2017+ Chrysler Pacifica vans, non hybrid.
How are they? Don't care much for whizbang features, just reliability. I've heard the trans can be clunky, but lasts okay. I've also heard issues with an oil cooler?

Looking to upgrade the family van. We had a 2009 Chrysler van and it was horrible. Constant weird electrical issues, creaky doors, non-working doors, a torque converter that didn't want to unlock, leaking coolant from heater hoses, etc. That said, I do not want another van from that generation.

Picked up a cheap 2002 Chrysler 3.3L and it's been a peach ever since. It now has 180k miles and it's time for an upgrade.

We were looking into other brands and had hoped to find a Sienna, but they are hard to find with lowish miles at a good price. Pacificas just showed up on my radar as they are pretty affordable. Odysseys still use a timing belt and a problematic cylinder shutdown system, so they are off the table.

Thanks for any input!

-Dave

I have a friend with one. I'm not sure of the year but something around 2020 and the only issue he's had is the very common Pentastar tick, tick, tick. He's supposed to take it to dealership and see what they have to say. If I were looking at them I'd listen very closely to see if there's any tick and check heads for new part number to see if replaced already.

My Mopar buddy Rick traded in his reliable Dodge minivan on a new one last year and has had nothing but electrical problems, I believe his is a 2022. In fact it died coming back from Florida a couple days ago and is having parts thrown at it in Valdosta, GA as we speak. He called me to ask if I could transport it back from GA to IL because even if they say it is fixed he doesn't want to drive it back home! He says when it gets back here he is going to Lemon Law it...

Stay away from Pacificas per my 40 yr dealer parts guy.
Try for a low mileage 2019 Grand Caravan GT, hopeful one with the Michelin tires

That's what my buddy had, the Grand Caravan GT, he wants it back!

Interesting, sounds like the consensus here is to not get one.
I've been researching and it sounded like if you avoid the first year and keep an eye on the oil cooler/filter housing for leaks, they are okay.

Thanks for the input.

I believe that the modern era of motors from the company that was at one called Chrysler, no longer has the quality or durability of the old company.

I also believe most modern vehicles are pledged with overly complicated electronics and engine management systems to meet the demands of the bean counters, the stock holders, and the government. Lasting durability and long term reliability are the price we pay.

I believe that the mid 1990s - 2010 will probably be considered as the high point of the automotive industry world wide. I believe that if you spend that $15G on rebuilding your current ride, you will come out ahead.

A owning a new car or truck just doesn't have the prestige that it once carried.

Our 2015 has been pretty trouble-free other than the usual pentastar oil cooler leak. And I keep an eye on the lifters if they start to get noisy due to the rollers getting sloppy.

But that's the previous generation...

I have a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 4.0 Quad Trac 4wd. D.D.
Other than having to replace the PCM... last year, with a used low mileage one, all l have done
is just maintenance parts over the last 16 or so years, I have owned it. It's been VERY reliable.

We are on our second Pacifica. The first was a 2019, and we currently have a 2022. We have had a good experience with both. The 2019 we ran up over 100,000 miles and never had any issues. However the computer stack in the center did start to glich from time to time and they are expensive to replace so we decided to trade for the 22 model. We have roughly 35,000 miles on that one and have had no problems so far. I do agree that the transmissions can be clunky and throw a hard shift from time to time but we have never had to have it serviced.

We have a '17. Other than one headgasket it has been fine. We've had it 3 years. Very comfortable and going to Carlisle got 30 mpg. If you live in Ohio and drive to CArlisle, it's not a flat drive.
I would recommend an extended warranty if you can get one. Working in a parts store now has taught me that all makes have something that is problematic, Even Toyota. We have yet to sell headgaskets for Pacificas, nor oil coolers. Maybe the dealer covers it, but one vehicle I'd not buy now is anything GM. Trans issues along with the SUV's having engine issues.
And,,,,, don't buy a Hyundai or Kia. Don't

I bought my wife's 18 Pacifica wrecked at just over 35,000 miles now has 126,000 miles and no problems.just oil changes 1 tuneup& brakes&rotors.

Well said.