NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Chrysler Pacifica Safety Ratings
The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica scores 72 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 5 recalls, and 161 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
A battery fire warning is among the five recall campaigns for the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, a significant safety concern. This recall, which advised owners to park outside, contributes to a defect record that offsets otherwise strong crash-test results. The vehicle's thin score for avoidance technology also factors into its 72/100 NHTSA Safety Index, which places it in the Average band.
The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid received an overall 5-star crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 72 out of 100, based on NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 105 Sedans from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica ranks 97 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 72 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 10.9% |
| Recalls on file | 5 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 161 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 97 of 105 Sedans tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica?
The 2020 Pacifica Hybrid carries a park-outside directive for its high voltage battery pack among its five recall campaigns. That specific recall, alongside the others, contributes to a low defect record component score of 6.5 out of 20, a significant factor in the model year's NHTSA Safety Index of 72 out of 100. This places it in the Average band, an 8-point decline from the 2019 model year's Strong band score of 80. Despite the recall burden, the Pacifica Hybrid demonstrates strong passive protection. Its crash protection component scored 61 out of 70. This aligns with the 5-star overall rating issued by NHTSA, including a 5-star result for side-crash protection. However, the vehicle's avoidance-tech score is 4 out of 10. This reflects that forward collision warning and lane departure warning were offered as optional, not standard, equipment for this model year. Evaluating the 2020 Pacifica Hybrid's safety requires balancing its strong crash protection with its substantial defect record.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid achieved an overall 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. Side protection earned a perfect 5 stars, a clear high point in its crash-test results. Frontal and rollover protection each rated 4 out of 5 stars, with the latter showing a rollover risk of 11 percent and a "No Tip" dynamic test result.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14232
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica have any recalls?
Yes. Five recall campaigns cover this model year. The most serious is a park-outside, do-not-drive order tied to the PHEV traction battery pack, which may pose a fire risk. Additional campaigns address curtain airbag connector security, PHEV transmission wiring, a backup camera software fix delivered over the air, and an adaptive wheelchair restraint issue affecting converted vehicles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY26V362000
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the battery pack assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 23, 2026.
Reported 2026-06-04
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:25V876000
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
Reported 2025-12-17
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN24V793000
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the connector, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is A8B.
Reported 2024-10-24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES23V010000
Risk: An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Power Inverter Module (PIM) software and, if necessary, update the instrument panel cluster (IPC) and the electronic control module (ECM) software, free of charge. FCA US will notify dealers and begin notifying owners on or about: 03/21/2023 for 2021 model year vehicles, 05/02/2023 for 2019-2020 model year vehicles, and 06/15/2023 for 2017-2018 model year vehicles. FCA bega
Reported 2023-01-17
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA20V191000
Risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.
Reported 2020-09-10
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica?
Owners have filed 161 unverified complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported component categories are the Electrical System with 59 alleged incidents, the Engine with 51, and the Power Train with 38. Allegations also include 7 reported crashes, 3 reported fires, and 10 reported injuries. All are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
161 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica?
Potential buyers of a used 2020 Pacifica Hybrid should conduct a thorough VIN check for open recalls. A specific campaign mandates parking outside until a remedy is applied. Written confirmation from the seller or a dealership is advised to verify completion of any outstanding PHEV battery recalls before purchase.
- A park-outside, do-not-drive recall specific to the 2020 Pacifica PHEV traction battery pack is among the five campaigns on record for this model year and should be treated as the top safety priority for any current owner or prospective buyer.
- The Safety Index fell 8 points from the 2019 model year's 80 to this year's 72, a drop traceable directly to the defect record sub-score of 6.5 out of 20, making the recall history the single largest drag on this year's safety standing.
- Forward collision warning and lane departure warning are listed as optional equipment on the 2020 model year, not standard, which reduced the avoidance-tech component score to 4 out of 10 and is a year-specific factor buyers should verify on any individual vehicle.
- NHTSA has received 161 unverified owner complaints for this model year, with 59 alleged Electrical System incidents and 3 alleged fires, a pattern that aligns with the PHEV battery and wiring recall campaigns active on this vehicle.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica places
The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Chrysler Pacifica safety questions
Was the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 72 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 10.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 161 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Pacifica years
Rivals in Sedan (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Acura RLX | 99/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Acura RLX Sport | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2020 Audi S5 Sportback | 99/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Infiniti Q50 | 99/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Mazda Mazda3 | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Nissan Maxima | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14232), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Chrysler Pacifica 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 97 of 105 in the Sedan class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.