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2019 Chrysler Pacifica problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
44%
157 of 357 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

44% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.

Worse than 55% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 157 of 357 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (44%), and the largest group is filed under engine (95). For comparison, the 2018 scores 55% and the 2020 scores 49%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
157
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
357
this model year
Fires reported
3
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
7
11 crashes · 3 injuries

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM118 · 33%
ENGINE95 · 27%
POWER TRAIN89 · 25%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER64 · 18%
SERVICE BRAKES60 · 17%
STEERING45 · 13%

The years either side

2010
no data
2011
no data
2012
no data
2013
no data
2014
no data
2015
no data
2016
too few complaints
2017
59%
888 of 1,524
2018
55%
480 of 875
2019
44%
157 of 357
2020
49%
80 of 170
2021
63%
232 of 372
2022
62%
123 of 214
2023
61%
72 of 153

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

Cleaner alternatives

Other minivans with no elevated signal

The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.

What owners reported

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM09/28/2026
We are on a 5th! Auxiliary battery since purchasing the vehicle new in 2019. It fails every 1-2 years and it causes the main battery to drain as a result of it which means replacing both batteries on average every 18 months.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE09/22/2026
My 2019 Chrysler Pacifica experienced repeated electrical/network communication failures. The first sign was erratic dashboard behavior and a check-engine light in our resort parking lot. We drove to Pep Boys, where it was evaluated and we were told it was okay to drive. We then drove to Chick-fil-A (.4 miles from Pep…
POWER TRAIN09/15/2026
The transmission has a very abrupt slamming or violent jerk around 45 mph. This has been since we bought the vehicle. Even with consistent routine maintenance this slamming has gotten worse. I believe this to be a manufacturer defect in the transmission that will cause premature failure. We have reported this to every …

Three of 157 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica (7)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Pacifica vehicles equipped with engine stop/start systems. A loose battery ground connection may result in an interm…
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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 Duran…
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Du…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica

Questions people ask about the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica

Does the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 157 of 357 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (44%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns on the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Chrysler Pacifica years are better?

The 2019 has the lowest engine and transmission complaint share of the Chrysler Pacifica years we track (44%). The other years run higher.

Should I buy a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica has an elevated engine complaint pattern, so treat it as a car that needs proof: service records showing engine work, a cold-start test drive, and an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the engine. A well-kept or already-repaired example can be a fine car; an unknown one is a gamble.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.