How Long Do Chrysler Pacifica Last? (Solved & Explained)

The Pacifica is Chrysler’s flagship minivan that in 2017, replaced the long-running Chrysler Town & Country.

Built on an entirely new platform the Pacifica offers a smooth ride, poised handling, lots of comfort and a versatile cargo area.

If you’re considering one as your next family vehicle, you might be wondering about its average lifespan.

We’ll cover that in this article, read on to find out…

Here is the short answer to how long the Chrysler Pacifica lasts:

The Chrysler Pacifica can last between 200,000 and 250,000 miles on average with proper maintenance and conservative driving habits. Based on driving 15,000 miles per year, a Pacifica is expected to last 13 to 17 years before repair costs become uneconomical or the vehicle breaks down.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Chrysler Pacifica?

The Pacifica was orignally a mid-size crossover, produced for the model years 2004 – 2008; the name was revived for the launch of the 2017 minivan.

Having only been around for a relatively short amount of time there’s not a huge amount of historical data for the Pacifica, however we’ve made an educated projection to give you a better idea of what to expect.

The modern-day Pacifica features the tried and true Chrysler Pentastar engine – this engine has been around since 09, known for its reliability and durability its widely used across many other vehicles from Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler and Ram.

Typically these engines should last around 200,000 – 250,000 miles before failing, and at this stage in the minivans life it will make more sense financially to replace the vehicle.

Chrysler has a great reputation when it comes to building robust minivans and there’s no reason why the Pacifica should be any different.

Based on the track record of its predecessor, the Town & Country, the new Pacifica should be able to last a very, very long time.

Although it’s a new model that’s still in its first generation, there are anecdotal reports on forums from Pacifica owners who have cruised past the 100,000-mile mark with no major issues, which is a good early sign.

The Pacifica Hybrid will be more complicated to repair than the Pentastar-powered models however it does come with a 10-year/100,000-mile High Voltage Battery Limited Warranty that will cover any issues with the battery.

Of course, the longevity of your Pacifica will depend on how well you take care of it and its life expectancy will be cut short if you avoid:

• Using quality OEM parts
• Service appointments
• Routine oil changes
• Tire rotations
• Driving smoothly
• Towing within the 3600 lbs limit

Do Chrysler Pacificas Rust Easily?

The Chrysler Pacifica’s hood is made out of aluminum and there have been some reports of paint bubbling due to corrosion – aluminum doesn’t rust like steel does, but it can corrode. The sliding doors and rear lift gate are also made of aluminum so they’re also susceptible to this paint bubbling issue, however it should be covered under warranty.

Otherwise, the Pacifica is still a fairly new vehicle and as we’d expect there have been no widespread reports of rust.

If you drive on salt-covered roads during the winter, rust is always going to be much more of an issue, the same applies if you live in a region with high humidity or by the coast where salt air is prevalent.

Tips to protect your Chrysler Pacifica from rust:

• Regularly wash and dry your car: This includes its underside (especially during the winter) to remove the salt, dirt and grime that causes rust. We recommend having a detail shop wash everything underneath at the end of each winter.
• Repair paint damage and scratches: Exposed metal will oxidize. If it’s beyond a DIY fix, speak to your local body repair shop.
• Garage: Store your Chrysler Pacifica in a garage to protect it from harsh weather and bird droppings.
• Waxing: Wax your car twice a year. Not only will this give your Chrysler Pacifica a nice shine, it also gives it a protective coating against rust.
• Rustproofing: If you’re planning on keeping your Pacifica for a very long time, you might want to consider a rustproofing treatment; popular choices are Krown and Rust Check.
• Ceramic Coating: A popular choice for those who want to add an extra layer of protection to the paint job.

What is High Mileage for a Chrysler Pacifica?

A Chrysler Pacifica with 100,000 miles on the clock is considered high mileage. Although it may last for another 100,000 miles, some of the electronics, mechanical parts and accessories may need replacement and typically repairs will be more common as the minivan gets even older.

Components like the alternator, shocks, A/C, water pump, and cooling system might also be near the end of their effective lifespan at higher mileages so if you do go ahead with the purchase it’s a good idea to keep some money aside for repairs.

A high-mileage Pacifica can be a great deal as long as it’s been properly taken care of and overall it’s in good condition.

