2022 Chrysler Pacifica Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2022 Pacifica report two dominant themes: sudden loss of motive power while driving (most often in the hybrid, where a warning tells the driver to stop safely before the van drops to reduced or no power) and transmission problems that produce the same symptom or whining and harsh shifting. Second-row seat and headrest failures and a range of electrical/software glitches (rearview camera, stalling electronics, warning lights) also come up repeatedly. Many complaints are filed after a recall notice where parts were not yet available.

1. 1
   Engine

   Sudden loss of power while driving (hybrid)

   • 115 complaints (53%)
   • median 8,926 mi at 1.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe a warning such as 'Stop Safely, vehicle will shut off soon' or a turtle icon appearing at highway speed, followed by loss of acceleration and the van slowing or shutting down in traffic. Several report the engine restarting after cycling the ignition, then the same shutdown recurring on the same trip or days later. Dealers in the complaints alternately performed software updates, replaced the transmission or power inverter, or reset codes without resolving the recurrence. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to well over 100,000, and frequently at highway speeds.

   Recall 23V010000Recall 26V362000

   What to check: Ask whether the hybrid recall software updates and any transmission or inverter repairs were completed, and request the service history. On a test drive, note any warning messages, the turtle icon, or hesitation under acceleration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving in residential area at 30mph and van turned off while moving. Message on dashboard said to push break and press to start. Vehicle put itself in park. No lights turned on. I heard a beep and felt engine shut off. Problem just happened and I haven't driven it since. Called auto shop and was advised to document I'd it happened again because they need a code or some evidence to give to techs.”

   NHTSA complaint #11588093, filed 2024-05

   “In 2024, our vehicle displayed a critical warning stating: “Stop safely. Vehicle will shut off soon.” While driving on the highway, the vehicle began losing engine power—a terrifying and dangerous experience. We immediately took it to the dealership, where they diagnosed a transmission failure and proceeded to replace the transmission. Unfortunately, we are now experiencing the same issue again this year. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11658083, filed 2025-05
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission whine, slipping or replacement

   • 40 complaints (18%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe a whining or loud noise on acceleration and deceleration, harsh or slipping shifts, and messages such as 'Service Hybrid System' or a transmission warning light. Some owners report the transmission was replaced, in one case twice, and others say dealers only reprogrammed the control module or reset codes, with the noise or power loss returning. Typically reported between roughly 40,000 and 60,000 miles, though some appear much earlier.

   Recall 23V010000

   What to check: Ask for records of any transmission replacement or control-module reprogramming, and listen for whine or rattle during a test drive at highway speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2022 Pacifica Hybrid is experiencing a known transmission issue as identified in TSB 21-042-24 My VIN falls squarely within the build date window. The bulletin instructs dealers to replace the transmission—not rebuild it. I am refusing an inferior repair that contradicts the manufacturer’s own instructions. I am requesting immediate escalation, in writing, confirming that my vehicle will receive a factory-new transmission in accordance with the TSB”

   NHTSA complaint #11654736, filed 2025-04

   “Driving down highway on a business trip. Van flashed on screen with message to pull over immediatley and showed a red turtle. This was dangerous as I was in the far left lane and had to quickly pull over. Then to sit on the side of the highway and wait for a tow truck. With my 3 children in the car, I did not feel safe. Vehicle was sent to dealer where the kept for 6 days and only reset the codes and told me it was good to go. This vehicle has a known defect in the transmission.”

   NHTSA complaint #11611551, filed 2024-08
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical glitches, stalling and warning lights

   • 68 complaints (31%)
   • median 28,801 mi at 2.7 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe the dash lighting up with multiple warnings, PRNDL flashing, instruments and hazard lights going dead, and the van stalling or refusing to restart. Some owners link the symptoms to outstanding recalls for wiring or software, and others report the vehicle not shifting into gear or the parking brake acting on its own. Reported from very low mileage up to about 68,000 miles, sometimes within days of purchase.

   Recall 23V010000Recall 24V4360003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm all open recalls were completed, and check that the instrument cluster and radio display function normally, including the rearview camera when reversing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle was running while I was drove in the freeway. Suddenly, the screen dash kept pop up an message shift to P, push the bottom to restart the D kept blinking. The vehicle was slowing down even I stepped in gas. I had to parked to Emergency Parking on Highway immediate. Then I pushed the Power bottom to turn off the car. Then cannot back on. After 2 - 3 hours, the tow truck came, he able to restart the car. The car end up tow to the dealership that located in Pleasanton CA. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11504705, filed 2023-01

   “I was driving around 15 mph and the van suddenly lost all electrical and engine power. I could not drive and none of the instruments were working. I could not turn on the emergency blinkers / hazard lights. I could not restart the van. No buttons were working. The van came to a stop with some bad sounds from the engine. I was on a hill and I had to keep my foot on the brake otherwise the van would start rolling backwards. I could not place the vehicle into park and the parking break did not work either. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11514339, filed 2023-03
4. 4
   Seats

   Second-row headrest and seat latch failures

   • 12 complaints (6%)
   • median 40,625 mi at 2.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners report that folding the second-row seats into the stow position leaves the headrest stuck down or unable to lock upright, and in some cases the seatback no longer latches and slides freely. Complaints describe dealers quoting a paid repair after warranty, and one cites a latch release cable part failing on both middle seats within a short period. Often reported after the seats have been stowed and restowed, at mileages from low to about 81,000.

   Recall 22V181000

   What to check: Cycle both second-row seats through the stow and upright positions and confirm the headrests lock and the seatbacks latch firmly to the floor.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The head rest of the second row broke and will not return to its upright position. It happened when we putting the seat in the stow position. Having the headrest sticking into your neck is very dangerous so we basically lost a seat in our vehicle. We can choose to remove the headrest, which is a danger for whiplash OR repair it. The repair is estimated over $300 which is ridiculous! This should be a covered repair under a recall as it seems to happen frequently.”

   NHTSA complaint #11757533, filed 2026-08

   “The head rest of the second row broke and will not return to its upright position after we used the stow feature. Very dangerous now and basically lost a seat in our vehicle”

   NHTSA complaint #11711039, filed 2026-01
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Rearview camera blank or blurry image

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the backup camera showing a green or black screen or a blurry image when reversing, sometimes with the screen staying black while driving, and the center display going dark entirely. Complaints note the recall remedy was applied or parts were unavailable, and dealers could not confirm whether a radio software update would address it. Mostly reported under about 45,000 miles.

   Recall 24V4360001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Shift into reverse and confirm a clear camera image appears, and ask whether the rearview camera software recall was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2022 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the center console display went black and became inoperable. The contact stated that only the back-over prevention camera operated on the screen as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V436000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11634334, filed 2025-01, 20,029 miles

   “The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2022 Chrysler Pacifica. The vehicle was an Adaptive Vehicle. The owner received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V436000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera image was blurry on some occasions, and was completely black on other occasions. The contact stated that the black image remained displayed while driving the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11642160, filed 2025-02, 43,000 miles

Buying note. Check that every open recall (hybrid wiring, battery fire risk, side curtain air bags, rearview camera, second-row seat latches) has been completed, since owners often report long waits for parts. A thorough test drive at highway speed and a review of transmission and inverter service records are worth the effort on this model year.

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.