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2021 Chrysler Pacifica

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 189.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 28 of 368 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 149 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 140 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2026
Service Brakes

Car rolls forward when in reverse and takes a dangerously long time to slip into gear. Car rolls back when foot is taken off brake, especially on hills.

NHTSA ODI #11712248

82,500 miles · Aug 11, 2025
Service BrakesCrashInjury

The contact owned a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would surge forward 3 to 4 feet before proceeding to slow down or come to a complete stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, wh…

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The contact owned a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would surge forward 3 to 4 feet before proceeding to slow down or come to a complete stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the failure was not duplicatable and nothing was found to be wrong with the vehicle. The local dealer proceeded to replace the spark plugs, the brake fluid, field spark plug weld, and gasket cylinder head cover, however the contact stated that after the repair the failure increasingly persisted leading them to be involved in a crash where the contact stated that while driving on a highway at 55 MPH, there were two vehicles stopped ahead, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle proceeded to surge forward and crash into the vehicle Infront of them with the entire front end of their vehicle. The impact caused the vehicle in front of the contact to crash into the rear end of the vehicle in front. That vehicle sustained damage to the entire rear and front end of the vehicle as the impact caused that vehicle to crash into the rear end of the vehicle in front of it. No property damage was reported. The vehicles came to a stop upon rebound after the impact. The air bags were deployed. The vehicle was towed to an auto body center, and no warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was injured while seated in the driver's seat; the passenger in their vehicle was not injured. An individual in the vehicle in front of the contact was injured. The contact sustained injuries to their ribs and sternum. Medical treatment was needed for the injuries, and the other individual also required medical treatment for unknown injuries. The individual at the front of the line in this collision was not injured. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed as it was decla

NHTSA ODI #11679835

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2025
Back Over PreventionElectrical SystemService Brakes

The emergency brake came on while I was driving

NHTSA ODI #11660312

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

The forward collision alarm was triggered when there was no collision. Additionally the ABS system and cruise control went offline. This occurred numerous times during winter while at a full stop as well as when driving between 45-55mph. Once triggered the collision alarm remained on for hours to days at a time. During that t…

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The forward collision alarm was triggered when there was no collision. Additionally the ABS system and cruise control went offline. This occurred numerous times during winter while at a full stop as well as when driving between 45-55mph. Once triggered the collision alarm remained on for hours to days at a time. During that time cruise control was not able to be used and ABS was offline. Additionally the assisted parking was not available. ABS and stability control is important for safe driving and braking in icy/slippery situations putting both my own, my passengers, and other drivers at risk. The vehicle was inspected 4 times by the Bath NY Chrysler dealership. A sensor was replaced the first time but this did not correct the issue. The 2nd time another component was replaced, but the technician stated the issue was still present and I would need to bring it back in for further testing. The 3rd and 4th time the dealership was not able to recreate the issue and did not perform any repairs. The issue has recurred, but the dealership was not able to get the car in at that time. This vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance etc. There was no prior warning to the issue. When it occurs the warning lamps that come on are: BRAKE, Front Collision, Front Collision OFF, ABS, Seatbelt, and the Traction Control. I have a photo of the dash from one of these incidents.

NHTSA ODI #11593627

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2024
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

The vehicle stalled on the freeway while traveling 75 mph in the HOV lane. After the engine shut off, I recalled an error message on the dash that stated, "Motive power will stop and pull over quickly.” I needed to take evasive action to bring the vehicle to the side of the 5 freeway. I could not restart the engine in Neutral …

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The vehicle stalled on the freeway while traveling 75 mph in the HOV lane. After the engine shut off, I recalled an error message on the dash that stated, "Motive power will stop and pull over quickly.” I needed to take evasive action to bring the vehicle to the side of the 5 freeway. I could not restart the engine in Neutral while the car was in motion. The car showed a charging error on the first and second attempted restart on the side of the road with the transmission in Park. After letting the vehicle sit for a few minutes, I successfully restarted the engine, but the dash continued showing an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL). We were traveling at 75 mph in the HOV lane (lane #1) when the vehicle engine cut off without warning. Once the engine was off, I saw a warning on the instrument cluster that the vehicle would lose all motive power (it's a hybrid) and that I should immediately stop it. I needed to take emergency action, cross over 5 lanes of freeway traffic, and then stop on the side of the road. The vehicle did not allow an engine to restart while in Neutral, with the car moving. The vehicle was brought in for the recall of 03A/NHTSA 23V-010. From what I understand, this recall did not fix the problem (reported to be a faulty wiring harness in the transmission). I installed a software update to display the error message that instructed me that all motive power would be lost and that I should stop the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11570099

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineService BrakesCrash

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid will lose all power while driving. I have had it back to the Dealer for this Problem. I got a Recall for this in April. I took it in to the Dealer to do. They told me that Chrysler does not have a fix for this yet. Within 400 miles after that it done it again while my wife was driving and cause…

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The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid will lose all power while driving. I have had it back to the Dealer for this Problem. I got a Recall for this in April. I took it in to the Dealer to do. They told me that Chrysler does not have a fix for this yet. Within 400 miles after that it done it again while my wife was driving and caused a crash.

