The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica lasts around 200,000 miles with some transmission and engine software issues. At $17,650 to $26,700, it’s not really worth the money when transmission problems can be expensive to fix.
Is the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica a Good Used Minivan?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – 2018 is a bad year for the Chrysler Pacifica since there are still a lot of mechanical issues reported, giving it a low overall score. Owner reviews complain about steering issues, expensive repair bills, as well as the engine stalling.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – Interior materials are very luxurious for a minivan, the seats offer great comfort on long drives, cargo space is also excellent.
- Reliability 6/10 – There are some widespread transmission problems found on the 2018 Pacifica. Avoid models from 2017-2018. Newer models from 2019–2022 are much better choices.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is good for a minivan from the strong V6, yet it’s still not very exciting to drive.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2018 Pacifica is a safe minivan, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera. Optional upgrades include lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, as well as automatic parking.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 22 MPG, giving 418 miles of range from the 19 gallon tank. Gas costs are $44 cheaper than average, at $183 per month.
- Value 6/10 – The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is cheaper than a lot of other minivans, although rapid depreciation makes it a bad long-term value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Chrysler Pacifica?
- Consumer Reports says the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica offers a nice interior for the money, with lower owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Pacifica at 3.8/5, praising the excellent stow ‘n go seats, but doesn’t like the clunky transmission.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Pacifica a 4.3/5, enjoying the advanced technology, but owners don’t like the lack of all-wheel drive.
What Common Problems Does the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Have?
Common problems on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica include the transmission slipping while changing gears, the engine shutting down while driving, as well as the sliding doors not shutting. Overall, these problems are a bit worse than other minivans, with higher repair costs as well.
The transmission slipping while changing gears is the most widespread complaint from Pacifica owners at around 25,000 miles. There are some physical problems with the gears in the transmission which cause damage to the entire assembly. Rebuilding the transmission costs around $3,000, depending on local labor rates.
The engine shutting down while driving is another issue mentioned by 2018 Pacifica owners at roughly 30,000 miles. Some owners have replaced both the main battery as well as the auto start/stop battery, which solves the problem. It’s a bit of a labor-intensive process, costing around $650. Other owners have done engine software updates which have improved the reliability.
The sliding doors not shutting has also shown up on some Pacifica models at around 25,000 miles. Usually when the doors have an issue closing, it’s a sign of a problem with the track being dirty or full of debris. Cleaning out the tracks fixes the problem often. If there are electrical issues with the door closing motor, it can cost over $1,000 to fix.
There are ten recalls on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica, which is worse than many other minivans from the same year. The most serious recall allows the minivan to roll away unintentionally. Chrysler will replace the manual park release plug for free on affected models. Other recalls cover the voltage regulator, rearview camera, as well as corroded battery terminals, which Chrysler will also address for free.
How Long Will the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Last?
A well-maintained 2018 Chrysler Pacifica can last around 200,000 miles, which is about 100,000 miles less than the top-rated Toyota Sienna. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other minivans according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $443 per year.
As a used 2018 Chrysler Pacifica reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the fuel EVAP canister for $400, engine oil pan costing $600, as well as the ignition coil which costs around $300.
Yes it is. My car has navigation and a screen that I can watch myself in rear view. Also I am sure to take a trip and know that my truck is reliable.
Yes and no problems except general maintenance! If there is more covered by warranty on the vehicle!
It is very reliable. We have not had any problems in the year we have owned it. Don't anticipate any trouble in the future. It drives like a charm. Very pretty color n beautiful body
No. It is not reliable. It had stalled several times for me. The electronic features cause more problems BC they don't always function properly (ac won't work and blows hot unless it's set at 70 or lower), compass doesn't work on dash, Bluetooth and display frequently go black with no warning and shut off.
So far the Chrysler Pacifica has been a very reliable vehicle for me. I have not had any issues to date.
Yes it is reliable. It is currently in the shop right now though getting some electrical stuff fixed
Yes it is reliable. It is in great condition and has a great system. I don't have to worry about it.
It is a very reliable vehicle. Chrysler has been on top of informing me of any issues as they come up.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great for a minivan since the Pacifica comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also an optional 8.4-inch touchscreen available.
Safety technology is very good with a standard rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, as well as rear cross traffic alert. Optional advanced safety features include a 360-degree parking camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic reverse braking, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, along with automatic parking
Is the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica a Good Value?
No, the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is not a good value since there are still some expensive mechanical problems. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $17,650, to $26,700, making it more than a Kia Sedona or Dodge Grand Caravan. When new, the price range was $26,995 to $44,095. Depreciation is worse than other minivans, losing about 15% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Chrysler Pacifica?
