Is the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid a bad year?
225 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 64, 4.9× a quiet Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 3k–16k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 5,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 84 (37%) | 2k–27k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 64 (28%) | 3k–16k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 40 (18%) | 2k–17k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Hybrid systemSTANDS OUT | 75 (33%) | 26k–70k miles · ahead | — |
| Fuel system | 19 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 13 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 5,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 225 complaints: 3 mention a crash · 12 mention a fire · 1 reports an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The car totally shut off when driving 20 mph. Full tank of gas. Brand new car with 5,000 miles on it. Called Chrysler -- they left us abandoned mid-road, they said it would take the 90 minutes.
While driving at approximately 55MPH, on an overpass ramp connecting two different freeways, driving uphill around a broad turn, the car suddenly became non-responsive to pumping the gas pedal or applying the breaks.
Metallic buzzing / vibration during moderate acceleration. Occurs occasionally around 30 to 35 MPH but also at higher speeds.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 5,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid: 6
The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire when parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position. A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
A vehicle fire can occur when parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position. A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The 12 volt isolator post located behind the driver's seat may develop high resistance. A high resistance electrical connection may result in the connection overheating, increasing the risk of a fire with the vehicle on or off.
The right front lower control arm may separate from the steering knuckle. A control arm separation could increase the risk of a crash.
After the vehicle has been operating in PHEV propulsion mode, the gas-fueled engine may not restart properly resulting in unburned fuel entering the exhaust catalyst. The improperly started engine could result in a loss of motive power increasing the risk of a crash or the unburned fuel in the catalyst may ignite increasing the risk of a fire.
The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition. A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chrysler: 123
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
Internal Transmission Wiring Connector Short And **Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
ADJUSTER Valve Lash Customer's complaint may include a ticking noise coming from the engine
Vibration From Engine Or Powertrain
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Electrical arcing and thermal events, potentially leading to fires, while utilizing Enel X Way USA, LLC's JuiceBox residential charger.
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
Ignition-off high voltage battery fire (Remedy effectiveness of Recall 22V-077)
Transmission fault leading to loss of motive power
Neighbouring years
2017 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid: 79 complaints, keep it · 2019 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid: 45 complaints, keep it.
Every Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid year
2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · All Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid years side by side
Other Chrysler models: Chrysler 200 · Chrysler 300 · Chrysler 300C · Chrysler 300M · Chrysler Aspen · Chrysler Concorde · Chrysler Crossfire · Chrysler Crossfire Roadster · Chrysler PT Cruiser · Chrysler Pacifica · Chrysler Sebring · Chrysler Sebring Conv · Chrysler Sebring Convertible · Chrysler Town and Country · Chrysler Voyager. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid a bad year?
225 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 64, 4.9× a quiet Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid year. At 5,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 3k–16k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (84), engine (64), transmission and drivetrain (40), hybrid system (75), fuel system (19). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 3k–16k miles.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Hybrid system (NHTSA 24V-536), Hybrid system (NHTSA 22V-077), Electrical system (NHTSA 20V-334), Suspension (NHTSA 19V-143) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.