2018 Chrysler Pacifica problems: recalls, complaints and whether this is a year to avoid

The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica has 875 owner complaints on record with NHTSA, which ranks it 1 of 2 Chrysler Pacifica model years by complaint volume. That is the highest of any year in the run — the 2023 car has 154. 12 recall entries cover this year.

Which recalls cover the 2018?

Electrical System 2018 · 18V395000

The Manual Park Release (MPR) plug may be removed without a tool. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114.

Free remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the MPR plug, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Power Train 2018 · 18V492000

A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.

Free remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Power Train 2018 · 18V493000

The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint.

Free remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right halfshaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 18, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Take the campaign number to any franchised Chrysler dealer. Recall repairs are free with no mileage or ownership limit, and they follow the car rather than the owner, so a used 2018 with an unrepaired campaign is a free repair you can claim. How recalls work.

Recall text is abridged from the NHTSA record. Search the campaign number at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the full notice and affected VIN ranges.

What do owners report on the Chrysler Pacifica?

Across every Chrysler Pacifica year, not the 2018 alone — NHTSA does not split component totals by model year.

  • Electrical System — 235 reports
  • Engine — 197 reports
  • Steering — 190 reports
  • Power Train — 186 reports

If your 2018 is doing something now, these are the guides for that system — each opens with whether it is safe to keep driving:

Which other Chrysler Pacifica years should you compare?

2023 Chrysler Pacifica → · All Chrysler Pacifica years

If you are deciding between years, the Chrysler Pacifica page carries the full run with the component breakdown. Before money changes hands, run the VIN for open recalls and read the inspection checklist — ten minutes in the seller’s driveway finds most of what matters.

Advertisement

Check a 2018 before you commit

Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.

Diagnostics~$25

ANCEL AD310 Classic OBD2 Scanner

The glovebox tool. Wired, no app, no pairing, no batteries — plug it in and it reads and clears engine codes. This is the one that saves you a diagnostic fee the first time the check engine light comes on. Its limits are honest: engine codes only, no ABS or airbag, no live graphing.

Best for: Anyone who just wants to know what the light means

Check price on Amazon
Diagnostics~$100

BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro OBD2 Scanner

Pairs with your phone and reads far more than engine codes — ABS, airbag, transmission and HVAC on most vehicles — plus live data. The real feature is the repair reports, which map a code to the fixes that most often resolved it on your specific year, make, model and engine. No subscription.

Best for: Owners keeping a car past warranty, or checking used cars

Check price on Amazon
Roadside~$100

NOCO Boost Plus GB40 Jump Starter

A lithium pack the size of a paperback that starts a car with no second vehicle and no stranger required, and charges a phone besides. It is the single most useful thing in a car emergency kit, and the reason jumper cables have become optional. Recharge it every few months.

Best for: Every car, every climate

Check price on Amazon
Advertisement