Is the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica a bad year?
726 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 243, 4.3× a quiet Pacifica year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica were filed between 56k and 119k miles. You're at 90,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Pacifica 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 90,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 242 (33%) | 56k–119k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 198 (27%) | 89k–134k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 109 (15%) | 67k–119k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 93 (13%) | 75k–147k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 86 (12%) | 88k–126k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 49 (7%) | 40k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 57 (8%) | 44k–126k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 36 (5%) | 52k–128k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 15 (2%) | 32k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 14 (2%) | 75k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 7 (1%) | 74k–148k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 38 (5%) | 45k–86k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seats | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 6 (1%) | 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 90,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 726 complaints: 20 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 16 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The engine frame cradle is rotting out. The engine and transmission could potentially fall out of the vehicle.
Tuesday, october 25, 2016 the engine cradle rusted through and the engine lowered and the cradle itself was dragging along the street.
I took my 2006 Chrysler Pacifica for new tires and a new york state inspection. The mechanic had the car on the lift and told me the engine cradle sub frame was rusted/rotted out and that the vehicle is unsafe to drive.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 90,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica: 1
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump module and the power train control module (PCM) software may allow the engine to stall under certain operating conditions. This could cause a crash to occur without prior warning.
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: 24
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Engine stalling
Fuel tank punctures
Engine stalling
Neighbouring years
2005 Pacifica: 1,243 complaints, consider selling · 2007 Pacifica: 380 complaints, consider selling.
Every Chrysler Pacifica year
2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Pacifica 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 Plug-In Hybrid · Chrysler Sebring · Chrysler Sebring Conv · Chrysler Sebring Convertible · Chrysler Town and Country · Chrysler Voyager. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica a bad year?
726 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 243, 4.3× a quiet Pacifica year. At 90,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica were filed between 56k and 119k miles. You're at 90,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (242), body structure (198), transmission and drivetrain (109), fuel system (93), suspension (86). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 56k–119k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 06V-432). 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.