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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.

🚐 MINIVAN
Chrysler Pacifica
2017–2026
C+
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
4.5/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
High
0 inj.
Open Federal Investigation ×3
Preliminary Evaluation: steering
30% of PE investigations historically become recalls
45
Recalls
0
Complaints
2020
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2017
10
Years Analyzed
45
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Chrysler Pacifica

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK6yr old
2020
Good Buy · 74/100
Reliability69/100
Value window83/100
Recalls2
Complaints0
#2 PICK5yr old
2021
Good Buy · 74/100
Reliability69/100
Value window84/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#3 PICK4yr old
2022
Good Buy · 73/100
Reliability68/100
Value window81/100
Recalls3
Complaints0

Chrysler Pacifica Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2017

7 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2018

7 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2019

6 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 3 past investigations into the Pacifica became recalls.

OPEN · PEPreliminary Evaluationopened Sep 2025NHTSA #PE25009
intermittent loss of electric power steering
Component: steering:electric power assist system · affects 2017–2018
⚠ Historically, 30% of PE investigations became recalls — a Preliminary Evaluation of a potential safety defect.
OPEN · RQRecall Queryopened Feb 2024NHTSA #RQ24004
loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
Component: electrical system:wiring · affects 2018–2023
⚠ Historically, 65% of RQ investigations became recalls — a Recall Query examining the scope or adequacy of a recall.
OPEN · RQRecall Queryopened Jan 2024NHTSA #RQ24001
ignition-off high voltage battery fire (remedy effectiveness of recall 22v-077)
Component: electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery · affects 2017–2018
⚠ Historically, 65% of RQ investigations became recalls — a Recall Query examining the scope or adequacy of a recall.
Recently concluded investigations
PE22008 · power train · closed Mar 2024→ Became recall

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 13, 2026.

Chrysler Pacifica — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202630——
68
36
57
Caution
202560——
57
51
55
Avoid
202450——
60
64
61
Avoid
202350——
60
74
65
Avoid
202230——
68
81
73
Caution
202110——
69
84
74
Good
202020——
69
83
74
Good
201960——
57
79
65
Avoid
201870——
53
73
60
Avoid
201770——
53
66
58
Avoid

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

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 74).

Best: 2020
2020 · 742021 · 742022 · 732019 · 652023 · 652024 · 612018 · 602026 · 572025 · 55

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 58).

Best: 2017
2017 · 58

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Pacifica to buy?+

The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica scores highest on our Buyer Score (74/100) — combining a reliability score of 69/100 with a value score of 83/100. It has 2 recalls and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Pacifica years have the most problems?+

The 2017, 2018, 2019 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2017 Pacifica leads with 7 recalls and 0 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?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Chrysler Pacifica.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar minivan vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every Pacifica year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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