Chrysler›Pacifica›2005›3.8L/chrysler/pacifica/2005/3-8l/

CS platform

2005 Chrysler Pacifica — 3.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 Pacifica 3.8L.

Body SUVEngine 3.8LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2005 Chrysler Pacifica 3.8L is a CS-platform SUV powered by a 3.8-liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission, carrying an EPA rating of 16/23/18 mpg and requiring 5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil with filter at each change. Its 1,244 owner complaints place it near the upper end of the model’s 2003-2026 complaint span, sitting below the 2017 peak of 1,482 but far above the 2003 low of one, with two recalls on record. That volume makes it one of the more reported model years in the range, and with structure ranking as the top complaint area, it signals that body-related issues should be a primary focus during any research or inspection of this vintage.

Model year2008 2007 2005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP235-65R17OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB
Engine air filter	05510026AA discontinued
Spark plug	SZFR5LP13G alt SP303917AC
Battery	05144502AA alt 04686158AD
Front wiper blades	05102230AB
Serpentine belt	04593814AA alt 04593668AA
Thermostat	68210217AA alt 04792239AB
Cabin air filter	82205905

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	198.8 in
Overall width	79.1 in
Overall height	66.5 in
Wheelbase	116.5 in
Curb weight	4676 lb
Track (front / rear)	66.5 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 23 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.0-5.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.5 Pints
Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	40 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 8.8 ft-lbs; Lower: 16.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	16.6 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	PTU: 26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	PTU: 26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Gap	0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Oil Capacity	5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	30-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	125 ft-lbs / 85 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0014 in / 0.0055 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.097 in / 0.546 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.107 in / 0.556 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 21 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90

5 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

30 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

30 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi.

Every 6,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
At 102,000 mi	Timing Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2005 model year represents the peak of federal complaints for the 2003-2008 production run, recording 1,244 complaints compared to 896 in 2004 and 726 in 2006. Investigations also reached their highest point in this arc with 5 open cases, while recalls remained consistent at 2, matching the 2004 model year. The data illustrates a trend where issues surged after the initial 2003 launch, maximized in 2005, and then steadily declined through 2008 where complaints dropped to 102. Top complaint areas for this specific year include Structure with 212 reports and Engine & Engine Cooling with 131, though the data does not specify the root causes for these reports. This concentration of regulatory attention implies the 2005 model experienced the most significant reliability friction during this specific production cycle. Consequently, this is not a good year to buy when later model years like 2007 or 2008 offer significantly lower complaint volumes.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

1,244

Owner complaints

25 involved a crash · 13 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’03 ’04’05’06 ’07 ’08 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,244 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure212

Engine & Engine Cooling131

Engine84

Power Train73

Unknown Or Other58

Suspension46

Structure,Engine46

Electrical System44

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

05V066000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 01/03/2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HALOGEN HEADLAMPS MAY EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT AND EVENTUAL TOTAL LOSS OF HEADLAMP FUNCTION. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY, THE WIRING HARNESS AND LOW BEAM BULB ON BOTH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY…

06V432000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 09/11/2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) SOFTWARE MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STALL UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2004 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. THE RECALL…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 92 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9004009	2021-04-07	Power Train	Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
9004009	2021-03-31	Power Train	Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-20	2020-04-30	Equipment	Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Pacifica. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 34 battery Vehicles taking 5 qt w/ filter CS-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 05510026AA Spark plug SZFR5LP13G Battery 05144502AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2005 Pacifica 3.8L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API REFER TO OIL CAP, per the factory manual.

Does the 2005 Pacifica have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.8L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.