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Chrysler power train recalls: park lock rods, transmissions and halfshafts
Every recall in this group was announced in 2018 and every one is rated high severity, and they split into two failure modes: the vehicle won't stay where you parked it, or it stops sending power to the wheels. An incorrect transmission park lock rod went into a wide sweep of 2018 models — Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger and Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, and Ram 1500. The 2018 Pacifica shows up twice: once for front halfshafts that were not properly secured to the CV joint, and once, alongside the 2019 Jeep Cherokee, for a transmission component that may not have been welded correctly. Apart from that lone 2019 Cherokee, this is a 2018 model-year problem.
Warning signs to watch for
- The vehicle moves or rolls after you shift into Park
- Sudden loss of drive — the engine runs but no power reaches the wheels
- The transmission notice says that power loss can happen suddenly and with no warning beforehand
- An unexpected rollaway from a parked position, described in the halfshaft recall
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these three recalls tells owners to stop driving or to park outside. All three are rated high severity, though, and two of them involve losing power to the wheels — the Jeep Cherokee and Pacifica transmission weld and the Pacifica halfshaft — which the notice says can happen suddenly and without warning. The park lock rod and the halfshaft also create a rollaway risk, so set the parking brake every time you leave the vehicle and choose level ground. Get the free repair scheduled promptly rather than waiting.
What the free repair involves
The repairs are all mechanical, with no software updates or over-the-air fixes here. Dealers install the correct transmission park lock rod on the 2018 cars and SUVs, replace the left or right front halfshaft assembly on the Pacifica, and replace the entire transmission on the Cherokee and Pacifica weld recall. All of it is free of charge; Chrysler's customer service line is 1-800-853-1403.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 3 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-07-26 | Chrysler Pacifica and Jeep Cherokee transmission may stop working | high |
| 2018-07-26 | Chrysler Pacifica axle shaft may come apart | high |
| 2018-05-01 | Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM may not stay in Park | high |
Common questions
My 2018 Pacifica — could it be in more than one of these recalls?
Yes. The 2018 Pacifica appears in both the front halfshaft recall and, in non-hybrid form, the transmission weld recall covering the 2019 Jeep Cherokee. Give your VIN to a dealer or check NHTSA's lookup to see which apply to your van.
Is the parking brake enough protection until the park lock rod is replaced?
Setting the parking brake every time you leave the vehicle is the sensible precaution, and the halfshaft notice specifically advises it. But it is not the repair: an incorrect park lock rod means the transmission may not hold the vehicle in Park.
Will I get any warning before the transmission stops driving the wheels?
No. The transmission weld notice says power to the wheels can be lost suddenly and with no warning, which is why it is rated high severity. There is no stop-driving order, but it is a reason to get the vehicle to a dealer promptly.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.