Chrysler Pacifica VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Chrysler Pacifica you are looking at. Then check its model year against 51 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefix2C42C82A82A4

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Chrysler Pacifica

About the Chrysler Pacifica

Chrysler has sold the Pacifica in the US since the 2004 model year, and there have been two generations. The Gen 1 came first (2004–2008), and the Gen 2 took over for 2017–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 51 vehicle recall campaigns and 7,667 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 2. Its 2017 and 2018 model years alone account for 2,702 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the electrical system after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 17–18 mpg combined, while the Gen 2, whose lineup includes a plug-in hybrid, gets 20–32 mpg, counting the plug-in hybrid on gas alone. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2004–2026

GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2

NHTSA recall campaigns51

Owner complaints7,667 at NHTSA

Chrysler Pacifica photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Chrysler Pacifica generations

Two generations since the 2004 model year. The Gen 2 (2017–2026) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (47).

2 / 2

Gen 2

2017–20262nd generation

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

20042010201520202025

2017–2026· Generation 2 of 2

Gen 2 · 2nd generation

PlatformFiat-Chrysler RU

EPA combined mpg20–32

NHTSA recalls47

Engines (EPA)

3.6 L 6-cyl · 2017–2026
3.6 L 6-cyl (plug-in hybrid) · 2017–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, FWD
automatic (2017–2026), CVT (2017–2026)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (1,513)Electrical system (1,349)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (1,156)9 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 4,317 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 22C4RC1BG?HR······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L, built in Windsor, Ontario

Check a Pacifica VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Pacifica model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 51 campaigns on file for Pacifica model years 2004–2026, and the 2017 shows up in more of them than any other year (17), ahead of the 2018 (16). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Chrysler Pacifica owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2017 and 2005 hold 2,847 of the 7,667 complaints, or 37%. Tap any bar or generation.

7,667NHTSA complaints, 2004–2026

216mention a crash

118mention a fire

187injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 2: 4,317 complaints · most for the 2017 (1,603)

Top complaint areas · Gen 2

Mentions in 4,317 complaints, 2017–2026.

Engine and cooling1,513

Electrical system1,349

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)1,156

Steering592

Fuel system341

Brakes233

Crashes 128Fires 51Injuries 107

2017–2026 (Gen 2)

NHTSA data summary

The 2017 is the outlier. On its own it has 1,603 of the ’s 4,317 complaints (37%), more than any other Pacifica model year. By area, nothing stands out. Engine and cooling leads with 1,513, with the electrical system (1,349) and the powertrain (1,156) close behind.

What Pacifica owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2017–present (2nd generation)

The early years draw heavy complaints. Hundreds of NHTSA owners of the 2017 describe stalling or the engine shutting off, harsh or jerky shifts and steering trouble, and many 2018 owners report head gasket and coolant problems. CarComplaints ranks hard shifting first for 2017, followed by difficulty fueling and sudden loss of steering. Recalls cover a loose battery ground on 2017–2019 models with stop/start that can cause a stall or loss of power steering, and 2017–2018 plug-in hybrids that can catch fire even when parked and turned off. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the battery ground recall on 2017–2019 models and the fire recall on 2017–2018 plug-in hybrids.
Ask for transmission, cooling system and head gasket repair records.
On the drive, feel for harsh or delayed shifts, watch for stalling at stops and for coolant or power steering warnings and check that the steering feels steady.

Sources (3) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Pacifica complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Plug-in Pacifica versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

7,667complaints, 2004–2026

216mention a crash

118mention a fire

187injuries reported

4complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2017 (1,603), 2005 (1,244), 2018 (1,099)

2017 · 1,603 complaints

Crashes 47 · fires 15 · injuries 41

Engine540

Power train483

Electrical system422

Steering283

Unknown or other223

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Pacifica CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 43 Pacifica versions for model years 2004–2026 (gas and plug-in hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 106 g/mi, for the 2018 plug-in hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 12004–2008

17–18 mpg · CO₂ 494–523 g/mi

Gen 22017–2026

20–32 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 82–84 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 106–450 g/mi

Model year2025

22combined MPG

401CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,050EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

5/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: Pacifica · Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L — 22 MPG · 401 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasPlug-in hybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Plug-in hybrids: mpg is on gas alone; MPGe combines gas and electricity. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Pacifica vs Honda Odyssey vs Toyota Sienna

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2004–2008. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the Pacifica, against 25 for the Honda Odyssey and 16 for the Toyota Sienna. Pick a range to compare.

Chrysler PacificaGen 2

Model years 2017–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 47
NHTSA owner complaints: 4,317
EPA combined mpg: 20–32
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.6 L
Also listed: plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 1,513
Electrical system 1,349
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 1,156

Honda Odyssey

Model years 2017–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 28
NHTSA owner complaints: 3,399
EPA combined mpg: 22–22
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.5 L
Drive (EPA): FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Forward collision avoidance 1,190
Electrical system 1,037
Engine and cooling 722

Toyota Sienna

Model years 2017–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 20
NHTSA owner complaints: 789
EPA combined mpg: 20–36
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.5 L · 6-cyl 3.5 L
Also listed: hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Seats 235
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 82
Brakes 68

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Chrysler Pacifica VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Pacifica

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Chrysler Pacifica (second generation) minivan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Before completing a Pacifica purchase, locate the VIN at the lower driver's windshield and compare it to the door jamb sticker and B-pillar label. The sliding door B-pillar area is a secondary label location. Pacifica Hybrid adds a battery system label. The Gen 2 generation starts with the 2017 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (H for 2017) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Chrysler Pacifica VIN questions

Which Chrysler Pacifica model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2017 leads with 1,603, ahead of the 2005 (1,244) and 2018 (1,099). Those first two alone make up 37% of the 7,667 Pacifica complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Chrysler Pacifica had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 51 vehicle campaigns for model years 2004–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 2 leads with 47. Then come the Gen 1 (4), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Chrysler Pacifica recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 03V-471, 18V-740, 20V-334, 22V-077, 24V-536, 17V-824, 24V-538, 26V-362 and 2 more. Park-outside advisories came with 22V-077, 24V-536, 24V-538, 26V-362 and 23V-753. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Pacifica generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 1 is 2004–2008 and the Gen 2 2017–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (H is 2017).

What fuel economy does the Chrysler Pacifica get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2017–2026 Gen 2 at 20–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (82–84 MPGe on gas and electricity), up from 17–18 mpg for the 2004–2008 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Chrysler Pacifica compare with the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna on recalls?

For 2017–2026 models the Pacifica has 47 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda Odyssey has 28, the Toyota Sienna 20. Complaints run 4,317, 3,399 and 789 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Chrysler Pacifica have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Pacifica 5 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.

Other Chrysler models

Check another Chrysler model

300 Voyager PT Cruiser Sebring

Chrysler Pacifica VIN Number Check

About the Chrysler Pacifica

Chrysler Pacifica generations