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.

9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,510
Average Mileage:
127,550 miles
Total Complaints:
35 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (15 reports)
  2. replace engine cradle (15 reports)
  3. replace cradle (2 reports)
  4. welding (2 reports)
  5. replacement with used cradle (1 reports)
2005 Chrysler Pacifica body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2005 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #15

Jul 042016

Pacifica Touring 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,274 miles

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

Today, while my husband was changing the oil in my car he called me over to show me "something". That "something" was one side of the engine cradle almost completely rusted through! I have had numerous problems with this car and have gone to the internet each time only to find it was a "known" issue. So off I go to the world wide web again and imagine my surprise to find a site with a picture of the exact problem that could have been the underside of MY car!

I was shocked to see my main mode of transportation was basically a piece of junk due to the costs of this repair! I am not made of money and had to think long and hard about sticking that kind of cash into this vehicle but what am I going to do? It is basically junk otherwise. I bought this car new exactly 11 years ago and have taken good care of it - I really don't want to sell it but after this straw I am seriously considering off loading it before the next "known issue" crops up.

- tsnorth, Green Bay, WI, US

problem #14

Mar 162016

Pacifica Touring 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

We bought this vehicle as a family car in 2012. My wife started to notice a lot of "clunking" while driving. Long story short the engine cradle is almost completely gone and she was advised not to drive it home. They could replace it with a used one for $2500 or we could trade it in for $2000. Still owing $5000 on the vehicle its a horrible situation knowing she drives with our 3 children in this car on the highway and the engine could fall out at any time! I've researched very little and have already found hundreds/thousands of complaints of the same problem and Chrysler has done nothing about it. They offered some extended warranty for a 6 week production that was extremely limited by what I've read. If this is how Chrysler treats is customers we will never again make the mistake of buying this make again!

- Jacob D., Lake Station, IN, US

problem #13

Jun 022016

Pacifica Touring 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,853 miles

Took the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica in for an oil change. The technician brought this to our attention and would not perform the oil change because he did not feel safe. Now I have to find some way to come up with $3000-5000 to repair. I still owe $7000 on it. My wife and 2 children ride in this on a daily basis and now the engine could just drop out of it. REAL GREAT CHRYSLER!!!

- Mark W., Wellsville, OH, US

problem #12

May 032016

Pacifica Touring 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

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

it look so bad. even when i drive different vehicle i am scared

- adamvmax, Bensenville, IL, US

problem #11

Apr 062016

Pacifica Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 170,000 miles

I am the original owner of my 2005 Chrysler Pacifica Limited. The car has been fantastic from a mechanical standpoint. I have properly maintained it from inception to present, and it has been a very reliable vehicle. My son obtained his driver's license in August of 2015 and has been driving the Pacifica ever since. However, he is now ready to enter college and needs a more fuel efficient, economical vehicle. When we went to purchase a vehicle for him we asked for an appraisal on the Pacifica. After assessing the vehicle they informed us that it had severe engine cradle rot and is not safe. They were not interested in the car and they informed me that there was a huge class action suit against Chrysler for this very issue on this very same vehicle. This was the first that I had heard about this matter. Chrysler has NEVER notified me of such a defect. However, ever since learning of this I have now found scads of articles and complaints all over the internet from other Pacifica owners. Even though our vehicles are still in great operating condition and good exterior condition, no one will buy them from us because of the severe engine cradle rot! This is outrageous. It seems that Chrysler was well aware of this defect from the start, and they chose to deceive their loyal customers. What are we supposed to do now? I was told that it is too late to get in on the class action suit. What recourse do I (and others in the same ROT have)? I am SO very disheartened. For years I have bragged about my Chrysler vehicle's reliability, only now to have been misled and deceived. Can anyone offer any advice???

- Debra-Ann V., Methuen, MA, US

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problem #10

Feb 012016

Pacifica Limited 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

So I recently purchased this 05 Pacifica Limited the body is perfect, the inside is like new, it drives great. Took to get an oil change and was told engine cradle is rusted bad needs to be replaced ASAP!. So I called a local dealership who advised me to call Chrysler directly since they have know about this issue for years and there is a service bulletin about it. So I called and was basically told sorry, nothing they are going to do. What crap, thousands of dollars wasted on a car I can not drive safely. So I guess Chrysler cares less about safety. So the 2 Town and Country's I own (2011, 2014) and the 5 prior to that, mean nothing to this piece of crap company. I'm getting a lawyer, calling every news agency, posting it on all social media. It may not do any good for me, but warning others about this company at least will save other hard working Americas form getting ripped off.

