mkaresh,
Sorry it took me a while to get back, I've been busy as heck. I saw an email from you for responses and filled out the questions the other day as we just had the Pac in for a check engine light. It's an '07 with 8000 miles on it. Thanks for all the work.

 

Thanks, I appreciate it.

We'll have results for at least one year in May. We'd have more solid results for three years, though, if everyone who signed up to participate responded.

Vehicle reliability research

 

Hi Farout. I know your name from another site.

All I can say about my PAC, is that I am glad I am getting out of it through a dealer buy back. I have had so many problems with it I honestly think I have more miles on loaner cars than I do on the pacifica. Once the paperwork comes from Detroit, I will be getting a Aspen. my big problems were:

1) the torque converter went 3 times. 3 replacement converters for a total of 3 months in the shop.
2) Big oil leak from around the oil cooler, twice. Equals 2 oil coolers replaced for another month worth of down time.
3) trans fluid leak, had red fluid all down my driveway. Replaced plug in trans. = 5 days down time.
4) Hose clip for trans fluid came off. After getting off highway, car started smoking, trans fluid all over the inside of engine bay.
5) car had trouble starting. Put key in and turn and nothing happened. car would start after 10 -15 times turning key, it got to the point where I would let car run instead of shutting it off if I went to the bank or gas station.
6) brought car to dealer to look at the Aspen. My salesperson was there that sold me the pac. I shut off my car, to show him, and car was dead. It still sits there now, the service mgr told me they have no idea what is wrong with it, starter is fine, they even brought in a tech from chrysler who is baffeled.

So needless to say I can not wait to get out of this piece of crap!
Ralph

 

What model year was your Pacifica, Ralph? That is an unusually bad experience.

The latest results to TrueDelta's Vehicle Reliability Survey were recently posted. The 2005 Pacifica appears to have a better than average repair rate, while that for the 2007 Pacifica appears to be quite a bit worse than average.

In both cases, though, the sample sizes were marginal. So those results are asterisked, and visible only to members at the site.

I'd like to get rid of these asterisks and cover additional model years with the next update, in August. Just need more participants.

For the full set of results, and sign up to help (if you haven't already):

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

mkaresh: I am also on edmunds PAC forum, and between this forum and the other most every question or problem is brought up at some point. I find it odd how different vehicles from the same mfg. can come out so differently. We had a 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD (diesel) and it drove us nuts. In 15 months it was in the shop 25 times! Yet there are those who have had no trouble at all. Our PAC Touring AWD had the shudder issue and after a TC R&R and two reflashes, the last one being March 30 it has been great, no problems at all.
I wonder how the Aspens poor fuel mpg will be for his dealer buy back now. We have noticed our mpg has gone down slightly to 20 when it is so humid here, we generally get 22 to 26 mpg. maybe it's because most places open on 5/23/08 had 10% eth gas. I hate that stuff it always drops our fuel milage when we are stuck buying it.


farout

 

I had a 2007 4.0 AWD touring. After 9500 miles of driving it (mostly to the shop to get fixed), I was averaging 17.4 miles per gallon. I am averaging 15.6 in the Aspen. I am willing to give up a mpg for the reliability of a better car. People always ask me what kind of mpg do I get, usually at a gas station, and I tell them it really isn't bad because of the deactivation feature of 4 of the cyl. at cruising speed.

 

I believe you to be an honest person! The mpg you say you get on the Aspen is where I would have guessed, most would say much higher! Our son has a ChrvyTahoe with the deactivation system and also uses the E-85 fuel. he says he gets 18 on the road. I am glad thing worked out for you, and you are pleased. Believe me I know what it is to have a vehicle that spends a lot of time in the shop. Chrysler bought back our 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD (diesel). I believe Chrysler to be a fair and honest company and that's why we are loyal customers.
Good driving,



farout

 

18 on the road, sure. But 18 around town in a Tahoe--that would be highly unlikely.

Especially with relatively heavy vehicles, the number of stops has a large impact on fuel economy.

 

I used to have a 03 Yukon. It had the same 5.3L as the Tahoe. When I traded it in, it had 53,xxx miles on it. The computer said I averaged 15.3 mpg. That was with a lot of highway miles on it.

 

Did you ever calculate your fuel economy during a trip that was all highway?