VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Chrysler Pacifica2017–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Chrysler Pacifica
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Chrysler Pacifica Years to Avoid
8 recalls · 1153 complaints
33 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
6 recalls · 679 complaints
8 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
2 recalls · 359 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 3 past investigations into the Pacifica became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Chrysler Pacifica — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 14 | — | — | 44 | 27 | 38 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 5 | 25 | — | — | 44 | 42 | 43 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 8 | 42 | — | — | 44 | 55 | 48 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 8 | 138 | — | — | 36 | 65 | 46 | Good |
| 2022 | 4 | 186 | 12 | 1 | 29 | 72 | 44 | Good |
| 2021 | 2 | 359 | 5 | — | 19 | 75 | 39 | Good |
| 2020 | 3 | 150 | 10 | — | 34 | 74 | 48 | Good |
| 2019 | 4 | 221 | — | — | 28 | 70 | 43 | Good |
| 2018 | 6 | 679 | 8 | — | 19 | 64 | 35 | Caution |
| 2017 | 8 | 1153 | 33 | — | 19 | 57 | 32 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Chrysler Pacifica Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Pacifica compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 48).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 32).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Pacifica to buy?+
The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica scores highest on our Buyer Score (48/100) — combining a reliability score of 34/100 with a value score of 74/100. It has 3 recalls and 150 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Pacifica years have the most problems?+
The 2017, 2018, 2021 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2017 Pacifica leads with 8 recalls and 1153 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Pacifica problems?+
The most frequently reported Chrysler Pacifica issues involve: ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.