How Long Will A Chrysler Pacifica Last? [Inc. Maintenance Issues And Common Problems]

The Chrysler Pacifica is one of the newest minivans on the market. It has been getting rave reviews for its sleek modern design and family-friendly features. But like all cars, it will eventually experience some aging problems. So, how long will a Chrysler Pacifica last? We did the research to bring you the answer.

Typically speaking, new cars are engineered to last a minimum of eight years and 200,000 miles. However, like other vehicles, the Chrysler Pacificas lifespan and repairs will vary depending on how well it is maintained. The first major issue drivers noticed was a faulty ignition switch. The defective ignition switches can easily be fixed by replacing the entire part. Still, it has been known to cause some serious mechanical problems involving stalling on highways and even potentially causing accidents.

If you want to know how long a Chrysler Pacifica will last, it is important to consider all the aforementioned common problems and maintenance issues for this particular vehicle. While some of these repairs might be covered under warranty depending on your local laws or purchase agreement with the dealer, others can cost thousands to fix. In this guide, we'll discuss the Pacifica's life expectancy in more detail. Without further ado, let's get into it!

A Chrysler Pacifica moving slowly in traffic, How Long Will A Chrysler Pacifica Last? [Inc. Maintenance Issues And Common Problems]

How Long Will A Chrysler Pacifica Last?

The Chrysler Pacifica is no doubt a slick minivan. However, when buying a new vehicle, it is good to know how long it will last. Most vehicles these days will last up to or over 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. The Chrysler Pacifica is no different in this area.

When properly maintained, it should have no problem going 200,000 miles or more. With 12,000 miles of average yearly driving, the car should last over eight years. 

Nonetheless, there may be some issues along the way that are out of your control. So let's take a look at some of the common issues of the Chrysler Pacific. Keep in mind these won't happen to every Pacifica, but it is good to be aware of other consumer complaints.

A common complaint about Chrysler Pacifica is premature wear of front brake pads which might require replacement before 100,000 miles.

The cause of the problem is due to an engineering design flaw where north-south braking can create metal-on-metal friction that wears out brake pads quickly.

While this should be under warranty, some drivers have reported having their vans totaled after accidents involving faulty brakes and poor responses from Chrysler.

Another common complaint with older Chrysler Pacifica models is the rear air conditioning does not work. While this might seem like a small problem, it can be extremely uncomfortable for you and your kids on hot summer days.

Sometimes it's hard to tell if an AC issue will affect other parts of the car or how long repairs take, so make sure to ask about any potential problems at your dealership.

Last but not least, like other cars in the minivan market, Chrysler Pacificas are known to have issues with failing transmission lines that can cause leaks or even total system failure when they break down completely.

Chrysler Pacifica silver gloss metallic paint very shiny brand new model, How-Long-Will-A-Chrysler-Pacifica-Last-[Inc.-Maintenance-Issues-And-Common-Problems]

Is Chrysler Pacifica a reliable car?

The Chrysler Pacifica is a popular minivan on the market, but how reliable is it? The two biggest structural supports of reliability are development and manufacturing.

When car manufacturers spend the time developing a vehicle, it will tend to last longer because they have been through rigorous tests that ensure their product can stand up against wear and any other vehicles in its class.

In addition, there needs to be some assurance about where these materials come from, too, meaning quality control processes need to apply across all levels. 

Chrysler Pacifica brand new model car vehicle showroom

The Pacifica is a great car for those who need reliable transportation.

A few data points are more than enough to make an opinion, but we've gathered several and presented them here in order of reliability ranking:

  • 2017: 778 complaints
  • 2018: 310 complaints
  • 2019: 69 complaints
  • 2020: 11 complaints
  • 2021: 0 complaints

As you can see from The Drive reporting, the number of complaints of the Chrysler Pacifica has gone down significantly.

Of course, this could be part of the newer models not being on the market long enough for consumer reviews. Nonetheless, the new model means newer technology and engineering make it more reliable.

RepairPal gives the Pacifica a score of 3.5 out of 5 for reliability. The average annual repair cost for all minivans is $647 per year. This includes both major scheduled maintenance and unscheduled repairs, which can add up to be a real pain in the neck!

Does Chrysler Pacifica have transmission problems?

The 2017 Pacifica had some major transmission problems. Owners reported that the car would disengage itself multiple times while driving, including one incident in which it jerked forward.

There were also delays when accelerating and errors with shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. But thankfully, most owners say they got these resolved at their local dealership.

2018 Pacifica models have the same electrical problems as previous years, but they also have new suspension complaints.

How much does it cost to replace a transmission in a Chrysler Pacifica?

Chrysler Pacifica white on the car park of the building

The price of a new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica transmission could be over $3,500.

However, services such as fluid changes and transmissions flush are considerably less expensive. Some cost under $150! This routine maintenance will help prolong your vehicle's life expectancy.

Do Chrysler Pacificas hold their value?

The depreciation of a car is something that you should think about before buying. What will your life be like in 10 years? How many miles per year do you drive now, and what would those numbers look like if they were projected out to 2030? 

A Chrysler Pacifica will depreciate 54% after 5 years and have a resale value of $20,724. But, of course, this is speculative, depending on how many miles you drive a year. These numbers are based on CarEdge reporting.

These numbers are based on driving on average 12,000 miles a year. Simply put, these numbers mean that you could sell your car and get back 54% of what you paid for it.

Is the Chrysler Pacifica being discontinued?

Chrysler Pacifica test drive brand new model car

There hasn't been any announcement from Chrysler on discontinuing the Pacifica. It has been a pretty popular minivan thus far. In addition, the Voyager just replaced the Grand Caravan in 2020. So, it is unlikely they will be going away from these models any time soon.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan that has been around for quite some time now.

It offers four different trim levels to choose from: Touring, Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle trims with three engine options including 3.6L V6 in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive models as well as nine-speed automatic transmission standard on each model type.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica has a lot to offer. It offers composed handling, great fuel economy estimates. In addition, the intuitive infotainment controls that make its features list one of the longest among any vehicle on today's market and other minivans for this type of category!

A Chrysler Pacifica moving on the highway, How Many Batteries Does A Chrysler Pacifica Have? [And How Do You Change Them?]

The base price tag may be high, but if you're looking at family cars, there could be worse options than what we've got here regarding usability with your money. Not only do they come with all sorts, including Stow 'n Go seats, which fold flat into themselves when not in use.

Even rear legroom is up-to-par thanks to ample space both frontward and backward from driver seat positions within these vehicles' cabin units.

Final Thoughts

Chrysler Pacifica silver gloss metallic paint very shiny brand new model

The Chrysler Pacifica will last for a long time, but it does have its problems. Common mechanical issues include delays when accelerating and errors with shifting from 1st to 2nd gear.

Thankfully, most owners say they got these resolved at their local dealership. Nonetheless, the Chrysler Pacifica is an excellent choice when it comes to minivan options on the market. It has an impressive design and spacious cargo for the whole family!

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:

Is The Chrysler Pacifica AWD?

Does The Chrysler Pacifica Have A 3rd Row? [Yes! And Here Is What You Need To Know About It]

How Many Seats Does The Chrysler Voyager Have?

Do you have a Chrysler Pacifica? Let us know how you like it below!

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2 Comments

  1. I have a 2017 Pacifica and I love it!!! Right now it’s jerking while I’m driving it’s pretty scary!!! Took it for its 5 year transmission check and everything was fine. What is making my car jerk 🙁 please help.

    • @Janice Velazquez, try driving slower between 0-45mph. The transmission has 9 gears for improved mpg. The first 2-3 gears are a bit floaty and they don’t like being pressed hard.

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