Is the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica a bad year?
381 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 144, 2.6× a quiet Pacifica year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 2.9× the complaints of a quiet Pacifica year.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 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 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 156 (41%) | too few with a mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 144 (38%) | too few with a mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 120 (31%) | too few with a mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 83 (22%) | too few with a mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Backup camera | 28 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 23 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 17 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 16 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 11 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (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 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 381 complaints: 12 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 8 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
69 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica: 7
The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position. A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured. An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured. An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
An improperly secured connector for the side curtain air bags may prevent the air bags from deploying. An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown. An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The second-row seat-to-floor mounting latch may bind and stick open, preventing the seat from properly securing to the floor. An unsecured seat increases the risk of injury in 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: 324
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
948TE Transmission Reaction Shaft Service Bushing Kit Customers may 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: 2
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
Transmission fault leading to loss of motive power
Neighbouring years
2020 Pacifica: 175 complaints, keep it · 2022 Pacifica: 220 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
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 2021 Chrysler Pacifica a bad year?
381 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 144, 2.6× a quiet Pacifica year. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 2.9× the complaints of a quiet Pacifica year.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (156), engine (144), transmission and drivetrain (120), fuel system (83), backup camera (28).
How many recalls does the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 26V-362), Adaptive equipment (NHTSA 25V-877), Adaptive equipment (NHTSA 25V-876), Air bags (NHTSA 24V-793) 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.