of these vehicles are on the road today with occupants unknowingly driving these vehicles which are "ticking time bombs".

- Staunton, VA, USA

problem #112

Jun 012012

Pacifica

  • 75,000 miles
The front chassis cross member has rotted out. My 2004 Pacifica has been parked in my driveway over 5 years because the corrosion is so bad I'm afraid to drive it. I've been waiting for a recall to fix this obvious factory defect. The rotted front cross member was pointed out to me during a state inspection in June of 2012

- Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

problem #111

Aug 082018

Pacifica

  • 129,700 miles

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

K-frame is rotted out not safe to drive engine could fall out

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #110

Apr 012018

Pacifica

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While checking for the sway bar link under the vehicle, the contact noticed that the side panel frame was corroded all the way through. The vehicle was taken to South Chicago Dodge Chrysler Jeep (7400 S western ave, Chicago, il 60636), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive on the highway. The manufacturer was contacted and opened case number: 33832631 before referring the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

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problem #109

Mar 042018

Pacifica

  • 117,000 miles
We own a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica with around 117K miles on it. My daughter drives it. While changing the engine oil on it last weekend, I noticed severe corrosion (perforation actually) of the vehicle engine cradle. The passenger side of the cross member is rusted completely through on the bottom and the driver side is about 70% rusted through. As this cross member is what holds the engine in the vehicle and acts as the base of the front suspension, I don't believe this vehicle is safe to drive anymore. Should this structural component fail during highway driving, I believe the vehicle would become unstable and uncontrollable which would be a hazard to the driver, passengers and other motorists. Yes, we live in Wisconsin (part of the salt belt), but this amount of corrosion on such a crucial structural component is crazy! the vehicle has only been on the road for 14 yrs and for only 117K mi. I would understand if the body started to deteriorate in that amount of time, but not a supporting frame member. I don't believe the engine cradle was properly treated against corrosion, or the design of the cradle made it susceptible to excessive localized corrosion and the manufacturer should be held liable for repairs.

- Sherwood, WI, USA

problem #108

Jan 292018

Pacifica

  • 160,000 miles

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

Sub frame engine cradle rusted to the point the mechanic advised it was not safe to drive any longer. Japanese metal coating issue or Chrysler recall needed? I brought the vehicle in thinking I have a cv shaft going out as it made noise when turning. The mechanic showed me the frame on both side are rusted through and the frame is twisting. The repair would cost more than the worth of the vehicle. We have owned this vehicle since brand new and taken very good care of it. Even the body is rusting badly. Check out the attached news investigation on this issue. www.wfsb.com/story/26363027/problem-Pacificas-A-danger-despite-lack-of-recall

- Wayzata, MN, USA

problem #107

Oct 032017

Pacifica

  • miles
Bought my 2004 Pacifica from a dealership used on June 5 2017 at that time I had the oil changed at the dealership the next day. Nothing said about the cradle almost rusted off on right side. Took Pacifica to get tires cause I planned a 1500 mile trip in a few days and wanted good tires. Needless to say besides $400 in tires I had to put $1800 into parts and labor for struts, tie rods, arms, brake pads, rotors and valve stems. Was shown the rusted cradle that was 3/4 rusted through and told it should get changed but the vehicle was safe to take on my trip. While driving when going 25-35mph with my foot on the gas pedal it chugs like its not getting gas and have also noticed it now when going 55 and taking my foot off the gas pedal it doing the same thing. There's been 4 or so times the fuel indicator has gone down to empty and back up again once while idling in a construction zone and almost died twice. Needless to say brought the vehicle to the dealership for an oil change October 3, they changed oil and did an inspection- my vehicle is no longer safe and need to talk to the dealer who sold me the vehicle. Right side of cradle totally rusted off. So why did they even sell the car when they knew it was unsafe or even sell me part because it was unsafe? dealerships and tire dealerships taking advantage of older people and women! I will be going into both these places and needless to say still paying on the repair with their credit card. I cannot drive an unsafe vehicle and put a few more thousand dollars into it. I also had a new battery put in cause not even a week after purchasing it it wouldn't start and needed an interstate battery! I cannot believe Chrysler is being so negligent about putting a recall on these vehicles. I've only owned Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth vehicles the 44years I been driving.

