2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID Fuel/propulsion System Problems

Had check engine code p1c5e and vehicle would not charge. Dealership has confirmed that the lithium battery has failed and needs to be replaced. They communicated with Chrysler, opened a STAR case, and are in process of replacing the battery

While traveling for holidays, the CEL came on. We stopped at an auto shop to confirm the error code, before driving the car back home, to ensure safety. Error code P0E15-00 "Hybrid/EV Battery Pack Coolant Heater "A" Control Performance" was the issue. This will be the 3rd-4th time that we have had an issue with the Hybrid system on this vehicle. Thankfully, we purchased an extended warranty. However, we're sure that we are not the only ones experiencing so many problems with this and the Hybrid system should be recognized as being faulty.

I have been contacted multiple times by dealerships and Chrysler that my vehicle needs the Z11 (NHTSA 22V-077) recall performed and that it is urgent for me and my family's safety. I have been trying to get the Z11 recall performed since February 2023. I have contacted 3 local dealerships to do the job but scheduling was difficult and there is no loaner cars available. The first dealer (Autonation CDJR of Katy Texas) who has done all my previous recalls just wanted me to bring the car in to sit for 3 days while not performing the recall. The second was inexperienced and unqualified. After a week delay, I took my car into the third dealer (Big Star Dodge in Webster Texas) on 3/13/2023, but after two days they told me they were having trouble with equipment and gave me the vehicle back on 3/15/2023. They rescheduled for 3/27/2023 and I took it in again. The first attempt to perform the recall procedure failed as a mistake was made. The recall procedure should take 2 days but it has been there for a week. The recall procedure was written poorly by Chrysler/FCA/Stellantis and confuses the technicians so the test is not performed as it should be and has to be repeated multiple times. The extra manipulation and time at the dealership increases the probability that my vehicle will be messed up or damaged. Chrysler/FCA/Stellantis bears the responsibility for the delays and poor performance of the recall causing the unnecessary loss of my vehicle's use and delays the recall performance, increasing my risk described by the recall. Performance of the recall has not been timely or done correctly yet.

The dealership failed to correctly implement the Z11 recall after I informed them that I had doubts that the recall was performed properly. The first time that the recall was attempted, they returned the vehicle with 0% charge on the batteries. This indicated that they did not fully perform the recall per the instruction. The second time they attempted the recall, they were not able to charge the vehicle. When they informed me that the vehicle was ready I was skeptical that the recall was fully performed since the amount of time between the failure to charge and it being ready was far too short to perform the recall properly. Today I was informed by Chrysler that the recall was indeed improperly performed. Chrysler put my family and home at risk through their ineptitude and carelessness when performing their own recall.

I was driving on the highway when the check engine light came on and it started running rough. I pulled off the highway and into a parking lot. When I slowed down, I heard a clanging that sounded like metal on metal. After parking, smoke started pouring out from under the hood and it erupted in flames. The vehicle was destroyed.

While driving an a well paved road, I received a check hybrid system alert on my dashboard. Then several lights bean to flash including the blind spot alerts on the side view mirrors and several other alert system. Adaptive cruise control and lane change failure alerts also went off. I was only two miles from home and managed to get back. The engine did not cut out. The next morning, it started up but just a few miles into testing it out, the same alerts and light appeared, but this time the engine died along with the power steering. I coasted to roadside, turned off the car, and waited for 5 to 10 minutes. I started it up and drove it home. The engine remained on but the lights and warning continued to flash. The emergency lights also cut out periodically. I managed to drive the car to a Chrysler dealership I've visited in the past. The diagnostic alert on the Mopar app said there was a problem with the Electronic Throttle control (ETC) and the service person that looked over the diagnostic saw several system failure and alerts when he viewed the diagnostic record. At this point, the dealership has had my car for the week and the problems persist and now it won't go into gear. They still cannot determine the source of the problem. I contacted the Chrysler support line to ask them to escalate the problem. There is an open recall on this vehicle, but the parts are still not available to fix it. It only has 101,000 miles on it. I've found several complaints from Pacifica Hybrid owners related to the same ETC alert.

