2023 Chrysler Pacifica Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around two themes: sudden loss of motive power in the plug-in hybrid drivetrain, often accompanied by a "Stop Safely, Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon" message or a turtle icon, and airbag recall repairs that owners describe as unavailable for months. Most propulsion-loss reports come from highway speeds after a few tens of thousands of miles, while a smaller group involves warnings or shutdowns at very low mileage. Electrical glitches, brake-assist and driver-assist behavior make up the rest of the sample.

1. 1
   Engine

   Loss of power / stall with "Stop Safely" warning

   Mentioned in 24 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the van losing motive power while driving, sometimes at highway speed and sometimes at lower speeds, with a dashboard message telling them to pull over because the vehicle will shut off soon; several mention a red turtle icon. Many say the van restarts after being shut off for a few minutes and then repeats the behavior later. Complaints describe dealers applying software updates, replacing modules, or in some cases replacing the transmission, and several owners report the dealer could not reproduce the fault and returned the vehicle unrepaired. Reported from under 3,000 miles up to about 89,000 miles, most often at highway speeds and sometimes shortly after purchase.

   Recall 23V010000

   What to check: Ask whether the vehicle has had hybrid-drive software updates or module replacements and request any stored diagnostic codes, especially P0A43 or P0A78. A test drive should include highway speeds and a check that warning lamps stay off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at approximately 65 mph on I-35 in moderate traffic, my vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of motive power. I was positioned in the far-left passing lane at the time of the incident. A vague notification message appeared on the dashboard screen; however, there was no accompanying audible warning tone to alert me to the severity of the issue before power was lost. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11704845, filed 2025-12

   “I was driving my vehicle in a local road at speed about 20MPH and suddenly got a warning saying Stop safely, Vehicle will shut off soon . Then the gas pedal stopped working. It was on the middle of the road. I switched off my car and started it again a couple of times and that warning was gone but the engine light was on. I was able to drive the vehicle and so the next day I went to the dealer to find the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11594013, filed 2024-06
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag recall repair parts not available

   • 27 complaints (17%)
   • median 35,708 mi at 3.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Many owners state they received recall notices for the side curtain airbags but were told the parts were unavailable, with some waiting months and being placed on dealer waiting lists. A few describe the airbag warning light coming on intermittently while waiting for the repair. Complaints also note that the manufacturer had exceeded what owners considered a reasonable time for the repair. Reported from a few thousand miles upward, across vehicles of varying age, with waits of several weeks to many months described.

   Recall 25V302000Recall 26V189000Recall 24V793000Recall 26V358000

   What to check: Check the VIN against open recalls with a dealer and ask in writing whether the side curtain airbag remedy has been completed, since owners describe parts delays.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Side curtain airbags (CAB) for both sides are under recall dated Mar 2026, Recall 06D (NHTSA 25V189) and prior to that Recall 06C (NHTSA 25V302) dated May 2025, Dealer says that parts are on back order and I am on a list - It has been two months for 06D and over 6 months for 06D and I am still waiting. I have called FCA Recall Assistance, Chrysler Cares and the Dealer every 3 weeks and still no word on when parts will be available. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11740365, filed 2026-05

   “There is a recall with NHTSA Recall # 25V-302 with no known fix. This recall, which is a problem with the curtain air bags is a major safety issue. From the recall information: Curtain airbags which do not have proper pressure retention may reduce occupant protection and increase the risk of partial and complete ejection and injury of an occupant through a side window during certain types of crashes. I drive my children in this car, and when I first learned of this recall, I asked Chrysler to provide me a replacement vehicle that was safe …”

   NHTSA complaint #11693055, filed 2025-10
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Shifter stuck in Park or vehicle shifting into Park on its

   • 13 complaints (8%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 2.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners report the rotary gear selector becoming stuck in Park so the van would not go into Drive, requiring a shutdown and restart to move. Others describe the vehicle putting itself into Park, or holding the brakes by itself, while stopped in traffic or at a light, with no warning beforehand. Complaints say dealers sometimes found no fault or performed software work. Described across a range of mileages, typically while stopped or at low speed in traffic.

   What to check: During a test drive, shift between Park, Drive and Reverse several times while stopped and confirm the selector responds each time; ask whether any shifter or park-brake software updates have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While stopped at a traffic light on a downhill slope, my 2023 Chrysler Pacifica suddenly applied the brakes by itself and shifted into Park as I began to accelerate through the intersection. I did not touch the shifter. The vehicle locked up abruptly in the middle of the intersection. There were no warning lights, alerts, or messages before or after the incident. I had no idea as to what was happening. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11742833, filed 2026-06

   “Four separate incidents but related incidents. Primary concern: vehicle turns off and puts itself in park without notice and cannot be restarted. Two incidents were in traffic at a stop light, and the vehicle could not be started for 12-15 minutes. Two times it occurred while the vehicle had been parked for a short period of time but could not be restarted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11729525, filed 2026-04
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hesitation and rough engagement when accelerating

   • 18 complaints (12%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 0.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe pressing the accelerator and getting little or delayed response, then a sudden hard engagement, particularly when pulling out into traffic. Some report the van coasting without power for a moment before it moves. Complaints mention dealer diagnosis of transmission or drive-motor position sensor problems in some cases. Reported from low mileage up to around 80,000 miles, usually from a stop or at low speed when accelerating.

   Recall 23V010000

   What to check: Test slow rolling starts and a stop-and-go pull-away; ask the seller for any transmission or hybrid-drive service history and whether recall 23V010000 work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have pulled out to go across road and it was like the car wouldn't go. It would be like it was coasting. And then it would kick in hardand fast. Very very dangerous. Have you had any other people say that.? It's done it about 5 times.. where I almost got hit and or ran off road when it did go.”

   NHTSA complaint #11669051, filed 2025-06

   “As I began driving errors popped up engine failure, electrical system and hybrid system errors, the gas pedal would not move beyond 10 miles per hour, the brakes made a weird noise as if were trying to start the car. This happened with no warning.”

   NHTSA complaint #11704957, filed 2025-12
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Rearview camera blank or frozen

   • 8 complaints (5%)
   • median 51,416 mi at 3.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners report the backup camera showing a black screen, a still image, or nothing at all when reverse is selected, sometimes intermittently and sometimes constantly. Some mention restarting the vehicle to restore the image and being told the VIN was not covered by the camera recall. Reported from roughly 14,000 to 55,000 miles, in everyday reversing situations.

   Recall 24V436000Recall 25V388000Recall 26V327000

   What to check: Put the van in reverse and confirm the camera image appears promptly and stays live; check whether the radio software or camera recalls have been applied for this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, several other unknown warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that the hybrid system was inoperable and failed to function properly, and the charging system failed to fully charge the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V302000 (Air Bags). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11728743, filed 2026-04, 51,416 miles

   “The contact owns a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the back-over prevention camera displayed still images, with blackouts, or was inoperable. The failure had become more persistent and then became a constant failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11596081, filed 2024-06, 14,000 miles

Buying note. Ask for the recall status by VIN before purchase, since airbag and camera remedies are described by owners as slow to complete, and have any plug-in hybrid version checked for stored drivetrain codes after a highway test drive.

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.