My parents (mid 70's) are looking to replace their 2006 Town & Counrty minivan. They really want the stow-n-go seating for utility and I want them to get something with a warranty so I don't have to fix their problems. I've heard the 2017 model year Pacifica had some quality problems. Did they get everything worked out for the 2018 model year, or should they go with the 2019?
Thoughts?
2017 issues were resolved.
I have read and heard about complaints with the vehicle interfaces for controls and entertainment. It seems to be customers are expecting the van to allow them to do x but it doesn't so they make a complaint. I even confirmed with one owner that at no point did Chrysler say the van could do X but he said well it should so that is why I wrote a complaint.
My point is that for your parents get the dealer to identify who would spend the hour or so going over the Pacifica controls etc. Otherwise they will be calling you to "fix" the video to play on only one screen.
Also the owner's manual is online only but I think if you push hard the dealer can get a print version.
Oh and I think the biggest change for 19 has something to do with the van having a faster mobile connection when you subscribe for the van mobile data hotspot option.
My FIL (70yo) loves his Pacifica. Don't know if its a 17 or 18 model but they got it to replace the '04ish Dodge Minivan that is slowly transitioning to rust after the move from Southern Ohio to Wisconsin.
In reply to Advan046 :
Yeah, Mom's biggest complaint about the new Pacifica is the lack of an in-dash CD player. Technical gadgets are actually a negative for them.
My mom will probably be picking one up in the next month or so. The lease is about to run out on her 2015 T&C, so it's the logical thing. She'll lease this one, too, in fact I'm sure she'll never buy a car again.
I would stay away from the PHEV as its FCA's first hybrid on the market.
We're renting one for the week, and after four days I still can't figure out how to turn off just the radio (and leave the screen on), and adjust the HVAC (especially in the rear).
Android Auto is great when it works, but frustrating when it doesn't. Plugging the phone into the USB outlet before you start the car seems to work best. I had to restart the car to reboot the system and get everything to connect, but that could have been my ignorance.
I think we have a lower trim level (doors are manually operated), so I'm not sure if other trim levels are better or worse.
On the plus side, the power and brakes are excellent, and access to the third row is easy (although not as easy as with captains chairs in the second row). Nice and quiet on the highway, too, and the ride is comfortable and it seems to handle well for a minivan.
Other negatives compared to our '05 Odyssey are that the 2nd row seats dont slide front/back and the third row feels tighter than our Ody. 2nd row seat feels narrower, as well, and there seems to be less room behind the third row. Stow and go isn't something that I need, so I can't comment there.
The Pacificas depreciate quickly, so it's on our short list (with a newer Odyssey/Sienna) when we replace our Odyssey. Probably the biggest factor will be what has the most room, as we have four boys and they're growing quickly. I've already warned my wife that we may need a full size van :-)
Downloaded the owner's manual and another guide that were helpful. There is a synch setting on the HVAC that keeps the rear using the same settings as the front. That was helpful to find, as the rear blower motor was on full blast prior to me finding that tidbit.
The radio is a strange one, you have to turn it on to get the touch screen, but can mute it so you don't hear the radio. Navigation through Android Auto still had sound with the radio muted.
dj06482 said:Downloaded the owner's manual and another guide that were helpful. There is a synch setting on the HVAC that keeps the rear using the same settings as the front. That was helpful to find, as the rear blower motor was on full blast prior to me finding that tidbit.
There should also be a little button on the HVAC panel to let you choose between whether the main panel is controlling the rear or the front. That way you can have them set differently if you wish, but you can adjust the rear from the driver's seat. It may just say REAR or something similar.
The radio is a strange one, you have to turn it on to get the touch screen, but can mute it so you don't hear the radio. Navigation through Android Auto still had sound with the radio muted.
My 2012 T&C is like that, but FWIW so is our 2017 Volvo. Even when the radio is "off" it still shows tuning information; I suspect it just mutes the volume.
Has Mr. Tuna given a review of his Pacifica? I know he got one as a replacement for his aging Grand Caravan.
Well, Mom and Dad bought a 2016 (old generation) Town and Country yesterday. 9k miles on the clock. Paid 24 large. Loaded with Every Single Option available, including heated steering wheel and what sold mom: in dash CD player. Thanks for all the tips guys. The seats on the previous generation, apparently are far superior to the rock hard ones in the Pacifica.
Here's a pic:
Nice choice! We rented a mid-level Grand Caravan about three years ago while out in AZ and really liked it. The seats were comfortable the day we spent traveling from Phoenix to the South Rim, through the Painted Desert at sunset, and back to Phoenix. Plenty of power at altitude and on the hills, as well!
I just rode in my mom's new Pacifica. Can confirm that the seats are very firm, but an additional cushion should mitigate that. And the NVH difference between this and her old T&C is night and day.
Press and hold the volume/mute button to actually turn the radio off.
Edit: maybe it doesn't work on all models? Tried it on a newer Ram at work with no luck... I know some older Caravan radios would do this though.
Duke said:dj06482 said:Downloaded the owner's manual and another guide that were helpful. There is a synch setting on the HVAC that keeps the rear using the same settings as the front. That was helpful to find, as the rear blower motor was on full blast prior to me finding that tidbit.
There should also be a little button on the HVAC panel to let you choose between whether the main panel is controlling the rear or the front. That way you can have them set differently if you wish, but you can adjust the rear from the driver's seat. It may just say REAR or something similar.
There is a rear lock function that locks out the rear HVAC control panel in the second row, and the synch option allows you to keep the front and rear HVAC settings consistent, which is what I was looking for. I think I have the hang of it now - thanks for the help!
i rented an '18 for a week (last week) and i loved it - i'm looking at replacing our Flex with it. the only drawback was the touch screen heater/climate controls and it kept interfacing with my phone when i didn't want it to. i can see the cops pulling me over for distracted driving as i have to focus on the screen and touch it 4 times to turn the heated seats/steering wheel on or off - and up here the cops are cracking down hard on that distracted driving - 1st ticket is a 3 day license suspension and a $500 fine. seats were fine for me and my wife.
love the Pacifica though!
I'm gonna pull you over for distracted driving right after I do some data entry and run your plates through this giant laptop screwed to my dashboard! Just you wait!
By that standard my ‘15 GC seems low tech lol. I’m kinda surprised (but pleased) Dodge is still making the Caravan in the “old” box style and with softer seats.
You'll need to log in to post.
