Comments: 1-15, 16-18
Nothing yet.
We purchased this vehicle new and now with just over 3000 miles there are no problems to report (besides a squeeky fan belt, but that seems to have fixed itself). The gas mileage, however, has been poor. This is the mid-level AWD model, the sticker said it should get 17 mpg city / 21 mpg highway, but so far it's not even close to that. The first few tankfulls recorded 13 mpg, and it's been getting worse. We are not getting 11 mpg in mixed hwy/city driving! How can a V6 get such poor mileage? We mentioned it to the dealer and their reply was "that can happen in stop & go driving". We are not driving this truck with a heavy foot or in just stop & go driving. The mileage is a big disappointment.
On the positive side, this truck has a very smooth ride (credit the Mercedes designed suspension) and good handling. It's quiet (not a rattle trap like some other reviewer stated) and comfortable. Safety ratings are excellent (part of the reason we bought it, besides having room for 2 kids, toys, inlaws, etc) and it feels very safe. Nice options to get are the DVD player (excellent, the kids love it), the upgraded stereo with infinity speakers (sounds really good), sunroof, power liftgate (I didn't think we needed this, but it's great when shopping).
Being that your vehicle is new, it is possible your gas mileage is not as expected, because the engine is not fully broken in yet. Just a possibility, but not at all uncommon... Do not give up hope yet.
Good luck.
The suspension is a chrysler design... not a mercedes. The pacifica platform is based on a modified Chrysler minivan foor with the pacifica having an independent rear suspension. I am a new vehicle launch specialist at DaimlerChrysler. The only current chrysler cars that use a suspension originally designed by mercedes are the Chrysler 300/ Dodge Magnum/ Dodge Charger. The basic design was used, but they do not share parts. the components used in the Chrysler/dodge vehicles are unique to them.
This question is for the Chrysler person. I was told that the Pacifica's rear suspension was a Mercedes design, is this not true?
We have a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica as well. Our car has approximately 10,000 miles and we are experiencing the same poor gas mileage (~13 MPG). We've made 3 visits to dealer's service department and each time the car was put on the computer. The analysis showed (as per the service department), that the car is fine. I will say that with the AC off, gas mileage is considerably better, but is still not to the quoted EPA levels.
I have now 60K on an AWD Pacifica that is fairly loaded and could not be happier with this car. Mileage is 18-20 mixed, but otherwise we have had no trouble whatsoever. I may trade in for another, but I may drive this for awhile. Handsome, quiet, well-appointed, travels with a ton of luggage, tows a trailer, and can fit the dogs when necessary. Please make more of these, but put one of those minidiesel turbos in it next time--the ones that Congress says you can't sell here yet.
I have had my 2005 Chrysler Pacifica Touring for almost 2 years now. I really like this car. We get around 17.5 mpg around town and 22 on the highway. Initially it did take almost 6 months to start seeing better mileage. It is roomy, comfortable (love the two rows of heated captain-style chairs), rides beautifully on long trips. We have had no major problems, just a suspension problem in front end that was on recall so it was fixed for free by the dealer.
About the Mercedes comments: Here is what I hear that is the reason for salesmen claiming Mercedes "what-not". The suspension is "inspired" by Merc. Here's my take. The Chrysler engrs looked at the Caravan and Merc suspensions, asked how they could use the Merc in the Caravan package, changed the parts, made it work and then taut Mercedes suspension. Who really knows how close they are. All OEMs try to use similar parts as much as possible.
About the MPG. I think the EPA numbers assume no A/C (et al) is using power and there is no wind. That is the only way I can get MPG to hit sticker on my vehicles. Also, I know that the EPA numbers are averages. If you look closely, you will see that the big, bold numbers can vary +/- 3 or 4 mpg. So 17 city +/-4 makes 13-21 in the city possible and the dealer will not work at improving a 13 in this case.
Love the Pacifica. We have gotten roughly 11.8 l/100 km since new. We have put 70K km on it this year, and have had no issues except for a few electrical gremlins that heal themselves.
This is the same mileage as our old '98 Taurus wagon, and a little worse than our 2001 Lincoln LS 5spd manual.
Overall a classy, comfortable, useful vehicle for a non-Chrysler person.
I just rented a Pacifica for two weeks and 2500 miles of driving. I was very pleased with the mileage the vehicle got on the highway. I could list a number of items that I did not like about the car, but mileage was certainly not one of them.
