2018 Chrysler Pacifica: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
862 NHTSA owner complaints · 12 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. 2018 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 862 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used minivans compared: Odyssey, Sienna, Pacifica, Grand Caravan and Town and Country, including 2018 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 862 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 107.75
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Reference: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: PE25009 In the last month, I've noticed steering problem with my mini van. I have to use both hands to steer in a curve and it jerks when coming out of the curve. It feels as if i am loosing control of the van. It also happens when i am changing lanes and steer the wheel past 11 and 1 oclock. It feels as if the car is fighting me to steer.
The head gasket failed at 89,000 miles. The engine gave P0305 Cylinder 5 misfire codes and would run rough causing difficult to drive in standard traffic flow. There are borescope pictures of coolant in cylinder 5. We stopped using the vehicle until the repair can be completed. This appear to be a WIDESPREAD problem for 2017-2019 Chrysler Pacifica which are numerous on the road and could be hazardous if these vehic…
Steering wheel gets stuck on curbes at higher speeds (1 o clock angle). Needs to be pulled back into place to avoid accident. This problem began at around 80k miles on the car. Also gets stuck at 11 o clock as well. My family does not feel safe driving this vehicle because of this issue.
Recalls: 12 campaigns (6 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… |
| 19V886000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Pacifica vehicles equipped with an 8.4 inch radio display, 360 degree surround view camera system, and seat back video screens. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed on the radio after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. |
| 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… |
| 17V824000 | Equipment | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. |
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.
- Engine371 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Electrical System285 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Steering171 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Power Train154 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Unknown Or Other112 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Fuel/Propulsion System47 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Chrysler Pacifica years
Chrysler Pacifica years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (371 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 28/100, computed from 862 NHTSA complaints and 12 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica's most common problem?
371 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2018 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 2018 Chrysler Pacifica cost to run per year?
About $6,687 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $33,435 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 2018 Chrysler Pacifica have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica, 6 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 2018 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 — 862 complaints, 12 recalls on record
- 862 NHTSA complaints on record (107.8/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (50.7/yr)
- 12 recall campaigns, 6 touching safety-critical systems