NHTSA ODI #11531168

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesCrash

I was on the highway traveling at 60mph, with the adaptive cruise control on. The semi in front of me began to brake, I tapped off the cruise control and began braking. The semi came to a complete stop and I pushed my brake pedal to the floor to stop my vehicle. It did not stop. My Pinnacle has emergency braking and forward …

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I was on the highway traveling at 60mph, with the adaptive cruise control on. The semi in front of me began to brake, I tapped off the cruise control and began braking. The semi came to a complete stop and I pushed my brake pedal to the floor to stop my vehicle. It did not stop. My Pinnacle has emergency braking and forward collision warning. My driver's instrument panel did not give a forward collision warning indication in a timely manner and my emergency braking did not stop my vehicle. At the time of the accident vehicle had less than 10,000 miles, dry weather conditions, and vehicle was used for leisure - in town driving. A month previously, I took my Pinnacle into the dealership because I didn't feel my brakes were working properly. They felt mushy, little resistance, and were making a noise. An inspection was performed by the dealership but were unable to detect a noise or visual issue. My safety was put at risk when a system I depended upon, that was advertised as, "Full speed forward collision warning with active braking assists you by providing both visual and audible warnings as well as applying emergency braking to help bring the vehicle to a full stop, if needed" (chrysler.com/pacifica/safey-security.html) failed. The brakes didn't engage properly to stop us before hitting the vehicle in front of us. The forward collision warning indication didn't happen in a timely manner, it was delayed causing us to lose precious seconds. If this had been a passenger vehicle in front of us we could have injured the occupants and we ourselves could have been gravely injured had we been traveling at a higher rate of speed. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealership, but was taken there prior to the incident less than a month before. I reported the problem to Chrysler the day of the accident. The vehicle is pending inspection by insurance and I have asked that the Electronic Data Recorder be removed and the information on it to be evaluated.

NHTSA ODI #11484672

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2022
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

I was driving uphill at slow speed; then a garbage truck in front of me needed to do a 3 point turn so I switched to reverse to back up. At that point the vehicle started flashing an alarm, I think said "service hybrid system" or something like that and instantly began rolling down the hill for about a block, while I was comple…

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I was driving uphill at slow speed; then a garbage truck in front of me needed to do a 3 point turn so I switched to reverse to back up. At that point the vehicle started flashing an alarm, I think said "service hybrid system" or something like that and instantly began rolling down the hill for about a block, while I was completely unable to engage the break or gas, to switch to drive, to control the wheel, even the emergency brake failed. I was rolling backwards for about a block completely unable to control any component of the car when the emergency break finally engaged. I was able to turn on my hazards at that point, but the vehicle would not start, nor would it turn off. I could not make it reverse or drive or even turn off as I sat stuck in the middle of an intersection. After several minutes like that I was eventually able to restart the car and drive slowly home. This is MURDER by Chrysler waiting to happen. I was very lucky no child or vehicle was behind me as I rolled downhill into an intersection. I was very lucky to not be hit by oncoming traffic as I sat stuck after rolling a block downhill backwards-- THESE ARE MINIVANS FILLED WITH CHILDREN!! MY 4 children! Chrysler in Berkeley service said they haven't heard of this before and will see me only next week, and not sooner! However, There are numerous similar complaints registered. I am afraid to drive it at all at this point. This is a very new car with less than 10K miles on it. RECALL IMMEDIATELY PLEASE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #11474631

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2022
Power TrainService Brakes

My PHEV Pacifica Hybrid experiences intermittent dangerous lurching during braking. Symptoms: - During modest braking where regenerative braking system is doing most of the braking, the regenerative braking system flutters on an off a couple seconds at a time - The Power gauge on the cluster (Far Left) Bounces wildly with each f…

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My PHEV Pacifica Hybrid experiences intermittent dangerous lurching during braking. Symptoms: - During modest braking where regenerative braking system is doing most of the braking, the regenerative braking system flutters on an off a couple seconds at a time - The Power gauge on the cluster (Far Left) Bounces wildly with each flutter - Sudden loss of braking causes lurching of vehicle - Problem is periodic. Will not have the problem for weeks and then suddenly have the issue constantly for several days I have experienced this at highways speeds but it is most dangerous when braking in traffic.

