2021 Chrysler Pacifica

Power Train,Electrical System,Engine

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 56 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “While driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour ater driving 2.5 hours our 2021 Pacifica hybrid minivan flashed a warning on the vehicles display saying approximately “Warning Engine Shutting Down”. The engine immediately shut down in the middle of the highway and we were forced to coast off the highway to the shoulder. The engine warning light came on. We turned the car off for a few minutes and proceeded to start the engine. The engine warning light was still on, but the other message was gone. We attempted to drive towards our destination and approximately 30 minutes later the same thing happened again. We tried one more time since we were several hours from home and within 30 minutes the vehicle had the same issue. At that point we decided to try to get home. We drove the vehicle 15-20 mins at a time and then exited the highway over and over giving the vehicle time turned off. After returning home with no additional events the engine warning light went off the next warning. This was on a Sunday so we were unable to get it to a dealer. The next day we dropped off the vehicle at Nappletom Chrysler dealership. The called us the next day and told us they could not cause the event to happen again. They could see a set of error codes showing the problem occurred, but told us there was nothing they could do and it was up to us to cause the problem and then return the vehicle. Now I have a minivan with 70k miles on it that my wife primarily uses my with to get my daughter from place to place and I have no idea when this vehicle will shut the engine down at any time potentially causing a dangerous accident. I believe Chrysler has the responsibility to determine what the issue is. Researching on the internet show this is a common problem for my vehicle and typically requires a new transmission or and engine wiring short.” (NHTSA Complaint #11700402)

Engine

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 54 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated while her husband was inside the vehicle, he noticed the instrument panel was not functioning properly. The contact stated that the HVAC, radio, backup camera, and Bluetooth failed to function as needed. The contact also stated the backup camera would function intermittently. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the radio control unit to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,519.” (NHTSA Complaint #11453620)

Powertrain

Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 50 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed a software update under the NHTSA recall campaign 23V010000(Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System) but the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11537726)

Other Systems

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica has generated 48 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The back up camera does not work intermittently. The screen is just black. This was supposed to be resolved as part of recall 66B/NHTSA 24V-436. I had that recall work completed in January 2026 but it did not resolve the issue. The dealer said they are unaware of that repair not resolving the issue and said I would be liable for the costs associated with the additional diagnostics if the manufacturer refuses to pay. I went on line and apparently a lot of people are continuing to have the same issues. This is a recurring issues that happens about 25% of the time we back up. The attached photo was the latest time.” (NHTSA Complaint #11718575)

Backup Camera

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica has generated 39 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 – 35 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the wheel well or near the front underbody near the air dam, as if there was a piece of ice stuck in the air dam. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the front wheel hub hardware was loose, affecting the wheel bearings, and causing the failure. The contact was informed that the wheel hub hardware and front wheel bearings needed to be replaced, and the front wheels needed to be rotated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11716949)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica by the NHTSA or Chrysler. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2021 Chrysler Pacifica:

• 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
• 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Chrysler to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Chrysler must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2021 Chrysler Pacifica qualifies as a lemon under California law, Chrysler may be legally required to:

• Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
• Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
• Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Chrysler pays all legal fees if you prevail
• Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Chrysler willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Chrysler a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Chrysler dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Chrysler pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Chrysler a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2021 Chrysler Pacifica Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Chrysler pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Chrysler is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.