CHRYSLER PACIFICA · model year

2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

155 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008CHRYSLERPACIFICA carries 155 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 PACIFICA is electrical system with 24 filings, followed by engine (21) and power train (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 88 investigation files overlapping the 2008 PACIFICA, and 7 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

155
Complaints
3
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

155 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM24
ENGINE21
POWER TRAIN11
STEERING10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
STRUCTURE:BODY8
SUSPENSION8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)5
AIR BAGS5
STRUCTURE4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3

Recent Complaints

20260104TIRES

I noticed that my tire was getting flat at my aunt townhouse in nephi Utah. so I took it to the maverick gas station to get a better look at it and investigate the possibility of a leak in it put some air in it and then enough to make it rise and I leaned in close to listen to see if I can hear a leak and I could hear a sound, but I couldn’t locate it and right when I was about to give up and actually move my head away from my tire. My tire exploded, giving me a major concussion to the point where two ambulance services were called. The police were called. I ended up going to the ER that night because I could not remember how to spell my name what day it was and where I was at exactly aka the hospital.

20230803FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The car runs out of gas when there is gas in it - the fuel system doesn't recognize the fuel. It is a known problem with this vehicle/fuel system (you can google it). It is difficult to add fuel to the car, as a vapor lock is created and causes the stations pump to shut off. I need to hold the nozzle 1/2 way out of the tank and dribble it in for the tank to fill. 1) this allow more gas fumes in the air 2) creates the danger of spilled fuel 3) makes it impossible to gas up the car in states that have the vapor covers. The gas gauge gets to 1/2 a tank, then drops to 0 immediately. Even with monitoring the mileage, the car 'ran out of gas' long before it should have. After being stranded and calling AAA, they brought me 2 gals. I went immediately to the gas station to fill up, and the tank was overfilliing and spilling on the ground after only putting 10 gallons in it (the vehicle has a 23 gal tank) The fuel system has a maufacturers defect, the fix for which should be the resp

20230227POWER TRAIN

Transmission completely goes out of gear while driving causing you to roll to a stop unable to move.

20191020AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD BLINKS ONCE IN A WHILE. THIS IS ISSUE STARTED AROUND AUGUST 2019.

Mileage: 55,867

20190729POWER TRAIN

NOISE COMING FROM 2008 MODEL YEAR PACIFICA TRANSMISSION IS NOT BEING COVERED UNDER THE LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY BECAUSE CHRYSLER SAYS RUSTED ENGINE CRADLE IS TOO FRAGILE FOR THEM TO ACCESS THE TRANSMISSION. AS RUSTED OUT ENGINE CRADLES ARE AN ONGOING DOCUMENTED PROBLEM FOR CHRYSLER PACIFICA MODELS, YET CHRYSLER IS EFFECTIVELY VOIDING MY LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY UNLESS I AGREE TO PAY OVER $5000 FOR A NEW ENGINE CRADLE.

Mileage: 174,000

20190506ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE 2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA SIMPLY STALLS WHILE IN MOTION. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, INCLUDING AIRBAGS, ARE DEAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHILE STOPPED, AND WHILE ACCELERATING. IT HAS HAPPENED DURING VERY COLD TEMPERATURES (BELOW 0), HIGH TEMPERATURES (ABOVE 90) AND OTHER TEMPERATURES IN BETWEEN. A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE HAPPENED A FEW WEEKS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I'VE BEEN LOOKING AROUND TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAVE. THIS IS A VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHRYSLER NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF WITHOUT ANY EXPENSE FROM THE CONSUMERS. THIS ARE FINANCES BEING TAKING FROM MY FAMILY THAT NEED NOT TO HAPPEN.

Mileage: 117,000

20190506ENGINE

THE 2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA SIMPLY STALLS WHILE IN MOTION. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, INCLUDING AIRBAGS, ARE DEAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHILE STOPPED, AND WHILE ACCELERATING. IT HAS HAPPENED DURING VERY COLD TEMPERATURES (BELOW 0), HIGH TEMPERATURES (ABOVE 90) AND OTHER TEMPERATURES IN BETWEEN. A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE HAPPENED A FEW WEEKS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I'VE BEEN LOOKING AROUND TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAVE. THIS IS A VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHRYSLER NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF WITHOUT ANY EXPENSE FROM THE CONSUMERS. THIS ARE FINANCES BEING TAKING FROM MY FAMILY THAT NEED NOT TO HAPPEN.

