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Chrysler Pacifica Suspension Problems

777 messages,  Last post on May 13, 2013 at 3:36 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chrysler Pacifica, Suspension, Wagon


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Messages Page 62 of 79

#606 of 777 Re: 603 warranty by abuckley [abuckley] by charger3

Mar 09, 2012 (8:25 am)

Replying to: abuckley (Mar 09, 2012 6:30 am)
& Repair Information
  
: 2005 Chrysler Pacifica V6-3.5L
  
  
  Vehicle » Steering and Suspension » Technical Service Bulletins » All Technical Service Bulletins » Steering/Susp./Frame - Vibration/Shake While Driving Notes
    
  
   
  Steering/Susp./Frame - Vibration/Shake While Driving
  
   
NUMBER: 13-001-10
 
GROUP: Frames & Bumpers
 
DATE: October 26, 2010
 
NOTE :This only applies to vehicles in the Canadian Market and in salt belt states which include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
 
SUBJECT:
Vehicle Vibration and/or Shake
 
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves inspecting the engine cradle for perforation and if necessary replace.
 
MODELS:
 
2004-2005 CS Pacifica
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may experience a vehicle vibration and/or shake.
 
DIAGNOSIS:
If the symptom condition is experienced proceed to the repair procedure.
 
     
 
PARTS REQUIRED:
 
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
 
1. Raise vehicle on hoist. Refer to the detailed procedures available in DealerCONNECT > TechCONNECT under: Service Info > Lubrication and Maintenance > Hoisting.
  
 
     
 
2. Inspect the engine cradle for perforation as shown in (Fig. 1). Was there any perforation found?
 
a. Yes >>> Proceed to Step # 3.
  
b. No >>> Continue further diagnosis this bulletin does not apply.
  
  
3. Remove and Replace Cradle, Front Suspension. Refer to the detailed removal/installation procedures available in DealerCONNECT > TechCONNECT under: Service Info > 13 - Frames and Bumpers > Frame > Engine Cradle Crossmember > Removal/Installation > Front Crossmember.
  
4. Return the vehicle to the customer.
  
POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.
 
     
 
TIME ALLOWANCE:
 
     
 
FAILURE CODE:
 
Disclaimer :This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair.
  
 
  You notice it says nothing about where the car was sold

#607 of 777 Re: low to medium speed clunk [peterj7] by jerryo1314

Mar 09, 2012 (7:55 pm)

Replying to: peterj7 (Mar 05, 2012 7:59 am)
Could be loose motor mounts ( common)
Could be a rubber bushing has failed.
Could just need some oil squirted some where it is rubbing.
If the shocks are leaking it's that.
 
Jerry

#608 of 777 Re: 2006 Pacifica AWD clunks when backing up and braking cold [jft26] by jerryo1314

Mar 09, 2012 (8:04 pm)

Replying to: jft26 (Feb 26, 2012 8:22 am)
Well 8 months in the winter = trouble.
One of the rotors could have a hot spot, got a scar somehow or a piece of the pad could be missing. Could be the antilock thump.
 
You say backing up but how often do you back ?
Turn the car around so you are going forward (cold brakes) when you first start out, and see what happens.
We can go from there.
Jerry

#609 of 777 Re: 603 warranty by abuckley [n9zn_extra] by abuckley

Mar 11, 2012 (10:54 am)

Replying to: n9zn_extra (Mar 09, 2012 4:27 am)
After contactng the Attorney General's office and filing a complaint, Chrysler contacted me and agreed to pay for the repair. I contacted the dealer where the car was at for a time frame and they proceeded to inform me that not only did the car need the engine cradle repaired but they had found another $2900 in repairs all in the front suspension that need replaced. I had the car inspected by the lot I purchased it at before it went to the dealer. I have only had this car since Feb 17. The lot I purchased it at checked the entire vehicle before they sent it to the dealer. I have pictures from them of the damage to the cradle. They did not find anything wrong with any other parts. The dealer even stated that the tires needed replaced as they said all four of mine were leaking. The tires on that car are brand new! So first Chrysler didnt want to honor their own warranty, it took the Attorney General to get involved to make them, and now they are trying to inflate the repair bill to get their money back! Good thing I didnt buy the car from them! The lot I purchased the car at agreed to inspect it again when it comes back to them and repair anything that needs it at no cost to me, Chrysler just seems to want money.
I read on another forum that Chrysler did the same thing to a gentleman who lives in Illinois, they told him his VIN number wasnt covered.

#610 of 777 Re: 603 warranty by abuckley [abuckley] by n9zn_extra

Mar 11, 2012 (8:01 pm)

Replying to: abuckley (Mar 11, 2012 10:54 am)
I am glad you found a way to get Chrysler to take action. Today it is all to often when companies attempt to move away from promises to repair vehicles while maintaining the image of trying to resolve design issues left with their customers. This is a shameful and greed based approach to customer care and vehicle safety.
 
What did you have to do (anything other than explaining the problem) to get the Attorney General to contact them so quickly? Knowing this may help us and many others who have similar issues with Chrysler and other automakers in the future.
 
Knowing how serious this engine carriage issue is it clearly can cause other suspensions related deterioration because of the engine misalignment. You noted Chrysler also mentioned another group of repairs that were needed. Did Chrysler agree to also pay for the cost (time and materials) to make those repairs or was this left for you to pay? Seeing how this developed I assume they wanted you to pay those charges.
 
If I were you I think it would be wise to have the dealer provide a list of other repairs the vehicle requires (according to them). Then I would take the car to 3 different mechanics to inspect those areas and any other area which may have been affected by the misalligned engine in the cradle. If 2 or more of these mechanics agree damage was likely caused by the engine cradle problem you may then have the proof to persuade Chrysler to fix anything else damaged as a result the initial problem. Certainly a statement from mechanics detailing areas that could be affected by engine alignment, even if it is not detectable now, may help you recoup any future cost for repairs should they develop.
 
