10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,295 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.

2008 Chrysler Pacifica engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Mar 112019

Pacifica

  • 117,000 miles

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

The 2008 Chrysler Pacifica simply stalls while in motion. All electrical systems, including airbags, are dead. This has happened at highway speeds, while stopped, and while accelerating. It has happened during very cold temperatures (below 0), high temperatures (above 90) and other temperatures in between. A very loud knocking noise happened a few weeks ago and has gotten worse. I've been looking around to see if anyone else has had this problem and have found out that they have. This is a very bad safety issue that Chrysler needs to take care of without any expense from the consumers. This are finances being taking from my family that need not to happen.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #20

Jan 292019

Pacifica

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the engine cradle was rusted and could soon fracture. The vehicle was taken to thompson Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep (124 North point blvd, baltimore, md 21224, (410) 288-3100), but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 123,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #19

Nov 022017

Pacifica

  • 120,000 miles
ABS warning light comes on and then vehicle shuts-down while driving causing steering to be lost etc. Owners manual mentions this as normal habit and you must put vehicle in park and wait a few minutes to restart. This is dangerous while driving to have vehicle just stop operations.

- Benton, AR, USA

problem #18

Jul 062017

Pacifica

  • 50,000 miles

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

We have replaced the motor mounts around 50,000, we replaced the engine at 66,000, and I was driving it today and my steering locked up on me. We have issues with the lights, and just had the timing chain and water pump replaced. I recently just put around $6,000. All issues happened while the car was in motion on a city street.

- Great Falls, MT, USA

problem #17

Apr 012016

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles
While driving, sometimes without warning, the car loses power(engine shuts off) the radio, heater/ac still work but no power from the engine. Sometimes the wheel and brakes lock up and I can barely get it off the road. Other times, I can pop it into neutral while driving and restart it. It's very scary and I have 3 kids in the car with me daily. It happens at random times, whether I just pull out or have driven several miles. It has happened driving slow and at faster speeds. It has been looked at by a certified Chrysler dealer. They drove it until it happened to them and don't know what is causing it. This happens at least once, sometimes twice everyday.

- Greensburg, PA, USA

problem #16

Jul 012015

Pacifica

  • 110,000 miles
I bought this car from the original owner in 2009 with 38K miles on it. Since then, I have had to replace the engine mount three times! recently, the car has been overheating while driving with smoke coming from under the hood. At first, I had some hoses replaced. The mechanic has now advised that it needs a radiator replacement. I have called around and dealerships say that it is hard to get to the radiator on this car due to its design, so the cost is $1600. At this point, I am afraid to drive the car. I have read through these complaints and Chrysler has known about the engine mount problems with this car since at least 2011, and still no recall! several other people have also experienced the overheating issue. I am baffled because Chrysler has just brought out a new version of this car for 2016, without addressing any of the known problems with the original version of the car!

- Falls Church, VA, USA

problem #15

Jun 042016

Pacifica

  • 137,700 miles

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

Engine stalls at any given time. There is no engine light for a problem, there is no error code. Can't steer, have to restart car, and rev to get it started.

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #14

Mar 032014

Pacifica

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power while driving 75 mph. The vehicle constantly stalled. In addition, the front driver and passenger side windows failed to go up and down. The contact had to maneuver the electric control panel on the driver side to get the windows to go up. The vehicle overheated several times without warning. The contact had to tow the vehicle more than once due to the failures. The vehicle was taken to repair shops where the motor and ignition housing were replaced. In addition, the vent controls did not function properly for the air conditioner. The contact continued to stall and overheat. The battery was replaced twice by a mechanic, but the failures recurred. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who replaced the motor, radiator, cooling fan, and another battery. The contact traded in the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was not available.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #13

Dec 232014

Pacifica

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle stalled and the egr warning light illuminated. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the egr and motor mounts with the hydraulic units needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

- Oxford, CT, USA

problem #12

Oct 152013

Pacifica

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving at 40 mph, the engine stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- State College , PA, USA

problem #11

Dec 012014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles

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

Engine cradle is extremely rusted for the year and mileage of the car. Would not pass state inspection last week. Passenger side and mid section of engine cradle rusted enough that you could put your fingers thru it. Readin online this seems to be a major problem with these cars. This appears to be the only rust on the vehicle.

