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 726 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica, and it carries 1 recall. 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 | 108 | 15% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 62 | 9% |
| Engine | 51 | 7% |
| Power train | 46 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 38 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 28 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 28 | 4% |
| Suspension | 25 | 3% |
| Structure | 22 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 22 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle turned off independently but was able to be restarted. Additionally, the vehicle was difficult to start. The
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
When struck from behind in an accident, the driver's front seat failed.
NHTSA complaint: Seats
The contact owned a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, she lost control of the vehicle as it went through a guardrail and crashed into a tree where it came to a stop. The contact sta
NHTSA complaint: Equipment adaptive/mobility
Bought this car 3 months ago from Ford dealership, took it to mechanic shop today for oil change and was told car is "unsafe to drive" from frame being so rusted
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Bought car from a private seller and wasn't informed of MASSIVE and UNSAFE DAMAGE TO ENGINE CRADLE. The engine cradle is nearly completely rotted out. Don't know if rust has eroded other parts until a mechanic can look
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
I got in the car started it as usual, shifted it in (D), pulled out of my church parking lot, got about 5 miles away from my church stopped at a red light. The light turned green I accelerated as usual. At this light is
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Vehicle shut off WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD out of nowhere after running perfectly fine and since this incident the car won't start at all. Had the car diagnosed and it said it's the "Transmission control module"
NHTSA complaint: Power train
A few weeks ago we took our car to a mechanic to have the brakes worked on as a part of routine maintenance. When we picked it up, he noted that when he had it up on the lift, he saw that the engine cradle was very badly
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2006 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 PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) SOFTWARE MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STALL UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2004 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 21, 20
| Reliability raw | 59 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 66 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 68 | good |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 726 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 108 of them (15%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 59/100 (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 66/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 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.