Mileage: 117,000

20190131ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED AND COULD SOON FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THOMPSON CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP (124 NORTH POINT BLVD, BALTIMORE, MD 21224, (410) 288-3100), BUT WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Mileage: 123,000

20190103CrashVISIBILITY/WIPER

WHILE DRIVING 40MPH THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND SMASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD, BLOCKED MY VIEW WHILE DRIVING & NEARLY CAUSED A FATAL CRASH. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THOUGH THE FIRST TIME, IT STAYED LATCHED JUST ENOUGH THAT THE HOOD JUST VIBRATED & RATTLED GIVING ME ENOUGH TIME TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY, OPEN IT & SLAM IT SHUT AGAIN. I'M NOW TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR A FATALITY. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL THEIR VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH. MY CAR WAS IN MINT CONDITION AND WILL NOW COST THOUSANDS TO REPAIR. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS LIGHTS OR INFO DISPLAYED ON THE DASH INDICATING THE HOOD WASN'T LATCHED SO NO WAY OF KNOWING THERE WAS A POTENTIAL (SERIOUS) PROBLEM. IT'S SHOCKING THERE'S NO SENSOR THAT TELLS YOU IT'S OPEN/UNLATCHED LIKE THERE IS WHEN A DOOR ISN'T CLOSED PROPERLY.

Mileage: 127,500

20190103CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING 40MPH THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND SMASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD, BLOCKED MY VIEW WHILE DRIVING & NEARLY CAUSED A FATAL CRASH. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THOUGH THE FIRST TIME, IT STAYED LATCHED JUST ENOUGH THAT THE HOOD JUST VIBRATED & RATTLED GIVING ME ENOUGH TIME TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY, OPEN IT & SLAM IT SHUT AGAIN. I'M NOW TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR A FATALITY. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL THEIR VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH. MY CAR WAS IN MINT CONDITION AND WILL NOW COST THOUSANDS TO REPAIR. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS LIGHTS OR INFO DISPLAYED ON THE DASH INDICATING THE HOOD WASN'T LATCHED SO NO WAY OF KNOWING THERE WAS A POTENTIAL (SERIOUS) PROBLEM. IT'S SHOCKING THERE'S NO SENSOR THAT TELLS YOU IT'S OPEN/UNLATCHED LIKE THERE IS WHEN A DOOR ISN'T CLOSED PROPERLY.

Mileage: 127,500

20181122UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FRONT CROSS-MEMBER CONNECTING THE SIDE FRAME RAILS IS RUSTING THROUGH DUE TO WATER DRAINING FROM A/C EVAPORATOR. THIS WAS FOUND AT ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION AT THE DEALER WHILE UP ON RACK.

Mileage: 98,400

20180719SUSPENSION

ENGINE CRADLE UNDER CAR HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE.

Mileage: 155,000

20180629TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BROKEN TPMS SENSOR VALVE STEM. *LD *JS

20180509STRUCTURE:BODY

VEHICLE REPAIR REFUSED BY AAA MECHANIC BECAUSE OF EXTENSIVE FRAME ROT, NOISES AS FRAME FLEXES WHILE BEING DRIVEN.

Mileage: 130,000

20180430STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAILED SUB FRAME. *LD *JS

20180423FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL GAUGE SHOWS INACCURATE READING. I FILLED THE TANK HALFWAY AND AFTER DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES OR SO THE GAUGE DROPS TO AN 1/8 TANK WHILE DRIVING. AFTER I SHUT IT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES IT WILL GO BACK UP SOMETIMES HIGHER SOMETIMES LOWER. IT'S HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND WOULD HATE FOR IT TO LEAVE MY WIFE AND CHILDREN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

