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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
90,946 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2005 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 1 of 9)

problem #178

Sep 022023

Pacifica

  • miles

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

ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED OUT! Safety risk. Had replaced. NEVER TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT IT WOULD RUST OUT. NOW THE STEERING WHEEL WON-??T MOVE! Power steering fluid full. CANNOT DRIVE IT. I-??M A 72YO WOMAN WITH CANCER, NO FAMILY, CANNOT AFFORD EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. I NEED MY CAR REPAIRED.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #177

Feb 012023

Pacifica

  • miles
is the subframe, engine cradle under recall for rust?

- Hudson, ME, USA

problem #176

Dec 012019

Pacifica

  • miles
2005 Chrysler Pacifica touring has rusted engine cradle. For some reason this car is not covered for the recall but it clearly is affected by what ever the manufacturer failed to complete on car to ensure it would remain safe. I have a big whole and motor could fall out. I need help on trying to get expensive item paid for. The suspension is horrible all issues just not a good car at all.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #175

Oct 222019

Pacifica

  • 180,000 miles

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

This is the second 2005 pacific that the rocker under the car is cracked and rusted away. I tookbthe car into monroe on jonestown rd harrisburg pa and they explained to me that it is so rusted that the motor will fall out and they wouldn't even do an oil change for me because they didn't want to damage it any farther.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #174

May 292019

Pacifica

  • 120,000 miles
My 2005 Chrysler Pacifica touring needed tires so I took it to bell tire, and they called me and wanted me to come to there shop so they could tell me what was wrong and found that sub frame is completely rusted through and was not safe to drive...

- South Bend, IN, USA

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problem #173

Feb 052018

Pacifica

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the front end suspension was unstable. There were no warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic replaced the rack and pinion, provided an alignment more than three times, and replaced the shock absorber and upper and lower control arms on both sides; however, the failure continued. The vehicle swayed left and right, which caused the contact to apply force to maneuver the steering wheel to control the direction of the vehicle. The manufacturer had not issued any recalls for the suspension. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #172

Nov 052018

Pacifica

  • 108,000 miles

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

Took the car in for exhaust work. The mechanic did a safety inspection and told me the sub frame is severely rusted out, and should be replaced soon. If not addressed soon it could become a safety hazard, due to lack of driver control issues.

- Muskego, WI, USA

problem #171

Dec 032018

Pacifica

  • miles
Recently bought a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. After doing some research online I discovered that there has been thousands of complaints about the engine cradle rusting out due to Chrysler improperly coating the framework. I naturally went out to look at mine to make sure it did not have the same problem. I was very disappointed. I bought this vehicle for a family vehicle and now do not feel safe driving it with my 4 children and cannot afford the repairs as my savings was used to purchase said vehicle. One would think after thousands of such dangerous claims that the NHTSA would do something about this

- Lake Preston, SD, USA

problem #170

Sep 152018

Pacifica

  • 155,800 miles
Exessive cradle rot or rust holding ip engine. Makes it unsafe to drive. Can put my hand in frame through rust hole. This was brought to my attention by northgate Chrysler on colerain in cincinnati.the service manage says she sees a lot of this problem.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #169

Aug 232018

Pacifica

  • 159,300 miles
After doing a major repair of $800 on my car for a new water pump and timing chain. I was told that my cradle holding the engine in place could drop any minute because of the rust. My mechanic informed me that he would not recommend driving this vehiclebecause at anytime the engine and steringcolom could fall out any monent.the cradle hold these items in were rusted out so bad.. I looked online and noticed there was many people complaining of this. Let's get something done before someone dies. Thank you my mechanic toke pictures of all this rust. But I was unable to get them. But I'm sure I'm not the first to complain. Please reconsider this recall. Thank you.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #168

Jul 172018

Pacifica

  • 168,300 miles

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

I recently purchased a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica I got my vehicle into the shop to have the air conditioner fixed. I received a call from the shop telling me my vehicle was unsafe to drive that the subframe in the front is rusted through. After doing some research this is an ongoing problem with Pacifica engine cradles the cost to fix it will be 4,000 that's what I paid for the vehicle.

- Delavan, IL, USA

problem #167

Jun 202018

Pacifica

  • 35,000 miles
Severely rusted sub frame. I purchased this car new. Chrysler has know about the problem for years but I was never notified me to periodically inspect the sub frame. If a mechanic hadn't noted the hazard I would be in grave danger continuing to drive the car. With only 35,000 miles on the car, and the car looking in pristine condition, I never expected this kind of problem.