I wish you well, the pacifica is a nice vehicle and would be highly desireable if Chrysler had not taken the cheap road by under designing the car and its components. We love our pacifica but knowing all of the design flaws keeps me awake at night wondering if tomorrow is the day our pacifica will literally fall apart on the road. Any company that takes chances with the lives of those occupying vehicles they make simply to reduce manufacturing cost by a few dollars is totally unacceptable and criminal in my books.

#611 of 777 Re: 603 warranty by abuckley [n9zn_extra] by abuckley

Mar 12, 2012 (4:03 pm)

Replying to: n9zn_extra (Mar 11, 2012 8:01 pm)
I had originally purchased the Pacifica from a used car lot on Feb 17. I originally took the vehicle back to them for the repair because I had not even had it 30 days. When I had googled the symptoms I came across the warranty, so I took it to them as well. When they put the car up they inspected everything and photographed the rust in the engine cradle. They provided copies of the photos to me. They took the car to the Chrysler dealer that they always work with. When Chrysler started to say my car had gone to Washington state, the used dealer I had purchased the car from got involved too. They sent me the Carfax report showing the car had been originally sold in West Virginia. When I contacted the Attorney General's office, I attached copies of the warranty letter, the photos, and the Carfax report with it. That was all I sent. It seemed to do the trick. The district manager got involved and they agreed to the repairs.
As far as the other repairs, they did not agree to fix any of them. They gave me a list including the tire rods, bearings, etc. The original lot where I purchased the car said when they get it back they are going to go back over it and if anything else needs repaired they will fix it for free. They have amazing customer service and have been super easy to work with, unlike Chrysler. They even offered me a car to drive while this was all going on. They also contacted all of the customers that they have sold Pacifica's to in the past and offered a free inspection for the engine cradle, so Chrysler may have a few more to repair. But that is what makes the difference. They aren't trying to rip me off.
I will take your advice though about the other repairs, I might have a case to get the other stuff covered and paid for espacially since my engine cradle is rusted clear through.

#612 of 777 Re: 603 warranty by abuckley [abuckley] by charger3

Mar 12, 2012 (4:25 pm)

Replying to: abuckley (Mar 12, 2012 4:03 pm)
Please keep us updated

#613 of 777 Re: 603 warranty by abuckley [charger3] by n9zn_extra

Mar 12, 2012 (6:18 pm)

Replying to: charger3 (Mar 12, 2012 4:25 pm)
You are a very fortunate person!
 
The reason I said you are fortunate is not because of Chrysler agreeing to fix their problem engine cradle design but rather because you had the extremely good fortune to find a very reputable used car dealer with mechanics.
 
I would sure go the extra mile with the used auto dealer and leave as much positive feedback on the Internet as I could Angie's list would be a good place to start and there are many other sites where you can do the same.
 
Because of your reply to my last message I also will have pictures, copies of the letter from Chrysler, a car facts report, information off the Chrysler web site showing the dealer of origin, and a statement from our auto mechanic in hand prior to visiting Chrysler re: our Pacifica.
 
In addition to the above I believe I will also have the car thoroughly inspected (cost about $100.00) by certified mechanics and have that report handy as well. It seems a good practice just in case Chrysler tries to pull the same thing on us as they did on you (assuming Chrysler is up to something not so good).
 
After over 20+ years in the same metropolitan area of Florida (Tampa Bay) our family has yet to locate what we could reliably call an honest mechanic or used auto dealer. Our suspicion is this may be the result of faulty state ordinances governing how these people operate coupled with poor state and local enforcement standards.
 
Although some appear honest to begin with, things turn questionable after having to visit them over and over to repair the same area of the car. In addition we normally do not get acknowledgement that we were there a month or 2 before for similar troubles and certainly no mention of any warranty ever takes place unless we raise it first.
 
As things are I believe I could easily carve out a great living exposing questionable practices along with out right lies which are all too common in the service industry in my area. Maybe I should pursue this endevor, no doubt there would be plenty of happy consumers on our side. Unfortunately it is not just autos, instead it is everything and anything which requires service after the sale.

#614 of 777 Re: 2006 Pacifica AWD clunks when backing up and braking cold [jerryo1314] by jft26

Apr 08, 2012 (9:45 am)

Replying to: jerryo1314 (Mar 09, 2012 8:04 pm)
Thank you for the response. True I don't back up that often. If I park the car in the driveway front end out it will not make noise braking forward out of the driveway. Braking during back up when the car is cold only presents the clunking ....... sounds almost like loose parking brake shoes. But if I try backing up after about a mile of driving after the car is warmed up, the sound goes away. I hope to find the reason ..... I'm not giving up.

#615 of 777 Engine Mount stud by xunderworldx

Apr 18, 2012 (11:17 pm)

Hi everyone,
 
I really appreciate all the valuable information everyone has provided here. I actually had a rust hole as big as my fist on the right side of the subframe. I had gotten the letter about engine cradle being covered.. However with my lack of understanding I had no idea it covered it. Thanks to you google and reading your posts I was able to get this taken care of.
 
Its funny with all the work I have get done on my car and all the service checks they do, no one told me I had a big hole. What alerted me on this was being told there was rust. After taking it to a mechanic I knew he showed me that it isn't just rust its a hole!
 
I did have a question that someone here might be able to answer. Apparently in an attempt to remove the subframe or simply after removing the bolt. They claim that the engine mount needed to be replaced. They said the stud that the subframe rested upon just fell. Honestly felt to fishy to me. So they charged me to get the rear engine mount replaced and fixed.
 
Any thoughts?

Messages Page 62 of 79

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