Mileage: 222,167

20180101ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2008 4.0L LIMITED HAS HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED FIVE TIMES & CURRENTLY NEEDS A SIXTH REPLACEMENT (SO (7) BAD BATTERIES INCL THE ONE THE CAR CAME WITH). THE 1ST WENT BAD AROUND 20K MILES & NONE HAS LASTED MORE THAN 25K MILES. CAR HAS ALSO HAD A PERSISTENT 'HARD TO START' CONDITION FOR YEARS & (5) DIFF DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE BATTERIES GOING BAD OR THE HARD TO START CONDITION. I'VE OPENED (2) CHRYSLER CASES IN THE PAST 21 MOS.; THE 1ST WHEN THE CURRENT BATTERY WAS JUST 3 MOS OLD & AGAIN DURING THE 24 MO. PART WARRANTY. CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE & ADDRESS THE PROBLEM NOR PAY FOR BATTERY REPLCMTS. DEALERS WILL NOT HONOR THE 24 MO. PART WARRANTY SIMPLE BECAUSE IT PASSES THE CHARGE TEST, DESPITE VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF A BULGE & BATTERY ACID LEAKING ALL OVER THE BATTERY TRAY, TERMINALS & CABLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN GIVEN THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (3) TIMES NEARLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS CRASHES. THE NHTSA SHOULD TAKE

Mileage: 116,000

20180101UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY 2008 4.0L LIMITED HAS HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED FIVE TIMES & CURRENTLY NEEDS A SIXTH REPLACEMENT (SO (7) BAD BATTERIES INCL THE ONE THE CAR CAME WITH). THE 1ST WENT BAD AROUND 20K MILES & NONE HAS LASTED MORE THAN 25K MILES. CAR HAS ALSO HAD A PERSISTENT 'HARD TO START' CONDITION FOR YEARS & (5) DIFF DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE BATTERIES GOING BAD OR THE HARD TO START CONDITION. I'VE OPENED (2) CHRYSLER CASES IN THE PAST 21 MOS.; THE 1ST WHEN THE CURRENT BATTERY WAS JUST 3 MOS OLD & AGAIN DURING THE 24 MO. PART WARRANTY. CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE & ADDRESS THE PROBLEM NOR PAY FOR BATTERY REPLCMTS. DEALERS WILL NOT HONOR THE 24 MO. PART WARRANTY SIMPLE BECAUSE IT PASSES THE CHARGE TEST, DESPITE VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF A BULGE & BATTERY ACID LEAKING ALL OVER THE BATTERY TRAY, TERMINALS & CABLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN GIVEN THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (3) TIMES NEARLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS CRASHES. THE NHTSA SHOULD TAKE

Mileage: 116,000

20180101STRUCTURE:BODY

MOTOR MOUNTS & CRADLE ROT ARE KNOWN PERVASIVE ISSUES WITH 2008 PACIFICAS (& OTHER YEARS). THERE IS NO INSPECTION OR MAINTENANCE REQUIRED PER THE MAINT. BOOKLET NOR SHOWN ANYWHERE SO DEALERS NEVER INSPECT THEM THEREBY LEAVING UNSUSPECTING OWNERS/DRIVERS IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CRASH SITUATION. MY BAD MOTOR MOUNTS WEREN'T NOTICED UNTIL 101K MILES & COST $1,200 TO REPLACE. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AT THAT POINT SO A MANDATORY REPAIR. IN JUST 12 SHORT MONTHS, THEY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. I NOW HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE SAFETY OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS AFTER HAVING HAD (3) SETS IN 116K MILES (ORIGINAL + 2 REPLCMTS).

Mileage: 116,000

20180101ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MOTOR MOUNTS & CRADLE ROT ARE KNOWN PERVASIVE ISSUES WITH 2008 PACIFICAS (& OTHER YEARS). THERE IS NO INSPECTION OR MAINTENANCE REQUIRED PER THE MAINT. BOOKLET NOR SHOWN ANYWHERE SO DEALERS NEVER INSPECT THEM THEREBY LEAVING UNSUSPECTING OWNERS/DRIVERS IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CRASH SITUATION. MY BAD MOTOR MOUNTS WEREN'T NOTICED UNTIL 101K MILES & COST $1,200 TO REPLACE. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AT THAT POINT SO A MANDATORY REPAIR. IN JUST 12 SHORT MONTHS, THEY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. I NOW HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE SAFETY OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS AFTER HAVING HAD (3) SETS IN 116K MILES (ORIGINAL + 2 REPLCMTS).

Mileage: 116,000

Compare 2008CHRYSLERPACIFICA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 7 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA have?
The 2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA has 155 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA?
The most-complained component for the 2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.