The car 12v battery drains completely, rendering the vehicle immobile and completely non functional. There has been an electrical burning smell once the car is jump started and driving. I fear there is some kind of short or electrical discharge somewhere that could render the vehicle inoperable or start a fire at my home or while the car is being used. This vehicle has been at the dealer for 7 weeks and they have not found the problem. I have been told that the car has been connected to a computer system that is being "looked into" remotely by Chrysler. They have replaced the battery and the charging management system at my expense. The problems started when the car had 38000 miles and began with the "radio" which controls many other functions of the car constantly rebooting and having corrupted firmware which I was told cannot be fixed, only replaced. I have since been told this unit cannot be ordered at this time.

This is the second time we have had this issue with our van. The first time was May 25, 2019. On June 4, 2021, my wife was driving down the highway with our two kids and as she began to exit toward the off ramp, several alarms and warning appeared on the driver’s dashboard including 'SERVICE HYBRID SYSTEM', a red wrench with a lightning bolt through it, the orange engine warning light, and a message appeared saying 'SHIFT VEHICLE TO PARK'. The van stalled and when my wife pressed the accelerator, nothing happened. She was able to coast down the exit ramp and pull over to the shoulder. The van was out in park, shut off and we were able to restart it. The orange engine warning light remained on. We immediately drove to the dealership. They ran a diagnostic test and said no issues came up but there were twenty some software updates. The issue has not been reproduced by the dealer but we have had it happen two times. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer.

This is the third and fourth time we have had this issue with our van. The previous two times were on May 25, 2019 and June 4, 2021. In this incident, my wife was driving our van with our two kids and I down Northwest Highway in Arlington Heights, IL. We were going about 35 miles per hour when several alarms and warnings appeared on the driver’s dashboard including 'SERVICE HYBRID SYSTEM', a red wrench with a red lightning bolt through it, the orange engine warning light, and red battery warning icon, and a message appeared saying 'SHIFT VEHICLE TO PARK'. (See attached photos.) When my wife pressed the accelerator pedal nothing happened. We were able to coast and turn down a side street. We put the vehicle in park, turned it off and we’re able to restart it. We immediately notified the dealership and drove it there. On the way to the dealership, we made a stop. When in a parking lot, my wife pressed the accelerator to drive and the same issue happened with the same warning lights and alarms. Once again, we shifted to park, turned the vehicle off and we’re able to restart it. We drove straight to the dealership, informed them of the repeated issue and left the van with them. The dealership indicated there were over twenty software updates. We were told the exact same thing on June 4th the last time this happened. They have not yet been able to tell us why this has happened or continues to happen. The problem has not been reproduced by the dealership but this is the third time this has happened. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer.

PHEV VAN WAS CHARGING OVERNIGHT WHILE PLUGGED INTO HOUSE OUTLET (110V) USING MANUFACTURER SUPPLIED CHARGING CABLE. AT AROUND 7 AM WE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND FOUND THE VAN BURNING IN OUR DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS QUICKLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE TRUCK PUT IT OUT AFTER ARRIVING (~5-6 MINUTES, I THINK). NO ONE WAS INJURED, IN OR NEAR THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED. A NEST CAMERA ACROSS THE STREET SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION. *BF*JB *DT *DT*DT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*JB *TR

Mileage: 9,000

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH MY FAMILY. WE HAD ALREADY USED UP THE CHARGE FOR THE ELECTRIC ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING IN THE HYBRID ENGINE. I HAD THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 72 MPH AND I ACCELERATED TO 75 MPH TO CHANGE LANES TO THE RIGHT. AS I ACCELERATED, SEVERAL ALARMS AND WARNINGS APPEARED ON THE DRIVER'S DASHBOARD. THEY INCLUDED 'SERVICE HYBRID SYSTEM', A RED WRENCH WITH A RED LIGHTING BOLT THROUGH IT AND THE ORANGE ENGINE AND BATTERY ICONS. AFTER THE ALARMS SOUNDED, A MESSAGE APPEARED SAYING 'SHIFT VEHICLE TO PARK'. WHEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, NOTHING HAPPENED AND IT SEEMED THAT THE ENGINE HAD STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY, BREAK THE VEHICLE AND TURN ON MY FLASHERS. AFTER WE STOPPED, I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, AND RESTARTED IT. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ORANGE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ON. MY FAMILY AND I WERE ABLE TO TRAVEL BACK HOME BUT TOOK BACK ROADS RATHER THAN THE HIGHWAY.

