Chrysler Pacifica Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 1,150 of the 4,237 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Chrysler Pacifica (27.1%) name the transmission, 2.2× the median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2017, 2018 and 2022.
Transmission complaints
1,150
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
27.1%
of 4,237 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Chrysler Pacifica transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 14 | 13.7% | 0 | — | 6 |
| 2016 | 1 | 50% | 0 | — | 8 |
| 2017WORST | 479 | 30.8% | 12 | 17V482000 | 80 |
| 2018WORST | 189 | 18.1% | 6 | 18V49300018V492000 | 48 |
| 2019 | 82 | 24.5% | 2 | — | 50 |
| 2020 | 55 | 25% | 1 | — | 64 |
| 2021 | 120 | 32.3% | 3 | — | 55 |
| 2022WORST | 122 | 39.7% | 2 | — | 32 |
| 2023 | 57 | 29.1% | 1 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | 27 | 36% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 | 12.5% | 0 | — | 0 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- No row for 2009–2015: NHTSA's complaints data returned no records for those years under this model's names.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 1,150 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Chrysler Pacifica years to avoid for the transmission
2017 Chrysler Pacifica
479 transmission complaints (30.8% of the year's 1,554). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 17V482000.
2018 Chrysler Pacifica
189 transmission complaints (18.1% of the year's 1,042). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recalls 18V493000, 18V492000.
2022 Chrysler Pacifica
122 transmission complaints (39.7% of the year's 307). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Chrysler Pacifica years to avoid.
Chrysler Pacifica transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Chrysler Pacifica model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 18V493000 · 2018-07-26 · 2018 models
The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint.
- 18V492000 · 2018-07-26 · 2018 models
A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
- 17V482000 · 2017-07-28 · 2017 models
The rear pinion bracket on both sides of the vehicle may crack, causing the axle not to be centered and the wheel to wobble.
Which transmission does the Chrysler Pacifica use?
- ZF 9-speed (9HP / 948TE) — 2017–2018
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 479 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, 30.8% of all 1,554 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (208 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 17V482000. 12 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 189 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica, 18.1% of all 1,042 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (39 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 18V493000, 18V492000. 6 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 122 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica, 39.7% of all 307 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (37 complaints). 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Chrysler Pacifica years have the most transmission complaints?
2017 (479), 2018 (189) and 2022 (122), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems?
In the 1,150 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (25%), loss of power or limp mode (16.3%) and transmission repaired or replaced (9.1%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Chrysler Pacifica model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration