2008 Chrysler Pacifica Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year centre on two things: engine stalls where power steering and electrical systems drop out, and heavy rust on the front subframe/engine cradle. Both show up across a wide mileage range, from low-mileage examples to vehicles past 150,000 miles, and both are often described as recurring after a repair. Fuel gauge misreadings and motor mount failures round out the more common reports.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine stalls while driving, loss of power steering and

   • 31 complaints (30%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2019

   Owners describe the vehicle shutting off without warning while moving, at highway speed, at intersections, on inclines and around town. Along with the stall they report losing power steering and power assist for the brakes, and in several cases all electrical functions including airbags going dead. Complaints say dealers were often unable to reproduce or diagnose the fault, and some point to the ignition system, EGR or fuel pump as suspected sources without a confirmed fix. Reported from roughly 12,000 miles through 130,000 miles, in both cold and hot weather and at all speeds.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the stall has been diagnosed and what was replaced; have a shop check stored codes before the battery is disconnected, and test the ignition switch, EGR and fuel delivery. A service bulletin describes a no-start/no-crank diagnostic procedure, not a cure for stalling.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “It seems I am not alone, my 2008 Pacifica occasionally loses power, the electrical system shuts off, then quickly turns back on. This has happened for the past 6 months, no mechanics can find a problem because when the engine shuts off it clears the car computer. It is happening more frequently now. Could this be an ignition switch issue like the chevy?”

   NHTSA complaint #10605993, filed 2014-06, 77,000 miles

   “I just purchased my 08 Pacifica on 2-10-16. Today as I was driving the electrical system started to malfunction. First it started with the heater not working to the car stalling in the middle of the highway. I have five kids so for me to be stranded on a busy highway with children is very scary. 1 wk ago wheels diagnosed to bent alloys and o2 sensor is jacked up too. Rust is also present im just worried about safety.”

   NHTSA complaint #10839338, filed 2016-03, 195,000 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Rusted front subframe / engine cradle

   • 13 complaints (13%)
   • median 111,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2019

   Owners report the front subframe that carries the engine and front suspension rusting through, often found during an inspection, tire or muffler service rather than from a symptom. Complaints describe holes that fingers pass through, vibration and unusual engine movement, and dealers describing the car as unfit to drive but not covering the repair. Several note the cost of replacement and that an extended warranty did not include the part. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 130,000 miles, on vehicles roughly 6 to 11 years old.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the car put on a lift and inspect the subframe and its mounting points closely for rust-through, especially the centre and passenger side, before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Noise coming from 2008 model year Pacifica transmission is not being covered under the lifetime powertrain warranty because Chrysler says rusted engine cradle is too fragile for them to access the transmission. As rusted out engine cradles are an ongoing documented problem for Chrysler Pacifica models, yet Chrysler is effectively voiding my lifetime powertrain warranty unless I agree to pay over $5000 for a new engine cradle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11240370, filed 2019-07, 174,000 miles

   “While trying to replace my muffler on my 2008 Chrysler Pacifica, the shop could not locate replacement parts. I took it to several shops with the same result. At the last shop I was shown an issue with the sub-frame rusting out. So, I decided to take it to Chrysler dealership and they found the same issues with the sub-frame and informed me that Chrysler would not repair. Now, I am going to be out of $4000.00 to repair the sub-frame and $1,200.00 to replace the muffler system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10733971, filed 2015-07, 111,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads wrong or drops to empty

   • 8 complaints (8%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2023

   Owners describe the fuel gauge holding at a half or a third of a tank and then dropping abruptly to empty, sometimes within minutes, with the distance-to-empty readout collapsing at the same time. Some also report trouble refuelling or fuel spitting out during a fill. Complaints mention replacement of the sending unit, fuel pump or circuit board without the behaviour going away. Reported from about 50,000 miles up to very high mileage, in most cases after the vehicle is several years old.

   What to check: Fill the tank and watch whether the gauge and distance-to-empty track the fuel actually added; ask whether the sending unit or pump has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Gas gauge reads 1/2 full and slowly declines till it hits about 1/3 full then drops to empty. If you don't get gas you will run out in minutes. I took it in and they replaced the sending unit and on the way home it did the same thing. Chrysler needs to help us on this one. I'm stuck with a city car that I need to use on long distances.”

   NHTSA complaint #10504717, filed 2013-03, 98,000 miles

   “Fuel gauge shows inaccurate reading. I filled the tank halfway and after driving for 30 minutes or so the gauge drops to an 1/8 tank while driving. After I shut it off for a few minutes it will go back up sometimes higher sometimes lower. It's happening more frequently. I have small children and would hate for it to leave my wife and children stranded in the middle of nowhere.”

   NHTSA complaint #11089739, filed 2018-04, 222,167 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Motor mounts failing and clunking

   • 14 complaints (14%)
   • median 67,390 mi at 5.0 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2009–2017

   Owners report knocking or banging when starting up or shifting from park into gear, a bump felt through the steering wheel on acceleration, and unusual engine movement. Complaints say the front motor mount and isolator were replaced, in some cases more than once, and that the repair did not last. Several owners say they were told mounts were normal wear and not covered. Reported from roughly 30,000 miles to well over 100,000 miles.

   What to check: With the hood open, have someone shift between drive and reverse while you watch the engine for excessive movement, and listen for a clunk when engaging gear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10906804, filed 2016-09, 110,000 miles

   “Purchased a 2008 Chrysler Pacifica with approximately 32k miles on it. The car was certified by Chrysler. At approximately 44k miles the engine would bang when shifting out of park to reverse or drive. According to the dealer the engine mounts were torn and needed to be replaced. I was told engine mounts are not covered under warranty because it's considered normal wear and tear and it would be around $700 to fix. I reviewed the Chrysler owner's manual and there is nothing that mentions motor mounts needing inspection for wear and tear. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10285131, filed 2009-09, 46,420 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   No start, key not recognised, ignition faults

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the vehicle refusing to start, sometimes with an invalid key or fob message, sometimes after rain or a car wash, and sometimes with flickering lights or the key not being detected. Complaints also describe the ignition unit being replaced, occasionally with a used part. Electrical glitches such as warning lamps, inoperative horn or cruise control and climate blower faults appear alongside. Reported from about 49,000 to 130,000 miles, with some failures tied to wet weather.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the service history on the ignition switch and key programming, and check that the horn, cruise control and all warning lamps behave on a test drive and after a wash.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Any time I wash my car, somehow I think water goes in to the sensors. After the carwash if I try to start it, the light flicker on and off and it refuses to start. Even when it rains, the water makes its way into the sensors and it does not start. It makes noise like when there are electric shocks. There has been occasions in which it does not detect the key and does not start.”

   NHTSA complaint #10907307, filed 2016-09, 49,000 miles

   “Car kept stalling and then would not start. The lights and alarms went off and on without any reason. Had it flatbedded to the shop - good thing we weren't able to drive it. The mechanic said that the ignition unit broke. This would have been a serious situation if it happened while on the highway...the ignition was replaced, with a used ignition so we are very worried. Odd lights kick on, the transmission/engine jumps for reason. It may be the awd is failing too. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10682569, filed 2015-02, 79,000 miles

Buying note. If you are considering this model year, have it inspected on a lift for subframe rust first, since that finding alone can be a walk-away point, then confirm how the car behaves on a long test drive for stalling and fuel gauge accuracy. Service records showing the motor mounts, ignition switch and fuel sending unit have been addressed are worth asking for.

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.