2023 CHRYSLER PACIFICA Fuel/propulsion System Problems

We have a continuing issue with the Pacifica of showing a dashboard warning of "STOP SAFELY VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF SOON''. The power becomes diminished and with a few minutes, all power is lost, including lights, engine, all dash warnings are gone. After sitting on the side of the road for a few minutes, the vehicle will restart like nothing happened. Occurrences shown in order by date, location and mileage. [XXX] in Gatlinburg, TN with approx 1800 miles. Dealer found error codes relating to hybrid system but could not repair for at least 4 weeks. Advised to continue trip and make an appointment when we return to Georgia. [XXX] on [XXX] enroute to Myrtle Beach the issue reoccurred [XXX] in for repairs at Chrysler 3206 miles. April 18, back to dealer same issue at 14,145 miles. Extensive repairs performed on hybrid system. April 24 with 14,303, same issue. Received vehicle back on June 20, 2025. [XXX], another occurrence with 15,645. This time the vehicle would not shut down by the FOB but would not function at all, though the dash stated put vehicle in park, but it was in park.. Ackerman Towing of Macon, GA attempted to tow vehicle, but the parking brake would not release nor would the transmission shift into neutral. After 3 hours, vehicle finally shut down and restarted. Back to Chrysler. Received vehicle back Aug 13. They could not find a problem. [XXX] enroute to VA Beach. Same issue at 17,750 miles on [XXX] outside of Lumberton, NC. Restarted after a few minutes. Continued trip. I feel this problem of shutting down is a death trap. Losing all power including outside lights could easily become catastrophic, especially if it happened after dark. Chrysler is aware and seems to be unable to find a remedy. I have more info, but out of characters to relay more. Info below relates to last occurrence INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The rear brake at 4MM at 32K miles at the time of OIL change at dealer and front BRAKE still have 7MM, as a mechanical engineer, I know this should not happen. also while driving, there is high freq metal sound, I have notified the dealer every time I went to oil change, they confirmed it is fine but I do not feel safe. 2nd issue is the powertrain system feels no power while climbing hills and the car almost stops and sliding back even I put on gas pedal and almost hit the car behind me one time. 3rd issue is that gas door seal is broken within first year of use, it could cause gas leaking.

On August 2, while traveling about 75 MPH, the check engine light came on along with the warning "Stop Safely – Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon". The vehicle started immediately losing power. We were driving in the fast lane in traffic so pulling over was difficult and dangerous. After we were to the side of the road, we turned the van off. After 10 minutes or so, we continued on and pulled over at a rest stop. We have an OBD2 and checked the codes. At first, there were no codes even though the check engine light was on. After checking a few times, there were 2 codes. They were P1C65 PD and P0A43. I took the van into the dealership on August 4. They saw one of the codes saved. On August 7 the dealership preformed a software update. They were not able to reproduce the issue. Today, September 19, while driving, the check engine light came on with the warning "Stop Safely – Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon". The vehicle again started immediately losing power. This time it happened when traveling about 45 MPH.

On 8/12/2025, he vehicle displayed a warning that said "Stop Safely, Vehicle will shut off soon" shortly after it was parked. It also displayed a red turtle and the check engine light. There was no warning or check engine light prior to the message that the vehicle was going to shut off. Fortunately, we had already parked safely, but were on the freeway traveling and about an hour away from home. It was 100 degrees outside, and we were stranded with no help from Chrysler customer care other than to tow the vehicle, leaving our kids and dog in a parking lot with no car. We declined this option and had it checked by a diagnostic computer at Jiffy Lube, which returned no diagnostic code. Eventually, all of the warnings and check engine lights went off, and we were able to take it home. We took it to the dealership at the earliest opportunity on 08/14, and they confirmed that this is a known issue and would require a transmission replacement. There is no timeline on the repair or replacement, only that it will take "a while". They do not advise that we take the van back because the issue could come nback at any moment and the vehicle could shut off without warning.

The van did not transition from electric to gas engine when driving and battery for the electrical engine was depleted. The dash board displayed a red turtle and said slow on dashboard. But it would not drive forward. I was on a hill and the van backed down the hill in reverse. I did this multiple times - turn off van, restart van and try to go up hill, reverse it down hill again. At some point, there was enough electricity for the electrical engine to kick in and I was able to drive home. After the van set for a while, it restarted and I was able to drive it to my ultimate destination 147 miles away. I researched online and found there is a recall for this very thing, but it does not include my car. Why is my life so hard? Its a new van to me.

While exiting an interstate, the van felt like it had popped out of gear and lost power, and the instrument cluster had the message "Stop safely, vehicle will shut off soon." I was in the middle of three lanes on the ramp, and due to traffic and no shoulder I was unable to stop off the side of the road. The van died at the top of the ramp at the traffic light, causing a risk of being rear-ended by approaching traffic. I had my two children in the van at the time. After attempting to cycle the ignition several times and stepping out to wave traffic around as the traffic light cycled several times (causing a traffic backup), the van started and drove normally albeit with the Check Engine Light on. I have not had the time to take the van to a dealership for diagnoses, but looking online this is not an unknown problem and is related to the Pacifica Hybrid's transmission. Just wanting to make NHTSA aware of another event of this fault occurring.

I received a warning to park safely, engine will shut down soon. This is the third time it has happened. One time coming down a mountain with no place to pull over safely with a van full of family members. Second time at high speed on an interstate, this time on a high speed local road, but had enough time to pull over before losing power. The van has been in the shop and/or waiting for repairs for over 10 weeks during my 53 weeks of ownership. Chrysler has delayed accepting the recommended repairs that their dealer states is necessary. I have spoken to other Pacifica owners that has experienced the same issue. Is Chrysler waiting for folks to get killed before accepting responsibility?

Numerous times over the last eighteen months, our 2023 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV enters 'Turtle Mode' where a red turtle illuminates on the dashboard, and the car loses all motive power. Sometimes this occurs on local streets, but most recently it occurred during interstate driving, requiring evasive maneuvers to exit the driving lanes and get to the shoulder before all forward momentum stopped. So far, turning off the vehicle, opening the driver's side door and re-starting the engine clears the problem temporarily, but yesterday - [XXX] - the vehicle entered 'Turtle Mode' eight times during the four-hour car-ride from northern West Virginia to Northern Virginia. Several visits to Chrysler dealerships have resulted in zero fixes as they have been unable to replicate the conditions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

We rented a '23 Pacifica from Enterprise. While driving 70mph on an interstate in Houston, a safety warning popped up "Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon". On the interstate, I wasn't able to keep my speed. Speed dropped quickly and dramatically. Luckily, I was able to get to the side but could have been hit in the process. My 2 daughters were in the car. It was terrifying. According to my research Pacifica did a recall of 67K Hybrids and their solution?? Add software that gives a warning. That was the solution. NOT TO FIX THE DEADLY ISSUE but to add a warning. [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving at highway speed the vehicle flashed a vehicle and I’ll shut down sign. A red turtle flashed and the vehicle began to decelerate. Had to pull over to a less than safe sand shoulder. Had highway speed traffic directly behind me. Dealership pulled codes related to the transmission. No previous issues or sign thereof. 25k miles.

Service hybrid electric vehicle system