2026 Chrysler Pacifica

On 8/9/2026, two days after purchasing the aforementioned brand-new vehicle (8/7/2026), the vehicle experienced a fire in the undercarriage below the engine while I was driving with my wife and our [XXX] daughter in the vehicle. While driving in traffic, we noticed a strong smell that appeared to be burning rubber but did not initially realize the vehicle was on fire as the smell dissipated. There were no warnings or other signs of a problem. A Good Samaritan driving a truck observed the situation, turned around, followed us, and flagged us down at a gas station to alert us that our vehicle was on fire. We immediately stopped and inspected the vehicle. We took photographs documenting the vehicle and apparent fire-related damage immediately following the incident, and those photographs have been preserved. By the time we arrived home several minutes afterward, the fire was no longer active. We have not driven the vehicle since the incident. The incident is particularly concerning because the vehicle was only two days old and my wife, our baby, and I were inside when the fire occurred. Prior to the fire, the vehicle had been driven no more than 15 minutes total leading up to the incident, with one stop for an errand during that time. We are concerned that the vehicle's occupants were not initially aware that a fire was occurring and that an outside motorist had to alert us. We are requesting that NHTSA document and investigate this safety incident and determine the cause of the fire, including whether there may be a defect or recurring safety issue involving the vehicle or its undercarriage components. We are concerned about the potential for an undercarriage fire to occur without the occupants immediately recognizing the danger and request that this incident be included in NHTSA's safety records and evaluated for any broader safety implications. The vehicle is now at Brad Deery Motors [XXX]. A representative for Chrysler has inspected the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (

When driving, the rear passenger interior trim cup holder heats up to an unsafe temperature. The vehicle was in the shop for 4 weeks and I was told this is normal and it was because of radiant heat from the axel/wheel well. After driving approximately 100 miles, I used a temperature gun to screen the area. The hotspot was 126 degrees, with temperatures around in ranging from 77-85 degrees. Outside wheel well temperatures ranged from 94 - 97 degrees. the driver side rear trim area was also checked for comparison and ranged from 78-82 degrees. which would indicate it is not radiant heat from the wheel well and axel. Children sit in the 3rd row next to this and can be burned. No warning lights are present, vehicle can be inspected if required.

We were stopped for fuel. Prior to fueling we turned off the engine and opened the fuel door, inserting the gas nozzle and then began to pump fuel. While the nozzle was running, a passenger opened the sliding door by pressing the auto open button - and the door slid into the hand of the individual holding the fuel nozzle, crushing his hand between the door and the nozzle - causing the nozzle to dislodge from the filling neck , releasing gasoline all over the driver and j hiring his hand. There is no interlock preventing the door from auto opening while the fuel tank is open - which is a critical design flaw, that can result in injury to the individual fueling and hazardous material spills/ hazardous conditions where the pump attendant is directly drenched in fuel. A simple sensor on the door with a software interlock would resolve this issue and prevent future instances. In this case the injury was minor/bruise and discomfort, but it could have been more severe had the driver not reacted quickly, or had the driver had underlying medical conditions such as brittle bones or was on blood thinners.