Do You Own a Recalled 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid?
Call Nita Lemon Law for Immediate Help!
On February 11th, 2022, Chrysler issued a recall for its 2017 and 2018 Pacifica PHEV, and for good reason. Defects in the vehicle put it at risk of catching fire or exploding, even if the vehicle isn’t turned on. Owners and lessees are urged to leave these vehicles parked outside to avoid sparking a garage fire and not to charge their vans for fear of igniting a fire or initiating an explosion.
Although the recall is already underway, whatever remedy Chrysler plans to offer is currently “under development.” Meanwhile, as you wait, your vehicle is sitting outside somewhere depreciating, hopefully not getting broken into or vandalized, and hopefully not bursting into flames. You might be able to take action now to find a remedy for your defective vehicle. Call Nita Lemon Law at 877-921-5256 or 213-232-5055 for a free consultation regarding your rights to a repair, replacement, or cash settlement under California lemon law.
Our CA lemon law attorney has spent years helping consumers enforce their rights under California’s robust and consumer-friendly lemon law. You don’t have to sit around and wait for Chrysler to come up with a solution for the lemon they sold you. Nita Lemon Law can help you take action now.
Facts and Details About the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV Recall
The vehicles in question are the 2017 and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or PHEV. Owners were sent a notice of the recall on February 25th, advising them not to recharge their vehicles and to park them outside away from the house or other structures that could catch fire should the vehicle catch fire or explode.
Once Chrysler has come up with a remedy, they will send another letter to the owners. Meanwhile, you can contact Chrysler directly by calling Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US, LLC (FCA US LLC) at 1-800-853-1403. Their recall number for this recall is Z11. You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) by calling their Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 22V077000.
This Is Not the Only Serious 2017 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV Recall
Although this recall is the only recall labeled an URGENT Safety Recall, it is not the only recall currently applying to the plagued 2017 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV that could put you at risk. Four other active recalls cover situations such as:
June 9, 2020 – 12V Connector Post May Overheat Causing Fire. Like the urgent recall described above, this defect could also start a fire regardless of whether the engine is turned on or off. This recall applies to the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV as well.
October 19, 2018 – Improper Engine Restart May Cause Stall or Fire. As a hybrid, the vehicle may operate on PHEV propulsion without the engine running. When the gas engine does restart, a defect in the propulsion system could cause the vehicle to stall mid-operation or catch on fire. This recall applies to the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV as well.
June 13, 2017 – Incorrect Seating Capacity Tire Placards/FMVSS 110. Because of this defect, customers might unwittingly overload the vehicle, raising the risk of a crash.
June 9, 2017 – Power Inverter Module Failure Due to Overvoltage. This defect can cause the vehicle to suddenly lose power while driving, creating a risk of a crash.
Separate recalls that apply only to the 2018 model include:
February 28, 2019 – Control Arm May Separate From Steering Knuckle. A control arm separation could increase the risk of a crash.
August 9, 2018 – Voltage Regulator may Fail and Cause Stall. A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
What Can I Do if I Have a Defective Vehicle?
Chrysler is working on a remedy for the defect and will notify owners when one comes available. Meanwhile, a class-action lawsuit has already been filed to seek a remedy through the courts. If this lawsuit succeeds in gaining class certification, it may still be months or years before the case settles or ends in judgment, at which point class members (affected vehicle owners) will be notified about their share of the settlement.
There is additional action you could take now, without waiting on a remedy from Chrysler or for a class-action lawsuit to settle. That action is to enforce your rights under California lemon law.
How California Lemon Law Works
California’s lemon law covers vehicles that are under factory warranty, regardless of whether the car was bought new or used while the warranty was still in effect. Lessees are also covered while the car is under warranty.
If you have brought your car in for repeated repair attempts while it is under warranty, and the problem has not been fixed, your car can be considered a lemon under California lemon law. In that case, you can force the dealer to buy back your vehicle and reimburse you for the costs you have incurred trying to get it repaired, including if you had to pay towing fees or rent a car while yours was in the shop. You can also choose to keep the car and still get a cash settlement from the dealer under the lemon law.
California lemon law raises the presumption that you have a lemon law when any of the following occur within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles after delivery of the vehicle:
- You have undergone two or more tries at repairing a serious safety defect
- You have undergone two or more tries at repairing the same problem that does not qualify as a serious safety defect
- Your vehicle has been out of service for warranty repairs for a total of more than 30 days
Is Your 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV a Lemon? Get Help Now!
You don’t have to wait until Chrysler comes up with a remedy, and you don’t have to join a class-action lawsuit to get satisfaction. If your car qualifies as a lemon, you can get satisfaction now by pursuing a lemon law claim. Nita Lemon Law can help you do just that. For a free consultation regarding your Chrysler Pacifica and whether you might benefit from California’s lemon law, call Nita Lemon Law at 213-232-5055 or toll-free statewide at 877-921-5256 to discuss your case with an experienced and successful California lemon law attorney.
