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2004 Chrysler Pacifica Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2004 Chrysler Pacifica has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “Engine cradle / subframe corrosion.” Chrysler's Oil Change Indicator tracks engine load and duty cycle, then messages when oil life is used up — capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 (300, Pacifica, Town & Country, Voyager) is long-interval by design: spark plugs at 100,000 miles and no timing belt. Minivans in family duty count as 'severe service' more often than owners think — frequent short trips shorten the oil indicator's countdown, and that's the system working correctly.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica.

Reported to NHTSA

Engine cradle / subframe corrosion

STRUCTURE

142 NHTSA complaints · 2015-03 → 2021-09

“Subframe/Engine Cradle failed due to rust. Subframe is available for inspection upon request. My safety or the safety of others is put at risk due to the failed (rusted, corroded, rotted) subframe/engine cradle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11434993
“THE ENGINE CRADLE HAS RUSTED TO A POINT THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. IT'S A GOOD RUNNING CAR WITH ONLY 105000 MILES WITH NOTHING ELSE WRONG”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10894945
“ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED OUT. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MECHANIC QUOTED $4200.00 TO FIX. POSSIBILITY OF ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FALLING OUT OF CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10905565

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Stalling and fuel delivery malfunction

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

26 NHTSA complaints · 2015-03 → 2020-10

“THE VEHICLE DOES WHEN IN REVERSE AND YOU STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR. GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY EVEN WITH FUEL IN IT AND FLUCTUATES BETWEEN EMPTY AND FULL. VEHICLE STALLS WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER OR COMING TO A STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11351956
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD BUZZING NOISE AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10984250
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL WITHIN THREE MINUTES WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11003512

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment and electrical fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2015-03 → 2021-02

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AND SAW FLAMES EMITTING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11003509
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT ARRIVED HOME AND WAS NOTIFIED BY AN EYEWITNESS, APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES LATER, THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11020522
“I WAS GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON OUT OF NOWHERE AND THEN A SMELL OF BURNT RUBBER STARTED COMING THROUGH THE CAR I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF POPPED THE HOOD AND FOUND A FIRE ON MY ALTERNATOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10714565

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Accelerator pedal unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-03 → 2017-05

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEIZED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10852143
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10984284
“ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT (13 JULY 16), SE MICHIGAN HAD SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND STREET FLOODING. I DROVE THROUGH THIS FOR AT LEAST 6 MILES. THE NEXT MORNING AS I WAS LEAVING FOR WORK, I GOT INTO THE CAR, BUCKLED MY SEAT BELT AND PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10888401

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change oil when the indicator message appears — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L uses 0W-20; PT Cruiser's 2.4L uses 5W-30. Short-trip city driving will trigger the indicator well before 10,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles or at every oil change. Front-heavy minivans (Pacifica, Voyager) chew front tires quickly without rotation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Loaded minivans and the heavy 300 wear rear pads faster than expected — check both axles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Timing Belt (2.4L PT Cruiser)

Every 100,000 mi

PT Cruiser's 2.4L is a timing-belt engine: replace around 100,000 miles (check your manual's exact interval for the year). Do the water pump and tensioner in the same job — the labor overlaps almost entirely.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Minivans (62TE six-speed): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles under family duty. 300 with the ZF/TorqueFlite 8-speed: Chrysler lists no normal-service interval, but specialists recommend fluid service around 60,000-100,000 miles. ATF+4 or the specified 8-speed fluid only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: iridium plugs at 100,000 miles. PT Cruiser 2.4L: roughly every 30,000 miles with conventional plugs — check the manual for your year.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. On the Pentastar it's a quick top-of-engine job; inspect sooner in dusty climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on evidence of cracking or glazing. A failed belt on the Pentastar takes the water pump drive with it — don't run it to destruction.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles — behind the glovebox on Pacifica, Voyager, and 300. Family-hauler duty (pets, gravel school lots) argues for yearly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant: first replacement at 10 years or 150,000 miles per the schedule; many shops suggest refreshing by 100,000 miles. Use OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing types gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually once the battery passes 3 years old. Pacifica's stop-start system uses a pricier AGM or dual-battery setup — weak batteries throw confusing electrical faults first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

78 crashes 1990–2024

How the 78 occupant deaths break down

54

driver deaths

24

passenger deaths

78

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2003 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

32

complaints mentioning a crash

30

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica reflects Chrysler's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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