2017 Chrysler Pacifica: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
1,514 NHTSA owner complaints · 11 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Pacifica launched for 2017 with the nine-speed automatic and a new electrical architecture, and its first year carries nearly 1,500 complaints: stalling, the transmission, the sliding doors, the Uconnect screen and, on the plug-in hybrid, a recall for fire risk. The 2018 year is only somewhat better. Read the full note on the model page. 2017 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 1,514 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used minivans compared: Odyssey, Sienna, Pacifica, Grand Caravan and Town and Country, including 2017 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 1,514 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 168.22
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Mainly driving on highways at the end of long curves the steering is sticky and it is difficult to change the steering wheel back to 12 o'clock. Unpleasant and probably unsafe driving, as overreacting could occur, if it will stick more. It is happening more and more often.
The steering wheel has begun "sticking" when driving 35 mph (estimate, not measured). It seems to stick somewhere in the 10:00/1:00 range, and can be resolved by giving a small but firm counter-tug. So far, there has been no accidents, and seems to be resolved easily but there is a small concern that perhaps it could get worse or happen at an inopportune time which could be dangerous.
The steering at times will “stick” and a bit of force has to be used to get it to release. Also, when turning slightly at low speeds (steering wheel in the 11 or 1 position at less than 20mph) the steering will “shudder” or “vibrate.” This affects the entire steering system. The entire vehicle vibrates and it feels as though you may lose control of the vehicle. This issue has been continuous since approximately 202…
Recalls: 11 campaigns (9 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 19V348000 | Electrical System:12V/24V/48V Battery | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Pacifica vehicles equipped with engine stop/start systems. A loose battery ground connection may result in an intermittent loss of power steering assist and/or a stall. |
| 18V524000 | Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid… |
| 18V049000 | Electrical System:Software | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles equipped with a 3.6l engine. The engine control software may become out of sync with the crankshaft position sensor, possibly resulting in an engine stall. |
| 18V395000 | Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) plug may be removed without a tool. |
| 23V010000 | Electrical System:Wiring:Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEVs). An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown. |
| 18V332000 | Electrical System:Wiring | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb),… |
| 25V876000 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Wheelchair Restraints/Securement:Latch/Anchor: | Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model… |
| 17V342000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage Mobility) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor vans modified by Vantage Mobility for wheelchair accessibility. The affected vans have rear brake lines that might have been crossed during the modification. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a minivan of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 22 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,850
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine521 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train468 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Electrical System389 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Steering272 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Unknown Or Other213 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Vehicle Speed Control89 complaints · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$520–$1,150
Other Chrysler Pacifica years
Chrysler Pacifica years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (521 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 26/100, computed from 1,514 NHTSA complaints and 11 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica's most common problem?
521 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica cost to run per year?
About $7,975 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $39,878 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, 9 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 09/05/2019. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other minivans of about the same age.
What will a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 1,514 complaints, 11 recalls on record
- 1514 NHTSA complaints on record (168.2/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (50.7/yr)
- 11 recall campaigns, 9 touching safety-critical systems