GarageIntel

2018 Chrysler Pacifica: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

NHTSA has 3 open defect investigations (not a recall). 12 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 43% about engine & cooling.

Before you buy Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.

Looking at a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica for sale?

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The full report adds this car’s market value and what to offer.

Known problems on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica recalls

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

Show all 12
  • Electrical

    If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

    Details 18V332000

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

  • Electrical

    If the MPR is engaged unintentionally, the vehicle could roll away striking and injuring a bystander or cause a crash.

    Details 18V395000

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) plug may be removed without a tool. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the MPR plug, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U50.

  • Transmission & drivetrain

    If the transmission weld fails, the vehicle will stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Details 18V492000

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U85.

  • Transmission & drivetrain

    If the axle shaft disengages from the CV joint, the vehicle will have a loss of drive or allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position.

    Details 18V493000

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right halfshaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 18, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U80.

  • Electrical

    A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    Details 18V524000

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

  • Seat belts

    Inadvertent unlatching of the left outboard seat belt can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Details 17V542000

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles equipped with the 8-passenger seating option. In certain passenger seating and vehicle situations, the second-row center seating position seat belt buckle could cause the left outboard seat belt to become unlatched.

    Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a shorter second-row seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T54.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica safety investigations and free repairs

Under investigation (not a recall):

Ask the seller if the car has had this problem.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica safety and fuel

5 of 5 starsNHTSA overall crash rating
22 mpgEPA combined
$2,950 a yearEPA fuel-cost estimate (15,000 miles a year)

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

872 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.

Engine & cooling43%
Electrical33%
Steering20%
Transmission & drivetrain18%
Driver-assist systems7%

Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.

What a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is worth

Rough trade-in values — roughly what a dealer would pay — by mileage, from published trade-in guides. Private sales and dealer prices run higher. For the exact car, add its VIN.

MileageTrade-in (rough)
80,000 mi$8,500
160,000 mi$7,950
$0$2.5k$5k$7.5k$10k80k mi160k mi80,000 miles: $8,500160,000 miles: $7,950$8,500$7,950
Trade-in value by mileage

From new to now

New, a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica started at about $28,340. At a typical 96,000 miles today it trades in for about $8,390 — roughly 70% less.

$0$10k$20k$30k$40kNew1 yr2 yr3 yr4 yr5 yr6 yr7 yr8 yrAge (years old)2021 model, 5 yr old, ~60,000 mi: about $15,963New: $28,340 base priceNew $28,340This 2018 today, ~96,000 mi: about $8,390Now ~$8,390 (−70%)
This 2018Other model years today

Typical mileage = 12,000 miles a year; values between two published mileages are estimated in a straight line. “New” is the base price (cheapest version) as published, give or take destination fees; higher trims cost more.

Other Chrysler Pacifica years

2016 2017 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Looking at a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica for sale?

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The full report adds this car’s market value and what to offer.