2008 Chrysler Pacifica problems
Owners have filed 155 complaints about the 2008 Chrysler Pacifica with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 15.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine at 13.5%.
Complaints155
Crashes3
Fires5
Injuries1
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 15.5% · 24
Engine 13.5% · 21
Power train 9.0% · 14
Structure 9.0% · 14
Engine and engine cooling 7.1% · 11
Steering 6.5% · 10
Unknown or other 5.8% · 9
Suspension 5.8% · 9
Severity
Of those complaints, 3 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 1 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 12 model years of the Chrysler Pacifica in this data, 2008 draws comparatively few complaints; 2017 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 10 in the last three years against 50 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 84,500 miles.
In owners' own words
The engine would not start. Battery and connections were checked. The starter motor and solenoid assembly was replaced. The starter attempts to engage but will not turn the engine. After research I found Chrysler has offered a recall for several 2008/09 model cars and vans for defective ignition switches. The safety hazard is great if the electrical portion would fail while the car was in motion. Electrical system · reported at 130,000 miles
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. Electrical system · reported at 49,000 miles
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? Electrical system · reported at 77,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…