Fires Park Outside! – Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid EVs

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on Fires Park Outside! – Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid EVs

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Chrysler (FCA US) is recalling ~17,277 model-year 2020-2022 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) minivans. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the “Off” position.

“Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the battery pack assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge,” Chrysler said in the mandatory safety defect filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC’s number for this recall is 52D. The Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 11, 2026.

Some 2020-2022 MY Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (“PHEV”) may have been built with a high voltage (“HV”) battery containing cells produced on an alternative assembly line at LG Energy Solution (“LGES”). These battery packs may fail internally, resulting in thermal runaway. The suspect vehicle population began on August 5, 2020, when production of vehicles with HV batteries produced on the alternative assembly line began, and concluded on May 2, 2022, when production of vehicles with HV batteries produced on the alternative assembly line concluded. Supplier and vehicle manufacturing records were used to determine the suspect vehicle population. Similar vehicles not included in this recall are built before or after the suspect period, are not PHEVs, or are built with HV batteries containing cells produced on the primary assembly line at LG ENERGY SOLUTION.

Chronology

  • On January 17, 2024, NHTSA opened a Recall Query into 2017-2018 MY  PHEV vehicles with a thermal event originating at or near the High Voltage battery.
  • On May 3, 2024, FCA US LLC (“FCA US”) provided a full response to the inquiry.
  • On March 27, 2026, NHTSA issued an expanded Recall Query into 2017 – 2026 MY  PHEV vehicles with a thermal event originating at or near the HV battery.
  • On April 30, 2026, the FCA US Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (“TSRC”) organization opened an investigation into some 2020-2022MY Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs experiencing fires originating from the HV battery.
  • On May 1, 2026, FCA US provided a full response to the expanded inquiry.
  • Since August of 2023, FCA US has received a total of 4 reports of vehicles which have had fires originating from the HV battery. These incidents occur at a very low frequency, and all have cells produced on an alternative assembly line at LGES with limited production. FCA US has attempted to repurchase these vehicles and has only received 1 vehicle for further analysis.
  • The battery pack was analyzed by  LG ENERGY SOLUTION, and the cause of the fire is undetermined. FCA US and LGES have analyzed warranty returns, manufacturing history, and assembly line processes at  LG ENERGY SOLUTION and have not discovered any issues. Root cause investigation continues.
  • As of May 15, 2026, FCA US is aware of 3 customer assistance records, 0 warranty claims, 4 field reports, and no other service records potentially relating to this issue for all markets with dates of receipt ranging from August 30, 2023, to January 16, 2026. As of May 15, 2026, FCA US is not aware of any accidents or injuries potentially related to this issue for all markets. On May 28, 2026, FCA US determined, through the Vehicle Regulations Committee, that a safety defect exists in certain vehicles.

*AutoInformed on

About Ken Zino

Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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