2023 Chrysler Pacifica

The vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of motive power while driving in active traffic due to a severe hybrid powertrain malfunction. Immediately prior to the failure, the dashboard displayed a critical warning message: "Stop Safely – Vehicle will shut off soon." The vehicle then lost all propulsion, leaving it completely disabled and forcing an emergency maneuver to the shoulder. This dangerous stalling event occurred twice. The safety of my family was put at extreme risk as we were trapped in a dead vehicle in active traffic lanes, creating a severe rear-end collision hazard. The malfunctioning system involves the hybrid propulsion system, specifically the Hybrid Control Module (HCPM) or internal transaxle wiring. This issue began immediately after a dealership performed the mandatory 44D Emissions Recall software flash repair. The vehicle is currently with Dealership for more than a week for diagnosis. The problem has not yet been permanently repaired by the manufacturer, but diagnostic trouble codes should be stored in the vehicle's computer modules.

The vehicle has experienced three separate incidents involving a sudden, unexpected loss of motive power at speed accompanied by a warning message ("Please pull off the road safely, vehicle will shut off soon") and a turtle icon ("Red Turtle of Death") on the instrument cluster. Two of these incidents occurred on major highways at speeds exceeding 60 mph. Incident History: February 2026 (Heavy Melting Snow, Boston, MA): Vehicle experienced complete loss of propulsion while driving on a city street. Dealership (McGovern Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram) held the vehicle for nearly a month under Diagnostic Trouble Code P167B ("Controlled System Shutdown"). Replaced occupant restraint module, which did not resolve the issue. Vehicle eventually resumed operating on its own. Recent Incident (Heavy Rain spray, Highway >60 MPH): Sudden loss of motive power on high-speed road. Instrument panel displayed turtle icon and forced an emergency pull-off. After cycling ignition, drive capability returned. OBD-II scanner returned code P0000 (generic placeholder concealing proprietary Chrysler hybrid/BPCM/PIM isolation fault codes). Two Days Later (Dry Conditions, Highway >60 MPH): Third sudden loss of motive power at 60+ mph, forcing an immediate pull-off into traffic shoulder. Check engine light remained on with code P0000. Safety Risk & Technical Context: Unexpected loss of motive power at highway speeds creates a critical safety hazard for vehicle occupants and surrounding traffic. These symptoms closely align with high-voltage isolation faults and internal short-circuiting documented in NHTSA Recall 23V-010 / PE22-008 (eFlite transmission internal connector wiring harness short). The vehicle presents a recurring hazard where moisture or intermittent electrical shorts trigger a high-voltage system shutoff, leaving the driver with limited or no propulsion without warning.

While driving on the highway, the dashboard alerted that the engine would lose power, then the engine cut off and I had to coast the van to the shoulder of the highway. I was able to avoid hitting other cars, but there was no power steering or engine during this time. The vehicle has since been towed to our driveway, but it does not run. There was no warning lamp or messaging more than a few seconds before the engine quit.

I was slowing down to turn left and felt a stutter, like when antilock brakes activate. Then a red triangle appeared on the display on the dash that said something like "pull over safely vehicle will turn off soon." I came to a stop to wait for oncoming traffic. When I hit the gas again it had barely any power and the power steering had disengaged. I was able to get through the left turn at about 3-5 mph. Shortly after I was out of the intersection (maybe 100 feet) the accelerator stopped giving any power. The vehicle was still able to turn on and I could use things like power windows, radio, and gear shifter (to go into neutral to push it to a better place to wait for a tow) but no thrust since. The mechanic said it seemed to be a problem with the hybrid battery and we towed it to the dealership since that was still under warranty. The dealership says it's the transmission and is in the process of figuring out which version of repairing it works for the warranty coverage.

I purchased this car new on December 31, 2024. I have owned it for less than 16 months, and in that time, we have had an issue occur at least 5 times where we get an alert on the screen that says, "Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon". Less than 20 seconds later, the car completely dies. On each of the 5 instances, we were lucky to be going relatively slow and were in a safe place with a shoulder to pull over on. The vehicle was able to be turned back on within a few minutes. The check engine light came on momentarily, but would shut off before we were able to get the codes read. We brought this to the attention of Herb Chambers Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT of Danvers (not where we bought the car, but the closest Chrysler dealership for maintenance) and they were unable to provide any help. They said they have never seen this, and since they couldn't get any codes, they didn't know what was going on. My research informs me that this is a known issue, so I'm disappointed that they didn't know about this. I am also terrified to drive my young children in this car, in fear that this will happen again when we aren't able to safety stop. I will provide details for the most recent time that this occurred, but I haven't previously reported the other occurrences.

