Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 896 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 194 | 22% |
| Engine | 70 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 52 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 44 | 5% |
| Power train | 37 | 4% |
| Suspension | 34 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 27 | 3% |
| Suspension | 25 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 24 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 21 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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. Vehicle
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH, A STATE TROOPER HAD BEGUN TO WAVE HIS SON'S VEHICLE DOWN. THE TROOPER THEN INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE W
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE WHEN THE CRUISE CUT OUT AND THE ENGINE SKIPPED. PULLED OVER TO CHECK ENGINE FLUIDS AND ALL WERE OK. NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY OTHER INDICATION OF SOMETHING BEING WRONG. CONTINUED AT APPROX 7
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE UNDER CARRIAGE THAT HOLDS ENGINE IN PLACE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I BOUGHT BRAND NEW TIRES FROM BELLE TIRE ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2020. BY NOVEMBER 1 2020 I WAS OBSERVING EXTREME WEAR ON THE BRAND NEW TIRES. WENT TO M
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND MY LIGHTS ALL LIT UP, CAR STALLED, AND MY DASH BOARD SAID NO BUS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, HE HAD TAKEN IT TO CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM BRUNSWICK GEORGIA (5400 ALT
NHTSA complaint: Engine
ITS THROWING A PCM CODE AN THE CAR IS STALLING SO BAD IN THE MODDLE OF DRIVING I HAVE BEEN STUCK SEVEREAL TIMES AN I THUNK THERE IS A FUEL LEAK I SMEELL GAS SO BED ITS THROING PO300 CODE AN WONT CHANFE EVEN WHEN I GOT AL
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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.. FOUL SME
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NGC-1 POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, THE SOFTWARE PROTOCOLE USED TO TEST THE VEHICLE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) SYSTEM MAY LEAD TO ENGINE STALLING UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CHASSIS FUEL SUPPLY TUBE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED.
Risk: UNDER CERTAIN ENGINE AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONDITIONS, THE FUEL LINE MAY SEPARATE, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK AND AN INCREASED RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY RETENTION CLIP TO THE FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 68 | good |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 896 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 194 of them (22%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.