When buying a used Chrysler Pacifica, always consider the following:

1. Maintenance history. Check that the car was properly serviced and the owner can provide proof of this.
2. Get a second opinion. Take it to an independent auto repair shop or at have it inspected by a mechanic you trust.
3. Check the CarFax. This doesn’t guarantee anything but it will help provide a clearer picture of wear-and-tear. Ensure it has minimal damage if any. Review the information to make sure if something happened, it wasn’t transmission related or mechanical.
4. Number of previous owners. As a general rule, less is better. More owners usually means more wear-and-tear. If one family owned it and drove the full mileage and serviced the car, then you can almost guarantee they took good care of it throughout their ownership.
5. Examine the interior. The condition of the interior tells the story of how well the car was maintained and cared for. Does the steering wheel, pedals, or shifter look suspiciously new? If so theres a good chance that the car was very heavily used, and those parts were just replaced before sale.
6. Inspect engine for obvious leaks and obvious damage. If the engine looks immaculately clean it means it was washed. The question is why? Most likely to hide oil leaks and similar nasty problems.
7. Check the car’s VIN and get a full history report. Was it a taxi or rental car? Recalls? How many owners? Real mileage? Stolen? Any accidents? If you’re buying a used VW, always check the VIN – you never know what the car has been through.
8. Check for rust. Rust is a problem that will spread – It’s always a good idea to look under the car.

If you’re planning on keeping the car for a long time, you should evaluate whether the short-term savings outweigh spending a bit extra on something more reliable.

How Long Does the Chrysler Pacifica Last Compared to its Rivals?

In this section, we’ll compare the Chrysler Pacifica to some of its strongest rivals in the minivan segment.

Chrysler Pacifica vs. Dodge Grand Caravan

The Dodge Grand Caravan was one of the most popular minivans in the U.S. before it was discontinued in 2020.

The Grand Caravan has the same expected lifespan as the Pacifica at 200,000 – 250,000 miles or 13 – 17 years.

• RepairPal gave the Grand Caravan a reliability rating of 4/5 which is higher than the average for the minivan segment. The Pacifica hasn’t been rated yet.
• Annual repair costs for the Grand Caravan is estimated at $673 per year.
• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Grand Caravan a reliability rating of 3.9/5 which is slightly lower than the Pacifica’s score of 4.1/5.
• J.D. Power gave the Grand Caravan and Pacifica the same Quality and Reliability rating at 76/100.

The Dodge Grand Caravan is based on a platform that’s over a decade old. The Chrysler Pacifica is not only more modern, but also more sophisticated and refined.

Reliability and average lifespan should be about the same for both minivans.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Dodge Grand Caravan Last?

Chrysler Pacifica vs. Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey is well-known for its solid reliability and durability. However, its interior is more spartan than the Pacifica, and reconfiguring the seats to free up cargo space is more difficult.

The Honda Odyssey is extremely reliable and can last 250,000 – 300,000 miles or 17 – 20 years.

• RepairPal gave the Honda Odyssey a reliability rating of 3.5/5 which is average for the minivan segment. The Pacifica hasn’t been rated yet.
• Annual repair costs for the Honda Odyssey is estimated at $547 per year.
• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Honda Odyssey a reliability rating of 3.7/5 which is lower than the Pacifica’s score of 4.1/5.
• J.D. Power gave the Odyssey and Pacifica similar ratings for Quality and Reliability with a score of 76/100.

Generally speaking, the Honda Odyssey is expected to last longer than the Pacifica, but not by much. Long-term maintenance is also likely going to be a little cheaper for the Honda.

However, it lacks AWD and hybrid options which can be a deal-breaker for some people.

Chrysler Pacifica vs. Chrysler Town & Country

The Chrysler Town & Country set the standard for luxury minivans and is the Pacifica’s predecessor.

The Chrysler Town & Country has a good track record for reliability and can last 200,000 – 250,000 miles or 13 – 17 years.

• RepairPal gave the Chrysler Town & Country a reliability rating of 3.5/5 which is average for the minivan segment. The Pacifica hasn’t been rated yet.
• Annual repair costs for the Town & Country is estimated at $636 per year.
• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Town & Country a reliability rating of 3.9/5 which is slightly lower than the Pacifica’s score of 4.1/5.
• J.D. Power doesn’t have any current ratings for the Town & Country but it gave the Pacifica a score of 76/100 for Quality and Reliability.

If you’re looking for an upscale minivan that’s very comfortable, the Town & Country is a good choice.

However, the Pacifica will outperform the Town & Country in almost every other metric including seating, the Pacifica seats eight passengers whilst the Town and Country seats seven.  

