Is the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica a bad year?
156 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 42, 1× a quiet Pacifica year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 1× 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 2023 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 47 (30%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 43 (28%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 42 (27%) | too few with a mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 35 (22%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 16 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 5 (3%) | 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 156 complaints: 3 mention a crash · 1 reports an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
71 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.
Recalls for the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica: 14
The spring inside the front seat harness connector may contact electrical terminals. The unintended connection may prevent the air bags from deploying, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Contamination in the central vision processing module or improper programming may cause the rearview camera image not to display. A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 right and left side curtain air bags may have insufficient pressure retention. Air bags with insufficient pressure retention increase the risk of ejection and injury during a crash.
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.
Due to a manufacturing error, the rearview camera image may not display. A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The right and left side curtain air bags may have insufficient pressure retention from improperly sealed seams. An air bag with insufficient pressure retention increases the risk of ejection and injury during a crash.
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.
The steering column control module may not be welded properly, which can prevent the driver's air bag from deploying in a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
An electrical short may occur due to an incorrectly installed 12-volt battery isolator post, resulting in a fire while parked or driving. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fuel line may be deformed, causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
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: 256
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Vehicle Leaking Coolant Or Overheating
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
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
2022 Pacifica: 220 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2024 Pacifica: 48 complaints, keep it.
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 2023 Chrysler Pacifica a bad year?
156 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 42, 1× a quiet Pacifica year. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 1× the complaints of a quiet Pacifica year.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (47), electrical system (43), transmission and drivetrain (42), air bags (35), fuel system (16).
How many recalls does the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica have?
14 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 26V-358), Backup camera (NHTSA 26V-327), Adaptive equipment (NHTSA 26V-296), Air bags (NHTSA 26V-189) 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.