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:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,240 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #9

Feb 012010

Pacifica

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at low speeds or while idled. The failure recurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the battery was the cause of the failure. The battery was replaced, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 04V113000 (power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm, PCM)). The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Mission Veija, CA, USA

problem #8

Nov 302011

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 70,100 miles
2004 Chrysler Pacifica taken to mechanic after purchasing used with 69,500 miles for "clunking" noise in front-end. Replaced parts included: Sway bar linkages, tie rod ends, and struts and mounts all of which needed replacing. But the noise was still there. The mechanic then used a tool he called "chassis ears" to pinpoint the source of the noise. He found that the subframe (engine cradle) was rusted at the point that it mounts to the body, just under the front passenger-side floorboard. Upon further inspection rust was apparent on the drivers-side also. This is a major safety issue!!! the entire front-end of the vehicle including: Engine, transmission, and all front-end suspension and steering is held in place by this subframe (engine cradle). What happens when this totally fails while driving with six people in the vehicle" why has this not become a mandatory safety recall? does someone have to get killed before this gets someones attention" this is not an isolated incident as can be seen by this website. NHTSA please help!!!

- Banner Elk, NC, USA

problem #7

Oct 262010

Pacifica

  • 83,000 miles
I was driving my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica when the acceleration started to taper off gradually. Eventually it went down to 25mph when I pulled off the road. As I turned off the engine smoke started flowing out of the vents in the car. Within a couple of minutes fire was shooting out of the passenger's foot well from the engine. The police was on the scene immediately and was unable to put it out two firetrucks and 4 police cars arrived at the scene. They stated they had never seen a car go up so fast. There was nothing but the shell left.

- Maplewood, NJ, USA

problem #6

Jun 022010

Pacifica

  • 59,000 miles

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

2004 Chrysler Pacifica with failed motor mounts (3).

- Campbell, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 172010

Pacifica

  • 87,000 miles
Problem was with my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica not starting. After taking it to a mechanic found that I have three broken motor mounts. This appears to be a very common problem for this make and model according to the many complaints I have read online.

- Augusta, GA, USA

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problem #4

Apr 182009

Pacifica

  • miles
My car was recently state inspected and it was discovered that I needed the front and rear motor mounts on my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. After researching the problem, I read complaints from many owners who had the exact same failures with their Pacifica's despite low mileage (30,000 to 40,000 miles). The problem appears to be a serious defect with this car because the motor mount is on backorder with the majority of Chrysler dealers. A Chrysler parts department employee at reedman's dealership in langhorne, pa. Told me the part is on backorder with no availability date forecasted. The employee told me this is a sure sign of a serious problem when this occurs. I have a problem now because I won't be able to drive my car when the state inspection sticker expires the end of April. I have read the shortage is possibly self inflicted so as to avoid warranty repairs. I don't believe that is true because bad motor mounts could lead to an accident and liability issues. However, I do believe this needs to be investigated and if deemed credible a recall initiated to correct the reason for the early failures I.e. defective part or engineering flaw.

- Drexel Hill, PA, USA

problem #3

Feb 032005

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles

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

2004 Chrysler Pacifica developed problems with the transmission and the wheel bearings. The consumer experienced problem upon the arrival at home on the first day of purchase. There were clunking sounds when in drive, reverse, shift or reverse to drive, a whine when decelerating at 30-40 mph, excess backlash in the differential. The service dealer notes stated that there was incorrect gear lash and bearing preload upon original assembly from the factory. The dealer fixed the wheel bearing and stated that the transmission was normal. The consumer requested a refund.

- Eureka, KS, USA

problem #2

May 142005

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Pleae be advised that both my engine lower mounts were leaking-one was dried out totally the other was almost dried -I was able to order oem Chrysler parts for my 2004 Pacifica and had it repalced as soon as possible (might be a design flaw) and or bad parts beings used. None the less this accured at about 28,800 =/- to mature for these items to be needing replacement.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #1

Aug 182004

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
While traveling West on I-80, (the Ohio turnpike) my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica, lost all power from the power train. This happened suddenly, with no prior indications of a problem, in heavy truck traffic, while travelling at 75 mph. It required over four days to repair the vehicle, as the technician determined that the transmission had no pressure. This was caused by a burned-out router in the transmission pump. I was was shown the replacement part and noted the interiour was machined to a intirerly different configuration. I was also informed that the initial production runs all had this design fault. The tech. That repaired the auto, also stated tha they were informed of this at their training schools. Chyrysler knows about this defect..a very costly recall, I'm sure. The consequences of a failure of this nature is not very difficult to forsee, an inexperperienced driver passing a line of cars on a two lane road, or, in my case, two days prior to the sudden failure, we were driving in the steep montains of Tennessee, and North Carolina in fairly heavy, fast moving traffic. The auto was repaired at no cost to me, however I no longer have confidence in the car, due to the complexity of the repair, and the consequential damage that the faulity design had on the auto both prior to the failure, during the failure, but also due to the complexity of the repair

- Greensboro , GA, USA

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