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 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
104,767 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.

2005 Chrysler Pacifica engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 8 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #83

Jul 162009

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 98,890 miles

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

Bought the car in January, 2009, the car stop on the freeway, push on the gas would not go, pedal stuck, the coolant systems do not work car will run hot, called Chrysler, they were no help is there any thing can be done, you buy a car and it is a piece of junk, all Chrysler do is pass the buck as well get stuck with junk.

- University Place, WA, USA

problem #82

Apr 022014

Pacifica

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the engine cradle was completely corroded. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 120.000.

- Butler, PA, USA

problem #81

Jun 172014

Pacifica

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that he was informed during routine maintenance that the engine cradle was corroded. As a result, the vehicle depeveloped a crack on the right hand side. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for repair. The manufacturer was notified of defect. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

- Minocqua, WI, USA

problem #80

Jun 162014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles

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

I took my newly purchased 2005 Chrysler Pacifica to my mechanic to get the brakes serviced, and was told that the engine cradle was completely rusted out and the engine was in danger of falling out! my mechanic was extremely concerned (he is a friend and an honest mechanic who runs a very reputable repair and body shop in ottawa, ks). I called Chrysler before I purchased the car to see if their were any recalls on it, and was told their was not. The car is otherwise in perfect condition, no damage and very little wear inside and out. It was clear to my mechanic that this was due to some defect in the vehicle, and should not happen on a 10 year old car that is in as good of condition as mind is with only 110000 miles on it. To have a new engine cradle put it, it would cost over $4000. I cannot afford that, so we are putting in a reconditioned one, inspected to make sure it has no wear or rust on it, and we are painting and putting additional undercoating on it as to prevent any such recurrences. After looking online, I have since learned this is a widespread problem, and is effecting a large number of owners, and is much more widespread than Chrysler is willing to admit. I called them, and my car is supposedly not one effected in their 3-4 week window of production, yet it was completely rusted to the point of possibly causing a serious and even fatal car accident.

- Ottawa, KS, USA

problem #79

Apr 152014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 122,638 miles
Reference tsb 13.001-12, 2005 Chrysler Pacifica suspension service bulletin, and NHTSA action number 10044109. A letter was sent to some 2004-2005 Chrysler Pacifica owners that the front engine cradle and suspension mount frame was prone to corrosion problems. The warranty was extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles to owners in states that use road salt, cold weather states. We live in Pennsylvania, which is considered a cold weather state. Our Pacifica was inspected in April 2014. We informed the station that we were experiencing some vibration in the front end of the vehicle. We were informed that the cradle assembly and mount was rusted through and because of safety issues they had to be replaced before it would pass inspection. The cost was $2,702.08. The vehicle had 122,638 miles, under the warranty threshold of 150,000. When we learned of this situation we called Chrysler. They informed me that only Pacifica's manufactured between a certain time frame were covered. They could not tell me the time frame, but our vehicle was not covered. To make matters worse, the new cradle assembly is exactly the same as the original part. No corrective actions have been taken to prevent the rusting. There are other cases similar to mine on the internet. State dmv"S are failing these vehicles for safety issues, they are unsafe to drive. How can Chrysler ignore these serious safety issues" I am requesting full reimbursement of $2,702.08, plus request action be taken against Chrysler so that all 2004-2005 Pacifica's are repaired before serious accidents occur, if they haven't already.

- Chambersburg, PA, USA

problem #78

Feb 032014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles
My engine sub frame is heavily rusted creating a dangerous situation for my motor to falls or loose control of my vehicle putting my wife and child in danger.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #77

May 212014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles

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

My whole engine cradle is rusted and corroded through. My mechanic said it is dangerous to drive, it is appears to be a known issue with Chrysler. I was not warned of the problem by Chrysler.

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #76

Apr 282014

Pacifica

  • 185,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while traveling 25 mph, the engine light illuminated and the temperature gage indicated that the vehicle had overheated. The vehicle started to shake and the air conditioner fan stopped working. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fan motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 185,000.

- Oroorion, MI, USA

problem #75

Feb 212014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 106,711 miles
While starting to accelerate going onto the expressway, the vehicle just stopped. There was power from the battery but the car just stalled. It was horrible winter weather with extreme cold temperatures so the car was towed to a reputable nearby auto repair. It took two days but they found the problem to be a bolt on the water pump that had sheared off flying into the engine which in turn destroyed the timing chain and the entire engine. I called Chrysler in an attempt to find out if this had been another issue with the 2005 Pacifica model but their response was asking me if we had it towed to an authorized dealer. The engine had to be rebuilt which was our only cost saving option but the mechanic that worked on the car stated he had never in all of his years in the business seen a bolt shear off of a water pump inside the engine and it should never have happened. Chrysler told me to take the defective parts to an authorized dealer who confirmed that it shouldn't have happened but when I called Chrysler back with the findings from the dealer, all they said was that they would make note of the problem and present it to a committee for review. While this vehicle was still under warranty we had to have the back end seal replaced 3 or 4 times which kept breaking until Chrysler finally agreed to replace the whole back end without explanation as to why it kept happening. There seems to be a problem with this make and model which I believe could case injury if the vehicle were to stop in heavy traffic without warning. We were out of state when this happened and our son was returning the vehicle to our home ( an approx. 10 mile trip from West bend wi. To jackson wi) after having new tires put on it at our request.