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Chrysler Towns & Country Last?

Comparison Chart

Is the Chrysler Pacifica Reliable?

The Chrysler Pacifica has proven to be a fairly reliable vehicle so far based on owner reviews and reliability ratings from auto review sites.

The Pacifica’s V6 Pentastar engine has a well-documented history, is widely used in other vehicles and has received plenty of positive feedback for reliability.

According to Consumer Reports, the 2016 and 2017 models have received low scores for reliability however these have picked up for the following years.

Consumer Reports Reliability Scores:

• 2021: 3/5
• 2020: 5/5
• 2019: 2/5
• 2018: 1/5
• 2017: 1/5

Here is more proof of the Chrysler Pacifica’s reliability:

• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Chrysler Pacifica a 4.1/5 for reliability, which is slightly higher than the Odyssey’s rating.
• J.D. Power gave the Pacifica a score of 76/100 which is the same score it gave to other minivans like the Odyssey and Grand Caravan.

Chrysler has a lot of experience with building robust minivans, and the Pacifica is no exception.

The Best and Worst Years for the Chrysler Pacifica

Although the Chrysler Pacifica is only a few years old, it still has its good and bad years…

Worst Model Year

According to CarComplaints, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is the worst model year.

2017 is the first model year of the Chrysler Pacifica and many owners agree that it’s had the most teething issues — just like any first model year vehicle.

Transmission issues are the most common complaint, but very few failures were noted and most of these were fixed via software updates.

Hard shifting or shuddering is more prevalent with the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica.

Consumer Reports also gave this model 1/5 for reliability.

Best Model Year

After looking at the numbers and the individual complaints, we believe the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica is the best model year.

With the 2020 Pacifica, you’ll avoid all the early build issues found in the 2017 and 2018 models.

Complaints have also significantly dropped with the 2020 model, and no transmission issues have been associated with this model year.

You’ll also be able to enjoy more standard features in the 2020 base models, available dual-pane panoramic sunroof and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto that was introduced in 2018.

Consumer Reports has awarded the 2020 model 5/5 for reliability.

Related: 13 Best & Worst Chrysler Pacifica Years (Pictures & Stats)

Model Year and Number of Complaints

Here is the total number of complaints on the CarComplaints database for every model year of the Chrysler Pacifica:

What About Recalls for These Models?

The Chrysler Pacifica has had a total of 24 recall campaigns since 2017.

You can check if your Chrysler Pacifica has been subjected to a recall campaign by entering your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the Mopar recall site or the NHTSA recall database.

It is important to note that recalls are manufacturing faults repaired at no charge to the consumer.

Here is the total number of recall campaigns for every model year of the Chrysler Pacifica:

• 2021: 0
• 2020: 1
• 2019: 5
• 2018: 10
• 2017: 8

Chrysler Pacifica Model Year List

The first time the Chrysler Pacifica nameplate was used was for the crossover. We’ve included it in this model year list.

First Generation (crossover):

• 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2008 Chrysler Pacifica

Second Generation (minivan):

• 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2018 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2019 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2020 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Toyota Sienna Hybrids Last?

Is the Chrysler Pacifica Expensive to Maintain?

The Chrysler Pacifica has fairly average ownership costs for the minivan segment and won’t cost significantly more to maintain than other minivans.

• It uses the same Pentastar V6 engine found in many other vehicles so parts and repairs for the powertrain should be fairly straightforward.
• The Hybrid model has a more complex powertrain however the batteries are covered by 100,000-mile warranties and some states have longer 150,000-mile warranties.

According to CarEdge:

The Chrysler Pacifica will cost you roughly $10,620 in repairs and maintenance during its first 10 years.

It’s about $1,543 more expensive to maintain than the average minivan over the same time period.

According to Edmunds:

The Edmunds True Cost to Own (TCO) data estimates $3,272 in maintenance and $757 in repairs for the first 5 years of a Chrysler Pacifica. 

This comes out to a total of $4,029 which is similar to what you’d spend on other minivans.

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

The Chrysler Pacifica’s brakes can last up to 60,000 miles if you do a lot of highway driving. Some owners have even gone over 80,000 miles on their original pads and rotors.

This figure can be cut in half to approximately 30,000 miles if you mostly drive in stop-and-go traffic. 

Brake pad life can vary widely and depends a lot on your driving habits.

