Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid: Fire Risk

Fire Risk When Parked

Unexpected engine shutdown from electrical short.

Urgent: Fire Risk When Parked

If you own a 2017-2023 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid, Chrysler is warning all owners not to charge their vehicles until a fix is available. Chrysler has advised owners of this vehicle that the fix will come in the form of a recall notice update. Chrysler is also recommending that these vehicles should not be parked indoors, near other structures, or other cars as the fire could easily spread to another vehicle. Before contacting the automobile manufacturer, you should speak to a lemon law attorney about your rights because a lemon law attorney can negotiate a better deal for you than you can obtain on your own.

In the last 2 years, there have been 12 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid fires where the vehicle was parked and shut off but still caught fire. Many of these vehicles were in the process of charging when they caught fire. As a result of these fires, Chrysler has issued several recalls concerning this issue. Chrysler has issued 3 recall notices, warning owners not to charge the vehicle or park it inside. A fourth recall notice, issued in 2017, warns of a power inverter module failure that can prevent the vehicle from being able to move on its own. Even scarier, this could occur while the vehicle is being driven. Please contact The California Lemon Law Group to find out if you are entitled to a lemon law buyback.

2017-2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids are equipped standard with a 3.6-Liter Pentastar V-6 Hybrid gasoline engine, and an elite Electrically controlled, continuously variable transmission (CVT). On the electrical side, the vehicle has a 16KWh 360 volt, lithium-ion battery which is located directly behind the driver’s seat. With battery assist, the total range of the Pacifica Hybrid is 570 total miles.

Urgent: A Wiring Short Circuit Could Cause Unexpected Engine Shutdown

The NHTSA has recalled all 2017 – 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Plug in Hybrid minivans, as there is a potential issue with a wiring connector that could short-circuit, and cause the engine to power off unexpectedly. At the time of this writing, there is no documented fix available. According to the manufacturer, there have been no accidents or injuries reported yet for this issue, but please, make an appointment with your dealership to have the necessary repairs made as soon as they are available. You should also be receiving a notice of this recall by mail.

Stelantis, the parent company of Chrysler, anticipates the fix will be both a software update of the Power Inverter Manager (PIM) , and theINstrument Panel Cluster (IPC) as well. The January 17, 2023 Recall, number 23V0100000, along with the other recalls associated with this minivan, can be reviewed in greater detail on the NHTSA recall website.

Recall History:

On October 18, 2018, Chrysler issued a recall notice with NHTSA Campaign ID: 18v740000 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV concerning the increased likelihood of crash or fire due to unburned fuel collecting in the catalyst. If you have a 2017-2018 Pacifica Hybrid, whether or not you received this recall notice, please contact the California Lemon Law Group to find out if you qualify for lemon law assistance.

On June 9, 2020, Chrysler issued a recall notice with the NHTSA Campaign ID: 20V334000 due to a faulty 12V connector post. This 12 V post is located directly behind the driver’s seat along with the drive batteries and may create high electrical resistance. As with the other recall notices concerning this vehicle, Chrysler is advising vehicle owners not to drive the vehicle and to park the vehicle away from any structures or other vehicles because this high electrical resistance condition could cause an unexpected fire. Vehicle owners are also cautioned not to store any liquids, or wet items such as umbrellas or bottled fluids in the vehicle because the moisture may create a fire. If you have not already done so, please bring your vehicle to your Chrysler dealership.

On February 11, 2022, Chrysler issued a recall with NHTSA Campaign ID: 22V077000, again warning of a fire hazard when the vehicle is parked, even with the vehicle’s ignition in the off position. At the time of this writing there is still no fix. Chrysler is advising owners not to park their vehicle indoors, and to not charge the vehicle until further notice. If you own a 2017-2018 Pacifica Hybrid, whether or not you received this recall notice, please contact the California Lemon Law Group to find out if you qualify for lemon law assistance.

Recalls Not Related to the Hybrid System:

On April 19, 2019, Chrysler issued a recall with the NHTSA Campaign ID: 19V143, for many 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles concerning the right lower control arm and the likelihood that it may separate from the steering knuckle and cause a crash. If you received this recall notice, or believe that your car suffers from this defect, please contact The California Lemon law Group and speak to a lemon law attorney to find out your legal rights.

Other Common Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Problems:

Transmission Slipping or Hesitation
Check Engine Lights
Excessive Engine Noise
Fluid Leaks
Faulty Air Condition Systems

If any of the above issues occur, please bring your vehicle to the dealership for repairs immediately. Ignoring, or putting off these repairs could do more serious damage to your car, and possibly hurt your potential lemon law case.

LEMON LAW TIPS

Please bring your car to the dealership as soon as you notice a problem with your car. The more times you bring your car to the dealership, and the longer it stays in the same dealership, the stronger your lemon law case will be.
When picking up your car at the dealership, do not leave without your repair invoices. While still at the dealership, make sure the date in, and date out are correct, and that the repair invoice reflects the actual repairs performed.
Keep your repair invoices, purchase contract, Certified Pre-Owned Checklist and other vehicle related paperwork in a safe place. If you notice you are missing a past repair invoice, please ask for copies while at the dealership.

Politely, do not take no for an answer at the dealership. Many dealerships will try and convince you that the condition you are describing is normal, and that no repairs are necessary. Nobody knows how your car should drive better than you. Please ask a shop foreman to go on a test drive with you, so that you can better demonstrate the issue, if necessary.
Find a dealership that is able to take your concerns seriously. You do not have to bring your car back to the same dealership
Do not store your repair invoices or purchase contract in the glove compartment of your car. If you keep them in your home or office, we can evaluate the case even while the car is in the dealership.