There are 14 stored owner reports matching the brakes leading-label group for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica in our NHTSA-sourced dataset. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
This group counts stored reports whose component label starts with one of this site's matching prefixes, ignoring case. Each matching report counts once within the group. Components mentioned later in the label or only in the narrative are not searched. How component counts work
Loaded 14 of 14 matching reports.
Open the full vehicle complaint log (all categories)I am experiencing a serious brake safety issue involving the brake booster on my Chrysler Pacifica. When braking, the pedal becomes extremely hard, pushes back against my foot, and requires excessive force to stop the vehicle. In some instances, when I am at a complete stop, the brake pedal pushes upward and the vehicle begins to move forward on its own. This issue causes a loss of braking assist and significantly increases stopping distance, creating an unsafe driving condition and risk of collision. The problem occurs intermittently but has worsened over time. Chrysler/Stellantis has acknowledged this brake booster defect by issuing a warranty extension; however, they have not issued a safety recall. I was denied repair coverage solely because my vehicle is now outside the extended warranty period, despite the fact that the defect is known and directly affects braking performance and vehicle control. This is not normal wear and tear. It is a failure of the brake assist system that compromises safe operation of the vehicle, whether driving at speed or stopped in traffic. The condition presents a clear safety risk to occupants and others on the road. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can investigate whether this defect warrants a formal safety recall.
I have been experiencing a brake surge when I come to a stop, it has been a few weeks now (or maybe months). It feels like the regenerative braking is disengaging and the friction brakes are not engaging immediately. I am concerned this is a brake handoff issue and a major safety problem.
The van continues to accelerate when I'm braking. This has happened 4 times after an hour or two of driving the freeway. As we were exiting the car continued to Rev up as we applied the brakes. Thank God the light was green. Another time I tried to park and as I was braking the car was accelerating. I had to quickly put it in park position. The van is in the shop, Hunter Dodge, now and they ran a diagnostic test and failed to find a problem.
Wiring for Air-Pump/Power Brake Booster caught fire, see attached image
I have recognized at least 6 times within the first ten minutes after propulsion on, when I apply the brakes on dry pavement, with even brake pedal pressure, the brakes do not grab properly and the car continues to glide forward for a few moments, Then I put the car in park (often at a traffic light) to try to clear or reset the problem.
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while parking, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond. The vehicle lunged forward and struck an unoccupied Honda Pilot. The vehicle lost power but restarted after several attempts. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, police report or fire. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 67,084.
When applying pressure to brake short, the pedal pushes up and back at driver forcing vehicle not to stop. Research shows this is a common problem with this minivan's brake booster. Parts backordered for months.
On numerous occasions the van has lost brake function. I can slowly be coming to a stop and press brakes all the way to the floor and I'm still coasting. So dangerous and scary. There is a hissing sound LIKE as If air pressure is building up in the brake line which is pushing against my foot is on the brake pedal, allowing the vehicle to move slowly when it should be stopped. As a mom of 3, I feel very unsafe I took it to the dealership and 2 other people and no one can't find what is wrong. I feel very unsafe.
CAR STOPS FINE AT FIRST BUT IF YOU ARE STOPPED LONG ENOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL PUSH TOWARDS YOU AND THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO ROLL EVEN WHEN PRESSING HARD ON PEDAL. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY A HISSING NOISE. I HAVE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP. THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 30 DAYS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE KEPT DRIVING AND SUDDENLY MADE A STOP ALONG WITH A JERK BUT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE PEARL CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,300.
COMING HOME FROM CHURCH, A NEIGHBOR WAS OUT WASHING HIS CAR, AS HE MOVED TOWARD THE ROAD I BEGAN TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE SPED UP TO A HIGHER SPEED. AFTER I STOPPED THE CAR, I LOOKED DOWN TO SEE MY RIGHT SHOE WAS ON BOTH PEDALS. THIS HAD HAPPENED THREE TIMES BEFORE. MY SON WENT OUT AND CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND FOUND IT AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL. HE TOPPED IT OFF TO THE MAXIMUM LEVEL. MY SON BELIEVES THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. BUT REPORTING IT MIGHT BE BETTER FOR OTHERS. SINCE I HAD TAKEN IT INTO CHRYSLER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND THEY SAID THEY HAD PREFORMED A 32 POINT SAFETY INSPECTION, I DID NOT SEE HOW THE COULD HAVE MISSED THE LOW BRAKE FLUID, OR HAVE NOT TOPPED IT OFF. IT SEEMS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS UP HIGHER THAN THE GAS PEDAL BY SEVERAL INCHES WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED, BUT AFTER SEVERAL MILES - MORE THAN 11 MILES - IT LOSES THE HEIGHT IT STARTED WITH. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT LESS THAN 20 MPH ON A SUBDIVISION STREET. THIS HAD HAPPENED THREE TIMES BEFORE, WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE OR DRIVEWAY, MOVING AT LOW SPEED. EACH TIM AFTER HAVING DRIVEN A LONGER DISTANCE THAN NORMAL. OVER 11 MILES. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD GONE LOWER TO THE FLOOR AND WAS AT OR BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE GAS PEDAL. IF THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED, THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ARE MUCH TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, ONLY 3 INCHES BETWEEN THEM, AND THIS IS THEN A PROBLEM.
MANY TIMES WHEN I OR MY WIFE HAVE PRESSED THE BRAKES THE VAN SURGES FORWARD OR LUNGES FORWARD. VERY SCARY. HAPPENS A LOT. IT FEELS LIKE WHEN WE PRESS THE BRAKES THE ELECTRIC ENGINE JUST FOR SOME REASON TURNS ON AND PUSHES THE VAN FORWARD, FIGHTING THE BRAKES. IT IS CRAZY. HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.
WAS PARKING MY CAR USING PARK ASSIST FEATURE. THE CAR SPEED UP AND CRASHED THE REAR BUMPER INTO ANOTHER CAR.
AFTER DRIVING THE VAN IN REVERSE, THE TYPICAL PROCESS IS TO STOP THE VAN, PUT IT INTO DRIVE, AND BEGIN GOING FORWARD. OCCASSIONALLY, HOWEVER, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS OF SHIFTING INTO DRIVE THE CAN VERY ABRUPTLY AND DANGEROUSLY ENGAGES THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE AND I BECOME STUCK ON THE ROAD SCARED TO DRIVE AND IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC! APPLIES TO 2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA HYBRID TOURING L
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 28, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.