• You can expect your brakes to wear out sooner if you frequently stop and accelerate in rush-hour traffic
• Brake pad replacement, which includes parts and labor, can cost anywhere between $150 – $300 per axle.
• Full and complete stops from a high speed are the #1 cause of premature brake pad wear.
• A sporty driving style will lead to faster deterioration of brakes, a slow and steady style will help them last longer.

How Long Do the Tires Last?

The Chrysler Pacifica’s stock tires usually last around 50,000 miles or 3 to 5 years. However, they can wear out much sooner. This is dependent on various factors such as driving habits, climate, and road conditions.

• Rotate tires every 5,000 miles to ensure even wear.
• If you have to drive on rough or flooded roads, or go off-roading, your tires will take more of a beating.
• Check your tire pressure every few weeks to make sure they’re at the correct tire pressure.
• Have a mechanic or tire shop check your wheel alignment every 6 months.

How Long Do Chrysler Pacifica Engines Last?

The engine that’s equipped in the Chrysler Pacifica has a very good track record for reliability and can typically last 200,000 – 250,000 miles.

The Pacifica’s Pentastar V6 engines use timing chains that will usually last the entire lifetime of the engine, unlike timing belts which need to be replaced every 60,000 miles.

This same V6 engine has been used by Chrysler and Dodge in many vehicles so they’re very well developed, which makes them more reliable.

How Long Do Chrysler Pacifica Batteries Last?

The Chrysler Pacifica’s battery usually lasts between 2 – 3 years. The Pacifica Hybrid’s battery should last at least 10 years, or up to 150,000 miles.

A vehicle’s battery life varies depending on many different factors such as climate, driving habits, and battery type, among many others.

• Keep your battery tightly fastened: The vibrations of your car can loosen the connections, potentially resulting in short circuits and internal damage.
• Limit short rides: Quick car rides prevent the battery from fully charging.
• Storage: Keep your Chrysler Pacifica stored indoors to protect it from extreme changes in temperature.
• Control Corrosion: Clean the terminals (toothbrush dipped in baking soda and water mixture) and keep them free from build-up.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

According to the owner’s manual, the factory recommends changing the Chrysler Pacifica’s spark plugs every 100,000 miles.

Spark plugs are usually inspected when you take your car for servicing.

Signs of a fouled spark plug include:

• Reduced gas mileage
• Lack of acceleration
• Rough idling
• Hard starts
• Engine misfires

What About Insurance Costs?

The average cost of full comprehensive coverage for a Chrysler Pacifica is $1,386 per year or around $116 per month. 

In comparison, its rivals in the minivan segment cost an average of $1,409 per year, which is $23 more expensive.

Insurance costs can vary from person to person; be sure to shop around to find the best possible deal for your Chrysler Pacifica.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Chrysler Pacifica

• Adopt smooth driving habits.
• Keep up to date with factory-recommended maintenance.
• Use quality parts and fluids.
• Keep on top of repairs to prevent them from developing into larger problems.
• Regularly wash your Chrysler Pacifica to remove dirt and grime to protect the paint and undercarriage from rust developing.
• Check your Chrysler Pacifica’s engine oil, coolant, brake, and transmission fluid levels and top them up when required.
• Keep your Chrysler Pacifica stored in a garage to help protect it from the elements.
• Read the owner’s manual to learn the location of important components, what your Chrysler Pacifica needs and what quantity, and to understand the symbols and dashboard warning lights.

You may also be interested in our article: Chrysler Pacifica in Snow & Winter Driving

Resources

https://www.autotrader.com/

https://www.cargurus.com/

https://repairpal.com/reliability/dodge/grand-caravan

https://repairpal.com/reliability/honda/odyssey

https://repairpal.com/reliability/chrysler/town-country

https://www.kbb.com/chrysler/pacifica/2017/

https://www.kbb.com/chrysler/town–country/

https://www.kbb.com/honda/odyssey/2021/

https://www.kbb.com/dodge/grand-caravan/

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2020/chrysler/pacifica

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2016/chrysler/town-and-country

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2020/honda/odyssey

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2019/dodge/grand-caravan

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Chrysler/Pacifica/

https://www.mopar.com/en-us/my-vehicle/recalls/search.html

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

https://caredge.com/chrysler/pacifica/maintenance

https://www.edmunds.com/chrysler/pacifica/2020/cost-to-own/

https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/chrysler/2020-pacifica.pdf

https://insuraviz.com/vehicles/chrysler/chrysler-pacifica-insurance/