- Lakeville, MN, USA

problem #166

Jan 092016

Pacifica

  • miles
Our sus in is rusted would not pass inspection pension witch holds the engine needs replaced we count on this car it is not safe to drive

- Lewistown, PA, USA

problem #165

May 222018

Pacifica

  • 204,658 miles
My sister took my vehicle in for service to add freon to have it ready for this summer.our mechanic drove the car in town and back to his shop and notice a rattling noise coming from my engine. He inspected it and notice the motor mounts are very worn out and the engine cradle cover was very loose which would be a safety hazard if I continue to drive my vehicle in that condition. Once he went in to replace the mount he notice they were in very poor quality and had no supported padding. As if the padding was very poor quality as to why they were worn out. I am lucky our mechanic notice this if not it would of jeopardize my road safety if I would of continue driving it. I did some research on line and notice other people have had the same problem and I truly believe this needs to be open again and be investigated. I find Chrysler poor judgement of not notifying there customers of their 2004-2005 Pacifica owners of this issue besides there corrosion engine cradle covers recall only for the 2004 Pacifica and dismiss the 2005 Pacifica yet at the time they were aware of the motor mounts poor quality and dismissing the issue. When yet in fact is still a safety issue for the 2005 Pacifica of having poor quality motor mounts in there vehicles and knowing they had used poor quality products at that time. I do believe this would of cause my own safety if my mechanic did not notice this in my own vehicle. I want to make sure no one else is put in this situation for not knowing of this issue.I think a recall needs to be in place on the motor mounts for the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica's. it will prevent any future owners road safety if there were one in place. I am disappointed that Chrysler did not notify this to its 2005 Pacifica owners of this road safety issue. I found a similiar complain listed as:NHTSA id number: 10044109

- Hollister, CA, USA

problem #164

Apr 302018

Pacifica

  • 191,000 miles
My sub frame is rusting out to the point that I'm concerned of the safety of the vehicle.

- Wellington, MO, USA

problem #163

Apr 292018

Pacifica

  • 133,847 miles
My 2005 Chrysler Pacifica started making noise in front passenger side in the suspension and wheel area while on the interstate. A short time later the front passenger wheel started shaking and wobbling uncontrollably at speeds of 65mph. Their was no warning! thank god I was entering town and was close to home. I got the car home and had friend who is a mechanic investigate the problem. What he found was scary!!!!! the whole sub frame and engine cradle was almost completely gone due to severe rusting in the exact area where the suspension components attach to the frame. Super bad day when I showed the pictures to 3 different local automotive shops with well over 100 yrs of experience combined and all informed me that the estimated cost to repair was $4000 up to $5500. Completely absurd! car is worthless and only has 100,000 miles on it. You should make Chrysler own up to every Pacifica that has this problem, not just a few that was manufactured in a few months. Their is overwhelming evidence that they didn't coat the frame properly. I will be sharing my pictures and when you see them ask yourself if you would want your family driving these cars and having to spend a very large amount of money to fix them properly. Chrysler is doing nothing because the NHTSA isn't making them. Please take my small portion of this ridiculous nightmare and consider at the least making Chrysler be partially responsible for their lack of consideration for the human life and the well being of its customers. This is a dangerous hazard that should be immediately addressed. Thank you!

- Macomb, IL, USA

problem #162

Mar 012016

Pacifica

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, the contact was informed that the K member had severe corrosion and needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

- Butler, TN, USA

problem #161

Feb 252018

Pacifica

  • miles
Cross member under engine rusted all the way through

- Nerark, OH, USA

problem #160

Oct 312005

Pacifica

  • 21,676 miles
While driving the car the engine mounts break away from the engine, causing a rough vibration on the floor pan of the vehicle. This problem started happening on 10/31/05, 11/04/05, 10/26/06 to present, I have to constantly replace the engine mounts on this vehicle and I believe the breaking of the mounts affects the suspension of the vehicle. The breaking of the axle and tie rods from the pressure of the engine jerking with the mounts break. I've bought engine mounts with lifetime warranties being I have to replace these mounts so often.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #159

Dec 212017

Pacifica

  • miles
During routine wheel alignment I was told that they cannot perform due to the excessive engine cradle rust and that the vehicle was not safe to drive.

- Hortonville, WI, USA

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