MODEL
Chrysler Pacifica
NHTSA safety across every Chrysler Pacifica model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Chrysler Pacifica we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2026 at 93 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2022 at 65. 65 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan, not a sedan, and sits at the heart of the family-hauler segment as one of the few remaining American-brand entries in the class. Aimed squarely at families who prioritize interior space, sliding rear doors, and everyday practicality, the Pacifica competes in a segment where passenger protection and recall history carry outsized weight. Our coverage spans the 2019 through 2025 model years.
The Chrysler Pacifica presents a genuinely mixed safety picture across the 2019 to 2025 model years, and families considering one deserve a clear-eyed look at the numbers before signing anything. On the positive side, the best NHTSA Safety Index we recorded reaches 82 out of 100 on the 2025 model, a Strong-band result, and the side-crash rating hits a full 5 out of 5 stars in the best tested year. Frontal protection earns a solid 4 out of 5, and rollover resistance lands at 4 out of 5, reasonable for a tall-riding minivan. Those headline numbers are encouraging. The concern arrives when you dig into the recall record. Across the covered model years, NHTSA has logged 62 recalls on the Pacifica, a figure that is notably high for any single nameplate. More seriously, 4 of those campaigns carried park-outside or do-not-drive severity designations, meaning federal regulators considered the risk serious enough to pull the vehicle from driveways entirely. Owner complaints total 1,216, with 41 alleged crashes, 8 fire-related allegations, 39 reported injuries, and 1 reported death attached to those filings. These are unverified allegations, not confirmed findings, but the volume and severity categories demand attention. The 2025 model shows meaningful progress on the safety index, but buyers of earlier years in this range should audit open recalls carefully before purchase.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Pacifica for its clever interior packaging, genuinely useful Stow 'n Go seating, and a cabin that feels well-suited to family life. Driving refinement draws moderate approval, with most noting a composed, if not sporty, ride. Some reviewers flag interior materials as inconsistent across trim levels, and the plug-in hybrid variant tends to attract specific attention for its powertrain character and added utility.
- The Pacifica carries 62 recalls across the 2019 to 2025 model years, one of the higher recall counts for a single nameplate in its segment. Any used example should have its VIN checked against NHTSA's recall database before purchase.
- Four of those recalls were classified as park-outside or do-not-drive campaigns, indicating NHTSA judged the underlying defects serious enough to warrant removing the vehicle from service entirely until repaired.
- The 2025 model year earns the strongest NHTSA Safety Index in our covered range at 82 out of 100, a Strong-band result, suggesting Chrysler has made measurable improvements to the most recent iteration.
- Owner complaints on file with NHTSA include 41 alleged crashes, 8 fire-related allegations, and 39 reported injuries across the covered years. These are unverified allegations, but the fire-related complaint volume is worth noting, particularly given the park-outside recall history.
Most-recalled year on record: 2023 Chrysler Pacifica with 14 recalls.