Mileage: 7,000

SIMILAR FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE HERE FOR THE 2019 PACIFICA HYBRID LIMITED. BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN DEC. 2018. NOW ONLY 2,000 MILES ON IT, THE MINIVAN RATTLED ON STARTUP (WITH 60% CHARGED) AND COULD BARELY ACCELERATE WHEN I TRIED MERGING INTO A MAIN ROAD. THE VEHICLE PUT ITSELF INTO A LOW-SPEED MODE (AKA THE FAMOUS 'RED TURTLE MODE'), AND THEN WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE AT ALL! FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE BY PUTTING INTO 'P' GEAR, HAD TO COMPLETELY TURN OFF, LOCK THE VEHICLE, THEN CAME BACK TO START THE VEHICLE TO RECOVER THE POWER. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LIGHT STILL LEFT ON. AFTER VISITING THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY. IT TOOK MORE THAN 40 DAYS FOR THE WHOLE PROCESS. IT'S FAR FROM THE ENDING OF THIS TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE SINCE MULTIPLE FAULTS CAME AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE. WITHIN ONE WEEK AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, WE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER ENGINE LIGHT ON AND ONE NEW WARNING LIGHT 'SERVICE HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEM' (A RED ELECTRICAL WRENCH SYMBOL). BOTH LIGHTS ENDED UP WITH DISAPPEARING THEMSELVES AFTER DRIVING SOME DISTANCE. LASTLY, WE EXPERIENCED MORE THAN THREE TIMES ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF THEN BACK ON WITHOUT ANY CLUE. THESE HAPPENED TWICE WHILE I WAS CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND ONCE HAPPENED IN THE PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS BACKING INTO THE PARKING LOT.

Mileage: 2,000

GAS DOOR OPENS VIA A PUSHBUTTON. PUSH THE BOTTON, AND IT CHECKS FOR PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM, THEN RELEASES DOOR. WHEN CLOSED, AND THE STARTER ACTIVATED, DOOR RE-OPENS. MUST EXIT VEHICLE TO RE-CLOSE. IT STAYS SHUT UNTIL NEXT OPENED WITH BUTTON. CLOSE DOOR, HIT STARTER, DOOR RE-OPENS. DOES NOT REOPEN UNTIL NEXT OPENED WITH BUTTON. DEALER, FCA FIELD TECH UNABLE TO FIX, 45 DAYS IN SHOP. VEHICLE STATIONARY AT EACH OCCURRENCE.PCM, BCM, OTHER COMPONENTS REPLACED, WIRING HARNESS INSPECTED; SEE ATTACHED. ISSUE NOTED ON DECEMBER ROAD TRIP, TAKEN TO DEALER ONCE HOME. PLACED IN SHOP 8 OR 9 JANUARY 2019. GAS DOOR RELEASE DESCRIBED AND PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED IN ATTACHED DOCUMENT.

Mileage: 2,000

CAR STALLED AND BEGAN SMOKING PROFUSELY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. CAR WAS REPAIRED AS PER RECALL (WHICH WAS KNOWN ABOUT AT THE TIME BUT WE WERE TOLD IT SHOULD NOT HAVE AFFECTED OUR CAR). CAR CONTINUED TO SMELL OF SMOKE AFTER TRANSITION FROM ELECTRIC TO GAS MODE. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PINPOINT WHY.*DT*JB *DT*JB

Mileage: 100

WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH ON FREEWAY, VEHICLE LOST ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS NO LONGER RESPONSIVE TO GAS PEDAL. NOT ENOUGH TIME TO MANEUVER OUT OF TRAFFIC. FIRST OCCURRED 2 WEEKS AFTER NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE. OUT OF SERVICE FOR 15 DAYS THEN RETURNED TO OWNER AFTER SOFTWARE UPDATE. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN 3 MONTHS LATER, DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 60MPH. HAS CURRENTLY BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 19 DAYS. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS ORDERED NEW POWER INVERTER MODULE (HYBRID MOTOR). *BF.. *TR

