This Problem Across All Years
A Concerning Safety Issue with the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Last week, I experienced a serious safety incident with my newly purchased Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid that I feel compelled to share. Just a mile from my home, my vehicle's dashboard displayed an alarming message: "Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon." Within moments, the van lost power and the steering wheel locked - fortunately while I was already stopping at a stop sign. The vehicle became completely unresponsive. After researching online, I found this was a known issue requiring a specific reset procedure: exiting the vehicle, multiple attempts with the start/stop button, and then restarting. While this eventually worked, both the Check Engine and battery warning lights remained illuminated during my careful drive home. My attempts to get assistance through Chrysler Assist were unsuccessful, with their only recommendation being to visit a dealer. At the dealership, they identified three diagnostic codes: B1945-13 B10EB-00 P0A78-00 While they performed a recall-related firmware update, the underlying concern remains: What if this failure had occurred on a freeway, in adverse weather conditions, or with my family aboard? More concerning is the discovery that this isn't an isolated incident. Similar reports are appearing across owner forums and social media, suggesting this is a widespread issue affecting Chrysler's hybrid vehicles. Despite apparent awareness of the problem, Chrysler has yet to implement a comprehensive fix. As a new hybrid vehicle owner, this experience raises serious questions about vehicle safety and manufacturer responsibility. While the automotive industry pushes toward electrification, ensuring basic safety and reliability should remain paramount.
A Concerning Safety Issue with the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Last week, I experienced a serious safety incident with my newly purchased Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid that I feel compelled to share. Just a mile from my home, my vehicle's dashboard displayed an alarming message: "Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon." Within moments, the van lost power and the steering wheel locked - fortunately while I was already stopping at a stop sign. The vehicle became completely unresponsive. After researching online, I found this was a known issue requiring a specific reset procedure: exiting the vehicle, multiple attempts with the start/stop button, and then restarting. While this eventually worked, both the Check Engine and battery warning lights remained illuminated during my careful drive home. My attempts to get assistance through Chrysler Assist were unsuccessful, with their only recommendation being to visit a dealer. At the dealership, they identified three diagnostic codes: B1945-13 B10EB-00 P0A78-00 While they performed a recall-related firmware update, the underlying concern remains: What if this failure had occurred on a freeway, in adverse weather conditions, or with my family aboard? More concerning is the discovery that this isn't an isolated incident. Similar reports are appearing across owner forums and social media, suggesting this is a widespread issue affecting Chrysler's hybrid vehicles. Despite apparent awareness of the problem, Chrysler has yet to implement a comprehensive fix. As a new hybrid vehicle owner, this experience raises serious questions about vehicle safety and manufacturer responsibility. While the automotive industry pushes toward electrification, ensuring basic safety and reliability should remain paramount.
Got “Stop Safely Vehicle Will shut off soon” message twice. Vehicle shut off both times.
Got “Stop Safely Vehicle Will shut off soon” message twice. Vehicle shut off both times.
While driving the vehicle home after purchasing it, the check engine light came on with an error message saying to pull over safely, the van would shut off in 2 minutes. The dealership had the van for 16 days and replaced the transmission. The first time driving it after receiving it back, the check engine light came on. The dealership claimed the code was not cleared from the previous repair due to being the same code. The same day we received it back again, the same error message appeared; however, it immediately shut off in the middle of the street and jerked forward into a curb. The dealership has had the car for 4 days this time, as of now has not looked at the car yet and will not provide a loaner car.
While driving the vehicle home after purchasing it, the check engine light came on with an error message saying to pull over safely, the van would shut off in 2 minutes. The dealership had the van for 16 days and replaced the transmission. The first time driving it after receiving it back, the check engine light came on. The dealership claimed the code was not cleared from the previous repair due to being the same code. The same day we received it back again, the same error message appeared; however, it immediately shut off in the middle of the street and jerked forward into a curb. The dealership has had the car for 4 days this time, as of now has not looked at the car yet and will not provide a loaner car.
About 3 months into our ownership of the new vehicle, and only 2K km on it, while driving the vehicle, we received a notification on the instrument screen to 'pull over because engine will be shutting down'. After waiting several minutes, we started the vehicle again, drove further along the road, and again it happened. This happened four times until we finally made it to the dealership. Dealership kept the vehicle for 1.5 months, changing various components and still getting the same issue. We wrote to headoffice, and next day we were told the vehicle was good to go. Two weeks later the same issue happened. It is not at the dealership again and we are being told it is a transmission issue. I believe this is the same defect as the previous Pacifica models which have a recall on them (we had a previous Pacifica).
About 3 months into our ownership of the new vehicle, and only 2K km on it, while driving the vehicle, we received a notification on the instrument screen to 'pull over because engine will be shutting down'. After waiting several minutes, we started the vehicle again, drove further along the road, and again it happened. This happened four times until we finally made it to the dealership. Dealership kept the vehicle for 1.5 months, changing various components and still getting the same issue. We wrote to headoffice, and next day we were told the vehicle was good to go. Two weeks later the same issue happened. It is not at the dealership again and we are being told it is a transmission issue. I believe this is the same defect as the previous Pacifica models which have a recall on them (we had a previous Pacifica).
