2007 Chrysler Pacifica AWD Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the engine shutting off or stalling while driving, sometimes with power steering and power brake assist lost at the same time. Other common complaints involve the all-wheel-drive driveline, such as the transfer case and rear driveshaft, along with transmission shifting and motor mounts that break or make noise. Many shutdown complaints describe no warning light, and the mileage most often given falls between about 55,000 and 130,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine shuts off or stalls while driving

   • 26 complaints (48%)
   • median 91,250 mi at 7.5 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2019

   Owners describe the engine shutting off or stalling while driving, often without a warning light or stored code. In several complaints the shutdown came with loss of power steering and power braking, and some describe it at highway speed, at low speed, on a cold start, or when shifting into drive. Some complaints identify the power distribution module (TIPM) as the failing part after repeated visits, while others say the problem could not be found during inspection. Most stall complaints in the sample describe vehicles between about 55,000 and 130,000 miles, with some reported at lower or higher mileage.

   What to check: Ask for the repair history and any stored codes, and whether the power distribution module (TIPM) has been checked if the vehicle has shut off before. Have a mechanic scan the vehicle before purchase, since several complaints say no warning light appeared.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car would be hard to start at times, windows would not work properly, ABS, brake, engine, traction lights all came on, and the car would die for no apparent reason. When the car was turned off the ABS module would continue to run. I have brought at least 2 batteries, had brakes, done thinking this was the problem, now I found out its the tipm module.”

   NHTSA complaint #10837353, filed 2016-02, 94,000 miles

   “While driving from cold start vehicle dies every morning at least one time loose power steering and brakes makes it hard to come to a stop or turn this I see is a problem with others someone needs to get this checked out. No check eng light or any warning I'm able to pop it into neutral and restart but am afraid to let wife drive due to her lack of experience..”

   NHTSA complaint #10661251, filed 2014-11, 97,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transfer case and rear driveshaft failures

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 74,985 mi at 6.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2016

   Owners describe rear driveline failures, including a leaking rear driveshaft, a transfer case that broke or cracked, and rear differential leaks or failures. Some say replacement parts were back ordered or hard to find, which delayed repairs. Some say a repair was declined or not covered, and others say a transfer case failed again after replacement and the garage did not know why. Most mileage figures in these complaints fall between about 69,000 and 101,000 miles, though some are lower, including earlier readings of about 22,000 to 35,000 miles.

   What to check: Before buying, ask for records of any transfer case, rear driveshaft or differential repairs, and check the all-wheel-drive system for leaks or clunks on a test drive. Ask whether replacement parts are currently available, since some complaints describe long waits.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall. My husband was driving it on friday and made a noise, thought it was tire brought to tire place and they stated that the transfer case has cracks in it. We had the transfer case go bad in november 2015 and replaced it with a cost of over $2,000.00. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10875235, filed 2016-06, 91,000 miles

   “About a week prior the veh was driving very sluggish and would not resume normal until reaching 50mph, then the next week while driving at about 35mph the veh began shaking very bad forcing me to drop speed to about 15mph. Took it to a mechanic and was told I needed a rear drive shaft and engine mounts and from what I hear this is a common problem with these vehs. Drive shaft is well over $1000.00 not to mention labor, something needs to be done.”

   NHTSA complaint #10575114, filed 2014-03, 76,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh, jerky or unexpected transmission shifts

   • 8 complaints (15%)
   • median 32,145 mi at 1.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2007–2018

   Owners describe the transmission skipping, jerking or shifting harshly, with a check engine light in some cases. Some describe a rumbling or shudder at certain speeds and loads, a lock-up while stopping that nearly stalls the engine, and rear brakes locking during shifts. Another says a torque converter was replaced twice without resolving the problem, and another describes overdrive shifts at low speed with unexpected acceleration. Some complaints describe the problem in early ownership, within a few thousand miles, and another describes it at about 32,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the transmission valve body has been checked or replaced under the bulletins listed for this model year. On a test drive, pay attention to harsh, late or jerky shifts and to any unexpected overdrive shift at low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have Chrysler pacifica that has a bad transmission problem when shifting and sometimes the rear brakes will lock up. I took it to a dealership for repairs and was told to bring it in only when you get lights on the dash other than that it is normal. I'm currently waiting for a tuning valve to be replaced in the motor. I'm now experiencing problems now with the airbag light coming on and going off. I was told again by a service writer it was normal until it comes on and stays on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10222921, filed 2008-03, 32,145 miles

   “Vehicle purchased new 04/2007 has had the torque converter replaced twice and still has the same problem. The transmission shifts harshly, cause a rumbling / shuddering sensation at certain speed / load conditions. The transmission also intermittently remains in a lock up condition while stopping and will nearly stall the engine before the car is stopped using much harder than normal brake pressure.”

   NHTSA complaint #10225823, filed 2008-04, 2,576 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine and motor mounts breaking or shimmying

   Mentioned in 4 of 51 sampled complaints

   Owners describe engine or motor mounts breaking, with a clunk from the wheel area and shimmy or shaking at speeds around 35 to 50 mph. Some say the mounts were replaced several times and failed again within months. Some describe sluggish driving and shaking that led a mechanic to recommend both a drive shaft and new mounts. Reported mileage falls between about 55,000 and 77,000 miles, and some mounts failed again within months of replacement.

   What to check: Look for cracked or broken mounts and ask whether the mounts have been replaced before, since repeat failures are described. On a test drive, note any clunk or shimmy when accelerating at about 35 to 50 mph.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on a side road in town, going between 40-50 MPH, my car shimmied. I had taken my car to a mechanic, and he found that all 4 motor mounts were broken. They were replaced and within 3 months, they were broken again. The mechanic could not find anything that was causing the motor mounts to break. He has replaced my motor mounts a total of 4 times in less than a year. My pacifica still shimmies and shakes when accelerating between 40-50 MPH. When I release the gas, it will stop, but sometimes shimmies when I touch the gas again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10533296, filed 2013-08, 59,964 miles

   “Have been experiencing a clunk from the right wheel well for a few weeks. Had midas look at it last week while replacing front brakes, but they said they didn't see anything. This week, was getting oil change and transmission flushed. Mentioned the noise again, and this time was told the noise was due to engine mount failure of the left and right engine mounts. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10438475, filed 2011-12, 67,600 miles

Buying note. Anyone considering this model year may want to ask for stall and shutdown history, the power module repair record, and any driveline or transmission repairs before buying. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a scan for stored codes and a check of the all-wheel-drive parts can help show whether these concerns apply to a specific vehicle.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 51 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.