- Jackson, WI, USA

problem #74

May 142014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 146,300 miles
Had vehicle in for brake service. Technician showed me (with pictures) the problem with the engine cradle rusting out in multiple locations. In my research of this issue, I found numerous other incidents of this problem with little or no assistance from Chrysler. This is a huge safety issue and could lose the engine at any time causing possible severe injury. Would like Chrysler to step up and get the recall out to all Pacifica owners.

- Holland, MI, USA

problem #73

May 012014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles

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

2005 Chrysler Pacifica. Consumer writes in regards to engine and headlight problems. The consumer stated the vehicle stalled twice, within the last 3 years. Both times, he was making a hard turn, when the engine stopped. He wa able to maintain control of the vehicle and re-started it, without any problem. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic, who found nothing wrong, other than throttle body build-up, which he cleaned. Also, the headlight would intermittently go out. The bulb did not seem to fit securely in the harness, which caused a short and eventually the bulb blew out. The problem seemed to be more prominent on the passenger side. The driver's side bulb was less than an ideal fit, but there were no problems with it going out. The bulb was replaced numerous times, along with the wiring harness.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #72

Mar 032014

Pacifica

  • 150,000 miles
After an oil change I was informed the engine cradle was rusted through and was dangerous to drive. I called the local dealership and was told that my car didn't qualify for the extended warranty. Now I have a car that is dangerous to drive. The cost to fix it is more than it is worth. Thanks Chrysler, I will never own another of their vehicles.

- Rolling Prairie, IN, USA

problem #71

Apr 272014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Undercarriage corrosion as reported by other owners.

- Carol Stream, IL, USA

problem #70

Apr 112014

Pacifica

  • 125,000 miles
While getting service at local Chrysler dealership, was notified that the engine cradle was rusted through and the vehicle was not safe to drive.

- Xenia, OH, USA

problem #69

Apr 192014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles
I have a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica that has engine subframe rust - completely rusted - undrivable, extremely dangerous. Chrysler issued a warranty extension in 2010 for all 2004 and 2005 Pacificas for this problem and then rescinded it stating that it would only fix those that fell within a 6 week build date - Feb 23-March 31, 2004- which mine did not. However, it has covered others - whom I know personally - at 100% after constant appeals and letters and a story which aired on channel 5 Chicago news on January 24 and April 15, 2014. I have contacted channel 7, 5 and 9 and will not stop until this is fixed. It upsets me that this is not getting fixed when there is an obvious problem - one in which chrsyler took responsibility for and then decided not to take responsibility.

- New Lenox, IL, USA

problem #68

Apr 162014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
Advised by local mechanic in December that rust was developing on undercarriage of engine. After numerous news reports and reading of info on the internet of similar problems called Chrysler customer care. I was told since it was not in the window of the cars that they are extending the warranty on rust to 10 years or 150K miles there was nothing they could do for me. If they do extend the warranty in the future they will let me know.

- Fox River Grove , IL, USA

problem #67

Apr 102014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 122,858 miles
We took our car in to locate a possible leak and while investigating the leak, our repair shop noticed a golf ball size hole and rust on the passenger cradle arm and reccommended us not to drive. After researching I have found we are not the only owners of the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica with this issue.

- Laporte, IN, USA

problem #66

Apr 072014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles
I noticed that something was looking weird about my car and something seemed hanging really low. I went to have it looked at right away and they told me that my cradle was rotting and it needed to be fixed or my engine was going to fall to the ground if I did not get this taken care of. I have had nothing put problems with this car. It seems like once I fix one thing something else goes wrong. I have spent over 3,000 dollars on this car so far to fix it and now this. I am beyond irritated.

- Elmira, NY, USA

problem #65

Nov 202013

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
I wanted to bring to your attention a safety condition with certain years on the Chrysler Pacifica. Many of the Pacificas engine cradles are severely rusted; to the point of if a break occurs the engine will fall out of the vehicle. This issue is mainly on years 2004-2005. (I own a 2005 model with severe rusted engine cradle.) the estimated cost of this repair is between $2,500 and $3,000. I have contacted Chrysler several times about this safety issue, the 1st time was Nov of 2013 with the most recent being 4/1/2014. Chrysler just says "we?re looking into it". (ref case# 24293830) I have contacted the Minnesota attorney general who sent a letter to Chrysler, but they declined coverage on my Pacifica. I have also filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Chrysler has acknowledged this issue by extending the warranty on certain build dates, (see letter below): Checkout an nbc news report on this issue: www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/minivan-owners-want-Chrysler-to-concede-rust-problems-241535881.html. my vehicle has been diagnosed by two mechanics, one of which is roseville Chrysler-Jeep. And both agree that the engine cradle must be replaced. My vehicle is in perfect condition. The rusted engine cradle would never be noticed by a common person. Someone could have this issue and not know it unless a mechanic would happen to notice it. Luckily mine did! in light of the recent GM issues with ignorance of the power steering issue I would think that Chrysler would try and get ahead of this serious safety issue. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Shoreview, MN, USA

problem #64

Mar 252014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 167,323 miles
I took my 2005 Chrysler Pacifica in for a oil change and safety inspection and was informed that my subframe/ engine cradle has rusted through and is no longer safe to drive the car is less than 10 years old...this is very unsafe as I drive this car everyday with 2 kids any help would be appreciated. The service agent working on my car said we were lucky it has not fallen out yet and had a serious accident.

- Baraboo, WI, USA

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