2021 Chrysler Pacifica: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
366 NHTSA owner complaints · 7 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. 2021 specifically: 366 complaints on record, score 58/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
Used minivans compared: Odyssey, Sienna, Pacifica, Grand Caravan and Town and Country, including 2021 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 366 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 73.2
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Rear view back -up camera fails to operate at least once a week. The computer screen does not come on. This problem was subject to a recall last year and supposedly fixed, but it seems to have failed again. This seems to be a radio interference software problem.This is a very serious problem that Chrysler needs to fix correctly. The dealer says unless the problem happens at his shop, they cannot fix it. But it happen…
Nothing exciting happened. It was a really bad rain/storm and I was driving as normal and I guess the front crash detection glitched out. I tried all the simple fixes tried to get it code tested and nothing pops up. So my front breaking doesn’t work meaning I can’t even use cruise control either. Also this maybe the a two for one. But the car was recalled for the backup camera and I went to get the recall done TWICE …
The contact owns a 2021 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the pa…
Recalls: 7 campaigns (3 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 26V362000 | Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position. |
| 24V436000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. |
| 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. |
| 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… |
| 25V877000 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Wheelchair Restraints/Securement:Latch/Anchor: | Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured. |
| 22V181000 | Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Pacifica and 2021 Voyager vehicles. The second-row seat-to-floor mounting latch may bind and stick open, preventing the seat from properly securing to the floor. |
| 24V793000 | Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Pacifica and 2020-2021, 2023 Voyager vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the side curtain air bags may prevent the air bags from deploying. |
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.
- Electrical System148 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Engine140 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train119 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Fuel/Propulsion System75 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
- Unknown Or Other54 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Back Over Prevention28 complaints · typical job: Reversing camera or park-sensor replacement (2.0 h labour + parts)$420–$940
Other Chrysler Pacifica years
Chrysler Pacifica years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Electrical System (148 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 58/100, computed from 366 NHTSA complaints and 7 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica's most common problem?
148 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica sit in the Electrical System group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $540–$1,310 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 2021 Chrysler Pacifica cost to run per year?
About $5,610 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $28,052 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 2021 Chrysler Pacifica have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, 3 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 04/06/2026. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other minivans of about the same age.
What will a 2021 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 — 366 complaints, 7 recalls on record
- 366 NHTSA complaints on record (73.2/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (50.7/yr)
- 7 recall campaigns, 3 touching safety-critical systems