2005 Chrysler Pacifica Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the front engine cradle and subframe rusting through, usually noticed during routine service or an oil change. The other common themes are engine stalls at low speed or turning, motor mounts and transmission noise, and a fuel gauge that drops to empty while the tank still holds fuel. Many reports come in between roughly 60,000 and 150,000 miles.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Front engine cradle / subframe rust-through

   • 565 complaints (45%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 10.2 yrs old (479 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,600 (median of 81 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2026

   Complaints describe the front engine cradle or subframe rusting through, often found by a mechanic during an oil change or inspection rather than by the owner. Owners report the body panels look clean while the cradle itself is rotted, with some describing handling that wanders or steering that feels loose, and mechanics advising the vehicle should not be driven until repaired. Several say the dealer declined assistance or told them the vehicle identification number was outside any coverage. Mostly reported between about 80,000 and 170,000 miles, frequently in states where road salt is used.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the front cradle and subframe inspected from underneath on a lift before buying, especially on a car from a salt-belt state. Ask whether the cradle has ever been replaced or inspected at a dealer.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was having my oil changed yesterday and the technician pointed out a badly rotted and cracked subframe on the passenger side. The subframe is only rotted and cracked on one side and in one spot which leads me to believe this is due to a manufacturer defect. I have contacted Chrysler and was told there is no recall and then my call was disconnected.”

   NHTSA complaint #10667104, filed 2014-12, 147,500 miles

   “Brought the car in for oil change and mechanic noticed the rust thru the frame. We contacted a local dealer and they would not cover the defect. I did hear that Chrysler knows of the issue and has extended vehicle warranties to 150,000 miles and repaired the frame damage. How do I get this repaired? This should be recalled for safety issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #10440508, filed 2011-12, 100,350 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine stalls at low speed or in turns

   • 198 complaints (16%)
   • median 35,500 mi at 2.2 yrs old (170 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2022

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off at low speed, often while turning left into a lot or driveway, with the oil light or check engine light appearing. Owners say the car usually restarts after being shifted to neutral or after sitting a moment, and that dealers were often unable to reproduce the stall. Some report the stalling returned after fuel pump module or control module work. Reported from as little as 9,000 miles up to about 195,000 miles, with many under 40,000 miles.

   Recall 06V4320003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the campaign covering fuel pump module and control module software was performed for this vehicle identification number. During a test drive, note any hesitation or drop in idle when turning at low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was pulling into a left hand parking spot when the vehicle stalled/completely shut off. Dashboard lights were still on. I was able to coast backwards down a slope and back into another open parking spot. I had no power steering, and brakes were very hard to depress. I looked up the problem on the internet and looked up open recalls. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10477432, filed 2012-09, 130,000 miles

   “1) I was driving on interstate and exited. Shortly afterwards when driving slowly my car stalled and I lost all control, fortunately, did not have an accident. 2) car stalled when driving slowly, shortly after driving on highway. Lost all control of vehicle. 3) restarted car and everything seemed okay. Now this has happened on 2 separate occasions so I am taking it to the dealer tomorrow to see if they can identify source of problem as this could be very serious if it caused an accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #10169283, filed 2006-09, 34,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge drops to empty and car shuts off

   • 101 complaints (8%)
   • median 47,500 mi at 3.7 yrs old (90 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,210 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2022

   Owners describe the fuel gauge falling suddenly from half to empty while the tank still holds fuel, followed by the engine cutting out without warning. Some report being stranded and say a refill takes far less than a full tank. Complaints mention dealer software updates and fuel pump module replacement that did not resolve the gauge reading. Reported from roughly 25,000 to 185,000 miles, with several between 30,000 and 65,000 miles.

   Recall 06V4320002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump module or gauge sender has been replaced and whether any software update was applied. Watch the gauge behavior over a partial tank during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Gas gauge drops from 1/2 to empty in seconds if you don't get to a gas station quickly the vehicle will shut off. There is no warning. Vehicle still has gas but will shut off. We have been stranded several times on the interstate. Very dangerous for a family. According to searches I have made lots of 2005 pacificas have the same problem starting at around 45,000 miles. I haven't found any answers to the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10265297, filed 2009-04, 52,000 miles

   “2005 Chrysler Pacifica when gas tank gets to half full, needle drops suddenly to empty and car stalls. I had a TSB software update at dealer, did not fix problem. I had right side fuel pump module replaced, did not solve problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10166494, filed 2006-08, 33,496 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Motor mount noise and repeat replacement

   • 87 complaints (7%)
   • median 88,537 mi at 7.8 yrs old (74 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $875 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2006–2023

   Complaints describe clicking or clunking from the engine area on acceleration and deceleration or when braking to a stop, traced to cracked or rotted motor mounts. Owners report the mounts being replaced more than once, in some cases within a few thousand miles, and say parts were on back order at times. One report notes a failed mount can fail a state inspection. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 145,000 miles, with some repeats after a few thousand miles.

   What to check: Listen for a clunk when shifting from park to drive or braking to a stop, and ask whether the motor mounts have been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Clicking noise coming from the engine on deceleration and acceleration. And the throttle sticks occasionally. We had it looked at by mechanic, and the motor mount is cracked and rotting, we attempted to order a motor mount, the Chrysler dealer said they have 173 requests for motor mount in lake havasu city, az and none are available anywhere. There is a 6 month wait before they can get any.”

   NHTSA complaint #10264952, filed 2009-04, 75,000 miles

   “On my 2005 Chrysler Pacifica, the motor mounts seem to be substandard and require replacement at a higher interval than normal. While this may not seem like a huge issue initially, a failed motor mount is a reason to reject a vehicle inspection in the state of va. Shortly after purchasing the car used 2 years ago, I needed to replace a failed motor mount, now, 2 years later and with the car having less than 65,000 miles I am having to replace a motor mount again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10258579, filed 2009-02, 63,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Gear shifter stuck in park

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the gear shifter seizing in the park position so the car cannot be moved, sometimes traced to a fractured plastic piece inside the shifter assembly. Complaints describe towing to a shop, being told the shifter assembly needs replacement, and in some cases finding the part discontinued or unavailable. Dealers are described as offering no assistance. Reported between about 73,000 and 220,000 miles.

   What to check: Cycle the shifter through every position several times, including out of park on a cold start, and ask whether the shifter assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that upon start the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to operate as needed without warning. The contact called and informed several dealers of the failure and was informed that there was a defect with the power train. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11530423, filed 2023-07, 73,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that a small shard of plastic fractured in the gear shifter and the vehicle could not be shifted out of park. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that they would have to replace the parts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 82,000. The VIN was not available.”

   NHTSA complaint #10432738, filed 2011-10, 82,000 miles

Buying note. Have any example inspected underneath for cradle and subframe corrosion before purchase, since that is the most frequently reported concern and repairs are involved. Also confirm whether the fuel pump module and control module campaign was completed, and budget for wear items such as motor mounts and shifter hardware on a vehicle of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.