- Yarmouth, ME, USA

problem #10

Dec 082014

Pacifica

  • 99,990 miles
While the vehicle was in motion towards an intersection, it lost power. I had to switch off all accessories, shifted gear to park and re-started the engine. Yesterday night, the vehicle stopped in motion by a toll gate, a truck was behind me and fortunately, by the toll gate, everyone slowed down. These are serious issues that Chrysler need to act on.no one should have to suffer any more loss(ES) before Chrysler acts.

- Warrensville Heights, OH, USA

problem #9

Oct 202014

Pacifica

  • 130,000 miles
Engine stalls while driving.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #8

Apr 012014

Pacifica

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Pacifica. While on an incline, the vehicle stalled without warning and rolled back into traffic. The contact managed to avoid a crash. The failure occurred several times. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was ineligible for any warranty repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.

- Springfield , MO, USA

problem #7

Apr 012013

Pacifica

  • 60,000 miles
The 2008 Chrysler Pacifica simply stalls while in motion. All electrical systems, including airbags, are dead. This has happened at highway speeds, while stopped, and while accelerating. It has happened during very cold temperatures (below 0), high temperatures (above 90) and other temperatures in between. There does not seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why it happens, as when the car is pulled over and ignition turned to the off position, it can typically be restarted - though it appears that it takes multiple attempts to get that to work as the issue is getting worse instead of better. This is an issue that is not just isolated to the 2008 Pacifica, but transcends models and years. If one searches Chrysler Pacifica stalling, one will find numerous other identical complaints and can quite easily discover that it covers other years and models. It is equally as unsafe as the GM recall. I have called Chrysler personally and inquired out the issue only to be dismissed. In fact, their exact claim to me is that they were unaware that there was a problem despite me pointing out the numerous complaints I could discover in seconds. I believe that Chrysler group is keenly aware of the problem and is simply hoping that it will go away due to the high cost of a recall. Others have paid significant amounts to dealers to have items changed only to find that the issue is not resolved. In any case, this is a safety issue that needs to rectified immediately before someone (or a family in my case) gets injured or dies. Please help me to keep my family safe when driving this car.

- Walkerton, IN, USA

problem #6

Feb 012012

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
Vehicle shuts completely off during drive at least twice per day. Mechanic was unable to duplicate problem. This happens at both high and low speeds around town and on the highway. Oil light turns on and all power is lost. Struggle to steer or apply brakes once it shuts down. This began over a year ago and has gotten worse as the time has gone by.

- Milford, MA, USA

problem #5

Aug 192013

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Driving vehicle down the road and vehicle started to smoke under the hood. Pulled car over and the entire engine area under hood became engulfed in flames. Fire department came and extinguished fire after about 20 minutes. Vehicle is a total loss.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #4

Jul 032013

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 67,500 miles
On the night of July 3, 2013 I began to hear a slight rattle while driving. The noise could only be heard while the car was moving. I drove the vehicle for approx. 25 minutes and the noise maintained for most of the ride. The next morning the noise was much louder and could be heard even while the vehicle sat idle. I checked my oil and transmission fluid as well as my coolant and all levels were at normal. This was the 4th of July and I could not find a mechanic open. I drove the vehicle to work for approx. 25 minutes then back home again. The noise did not worsen or improve. I checked the oil level once I returned home last night and it was low. I added 2 quarts and did not drive until this morning. The noise remained so I took it to a mechanic who has informed that the engine needs replacing. The mechanic said that the rod bearing is causing the rattle/knocking sound and that eventually the loose bearing will wear into the crank shaft and my engine will not work anymore. I have been informed that the only option is engine replacement. The vehicle has less than 68,000 miles on it and has been cared for. I have been informed that Chrysler is aware of issues such as these and has in previous cases assisted with the cost of repair. I will be contacting Chrysler following this complaint.

- Middletown, PA, USA

problem #3

Dec 132012

Pacifica

  • 69,000 miles
The the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, he would hear an abnormal knocking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they advised that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 69,000. Updated 05/24/2013

- Xenia, OH, USA

problem #2

Jan 012013

Pacifica

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle became engulfed in flames starting from under the hood. The contact stated that a technician from Chrysler came to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the vehicle was not included in any recalls and did not provide any further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The cause of the fire was not determined. The approximate failure and current mileage was 77,000. The VIN was not available.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

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