I own a 2005 pacifica with 42000 miles. I have had a bad time with the suspension, tie rods were replaced at 38000 miles and recently the sway bar snapped in half at 65 miles per hour. I am concerned about the safety of this car and would not recommend it.
I own a 2005 Pacifica. I made a left handed turn into a parking lot from a stopped position and mistakenly hit a storm drain. The storm drain cover came up and literally stopped the car. The force was enough to break off the steering column and bend the frame and the sub-frame. The storm drain cover hit below the bumper so the air bags did not go off. No one was hurt and I thank the interior safety of the car for that. But, it is very distressing to think about the damage done to the vehicle. My previous car was a tank-like Saab.
My insurance company did not total the car and it took 7 weeks to repair. The dealership pulled the motor and replaced all damaged parts. Now it is like having a new car again without the excitement. As I now am nervous about driving on anything, but a perfect surface. I did not expect tank performance, but I would never have imagined that could happen. F.Y.I. the Pacifica has 42k.
I recently had a Pacifica Touring model as a rental. My wife and I loved it, but our major hang up was the gas mileage. In about 500 miles of highway travelling, averaging 82 mph loaded down with all our luggage we averaged 20 mpg. I guess considering this is vehicle weighs 4400 pounds that is not terrible. Overall we loved it and would consider buying one... if the fuel mileage was a little bit better.
I just purchased a 2005 Pacifica AWD Touring edition (loaded) with 32,000 miles for only $18,500! I did extensive research on this car and the reviews from owners (check MSN. com autos) were 92% very positive. I now agree. The value, quality, versatility, luxury, performance, reliability and SAFETY of this vehicle is unbeatable at this price. Though I have only owned it a few weeks, it gives you the feeling of of incredible confidence and safety on the road... it is a veritable armored car with all the safety features, plus it is ranked #1 in roll-over resistance. The only complaint I have is the blind spots when backing out, but it is easy to adapt to especially with the rear parking assist "radar" that tells you how close you are to objects. I could go on and on... bottom line, this is a bargain SUV that does it all.
I bought a 2005 pacifica last year, we went from 3 kids to 4 and it seemed like a great way to go without going to minivan land. I work 65 miles away, so also wanted something to be a little safer to drive. I was very happy with it, didn't even mind the gas deal, but at 23,876 miles into owning it started making a clicking noise when turning in parking garage. I took it in, they determined it was PTU and replaced it. Told me not a big problem would be OK to drive until part came in. I noticed car was using a lot of oil so took it in for them to make sure I didn't have a leak, didn't want whole motor to go bad. While I was there told them it starting making the same noise again and asked them to check it out while looked at other. The miles at this time 48,035. I was in the waiting room and thet came into to get me and showed me that the tires were rocking back and forth without turning wheel. I was told the rack and pinion was bad and needed replaced immediately and then given an estimate of $1320.00. I couldn't even talk and held back the tears until I got out of there. The only thing I could say was isn't kinda goofy that a car this new has such a bad front end, when I had it in here 7 months ago. They agreed, but sent me on my way with estimate in hand. My husband went back to talk about it and they said they would call chrysler. After that conversation they came back with they would split the cost of repair and I would need to come up with $500.00 of my own money. Now I am not a trouble maker, but doesn't it seem awfully fast for a front end to become, so bad it shouldn't be driven that fast. My whole issue was that it was under warranty the first time, I took it in there for the issue and now they say my warranty is out of date. I really loved this car, but now afraid I've gotten a bad one. Any thoughts on this, I am really looking for guidance. PS I am not driving it only to work, trying to save up the cash for fixing.
I bought an '05 Pacifica, used with 11,000 miles on it. At first I loved it, but began to second guess my purchase once I saw how much it depreciates. Anyway, I'm currently at 48,000 miles and hearing a clicking noise when I make a sharp right turn. I'm also hearing a grinding noise when I brake. I took it into the dealer to check rotars, brake pads, whatever would be causing a clicking noise. They said that they didn't hear any clicking and my brakes were fine. I'm still hearing the noise and it's getting worse. I'm afraid my front end is going to give out on me. I'm taking it back to the dealer this week.
Overall, I'm enjoying my Chrysler Pacifica experience, but probably wouldn't purchase a Chrysler again.