2026 Chrysler Pacifica

I was traveling on the DC beltway (interstate), it was raining and the temp was in the low 50s. The vehicle in front of me hit their brakes pretty hard. I started braking firmly myself. I heard an alarm sound and I believe the anti-lock braking activated, and the van began automatically braking itself. I was brought to a complete stop on the interstate by the van. The vehicle ahead of me accelerated again and I stepped on the gas to get going again and it wouldn't move. At all. I kept pressing on the gas to get going and the van wouldn't move. Meanwhile traffic behind me is gaining on me and I was rear-ended. After being hit I tried to move it out of the travel lane and it still wouldn't move. After all that I looked at the dash and it said to move forward, release the electronic parking brake (or something to that effect). I pushed the button to turn it off, and was able to get onto the shoulder. I believe the root cause of the crash was that the van automatically turned on the parking brake on it's own, and I did not want it on. If it hadn't, I could've accelerated away and not gotten rear-ended.

The contact owns a 2026 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the parking brake independently enabled and caused the battery to drain. Roadside Assistance was contacted. The Roadside Assistance driver recharged the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with battery failure. The contact was informed that both batteries needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact was informed that further diagnostic testing was needed. The vehicle was scheduled for an upcoming diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 700.

When driving, the rear passenger interior trim cup holder heats up to an unsafe temperature. The vehicle was in the shop for 4 weeks and I was told this is normal and it was because of radiant heat from the axel/wheel well. After driving approximately 100 miles, I used a temperature gun to screen the area. The hotspot was 126 degrees, with temperatures around in ranging from 77-85 degrees. Outside wheel well temperatures ranged from 94 - 97 degrees. the driver side rear trim area was also checked for comparison and ranged from 78-82 degrees. which would indicate it is not radiant heat from the wheel well and axel. Children sit in the 3rd row next to this and can be burned. No warning lights are present, vehicle can be inspected if required.

Driving down a busy section of highway on I-25 in Colorado, without warning car lost all power and shutoff. Was able to veer off highway to shoulder without getting hit. Car will not restart. This was incredibly unsettling as my family and kids were all in the car on the way home and was a very dangerous situation. For a brand new vehicle to shut off on the highway without warning is unacceptable.