DO NOT BUY A CHRYSER PRODUCT PERIOD!!!!

- mandrw518, East Durham, NY, US

problem #9

Nov 032015

Pacifica

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,000 miles

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

I bought a Chrysler Pacifica 2005 only three years ago for 10.000 dollars and I, still paying on it and I just went to get an oil change and the dealership ask me to come back in the garage to look at my car as they had it on a lift and pointed out to me of how bad the cradle is that holds the engine was barely there. oh my goodness it's not safe to even drive they advised me not to drive it but no one wanted to do anything for me just fix it for about 3000 dollars. why didn't you tell me this before I ask I could have crashed yep they said so I called the Chrysler dealer for the extended warranty and I missed it by 1 month so I saw there was a lawsuit for this problem so could someone please help me I don't have a car now and I'm crushed that Chrysler don't want to help nor Dave knapp dealership the dealer I bought it from help me please thank you

- Darla A., Greenville, OH, US

problem #8

Oct 152015

Pacifica

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

i was told i need the cradle fixed its all rusted out and eventully the engine will fall out. this is my only car and needs to be fixed. i would like to get it fixed but i dont have 4 grand to fix it. i still 5 grand on it. how do i get in this lawsuit too.

- midnightmelody68, Racine, WI, US

problem #7

Sep 012015

Pacifica Limited 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

Never wanted a Chrysler and this is why... it was sold to me cheaply by a family member when I needed a vehicle after having my son. Otherwise I wouldn't own a Chrysler product due to their poor quality. This vehicle drives about 50 miles a day on the highway to and from work with both of my young children on board.

Multiple mechanic's spotted the engine cradle rust. Within the last couple months and it has gone from minor to more significant in a hurry, and while it's not as bad as some pictures I have seen. its to a point where they are advising me to take action as it's becoming a safety concern. With two kids in the vehicle on the highway everyday it's a safety risk I cannot take. I can't afford to replace the cradle, it's most of the cars value in parts and labor.

Chrysler checked my VIN and said it's not one of the recalled ones and there is nothing they can do for me. This car is only 10 years old and has only 125K on it. (Bearing in mind the 1992 Taurus that we just retired this year didn't have the engine falling out of it and it was parked outside the majority of it's life (the Pacifica was garaged most of it's life) and had significantly higher miles. I am taking it to a welding shop to have the engine cradle reinforced with some steel plates as I can't afford to replace the vehicle right now....

Here's hoping that will add enough life to the cradle to get me through another year... then it's going to the junk yard. This is the first and absolute last Chrysler product I will own.

Update from Oct 25, 2015: Had Engine cradle repaired at a weld shop, it was the fourth one they had done in a month, cost about $450 and should get me through a couple more years until I can afford to replace with a non Chrysler vehicle.

- Jeff H., Waterbury, CT, US

problem #6

Sep 052015

Pacifica Touring 3.5L 6 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,319 miles

When our 2005 Chrysler Pacifica was appraised for trade-in on a new vehicle, the engine cradle corrosion problem was discovered. The Pacifica was declared not safe for resale and appraised at $2,000. Kelly Blue Book showed a trade-in value of $3020-$3827. DuPage Chrysler in Glendale Heights would charge over $4000 to correct this problem which effectively totaled the vehicle.

Hopefully a settlement will be reached in the class-action lawsuit which will allow for a claim in this situation.

- sly durin, WEST CHICAGO, IL, US

problem #5

Sep 022015

Pacifica 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

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

Found out by chance when my wife "Googled""Chrysler Pacifica Rust Issues". Dissatisfied with Chrysler that we were never notified of this problem. It is an obvious safety concern and we would like to know what recourse we have.

