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:
17,078 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

problem #10

May 032007

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,400 miles

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

The engine light on the dashboard lit up one day. Shortly thereafter, I experienced a very rough idle. It did not stall however, but continued to idle and run very roughly. Upon examination, the dealers service department determined that the tsb #09-010-06 had described the issue and it's recommended fix was applied. That being to replace the valve spring retainer locks, combustion clean, and replace and test the map sensor. This tsb fix had the adverse effect of causing the engine to surge rather abruptly when starting cold, and applying light pressure on the accelerator. It's more noticeable when backing out of a parking space and having the wheel turned at the same time. It seems that having the steering wheel turned presents an additional load on the engine that the computer senses as a need for additional engine speed. This surging also happens when pulling forward into a parking space with the wheels sharply turned as well. Three subsequent visits to the dealer yielded different answers without being able to fix it. On one visit, the service director, called to tell me that he had been in contact with Chrysler engineers in Michigan about the issue and would like to try a couple of things. Namely to check the fuel pressure, adaptive memory, and map sensor. After a test drive he conceded that the problem remained, but not to the degree that I was complaining about. He offered no other alternative fixes, but said that he would remain in contact with the Chrysler engineering website that issues tsb's etc. I guess that is supposed to satisfy me as he states that he has done everything he could. As this is unacceptable to me, I felt prompted to file a complaint on the website as I feel that the surging problem is a definite safety issue that needs to be addressed. My next step is the write Chrysler directly per their warranty information booklet.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #9

Nov 132006

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,300 miles
: the contact stated while slightly turning on to the ramp to enter to the highway at 5 mph during normal road conditions, the vehicle suddenly stalled and the engine completely shut down. There was no brake power nor power steering. Prior to the incident, the vehicle identified no warning signals. It was taken to a dealership, where they determined that the contact was using gasoline that contained more than 10% ethanol. The dealership was unable to determine any other causes for the problem.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

problem #8

Oct 132006

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles
Chrysler Pacifica stalled at a low speed while making a turn into a parking lot. Took vehicle took dealership the same day and they could not diagnose a problem.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #7

Aug 102006

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,995 miles

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

We purchased a used Chrysler Pacifica on 1/24/06 in savannah, ga w/approximately 20K miles on it. Approximately 1 month later, it stalled while making a U-turn. Took to the dealership and was told that it was perhaps a fluke because no message light came on to help determine the issue. It would occasionally feel like it was going to stall or rev itself but it went a few months with some ABS wheel sensor issues but no stalling. Since July 25th 2006 it has stalled or attempted to stall on numerous occasions. On Thursday 8/10/06. It stalled 2 times and attempted to stall many more. The fuel gauge then dropped from @ 1/2 a tank to "E" and the message center said that the tank only had 32 miles to empty. I called the dealership and was told to bring it in asap. I fueled up and it only took 12 gallons to fill up. It was then dropped at the dealership. The dealership kept the car for 5 days and was unable to duplicate the failure. A few days later the same thing happened and the car went back again. The dealership told me to keep the car fueled above 1/2 tank and then bring it in on 8/21/06 with a 1/2 tank or less of fuel. I brought it in at a 1/2 on the mark. Once more, the dealership was unable to duplicate the error. They believe they know what the issue is but can't fix it until they can get a computer read or or personally duplicate the error. I got the car back on Wednesday 8/23/06 and again on the evening of fri, 8/25/06 the gas gauge plummeted to "E" with plenty of fuel in the tank and attempted to stall. Today, 8/27/06 the car stalled twice, once in the middle of a right hand turn and once while making a left hand turn. If I gas up, I don't have a problem until there is less than a solid 1/2 tank of fuel in the car. I need this car and I am scared to death to drive it anywhere without more than a 1/2 tank. I asked to dealership to drain gas if need to be replicate the issue but they are apparently unable to do this.

- Pembroke, GA, USA

problem #6

Oct 302005

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 350 miles
Vehicle engine stalls without any warning at all. This has happened several times, always when turning a tight corner. Engine starts normally once stopped.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #5

Jan 062006

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles
I have a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica AWD 3.5 liter and it will stall while in traffic if I turn left at a slow speed. I have had this happen to me and my wife while in traffic. I have taken it to the dealership 2 times, and they don't know what it is. They are pretty much guessing. This is a safety issue because 1 day someone will be stalled in front of a big truck and that won't be good.

- Rolesville, NC, USA

problem #4

Oct 152005

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,957 miles

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

On the Chrysler Pacifica 2005 model, when the gas is below half a tank, when stopping or making turns the engine will stall. This is very hazardous as when the engine stops there is no power steering or power brakes. I was within inches of hitting another car. I took the car to the dealership and this is a known problem, but no solution. I believe this is a very dangerous problem and needs to be fixed as the number of accidents this can lead to is large, especially for smaller people that may not be able to muscle the steering when the car stalls. Please get Chrysler to do something about this as soon as possible as it's not safe to drive my new expensive car until this is taken care of.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #3

Sep 192005

Pacifica

  • miles
Three times during the last 4 months the engine has shut down while I was driving. I am always driving slow, with my foot off the gas pedal while making a left turn.

- Dubuque, IA, USA

problem #2

Jul 232005

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,036 miles
While traveling North on I-5, at corona, ca, on 23 July 05, at 70 mph, the engine on my 2005 Chrysler Pacifica, quit. All power suddenly ceased effecting the steering and brakes. I was able to guide the vehicle to the side of the busy highway. Eleven days later, a fuel pump was replaced and the vehicle repaired.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #1

Jul 182005

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,742 miles
I have owned a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica for seven months. Over that period, I have documented a total 6 stalling events. The common trigger seems to be deceleration while turning or slightly turning either left or right. The speeds during the stalling events have twice occurred at highway speeds, and four times while decelerating from speeds of 30 - 45 to near 0. on one occasion, while at 45 - 50 mph and changing lanes to the right, the vehicle stalled affecting the steerability and the car ran off the road striking a hard object that caused the front tire to blow out and destruction of the front rim and bending the rear rim. A police officer was dispatched to the scene of this incident. The dealer has been consulted twice now. The first visit to the dealer was uneventful after a "thorough" checkover, ending with a statemenat that there was no record of similar events and thus nothing could be done. The second visit, after the incident mentioned above, the dealer put near 300 miles on the vehicle without duplication and, again, stating that there is no such history of similar events. Not to mention, the dealer put the 300 miles on the donut tire (because of the damage to the tires and rims). The dealer refused to replace the damaged rims and tires and said there was nothing that they could or would do. When noting that my confidence in the vehicle had been shatterred and my concern for my life was the real issue, they said there was nothing they could do. After all this, the dealer failed to notify us of the 2004 recall for the same type of stalling event.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

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