Mileage: 5,492

THIS MORNING MY 2018 HYBRID LIMITED WAS DEAD. I PURCHASED IT NEW THREE WEEKS AGO. IT HAD BEEN PLUGGED IN OVERNIGHT USING THE 110 CHARGER THAT CAME WITH THE VAN. IT WOULD NOT START, AND BRIEFLY FLASHED SOME KIND OF SERVICE NEEDED WARNING ON THE SCREEN. THEN THE SCREEN TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE REPEATEDLY MADE A CLICKING SOUND. THE VAN WAS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. I NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE EVER SO SLOWLY IN MOTION BACK AND FORTH. I CHECKED THE SWITCH BUT THE WIPER WAS SET TO THE 'OFF' POSITION. NONE OF THE WIPER CONTROLS WOULD CHANGE THE SETTING. THE DEALERSHIP SET ME UP WITH A NUMBER FOR CHRYSLER TOW. I WAS ON THE PHONE ABOUT 20FT AWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE VAN STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO THE STREET! I RAN OVER AND CHECKED IT AND STILL EVERYTHING WAS UNRESPONSIVE, THE WIPERS NO LONGER MOVING HOWEVER THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON, AND SHIFTER BUTTONS, AND OVERHEAD LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT. BELOW IS A POST ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE WITH MORE INFORMATION AND VIDEOS: HTTPS://WWW.PACIFICAFORUMS.COM/FORUM/433-2017-CHRYSLER-PACIFICA-PHEV-HYBRID-GENERAL-DISCUSSION/41697-BATTERY-DIES-PACIFICA-HYBRID-ROLLS-OUT-DRIVEWAY-INTO-STREET.HTML ALSO HERE IS VIDEO TAKEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT ROLLED. NOTE THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ACTIVELY FLASHING INCLUDING THE PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR AS WELL AS THE DIGITAL SHIFTER KNOB LIGHTS. HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/6_LY7BLNJNS HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/JFCP0IDBFQI ALSO, AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND SOMEONE ELSE WHO ALSO HAD THE BRAKES DISENGAGE WITH 12V BATTERY ISSUE.. HER EXPERIENCE CAN BE FOUND HERE (SEE POST #3): HTTPS://WWW.PACIFICAFORUMS.COM/FORUM/433-2017-CHRYSLER-PACIFICA-PHEV-HYBRID-GENERAL-DISCUSSION/40261-BRAND-NEW-HYBRID-COMPLETELY-DIED.HTML CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS ISSUE!

Mileage: 680

MY FAMILY AND I WERE RIDING ALONG AT 70 MPH AND SUDDENLY, THE LEFT SIDE ENERGY CONSUMPTION METER STARTED BOUNCING UP AND DOWN. SOME BURNT RUBBER SMELL CAME THROUGH THE VENTS AND THEN THE CAR JUST START SLOWING DOWN. I WAS LUCKY THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND ME AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT ACROSS 4 LANES TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE SHOULDER. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH WERE LIT BUT THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT OBVIOUSLY DEAD. I POWERED THE CAR DOWN AND TRIED TO CRANK IT AGAIN BUT THE COMPUTER WAS CONFUSED ABOUT WHICH GEAR I WAS IN. NOW, THE DASH ONLY SHOWED THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT. AFTER TRYING THIS SEVERAL MORE TIMES, I GAVE UP AND CALLED THE FCA TOW TRUCK WHICH WAS A HORROR STORY ALL ON ITS OWN. TOOK ME LONGER TO GET AND FCA REP ONLINE AND CONVERSATION FINALIZED (30 MIN) THAN IT TOOK THE TOW TRUCK TO GET TO MY LOCATION (15 MIN). BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK GOT TO MY LOCATION, I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR IN GAS MODE AFTER IT DIED 45 MINUTES AGO AND HOBBLED OVER TO A GAS STATION A 200 FEET AWAY. THE SMELL WAS STILL PREVALENT AT THIS POINT. THE TOW TRUCK TOWED THE VAN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I BOUGHT THE VAN (COVERT IN AUSTIN) WHICH JUST HAPPENED TO COINCIDE WITHIN THE 10 MILES TOWING LIMIT FOR MY CASE. THIS HAPPENED 10/6/2018. IT'S BEEN 9 DAYS AND MY VAN HASN'T BEEN LOOKED AT YET. APPARENTLY THERE AREN'T ENOUGH HYBRID TECHS TO GO AROUND. COVERT WHICH IS A LARGER FCA DEALERSHIP IN THE AUSTIN AREA ONLY HAS 2 TECHS. IN THE MEAN TIME, COVERT LENT ME A LOANER SINCE THE DAY I DROPPED THE VAN OFF. NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR WHEN IT WILL BE FIX. BUT THIS DOESN'T LOOK PROMISING.