We have a continuing issue with the Pacifica of showing a dashboard warning of "STOP SAFELY VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF SOON''. The power becomes diminished and with a few minutes, all power is lost, including lights, engine, all dash warnings are gone. After sitting on the side of the road for a few minutes, the vehicle will restart like nothing happened. Occurrences shown in order by date, location and mileage. [XXX] in Gatlinburg, TN with approx 1800 miles. Dealer found error codes relating to hybrid system but could not repair for at least 4 weeks. Advised to continue trip and make an appointment when we return to Georgia. [XXX] on [XXX] enroute to Myrtle Beach the issue reoccurred [XXX] in for repairs at Chrysler 3206 miles. April 18, back to dealer same issue at 14,145 miles. Extensive repairs performed on hybrid system. April 24 with 14,303, same issue. Received vehicle back on June 20, 2025. [XXX], another occurrence with 15,645. This time the vehicle would not shut down by the FOB but would not function at all, though the dash stated put vehicle in park, but it was in park.. Ackerman Towing of Macon, GA attempted to tow vehicle, but the parking brake would not release nor would the transmission shift into neutral. After 3 hours, vehicle finally shut down and restarted. Back to Chrysler. Received vehicle back Aug 13. They could not find a problem. [XXX] enroute to VA Beach. Same issue at 17,750 miles on [XXX] outside of Lumberton, NC. Restarted after a few minutes. Continued trip. I feel this problem of shutting down is a death trap. Losing all power including outside lights could easily become catastrophic, especially if it happened after dark. Chrysler is aware and seems to be unable to find a remedy. I have more info, but out of characters to relay more. Info below relates to last occurrence INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The rear brake at 4MM at 32K miles at the time of OIL change at dealer and front BRAKE still have 7MM, as a mechanical engineer, I know this should not happen. also while driving, there is high freq metal sound, I have notified the dealer every time I went to oil change, they confirmed it is fine but I do not feel safe. 2nd issue is the powertrain system feels no power while climbing hills and the car almost stops and sliding back even I put on gas pedal and almost hit the car behind me one time. 3rd issue is that gas door seal is broken within first year of use, it could cause gas leaking.

On August 2, while traveling about 75 MPH, the check engine light came on along with the warning "Stop Safely – Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon". The vehicle started immediately losing power. We were driving in the fast lane in traffic so pulling over was difficult and dangerous. After we were to the side of the road, we turned the van off. After 10 minutes or so, we continued on and pulled over at a rest stop. We have an OBD2 and checked the codes. At first, there were no codes even though the check engine light was on. After checking a few times, there were 2 codes. They were P1C65 PD and P0A43. I took the van into the dealership on August 4. They saw one of the codes saved. On August 7 the dealership preformed a software update. They were not able to reproduce the issue. Today, September 19, while driving, the check engine light came on with the warning "Stop Safely – Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon". The vehicle again started immediately losing power. This time it happened when traveling about 45 MPH.

On 8/12/2025, he vehicle displayed a warning that said "Stop Safely, Vehicle will shut off soon" shortly after it was parked. It also displayed a red turtle and the check engine light. There was no warning or check engine light prior to the message that the vehicle was going to shut off. Fortunately, we had already parked safely, but were on the freeway traveling and about an hour away from home. It was 100 degrees outside, and we were stranded with no help from Chrysler customer care other than to tow the vehicle, leaving our kids and dog in a parking lot with no car. We declined this option and had it checked by a diagnostic computer at Jiffy Lube, which returned no diagnostic code. Eventually, all of the warnings and check engine lights went off, and we were able to take it home. We took it to the dealership at the earliest opportunity on 08/14, and they confirmed that this is a known issue and would require a transmission replacement. There is no timeline on the repair or replacement, only that it will take "a while". They do not advise that we take the van back because the issue could come nback at any moment and the vehicle could shut off without warning.

The van did not transition from electric to gas engine when driving and battery for the electrical engine was depleted. The dash board displayed a red turtle and said slow on dashboard. But it would not drive forward. I was on a hill and the van backed down the hill in reverse. I did this multiple times - turn off van, restart van and try to go up hill, reverse it down hill again. At some point, there was enough electricity for the electrical engine to kick in and I was able to drive home. After the van set for a while, it restarted and I was able to drive it to my ultimate destination 147 miles away. I researched online and found there is a recall for this very thing, but it does not include my car. Why is my life so hard? Its a new van to me.