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2020 Chrysler Pacifica problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
49%
80 of 170 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

49% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.

Worse than 63% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026

The VIN is on the listing, the driver’s door jamb, and the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Does the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 80 of 170 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (49%), and the largest group is filed under engine (52). For comparison, the 2019 scores 44% and the 2021 scores 63%. 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
80
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
170
this model year
Fires reported
3
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
5
7 crashes · 10 injuries

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM64 · 38%
ENGINE52 · 31%
POWER TRAIN38 · 22%
STEERING32 · 19%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER18 · 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM9 · 5%

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.

How the 2020 compares with other Chrysler Pacifica years

Of the 7 Chrysler Pacifica years with enough complaints to score, the 2020 is the 2nd-best on engine and transmission share (49%). The worst is the 2021 (63%), the best the 2019 (44%). By volume, the 2020 drew 170 complaints (80 drivetrain), against 357 for the 2019 and 372 for the 2021.

Chrysler Pacifica years to avoid and best years →

In the full report

The rest of the picture on the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica

  • The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
  • What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
  • Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
  • Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
  • What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
  • Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.

What one owner reported

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM09/08/2026
I experienced a sudden loss of power and steering while driving my vehicle. The screen advised me to pull over because the engine would shut off soon, but I already had lost steering and power. I turned the car off and was able to restart it and drive it 1 mile home, and the check engine light was on. I had it towed to…

One of 80 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

2020 Chrysler Pacifica engine and transmission recalls

No engine or transmission recalls. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, none of them for the engine, transmission or fuel system. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.

5 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery26V362000 · Jun 2026
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in…
equipment adaptive/mobility: wheelchair restraints/securement: latch/anchor: 25V876000 · Dec 2025
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica,…
air bags: side/window: curtain24V793000 · Oct 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Pacifica and 2020-2021, 2023 Voyager vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the side curtain air bags may prevent the air bags from…
electrical system: wiring: connectors/plugs/receptacles23V010000 · Jan 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEVs). An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected…
back over prevention: sensing system: camera20V191000 · Sep 2020
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 Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee,…

Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.

Checking one particular 2020 Chrysler Pacifica? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.

Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.

Questions people ask about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica

Does the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica have engine problems?

Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 80 of 170 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (49%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica?

Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica is electrical system: 64 of 170 complaints (38%) name it, followed by engine (52) and power train (38). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap. Engine, transmission and fuel-system complaints together make up 49% of the relevant total.

Is the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica reliable?

On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 49% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 63% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 7 Chrysler Pacifica years we score, it ranks 2nd-best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica?

No. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, none of them for the engine, transmission or fuel system.

Which Chrysler Pacifica years are better?

Among the Chrysler Pacifica years we track, the 2019 (44%) has a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2020 (49%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/chrysler-pacifica

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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.