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 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
116,509 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 2 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #121

Jun 302017

Pacifica

  • 109,274 miles

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

Engines stalls intermittently while driving then shutters and continues to run. Happens 3 to 4 times during say a 25 mile drive. I feel it is very unsafe. Also stalls at idle at stop sign but restarts immediately and runs as if nothing happened. I got online to see if others had similar problem and seen other similar problems where they said it was software related and had to go to dealership to be reprogrammed.

- Sidney, OH, USA

problem #120

Jun 302017

Pacifica

  • 900,000 miles
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 #119

Feb 232017

Pacifica

  • 124,000 miles
I purchased a used vehicle from a local auto dealership on January 30, 2017. After driving the vehicle everyday for about a week I began noticed the car would shake and pull to the left even while driving at very slow speeds.on February 23, 2017 I took the newly purchased Chrysler Pacifica in for an oil change. I received a call from the mechanic about 15 mins after I dropped the vehicle off and he informed me that my front engine cradle was severely rusted and if I continued to drive it the engine could fall out at any minute. I rushed back to the location that my vehicle was being serviced and I was shocked at how bad the engine cradle actually was. There was at least an inch gap indicating it was beginning to separate from the body of the car. I took pictures of the damage and emailed them to the dealer that sold me the vehicle. I also did a quick internet search for front engine cradle damage in 2004 Chrysler Pacifica's and came across numerous consumer complaints having the same issues with 2004 Pacifica's. I also found Chrysler previously issued an extended warranty to resolve defective engine cradles for owners residing in salt belt states and vehicles with under 150K miles. Confident that my vehicle qualified for the extended warranty I contacted Chrysler directly. I was informed by the Chrysler representative that the Pacifica I currently own does not qualify to receive repairs under the extended warranty because it was built in January of 2004 and warranty only covers front engine cradle damage to vehicles that were built after February 23, 2004 and before March 31, 2004.

- Inver Grove Heights, MN, USA

problem #118

Jan 132017

Pacifica

  • 200,000 miles

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

I drove to my friends house, and 15 minutes later my car was engulfed in flames! the fire chief said it was an electrical problem that started the fire. My car was not running, and I was not in it.

- Newaygo, MI, USA

problem #117

May 152016

Pacifica

  • 216,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving in reverse, a very loud scratching noise emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine separated from the cradle and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 216,000. The VIN was not available.

- North Chicago, IL, USA

problem #116

Jul 012016

Pacifica

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While approaching a stop, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the error codes as P401 and P172. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was related to NHTSA campaign numbers: 03V471000 (fuel system) and 04V113000 (power train). The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #115

Jul 052016

Pacifica

  • 140,702 miles

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

Took my Pacifica in to get hose looked at and some new tires. Was called and told to come get my car and park it. Was told that engine cradle had rust and rot and that it was not safe to drive. I've had this car for almost 10 years and had never heard of this. I drive every day and need my car.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #114

Apr 152016

Pacifica

  • 200,000 miles
Takata recall vehicle will not stay fired up as soon as soon as throttle is relased car dies immediately, sometimes not starting back up for 15-40 minutes, replaced idle air control, replaced throttle postion sensor, replaced all spark plugs, ran a fuel cleaner, and replaced alternator, car still will not stay turned over and still will nnot idle, if throttle and RPM drop car wil die in traffic sitting in drive way hasn't matterd where happens everywhere

- Windsor, MI, USA

problem #113

Apr 232016

Pacifica

  • 224,000 miles
I was driving and my children smelled smoke. I pulled over and opened the hood and saw a fire. A stranger stopped and tried putting it out with a fire extinguisher but it caught on so quickly that there was no chance. I suffered a complete loss since the entire car was engulfed in flames.

- Xenia, OH, USA

problem #112

Jan 152016

Pacifica

  • 75,000 miles
The cooling system for the car does not work correctly. After a steady idle of about 5 minutes, the car will begin to get hot and the fans will kick on. Two minutes later it will do it again. The system it self seems ok, but the fan is constantly on and off. The motor get S so hot that the hood on my car is starting to turn. Next is the airbags. The airbag light for the passenger side is always on indicating a failure. The bag has never been deployed" now the biggest problem is the top end of the motor. My check engine lights keeps coming on. Keeps saying misfire on cylinder 4. everything has been replaced and I still get this code" my vehicle gets it regular maintenance and my mechanic said my car should not having these problems.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #111

Jan 132016

Pacifica

  • 156,000 miles

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

I recently purchased a used 2004 Pacifica. While getting the oil changed for the first time I was informed by the technician that the engine cradle / sub-frame was showing severe corrosion. I spoke to Chrysler the next day and was informed that even though this is a known issue, and Chrysler did issue a consumer satisfaction bulletin and extend the warranty up to 150000 miles on this item that my vehicle was outside that and they would not honor the warranty repair. Even though the previous owner did not have the work completed under the warranty extension.

- Lyons, IL, USA

problem #110

Dec 212015

Pacifica

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler pacific. The contact stated that while replacing tires on the vehicle by a service station, it was informed that the engine cradle of the vehicle had corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #109

Jul 202015

Pacifica

  • 130,000 miles
My Pacifica has an exhaust problem I hear an exhaust noise and smell fumes inside of vehicle.

- Butler, OH, USA

problem #108

Mar 152015

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles
Chrysler did not properly coat the engine cradles which allowed rust to damage the cradles and create a serious safety defect. During a routine inspection, my mechanic discovered the engine cradles were rusting out. The engine cradles were replaced before the engine fell through.

- Elmwood Park, IL, USA

problem #107

Nov 102015

Pacifica

  • 101,300 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine maintenance and it was discovered that the engine cradle had excessive rust and fractures and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,300.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #106

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

problem #105

Aug 202014

Pacifica

  • 141,000 miles
I own a 2004 crysler pasifica that I purchased new that has severe rust of the engine cradle aka subframe which makes it impossible to drive the car safely or sell the car as well. This rust seems abnormal for a car that is 10 years old. Doing research online, we have noticed that Chrysler admitted to the problem and has fixed certain cars within some limited production run sold in certain states. Our problem does not show up on any recall list and we don't have a record of Chrysler contacting us although they should have. What can I do about this problem?

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #104

Sep 172015

Pacifica

  • 121,000 miles
Upon taking my vehicle to be serviced after purchase 1 day ago, the mechanic discovered that the engine cradle was rusted out on the right side. This is the only rust on the underside of the vehicle. I am currently in discussions with the dealer to remedy this issue, but have discovered that this is a frequent problem.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #103

Aug 242015

Pacifica

  • 101,065 miles
I put my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica in the shop on 8/24/2015 for an oil change and inspection and to my surprise was told the "subframe is rotting out". my mechanic stated this is a common problem for the Pacifica. I did some research and found a considerable amount of complaints for the same exact issue. Apparently, Chrysler provided an extended warranty for a very small number of cars effected by this safety hazard. Chrysler is not taking this defect seriously; should provide corrective action before fatalities occur.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #102

Jul 022014

Pacifica

  • 143,098 miles
Took 2004 Pacifica in for routine oil change and found out cradle is rusting out. To replace the cradle will cost over $3000. To not fix it means the car will be unsafe to drive.

- Wayland, MI, USA

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