Every automaker has to issue a recall now and then. No matter how much testing you do before releasing a car to the public, there are some problems you can’t discover until you have drivers out on the road. The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is a great car, but no exception.
So how many recalls has the 2018 Pacifica had, and what are they?
The answer: Four, and we’ll list them in-brief right here.
- Voltage regulator prone to fail
- Engine may not start correctly
- Control arm liable to detach from steering knuckle
- 12v connector post can overheat
And the next questions you’re likely to have: What do these recalls entail and how can we manage them? To that we say: Read on and find out.
Voltage Regulator Failure
NHTSA Recall ID: 18V524000
Affecting 12,779 units across several brands and nameplates, including 2018 Pacifica, this recall had to do with the voltage regulator in the powertrain control module. This regulator had a tendency to fail in its function and stall.
The worst that could happen with this defect: Your vehicle doesn’t start. Usually, that’s an inconvenience, but could be dangerous in certain traffic conditions.
Chrysler notified owners and began replacing the control modules on October 2, 2018 under the recall number U87.
Engine May Not Restart Properly
NHTSA Recall ID: 18V740000
Affecting 10,260 2017 and 2018 Pacifica Hybrid vehicles, it was found that if these SUVs had been operating in PHEV propulsion mode, the gas engine had a tendency to not restart properly, leaving unburned fuel in the exhaust catalyst.
At best, this would cause the car to stall. At worst, unburned fuel anywhere it shouldn’t be is a major fire hazard.
Chrysler issued the notifications on November 15, 2018 and began updating powertrain controller modules, as well as replacing any catalytic converters where necessary, under the recall number U94.
Control Arm May Detach from Steering Knuckle
NHTSA Recall ID: 19V143000
Affecting 47,771 2018 Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrids, this recall had to do with a right front lower control arm that could separate from the SUV’s steering knuckle.
The problem here is loss of driver control. If the steering is affected in heavy traffic, an accident is very likely to take place.
Chrysler began sending notifications and replacing components on April 26, 2019 under the recall number V15.
12V Connector May Overheat
NHTSA Recall ID: 20V334000
Affecting 23,079 potential Pacifica Hybrids, these SUVs featured a 12-volt isolator post that had a tendency to develop “high resistance,” which meant that they could overheat and create a fire hazard.
Carmakers are still working out a lot of kinks with hybrid and electric vehicles, and fire hazards owing to an assortment of overheating cables, ports and plug-ins are among the big ones.
As of the time of this writing, this recall is still under development, with owners being asked to keep the backseat area dry in the meantime. A voluntary interim safety recall has been issued, involving waterproof gaskets for the isolator post.
What Do You Do if You’re Affected by a Recall?
Firstly, just because you drive a 2018 Pacifica doesn’t mean any of these recalls apply to you. Your SUV may have already been serviced, or your VIN might not have been included in the recall. The only way to be sure: Take your VIN and type it into the search bar at NHTSA.
Next, if you have any pending recalls, call Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 and see what they have to tell you. Most likely you’ll be sent to a nearby dealer to have the appropriate repairs made.