- Linden, MI, USA

problem #106

Aug 162017

Pacifica

  • 130,400 miles
Lower subframe (engine cradle) rust-through separation. Subject of service bulletins, I'm told, but no recall? wife heard loud pop when backing up, then car handling became problematic. Mechanic raised car and pointed out rust-through of subframe.

- Ramsey, MN, USA

problem #105

Jul 092017

Pacifica

  • 150,000 miles
Engine cradle rusted out to the point the engine dropped. My daughter was driving home from work on I94west out of milwaukee when she heard a clunk. She was able to dive to our restaurant and park. I had the vehicle towed to an auto mechanic and that is when he told me that it engine cradle was rusted out.

- Vernon, WI, USA

problem #104

Jun 302017

Pacifica

  • 900,000 miles

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

A popping sound coming from the front end when turning while mageing turns. It is so loud you think something fell off. This has been happing for at least 4 years I always take it to the shop and they say they caint find anything wrong but I know it is the shop keep computer records so I know they will have the times I kept returing with this problem it never do it when I take it so they say they caint digonose my problem. You will never know when it will make that loud popping sound but when it dose it you will be starteld you because you think your wheel is off. It also will not start occasionaly you never know when this will happen I replace my battery every year because it will kill your battery all the time.I have replaced my gas pumps they went out 5 years ago

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #103

Feb 082017

Pacifica

  • miles
Extensive corrosion/rust on sub frame plate holding up the engine. Do not feel safe driving because it could snap and break at any moment.

- Spring Lake, MI, USA

problem #102

Jul 292016

Pacifica

  • 160,000 miles
I was shocked the mechanic at jiffy lube showed me pictures of my Pacifica after changing engine oil. The cradle to support the engine are totally rusted and I can not drive this vehicle anymore. I want to figure out why it happens. I feel relived I did not get killed when I dive to Minnesota to see my daughter often.

- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA

problem #101

Mar 012016

Pacifica

  • 184,000 miles
Engine cradle rusted to the point it will not pass wv inspection and is not safe to drive.

- Wheeling, WV, USA

problem #100

Feb 032015

Pacifica

  • 90,000 miles
We took our 2004 Pacifica in for alignment and were informed that the under carriage had rusted through in places and the motor was barely being held in place. Basically I was driving a very dangerous accident waiting to happen. We did pay over $3000 to have the entire undercarriage replaced since we needed the vehicle to get around. I have all the paper work from the repair.

- Herrin, IL, USA

problem #99

Mar 032016

Pacifica

  • miles
Won't let me pump gas in with out it constantly clicking off, when gas gage hits half it drops with in seconds. Traction control light engine light low and high tire pressure stays on but nothing shows on tester. Front end does a lot of popping, and clanking while driving even while turning and stopping.

- Columbus, KS, USA

problem #98

Jan 122016

Pacifica

  • 79,000 miles
Engine cradle rusted out!! this should be recalled!! its pretty bad when the frame and rockers rust out and the factory exhaust is still on the car!

- Dubois, PA, USA

problem #97

Nov 112015

Pacifica

  • 190,000 miles
Frame is rusting under the engine and service bay at tire dealer said it was unsafe.

- Xenia, OH, USA

problem #96

Nov 122015

Pacifica

  • 127,000 miles
Engine cradle rot, unsafe to drive due to possible engine dropping out of vehicle.

- Gurnee, IL, USA

problem #95

Nov 072015

Pacifica

  • 118,000 miles
The front subframe known as the "engine cradle" is severely rusting out. This is a known issue by Chrysler on 2004-2005 Pacificas. There was an inadequate coating of the metal which leads to premature rusting. In 2010 Chrysler issued an extended warranty for this, but only for cars built in a six week period in 2004. This only covered a small fraction on the cars affected. Chrysler never sent information to owners warning of this or offering suggestions on maintenance of this issue. As a result, thousands of Pacifica owners like myself are left with cars unsafe to drive and unable to sell because of the severity of the issue. The response from Chrysler (fac) when you contact them is "sorry, it is not under warranty".

- Granger, IN, USA

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