Overview & Reviews

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:

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  Great... Sometimes - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By sbernal - October 9 - 8:54 pm

  I bought this car in July 2014 with exactly 100K miles, maybe a few over. It is now October 2015 and the car has about 118K. Id say its appearance is good and holds up decently in terms of newer vehicles. People ask the year of the vehicle and are surprised it is a 2006. The quality of the ride is excellent due to the attention Chrysler put on the suspension and the spaciousness of the cabin is enviable in the 6 cylinder class. That said, I think the engine is too small for the vehicle. The acceleration is terribly sluggish and I always think Im driving faster than I actually am. I think Im doing about 50 and look down to see Im barely breaking 40. I feel like a V6 engine should be adequate, but the way they did it in this car is NOT adequate. The transmission is fully functional, but I kind of fear for it. It can be slow to shift and occasionally give an ugly clunk upon both acceleration and deceleration. I think 118K is far too early to be fearful of a transmission replacement. The AWD feature on most models is a huge positive. After the torrential New England winter last year, this vehicle performed exceptionally well. I drove the car for the first 10 months of our ownership. However, my wife works in a location where the driveway in is nearly a vertical slope -- and the Pacifica made it up regardless of the quality of the weather. She asked me to borrow it so many times, I eventually told her it belonged to her. In terms of instrumentation, I am disappointed. Chrysler had always billed this vehicle as one with luxury styling. The dash display is nearly identical to a Town & Country years older. We had a friend who drove a 1998 T&C and the instrumentation was nearly identical. Very basic, as far as I am concerned. Speedometer, gas gauge, tachometer. Where is the engine thermostat? Ive never owned a car that didnt have one. How about a display showing the temperature outside? Miles to empty display? I realize there are different "grades" of this car, however this was is not the total base model. I replaced a 2001 Volvo with this one also labeled "luxury", so I figured 5 years was enough for Chrysler to catch up. Not so much. Its sorely lacking and seems like the primary place Chrysler cheaped out on. Speaking of "cheaped out on", Chrysler installed a DVD player in my vehicle beneath the radio, but did not install a monitor. So... you have exactly half a unit. I have looked into installing a monitor multiple times. The cost is astronomical. If you have a third party do it, the cost can be in the thousands (on a now-9 year old American car... Ill pass). If you attempt it yourself, youd be better no less than "Level: Expert". The number of items you have to disassemble inside and the number and cost of the parts you have to buy is enough to destroy your will to live. You need to be both mechanically and electrically inclined with precision -- this requires replacing the headliner with a brand new one and re-cutting the fabric to match all the things sticking out like it did from the factory.

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  God Blessed Me and My Kids - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Takwana Pinson - October 5 - 8:08 pm

  First off I just brought this car last week. It only had 84,670 miles on its 11 years old for someone with 3 kids and 2 of them are still in car seats, the space is awesome. Gas is great, I live in Killeen, TX and work in Austin an hour away. I only use a quarter tank of gas to get to and from work. Love it buy it if the price is right!!!! Only paid 7364 for mines!!! No problems yet!!! Thank God for blessing us with this excellent crossover!!!

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  Best Car Ive ever Purchased - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Demetries - August 25 - 11:34 am

  First off this is 2015 I just bought a 06 Pacifica that just hit 100k miles, the car is a dream, drives with no issue. I would expect a truck to ride rough have a lot of blind spots but it is a dream. one thing that definitely wins me is the space! I am 6"1 I have long legs and it always has been a issue with me driving or sitting in the back. the car is wonderful! I am ready to fill it up with some kids of my own for the 4 seats in the back. only issue is have is there really isnt much storage space in arm or eye reach. i am use to storing stuff in different places that is reachable when i am driving. not good on gas but I am coming from having Cars for over 10 years into the truck world, but its good on gas on the highway.

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  Life saver! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Three Girls - August 12 - 9:42 am

  I loved my Used 2004 Pacific being a mother of two it has been great with the comfort & DVD player. I had it for 2 years. My only complaint is it has bottom out on me a few times on the front end. The crash rates are amazing. I got hit head on with my 2 kids in the car totaled my car but we walk out with just a few bumps. I loved my Pacifica & would 100% buy one again!

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  My Dream Ride - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Rose Jacobson - August 9 - 11:32 am

  I purchased my 2006 Pacifica in 2008. With 32000 MI on it. Have loved it! Only had to have the brakes fixed once, but thats not bad for 7 yrs of driving. I would buy it again. Wish they hadnt quit making them!!!!!!!

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  Hate pacificas - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dayan Espinosa - July 29 - 12:24 pm

  I was driving to work and it just caught fire out of nowere never buying chryslers again

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  Decent Family Vehicle - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By sbe79 - June 7 - 11:45 pm

  We bought this car last year with 100K on it. We had a large amount of problems with it upon purchase that were 100% covered by the dealer (a Chrysler-certified Jeep dealership). We bought it in July, it was finally cleared from the dealers service bay in November. That could be a record. The issue was an EVAP code that eventually led to having both fuel pumps replaced (the car has two). The dealer began with the easy stuff (replacing valves and the gas cap). The vehicle is an overall very good SUV. It is spacious and the ride quality is on par with higher-end SUVs. Im not totally sold on the quality, but its nearly solid since then. I replaced the EGR valve this month.

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  From heaven to lemon. [MUST READ] - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jonvincent - April 3 - 8:53 am

  1.Has great acceleration from dead start, quickly pickups speed from 50 to 100kmph for a heavy vehicle with a 3.5L engine. 2.If you worry about room, dont bother. This vehicle has enough room to seat your whole family or even turn into a mobile sleeping quarters. 3. A little pricey considering the poor fuel economy, well known transmission and computer issues which I have experienced all of. 4. Fun to drive, and easy to handle, maneuvering through all sorts of terrain and never leaving me stranded. 5. For an older vehicle the interior has a modern design to it, even better than most cars these days. Transmission broke down on highway, computer went a month later and more...

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  Excellent car with one issue - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By rudi4you - December 7 - 5:11 pm

  It was our dream! We loved this car over 4 years and almost 130000Miles! The only big issue we had - a motor exodus by 75000miles. No help from Chrysler (they want to replace the engine around $6500!) I bought a used from a scrap metal dealer and a local shop changed the engine. And we was happy again.

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  and the problem goes on - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By vmanzanares951 - November 13 - 12:15 pm

  So I bought my pacifica in May 2014 at a dealership in Temecula, CA saw the carfax car seemed great except it was from Missouri. Well thats should have told me something there but I didnt know. Now I have replaced the front struts 4 times since May replaced the axles twice emissions problems then motor mounts went out ALL 4, This is the disaster part, My Sub-Frame is completely Rusted the rear end can not be aligned until I replace the alignment parts because they are so rusted. Got a flat tire and went to crank my car up with the stock jack and it went right thru the driver side floorboard. I dont know what to do anymore I paid way over the price for everything sale 6k repairs 4k