2 Star Reviews for Chrysler Pacifica

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.42/5 Average
1,401 Total Reviews
Model Overview:

The Chrysler Pacifica was one of the original large crossover wagons. In order to combine the driving attributes of a car with the utility offered by minivans and sport-utility vehicles, the Pacifica crossover had four front-hinged doors, an elevated seating position, five- or six-passenger seating and a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Compared to other crossover wagons, the Chrysler Pacifica was relatively upscale and offered a wide array of creature comforts wrapped in elegantly chiseled sheet metal. Unfortunately, the Pacifica didn't possess particularly great interior packaging. While the first two rows were spacious for occupants, the third row was acceptable only for children and left very little space for cargo behind it when deployed. The rearmost seat does, however, fold flat into the floor in convenient 50/50 sections.

The Pacifica's Mercedes Benz-derived suspension garnered wide praise for its carlike ride and handling. But early Pacificas suffered from reliability woes and mediocre engines in a price bracket where potent and refined powertrains were the norm. Not helping matters were the large wagon's hefty weight and relatively unsophisticated four-speed automatic transmission, both of which took their toll on fuel economy. A significant update for 2007, however, brought about a new V6 engine, a new six-speed automatic for most models and updated styling.

Most Recent Chrysler Pacifica

The Chrysler Pacifica debuted for the 2004 model year, at which point it was offered only in base and Limited trim levels. The original base model was relatively well-equipped, but it was offered with fewer features and a lower price when the Touring trim level slotted in above it in 2005. At first, Pacificas were powered by a 3.8-liter V6 with 210 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. Reviewers faulted the gruff engine, which was barely up to the task of battling the Pacifica's formidable mass, especially on fully loaded all-wheel-drive models. Given that early 2004 Pacificas also had some well-known repair issues, we'd play it safe and restrict our search to 2005 and newer models.

A 3.5-liter V6 with 250 hp and 250 lb-ft became standard on all but the base front-wheel-drive model in 2005, and the 3.8-liter V6 was eliminated for 2006, leaving the 3.5-liter unit as the sole available engine. For 2007, the 3.8-liter mill returned in the base front-wheel-drive model, this time rated at 200 hp, and a 4.0-liter V6 replaced the 3.5-liter V6 in all other models. The 4.0-liter engine cranked out a respectable 255 hp and 265 lb-ft, and it was teamed with a new six-speed automatic transmission (the base engine continued with the old four-speed unit). All Pacificas were rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Base 2004 Pacificas featured two-row, five-passenger seating and were fairly comfortable, thanks to niceties such as dual-zone climate control, a power driver seat and a load-leveling suspension. Starting in 2005, Touring models received additional standard features, a much longer options list and six-passenger seating via the addition of a two-passenger third-row seat and the replacement of the regular second-row bench with two bucket seats and a center console. The 2005 base model, meanwhile, lost some standard accoutrements and was priced lower going forward. The best-dressed and most luxurious Chrysler Pacifica was the Limited, which featured cleaner styling, bigger wheels and a long list of luxury features, including an upmarket audio system and a power liftgate.

In Chrysler Pacifica reviews, our editors found the crossover wagon's strengths to be its exceptional comfort for four, sedanlike driving characteristics, top-notch safety scores and upscale interior. The 3.8-liter engine is to be avoided, but the 3.5-liter and 4.0-liter V6s are decent performers. Downsides include a lack of legroom in the third row and a lack of overall utility when compared to the top available minivans.

User Reviews:

Showing 31 through 40 of 1,401.00
  • Pacifica Disgust - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    I am stuck with an extremely poor quality vehicle and have experienced the worst customer service from Chrysler. Their solution is to keep on fixing every problem, and some more than once. When the right thing to do is to take the vehicle back.

  • avoid the pacifica - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    Good idea, poor execution. Sunroof failed when we picked up car at dealer, took 3 days to fix. Within a week serpentine belt was squeaking like a 20 year old car took FIVE trips to dealer to fix (dealer explained, at last visit, that Chrysler service policy was to replace belt at least three times with Chrysler part after that they could install GM part (!) that actually worked). Dealer couldnt have cared less about problems. Car is underpowered, with poorly spaced 4 speed auto gearing. Terrible climate control (no heat to legs in winter) and poor/slow defrosting. Very disappointing overall, cant wait to get out of lease and into an Audi Q7.

  • First and Last Chrysler - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    At one point while driving my brand new Pacifica home from the dealership, I thought that I felt the car move to the right. Within the next day, I discovered that the car did pull to the right when I accelerated. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and that began a long battle between myself and Chrysler. The only answer I have gotten from them is that the pulling to the right is a characteristic of the car! I was told to "deal with it!" I persued this problem throught Chrysler and was told that there was nothing that could be done. I hate driving this car and I am in the process of trading it now.

  • recall and other annoyances - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    My new Pacifica had a "ghost" beep for two months before they found the problem. They changed the air bag module and the beep stopped. Then it shut off on me...the dealership did not yet know of the recall...when they did I was without my car for 4 days before it was fixed.

  • Want Junk--Buy 2005 Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    Bad transmission from factory. As soon as we got home it leaked in the garage. Total miles on car 285.

  • After first year only so-so - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    After the first year, I am not so satisfied. Came with defective ball joints (brake = thunk!), and a rattle that the dealer had to jimmy-rig to fix. Does drive OK, but feels sluggish. Suppose it handles like any other SUV. Blind spots are annoying. Paint on the plastic parts is really of low quality and tiny dings cause missing paint that peels more and more. Horrible gas mileage for a V6 (12-14 MPG in city). No space for any cargo with 3rd seat up. Very disappointing, will probably sell before warranty is up.

  • ELectronics work at will - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    cruise control; set it at 55 going down hill it does not hold you close to 55 it speeds up you will be going 10 to 15 above speed, controls work when ever dash lights blink off and on, The main thing I have 5,438 miles on the car and it has used 3 qt of oil. Going back to dealer with strong words .Dealer doing a oil check every 1000 miles They going to keep car for 2 days to find problem with cruise control, still working on lights. no longer using oil still having problem with cruise control dealer cant get it to do it,but they are going to ride with me to see if they can see it. Dealer is working with me.

  • Not the quietest - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    I have turned in my 2012 Sienna and got the l plus. The claim that Chrysler makes "quietest in its class" is absurd. My old sienna was much quieter. The road and wind noise levels even with active noise cancellation is high compared to sienna that does not have active noise cancellation. The adv safety tech is okay, but is more like beta and needs lot of improvement. The stop and go is decent but active steering is awful, dont even try it. Interior is good, comparable or better in its class.

  • DO NOT BUY THIS VAN - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    DO NOT BUY, IT IS DANGEROUS! My sliding door opens on its own...came out from eating at a steak house and my van door was open, pulled in my garage the sliding door opened on its own....the radio and USB is crap, it works when it wants to....this van will cause your nerves to be shot...because you dont know when you come out of the grocery store if everything you left in the van will be stolen because the door is wide open...to many problems....or at least mine is a big yellow lemon and Chrysler wont do a thing for me!

  • Bad Engineering and design - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    No room for storage. Hard to see behind and sides. GPS is POORLY positioned. No room for luggage and passengers. Keyless entry is poorly designed. Goes off at the touch of a quarter in my pocket. No place to store earphones for DVD. CD player is extremely noisy when changing CDs. Car is wind noisy. Very disappointed in general but then Im a senior citizen and this car wasnt designed for our generation.

Chrysler Pacifica Reviews By Year:
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