Mileage: 1,400

INCIDENT #1 (7/17/2018) - WHILE BREAKING TOWARDS A TRAFFIC LIGHT THAT TURNED FROM RED TO GREEN, I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE, FELT THE VAN LURCH, AND IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE. NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INCLUDING ENGINE LIGHT & POWER/HYBRID PLUG-IN FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BREAK TO A STOP, AND RESTART 1-2 MINUTES LATER. BROUGHT TO CHRYSLER DEALER ON 7/20 AND WAS TOLD ON 7/21 UPON PICKUP THAT THE ISSUE HAD BEEN RECTIFIED VIA SOFTWARE UPDATE. INCIDENT #2 (7/23/2018) - WHILE MOVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC, I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AS THE VEHICLES AHEAD OF ME MOVED AND AGAIN LOST ALL POWER WITH THE SAME SET OF ERRORS/WARNINGS MENTIONED IN INCIDENT #1. ONCE AGAIN, AFTER 1-2 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT TO A DIFFERENT LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER THAT SAME DAY. PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON 7/24 AND WAS TOLD THAT AFTER THOROUGH MULTI-POINT MECHANICAL INSPECTION WITH THE FCA ENGINEERS, THE COMPANY BELIEVED THE PREVIOUS DEALER HAD INCORRECTLY APPLIED THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 20 MILES AND COULD NOT RECREATE THE ISSUE. INCIDENT #3 (8/21/2018) - WHILE AGAIN MOVING IN TRAFFIC, MY WIFE (WITH OUR 1 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK) AGAIN SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AS MENTIONED IN INCIDENT #1 AND #2 ABOVE, EXCEPT SHE ALSO HAD THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCK UP ON HER. SHE WAS ABLE TO BREAK TO A STOP MID-TRAFFIC AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE 1-2 MINUTES LATER. SOON THEREAFTER I CALLED FCA CORPORATE DIRECTLY AND HAVE REQUESTED A FULL REPURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE AND PLAN TO PURSUE LEMON LAW REMEDIATION IF THAT DOESN'T LEAD TO RESOLUTION. ALL THREE INCIDENTS ARE LIFE THREATENING IN NATURE AND HAVE NOT BEEN DIAGNOSABLE BY MULTIPLE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH FCA ENGINEERS. (IMAGE PROVIDED FROM INCIDENT #2) *TT

Mileage: 11,000

WE WERE DRIVING CAR AT 25 MPH ON BUSY CITY ROAD IN GAS MODE (NOT ELECTRIC MODE) WHEN THE POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATOR STOPPED WORKING. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHTS LIT UP, AND A MESSAGE SAYING "CAR MUST BE IN PARK TO CONTINUE DRIVING" SHOWED UP ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BRAKES WORKED, AND WE COASTED TO A STOP AND WERE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ON A BUSY ARTERY. WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN PARK, IT WOULD NOT THEN GO BACK INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE; THE "D" AND "R" GEAR LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF, IT WOULD STAY IN RUN MODE WHEN WE TRIED TO TURN IT OFF. BATTERY OPERATED FUNCTIONS, LIKE POWER SLIDING DOORS, STOPPED WORKING. EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE CAR HAD A ROUGH IDLE WHILE IN GAS MODE.

Mileage: 500