There are six models of the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica offered, from the base L all the way up to the very luxurious Limited. For 2018, the Pacifica is only offered with front-wheel drive.
L is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seats
- Heated Mirrors
- Keyless Entry and Ignition
- Rearview Camera
- Rear Parking Sensors
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- 60/40-Split Folding Third Row
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Bluetooth
- Six-Speaker Audio System
LX is a step up, adding:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Driver Information Display
- Automatic Engine Stop-Start System
- Eight-Way Power Driver Seat
- Tri-Zone Climate Control
- Second Row Stow ‘n Go Seats
Touring Plus has items such as:
- Automatic Headlights
- Fog Lights
- LED Taillights
- Chrome Exterior Trim
- Remote Engine Start
- Power-Sliding Rear Doors
- Satellite Radio
- Power Liftgate
- Available Trailer Tow Group
Touring L is next in the lineup with:
- Leather Upholstery
- Power Adjustable Passenger Seat
- Heated Front Seats
- Second Row USB Port
- Third Row Retractable Sunshades
- Optional Advanced SafetyTec Package
Touring L Plus has upgrades including:
- Dual Sunroofs
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Ambient Lighting
- Heated Second Row Seats
- 4-Inch Touchscreen
- 13-Speaker Alpine Sound Package
Limited is the flagship model which adds:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Premium Leather Upholstery
- Xenon Headlamps
- LED Fog Lights
- Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Hands-Free Liftgate
- In-Vehicle Vacuum cleaner
- Power-Folding Third Row
- 20-Speaker Harman Kardon Stereo System
- Optional 10-Inch Seatback Touchscreens
What Engines Come In the Chrysler Pacifica?
The engine in the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is the strong 3.6L V6 which makes 287 horsepower while getting up to 22 MPG. It comes standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Performance is great, taking only 6.5 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Chrysler Pacifica Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Chrysler Pacifica?
The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is an extremely comfortable minivan with seating for up to eight passengers depending on the configuration. Seating is very nice throughout the cabin, offering more high quality materials than other minivans in the same price range.
Passenger room is fantastic, there’s more than enough space in all three rows to easily fit taller adults. The stow ‘n go seating system also makes it easy to reconfigure the cabin.
How Much Storage Space Does the Chrysler Pacifica Have?
Cargo space is outstanding for a minivan with enough room for 5-6 suitcases behind the third row, 10-12 behind the second row, and well over 20 suitcases with all of the seats folded flat since it has over 140 cubic feet of room.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The first generation of the Chrysler Pacifica Minivan came out in 2017, and is in production in 2022.
2017: First generation of the new Pacifica, replacing the older Town & Country minivan with new styling, engines, and technology.
2018: Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, new entry-level L model, upgraded 8.4-inch touchscreen with Uconnect software.
2019: No major changes.
2020: Small interior styling changes, all-wheel drive available as an optional upgrade.
2021: More standard driver safety technology, minor exterior styling changes, wireless Apple CarPlay added.
2022: Amazon Fire TV offered in the rear-seat entertainment system.
How Does the Chrysler Pacifica Compare to the Competition?
The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is a very good minivan if you’re looking for an upscale interior, although you do trade reliability for the more luxurious cabin.
The Honda Odyssey is another popular minivan which costs around $3,000 more. Standard technology is better in the Honda Odyssey, while the Chrysler Pacifica offers a more luxurious interior for the money. We recommend the Honda Odyssey since it will last longer, although both are decent choices worth taking a look at.
The Dodge Grand Caravan is another competitor, which is around $2,000 less. Performance is a bit better in the Dodge Grand Caravan, while the technology is significantly more up to date in the Chrysler Pacifica. We recommend the Chrysler Pacifica since they have similar reliability ratings.
Do Owners Recommend the Chrysler Pacifica?
Yes my Chrysler is a gas saver and have plenty room for my family. My coworkers and my mother like how it sits high and has plenty leg room for my long legged friends and family.
Yes it has safety points yellow on each side mirror to let us know if a car too close! Back up camera, Bluetooth for electronics!
Yes we are very pleased with this vehicle. I really enjoy the side mirrors telling you when there is another vehicle beside you. I love the wide back up camera
No. Avoid it! Problem after problem. Sliding doors have already needed fixed twice and it's barely a year old!
Yes. I believe the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is a great vehicle. It has ample amounts of storage space and it's large enough to fit the whole family.
Yes! It is very dependable and comfortable. It has taken us to Utah and back safely. It works great for our whole family.
Yes it is a good vehicle. Great mileage, comfortable, spacious, and very sporty looking. It doesn't have the “mom” van appeal.
I have had little issue with the Pacifica. There have been a few recalls, I am still waiting on the parts to come in for the last recall to have it fixed.