Problems with 2004 Chrysler Pacifica SUSPENSION

Had vehicle in for replacement of starter. mechanic noticed the subframe was completely rotted and no longer performing its intended purpose. chrysler general information yielded no results as there is no recall on that part. local dealership indicated the replacement part was $3585 (new) but there was no warehouse where such part was stocked. no used alternatives are available. car has 160k in miles, 2004. still has life in it but now it's unsafe to drive. *kb

2004 chrysler pacifica with 117,250 miles experiencing severe rust and deterioration in the rear suspension subframe. the mounting point of the rear shocks to the subframe is almost completely rusted through. two mechanics have told me that such rust should not be expected on such a young vehicle. many here have mentioned the front engine cradle rusting through. i'm experiencing the same type of rust issue but in the back. my mechanic says the car is getting to the unsafe to drive area! help!!! *kb

While driving less than 20mph heard loud clanking and hood of car was shaking. after pulling over lift hood and notice left motor mount had push threw hood this is the third time this problem has occurred since having vehicle. purchased vehicle in 2008. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pacifica. the contact stated that while driving, he would hear abnormally loud noises when attempting a turn. the vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and they advised him that he needed to replace the entire front suspension. the vehicle was repaired for the front suspension. the manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. the failure mileage was approximately 78,000. the vin was unavailable.

I own a chrysler pacifica 2004 awd. the vehicle has had numerous suspension problems, such as a clicking sound and an unstable vehicle. i believe it might be the front cradle of the vehicle but am not sure if this is the exact cause. also, when i brake, the car makes a huge thud sound. i replaced the brakes and rotors as the dealer has done but the noise is still there. please investigate this matter as many other pacifica owners have encountered this. thank you so much. *tr

We were told last week that the motor mounts on our 2004 chrysler pacifica were gone. not broken.... gone. i had noticed some front end shaking when i hit the brakes at a high rate of speed. i also noticed that the engine was loud when i would hit the accelerator from a stop. our mechanic discovered that the motor mounts were missing and causing the issues. every time i hit the gas, the engine jumps up a couple of inches. my mechanic called around and was unable to get his hands on any motor mounts at this time. he was told that they are on backorder at this time. i have been doing some research and have found that this is a common problem with pacificas. i have found a site, www.topix.com, has a forum open to list the issues with these cars. over the last couple of years, many people have stated that this part is on back order and can't be found anywhere. one person also said that chrysler is not making the part any more. i find this to be poor business on chrysler's part. i try to buy american, but i have to be honest.... my confidence is failing here. i feel chrysler should do the 'right thing' and make good to all the pacifica owners who are having this same issue. at the very least, make the part!!!!!! *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pacifica. the contact has been taking his vehicle to the dealer for an oil change and service ever since it was purchased. the dealer stated that the frame of his vehicle was rusted through and failed. the vehicle was unable to be driven and the contact must pay for the repair costs. the dealer never warned him of any failures. the manufacturer stated that they could not assist. the vehicle is still at the dealer awaiting repair. the failure mileage was 71,000. updated 02/06/09 *bf the vehicle pulled to the left. the dealer performed an alignment and replaced the tie rod ends. updated 02/06/09. *jb

Took the `04 pacifica to dealership for clunking noise on drivers side front. diagn. was for two hydraulic motor mounts $600. now tells me the clunk is still there and needs upper and lower control arms replaced $800. i am disgruntled that first and foremost this is costing me so much to repair, but secondly the manufacturer has been aware of these defects for quite some time. many complaints at http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0ec024/186 discuss this very same issue. it appears that chrysler has been aware of this defect since the first year of production, but has not offered up any recall. this is a major mechanical failure waiting to happen and all of these vehicles need to be recalled and repaired before major accidents occur. these vehicles are predominantly being driven by families and there needs to be a remedy before any critical failure of parts needlessly takes any lives. i implore you to act on this complaint. *tr

Motor mounts on 2004 chrysler pacifica defective after 61000 miles caused engine to shift and loosen transmission cable/wire disabling vehicle. *tr

Vehicle was making a clunking noise at acceleration, vehicle was also making noises that sounded like the shocks needed to be replaced. dealership told me that the both lower control arms were broken and needed to be replaced along with the front and rear motor mounts. after this was done 2 days later vehicle check engine light came on dealership has told me that the emission pump and solenoid has failed - the emission pump was just replaced in november 2007. from reviewing the website it looks like chrylser needs to take responsibility for service. i have asked them for all of my parts that they are removing from my vehicle since i no longer trust the dealership and will be looking for an outside mechanic to service my car. mg *tr

Oil pan plug became stripped very easily resulting in need for oil pan replacement. mechanics reported oil pan unusually thin where plug screws in resulting in easy strip. to emphasize this must be a frequent occurrence, i was informed that my car is now on a waiting list of at least a month before one would be available. i was further notified that 156 are back ordered and 96 additional are in the pipeline for this particular pan for this engine. if i had the other engine available for this car, there would be immediate replacement. i was further warned that the car is dangerous to drive now because the plug could fall out at any time with a resultant fire and/or seizing up of the engine from rapid drainage of oil. *tr the consumer also heard front end noises. the consumer was informed the right side lever bushing was defective. updated 05/28/08

We noticed a klunking when letting up off the gas petal while going down the road, and upon take off from a stop, it seems to roar. i'm speaking of a 2004 chrysler pacifica. we took it to a dealership, as we had thought, it was a brokrn rear motor mount, and they tell me my swag bar is loose. isn't there something that can be done? it seems to be a problem in alot of these cars! *cn