NHTSA ODI #11448319

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2021
Service BrakesCrash

I was stopped at a traffic light for several minutes. I started to feel like we were moving and checked the brakes to make sure they were still fully engaged. When I realized that they were and that I was still rolling, I put the car into park. I did bump the semi in front of me. I’m not sure if the impact or putting the car…

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I was stopped at a traffic light for several minutes. I started to feel like we were moving and checked the brakes to make sure they were still fully engaged. When I realized that they were and that I was still rolling, I put the car into park. I did bump the semi in front of me. I’m not sure if the impact or putting the car in park that stopped me. I have had the car for 3 months and never had anything like that happen. We had the car towed to the dealer and called Chrysler to report the problem. An inspector spoke to me and then went to the dealer to inspect the car. A few days later , we received an email saying that there was no manufacturing defect found with few other details about the inspection . We have since called several times to ask questions about the inspection and are told a “supervisor” needs to call us back. Despite being given several dates/times when this would happen, they have failed to call us back to discuss.

NHTSA ODI #11418844

Official recalls

7

26V362000 · Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery

Jun 4, 2026

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 52D. The Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 11, 2026.

25V876000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility:wheelchair Restraints/securement:latch/anchor:

Dec 17, 2025

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

25V877000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility:wheelchair Restraints/securement:latch/anchor:

Dec 17, 2025

Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters was mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082.

24V793000 · Air Bags:side/window:curtain

Oct 24, 2024

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Pacifica and 2020-2021, 2023 Voyager vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the side curtain air bags may prevent the air bags from deploying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

24V436000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Jun 13, 2024

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.

23V010000 · Electrical System:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles; Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Jan 17, 2023

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEVs). An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 began notifying owners on February 23, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03A.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEVs). An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.

Consequence: 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 began notifying owners on February 23, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03A.

Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEVs). An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.

Consequence: 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 began notifying owners on February 23, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03A.

22V181000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Mar 24, 2022

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Pacifica and 2021 Voyager vehicles. The second-row seat-to-floor mounting latch may bind and stick open, preventing the seat from properly securing to the floor. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unsecured seat increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second-row seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Z22.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

RQ24004 · Loss Of Motive Power Due To An Internal Wiring Connector Short.

Opened Feb 27, 2024 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:wiring

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE22-008 regarding complaints alleging a loss of motive power condition potentially due to a transmission malfunction in Model Years 2019-2021 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV).  On January 17, 2023, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) issued safety recall (NHTSA Recall 23V-010) involving 2017-2023 Model Years (MY) Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) produced between August 12, 2016, through January 9, 2023. The recall states that the loss of motive power condition in these vehicles is caused by an internal transmission wiring connector that may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.  An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.  In discussions with FCA on Recall 23V-010, ODI confirmed the recall was related to investigation PE22-008.  The remedy for 23V-010 is to update the Power Inverter module (PIM) and/or Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) software to provide drivers a message stating “Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon” followed by a chime and MIL, PRNDL blinking (on cluster and shifter knob), low SOC (State of Charge) warning and reduced power mode.  The recall remedy does not replace the defective hardware that was described in Recall 23V-010, and the wiring connector short still exists on these vehicles. To date, ODI has received 132 reports for the population of vehicles subject to recall 23V-010.  These reports allege a loss of motive power condition that reduces the vehicles speed, followed by dashboard warning lamps displaying messages associated with recall 23V-010.  The presence of these warning lamps and messages indicates the vehicle likely had the recall remedy applied. Follow up discussions with FCA confirm their remedy does not prevent a loss of motive power, but instead limits torque to the engine and after an unspecified number of miles or period of time, the engine will shut down.  When this occurs, FCA relies on the owner to transport the vehicle to a dealership after they experience a loss of motive power condition, at which time the defective hardware is replaced.  Furthermore, the dashboard messages introduced in the recall remedy may cause the driver to pull over in an unsafe location. Pulling over in an unsafe location may expose the occupants to undue harm. The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the adequacy, frequency, and safety consequence of the remedy for recall 23V-010.  To review the ODI reports cited in the opening resume ODI report identification number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

PE22008 · Transmission Fault Leading To Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Jul 22, 2022 · Closed Mar 27, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22008 to investigate allegation of loss of motive power, potentially due to transmission malfunction, in certain Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. In a January 17, 2023 letter to NHTSA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) submitted recall notice 23V-010 involving a transmission motor wiring defect in 67,118 model year (MY) 2017-2023 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) manufactured from August 12, 2016 through January 9, 2023. FCA determined that an internal transmission connector short could result in an unexpected engine shutdown under certain conditions. Follow up correspondence with FCA confirmed this defect results in an electric motor position trouble code that was the basis for opening PE22008, therefore NHTSA is closing this investigation. The 23V-010 recall remedy is a software update to address the hardware failure associated with PE22008. When a hardware failure is detected, the vehicle limits motive power while instructing the driver to pull over to a safe location. NHTSA is concerned that drivers will pull over to an unsafe location when the warning message associated with the recall remedy displays on the dashboard. Due to the nature of the recall remedy and related reports, NHTSA has opened Recall Query RQ24004 to assess the recall remedy. The reports and failure report summary values included with this closing action are related to allegations of Recall 23V-010 remedy inadequacy. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.