- Richard M., Grayslake, IL, US

problem #4

Apr 012015

Pacifica AWD 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

click to see larger images

rusted out engine cradle rusted out engine cradle

One of the most serious problems I've seen in the auto industry. If Fiat/Chrysler is giving priority to a select 7,000 out of 300,000 vehicles, they need to step up and cover all vehicles with this problem. My Pacifica has 84,000 mi and have owned it since 2006 w/16,000 mi. I'm in no position to be buying a new car, and just throwing away a perfectly good vehicle. I also read somewhere that the cost of the replacements at the dealers keep rising. That's like turning the blade after it was stuck in our backs. I'm holding out for now to see where this class action suit goes. Usually just the lawyers make out. Please add me to the list so I can be kept informed.

- George Q., Burlington, MA, US

problem #3

Apr 152014

Pacifica Touring 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,905 miles

My son sent me an article about how the 2004-2005 Pacifica motor mounts rusted. I had a 2005 Pacifica.

When I took it to the shop last April to get my tires changed from snows to all season the mechanic said he had something I had to see. My engine mounts were so rusted that the engine was almost ready to fall out. I had bought the car at an estate sale so I assumed that the car had been left outside in the grass or something. The mechanic told me to take it home and park it. He also showed me how the side rails were rusted out. He said he had never seen anything like that before. I could have had it all fixed for around 4500 to 5000 dollars. I bought it in 2010. It was now 2014 and that was all the vehicle was worth. So I got rid of it and bought myself a newer vehicle. I just thought that I got a rotten car so it is nice to know that it wasn't the case.

- Bonnie P., Kincardine, Ontario, canada

problem #2

Oct 012014

Pacifica 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 170,000 miles

WHY BEEF JUST WANT TO SAY ITS TIME TO STOP BUYING THE BULL SH*T CHRYSLER SPEWS ! Always bought American supported American car company's FORD, CHRYSLER, GM Time to say screw them like they tell US / THAT US LIKE IN THE GOOD OLD USA Chrysler told me to suck it pay for the new cradle out of pocket, And that if a recall comes into effect the door will be open to maybe get some money back ??? Well I just paid this piece of sh*t Pacifica off, took it in for belt and oil change and I get don't bother its junk engine cradle rusted out been told repairs are any where from $2900-3700 nice just before from the HOLIDAYS - HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL

- John S., Dexter, MI, US

problem #1

Jun 042014

Pacifica

  • Automatic transmission
  • 133,418 miles

click to see larger images

rusted out engine cradle rusted out engine cradle rusted out engine cradle rusted out engine cradle rusted out engine cradle

Contacted Chrysler the day I found out (6/04/14). Basically pretty much what everyone else has to say about the complaints about the rusty engine cradle. Chrysler will not do anything. I demanded to speak to a supervisor and was told by the phone guy that he can take phone calls for his manager in this matter. I said that's fine but I don't want to speak to you, I want the person above you....then above them and above them.....so on.

This rust problem is HUGE....my wife and my two kids who ride everyday in this car and travel at high speeds to get them to daycare, school, sports, work, all use this car. We could've died today because nothing was ever mentioned about this defect in the rusty engine cradle. I had five really great mechanics looking at this today and they were SHOCKED at the rust.(I hope the pics come thru on this site that I took under the lift). I told the customer service rep for Chrysler what happens if my family died today what would happen? Would you guys finally do something about this?!?!!??!?!? He simply said now that I'm aware of the issue and I continue to drive our FAMILY car nothing will be done if we end up dead on the side of the road. Yes, since I know of the existing Chrysler PROBLEM I will not be covered under anything...which when we're all dead and Chrysler is pissing on my family's grave maybe some other young 29 year old family man will take it from where I left off.

I'm a hard working AMERICAN citizen not buying a foreign car for my family to support America. I have no other option to buy another or fix this problem. I just want to say I'm supposed to be expecting a phone call later tomorrow to discuss this with the phone operators supervisor who will tell me the same thing the phone operator did. I wish this company had integrity and stood up for the problems they've created. This is malicious and intentional on behalf of Chrysler Company. They know they are at fault and they still tell us nothing can be done. The old saying goes Do It Right The First Time. Chrysler, please fix before it's too late. Sincerely, EXTREMELY unsatisfied customer.

- evanmnmski, Bellevue, MI, US

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