In august of 2007 i noticed a clucking noise in the front of my vehicle when ever i was on uneven roads or a bumpy service. i thought my shocks needed to be replaced so we did that but the noise is continuing to get worse, i took it to a mechanic in october he replaced the bushings which didn't seem to solve the problem, he doesn't know what the problem is, i have spent over a couple of thousand dollars on problems with this vehicle already and i am getting a little worried about driving it down the road it sounds so bad i think a front tire or something worse might break and i will have an accident injuring myself or someone else in the process, this needs to be reviewed by chrysler for the 2004 pacifica, i know this the first year for this vehicle but the recalls to fix stuff are few and far between if they even bother, it just seems like chrysler could care less. you can't even by a hanes or any kind of manual for this vehicle yet which is stupid let alone by parts from anyone for it. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pacifica. the contact stated that the vehicle has experienced several failures since the date it was purchased. the weather stripping came off and was taken to the dealer twice for repair. the locks on the driver side fail to indicate when the doors are locked. two weeks ago, while driving 30 mph, the contact applied the brakes and the vehicle began to shake violently. additionally, the steering wheel felt as if it would detach. when the vehicle came to a stop, the contact discovered that the rear tires appeared loose and the rear axle failed. the dealer was notified and the vehicle was towed to the repair shop. the weather was sunny at the time of failure. the vin and engine size were unknown. the current and failure mileages were 47,000.

I am only the second owner my 2004 pacifica for three months and have never owned a vehicle with this many problems. i only drove it two weeks when i started hearing a terrible rattling noise around the front right tire. i had my local chrysler dealership look at the car. they said i need to replace the rotors and sway links. we replaced those however the problems was not fixed. i took it back at which now it's pouring oil out from under it. they attempted to fix it however they do not. i took it back a third time they finally fixed the oil leak but the rattling and popping in the front suspension is still there. i have since taken it to an independent mechanic who assisted that the top and bottom motor mounts were completely broken. i replaced those and they seem to think the popping is possibly the control arm or bushings. only two days ago the air pressure sensor in the left front wheel broke and i have an engine light on. the engine light reader stated the car had an emission system leak. i can not believe a car this new could have all these problems. i am very unsatisfied with this automobile. i am in shock. chrysler should make this right. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated the rear control arm fractured. it was driven on the faulty control arm to an independent repair shop. the vehicle was inspected by the mechanic and repaired. it was taken for state inspection and failed due the inner tie rods needing replaced. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs.

After having my pacifica for 1.5 years and experiencing 19 problems (54 days in the shop!); 2-3 of which are recurring (i.e. the engine light coming on), even the service department at my dealership stated that they would stand behind my efforts to get a vehicle replacement! we are completely happy with the dealership's service as they have stood behind this "lemon" better than the manufacturer appears to be able to. after talking with the chrysler representative, mr. craig kishner, i was informed that the "best" chrysler could do was to refund my extended warranty price. i pushed back and my boyfriend also called to announce our dismay at the manner in which we are being treated after being tremendously patient for 1.5 years to see if this "lemon" could be repaired to a reasonable level of usability. mr kishner then came back with the answer that chrysler would only "step up" for the previously laughable answer. we had hoped for a laudable answer. i find it difficult to believe that a manufacturer, with the questionable track record of chrysler, would want to create more adverse publicity than they already have chalked up over the course of their existence. nonetheless, we will pursue this through the courts and undoubtedly tell all of our friends and business colleauges of this horrific experience. *ak

2004 chrysler pacifica developed problems with the transmission and the wheel bearings. *mr the consumer experienced problem upon the arrival at home on the first day of purchase. there were clunking sounds when in drive, reverse, shift or reverse to drive, a whine when decelerating at 30-40 mph, excess backlash in the differential. the service dealer notes stated that there was incorrect gear lash and bearing preload upon original assembly from the factory. the dealer fixed the wheel bearing and stated that the transmission was normal. the consumer requested a refund. *sc

Rear grinds and smokes. heavy vibration through the steering wheel that is so bad that it is difficult to hold the steering wheel. *nm

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pacifica. while driving 20 mph, the vehicle began to shake and made a thumping sound. the vehicle also tends to pull to the right. the vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer, but the failure continues. the current mileage was 51,200 and failure mileage was 6,000. updated 6/16/08 *cn the left rear seatbelt would not retract, the outer tie rod ends, the blower motor and resistor were replaced because the vehicle didn't have any heat, the battery was stalling. the heated seat were not working. updated 06/16/08*jb

Extensive rust formation on all suspension components and in particular the engine cradle. on the engine cradle, rust is most prominent on the weld seams and the lower portions where moisture probably is pooling on the inside and penetrating what must be unusually porous and/or untreated metal. i am the original owner and i noticed a rust color on the various suspension parts early in the ownership. i mentioned this coloration to the dealer and they explained it as a clay compound spray that is applied at the factory to protect undercarriage from corrosion during shipping. at the time, i accepted this explanation at face value but in hindsight it probably was premature rust. i can't find any information on the internet that suggests spraying clay is actually a real practice. furthermore, the car was manufactured in canada. not much rust concerns between canada and the us. somewhat plausible if shipping overseas. unless someone informs me otherwise on this clay spraying , i think i was duped. at first this rust was just an annoying cosmetic blemish but it has progressed to the point where i am concerned about safety. *tr