Two children and I were put in a very dangerous situation when our Avis rental car (2024 Chrysler Pacifica) stopped suddenly, with hardly any notice, while in motion. As the driver, mid Uturn off a busy offramp near [XXX] in CA, I had a moment's notice before I lost all power to the vehicle. The engine light, battery light both went on and I lost all ability to move the car despite having 1/2 tank of gas. The car ended up in a precarious angle across a lane of traffic and put us at very serious risk of being hit from behind by other cars moving at high speed. The responding CHP officer stated in no uncertain terms was that vehicle to be driven on the freeway more that day. The tow truck operator remarked that I was the second driver of a Chrysler Pacifica that he picked up that week to report the exact same problem with the car stopping while in motion and leaving the driver with little time/space to maneuver the car to a safe position. It is commonly reported that these vehicles "reset" often soon after, with all warning lights back to normal, and so the next unsuspecting rental car customer would have no idea that they are at serious risk of rear end collision at high speeds if they are driving on the freeway in one of these vehicles. Please recall the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica to avoid serious injuries or fatalities. Repair techs should believe customers when they report this dangerous spontaneous shut down, regardless of how the car later presents at a maintenance visit. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Two children and I were put in a very dangerous situation when our Avis rental car (2024 Chrysler Pacifica) stopped suddenly, with hardly any notice, while in motion. As the driver, mid Uturn off a busy offramp near [XXX] in CA, I had a moment's notice before I lost all power to the vehicle. The engine light, battery light both went on and I lost all ability to move the car despite having 1/2 tank of gas. The car ended up in a precarious angle across a lane of traffic and put us at very serious risk of being hit from behind by other cars moving at high speed. The responding CHP officer stated in no uncertain terms was that vehicle to be driven on the freeway more that day. The tow truck operator remarked that I was the second driver of a Chrysler Pacifica that he picked up that week to report the exact same problem with the car stopping while in motion and leaving the driver with little time/space to maneuver the car to a safe position. It is commonly reported that these vehicles "reset" often soon after, with all warning lights back to normal, and so the next unsuspecting rental car customer would have no idea that they are at serious risk of rear end collision at high speeds if they are driving on the freeway in one of these vehicles. Please recall the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica to avoid serious injuries or fatalities. Repair techs should believe customers when they report this dangerous spontaneous shut down, regardless of how the car later presents at a maintenance visit. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
We purchased the vehicle in Feb 2024. On [XXX] a check engine light came on while driving on [XXX] (1 lane highway) and a few seconds later the on the display on the instrument panel stated "Stop Safely, the vehicle will shut off soon" and the vehicle immediately started slowing down and lost the ability to accelerate. Luckily the vehicle was able to pull off the road about 20 seconds after the "Stop Safely" caution appeared. We tried shutting down the vehicle and restarting with no change. We let the vehicle sit for approximately 10 minutes and the vehicle was able to start back up with a "Check Engine" caution light. We were able to limp the vehicle home. The vehicle was brought into the dealer on the 29th of May and found multiple error codes on the vehicle. The maintainer said would require a new PIM Power Inverter P/N 68381781-AD. The part is not available and is on back order (Dealership said it could take months). I contacted Chrysler at 1-800-334-9200 on 6 June and discussed the issue. They said they will elevate my case to a supervisor and will call me back within 24 hours. They did not call back. On 11 June my case worker was unavailable and left a voice mail. And on 12 June I contacted Chrysler at the above number again and spoke to a different person who said my case worker is the only one that can handle my issue. Again, they have not returned my call. Lastly, I called another dealer in Orlando to see if they had the part (above part number), they said that they had 5 vehicles waiting for the part and the PIM Power Inverter is on back order (which he said that the part could take months). Bottom line, if the vehicle would have shut off like it did on a freeway like the I-95, this would have ended in an accident or worse. The vehicle is not safe to drive let alone it is a minivan which we take our children in. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
We purchased the vehicle in Feb 2024. On [XXX] a check engine light came on while driving on [XXX] (1 lane highway) and a few seconds later the on the display on the instrument panel stated "Stop Safely, the vehicle will shut off soon" and the vehicle immediately started slowing down and lost the ability to accelerate. Luckily the vehicle was able to pull off the road about 20 seconds after the "Stop Safely" caution appeared. We tried shutting down the vehicle and restarting with no change. We let the vehicle sit for approximately 10 minutes and the vehicle was able to start back up with a "Check Engine" caution light. We were able to limp the vehicle home. The vehicle was brought into the dealer on the 29th of May and found multiple error codes on the vehicle. The maintainer said would require a new PIM Power Inverter P/N 68381781-AD. The part is not available and is on back order (Dealership said it could take months). I contacted Chrysler at 1-800-334-9200 on 6 June and discussed the issue. They said they will elevate my case to a supervisor and will call me back within 24 hours. They did not call back. On 11 June my case worker was unavailable and left a voice mail. And on 12 June I contacted Chrysler at the above number again and spoke to a different person who said my case worker is the only one that can handle my issue. Again, they have not returned my call. Lastly, I called another dealer in Orlando to see if they had the part (above part number), they said that they had 5 vehicles waiting for the part and the PIM Power Inverter is on back order (which he said that the part could take months). Bottom line, if the vehicle would have shut off like it did on a freeway like the I-95, this would have ended in an accident or worse. The vehicle is not safe to drive let alone it is a minivan which we take our children in. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was driving at highway speed westbound in the middle lane of the Long Island Expressway in Queens, New York when I felt an unusual motion and heard an unusual noise. The dashboard warning said that the engine had shut down and that I should move to the nearest safe place. All acceleration was lost and the vehicle was only rolling. This was a dangerous situation but I did manage to change lanes to the right. The vehicle then rolled to a stop in the right lane of the highway (with no shoulder). I could not restart it. I had to wait for some period of time before a tow truck could come to move me off the highway.
I was driving at highway speed westbound in the middle lane of the Long Island Expressway in Queens, New York when I felt an unusual motion and heard an unusual noise. The dashboard warning said that the engine had shut down and that I should move to the nearest safe place. All acceleration was lost and the vehicle was only rolling. This was a dangerous situation but I did manage to change lanes to the right. The vehicle then rolled to a stop in the right lane of the highway (with no shoulder). I could not restart it. I had to wait for some period of time before a tow truck could come to move me off the highway.