ChryslerPacifica20083.8L/chrysler/pacifica/2008/3-8l/
CS platform

2008 Chrysler Pacifica — 3.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Pacifica 3.8L.

Body SUVEngine 3.8LTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2008 Chrysler Pacifica 3.8L is a CS-platform SUV powered by a 3.8-liter engine and an automatic six-speed transmission, a combination EPA-rated at 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway that calls for 5W-30 or 10W-30 API oil with a five-quart capacity including filter. With zero recalls and 102 total owner complaints on record, this model year sits far below the 2017 peak of 1,482 complaints and well above the 2003 low of a single complaint, placing it in a moderate-feedback position within the 2003–2026 model span. That comparatively modest complaint volume, with powertrain concerns leading the reported issues, means the 2008 Pacifica generated less owner feedback than the line’s most criticized years while still drawing more scrutiny than the earliest production run, so researchers should expect powertrain-related reports to dominate the documented history for this model year.

Model year200820072005

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/22/17 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 Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 filter05281090AB
Engine air filter05510026AA discontinued
Spark plugSZFR5LP13G alt SP303917AC
BatteryBB34F101AA alt 04609365AE
Front wiper blades05102230AB
Thermostat68273161AA alt 04892307AA
Cabin air filter82205905

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length198.8 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase116.5 in
Curb weight4458 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 22 / 17 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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-30 / 10W-30 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 10W-30 · MS6395
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts40 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugPTU: 26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugPTU: 26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.60 oz
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure30-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs / 85 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.097 in / 0.546 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.107 in / 0.556 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.04 in / 0.492 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 21 ft. lbs., Step 3: 905 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 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 at 102,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 102,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (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 requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter 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 neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe 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 2008 Chrysler Pacifica caps a clear downward trend in federal complaints for this production run, dropping to 102 reports from a peak of 1,244 in 2005. While the 2004 and 2005 model years saw multiple recalls and up to 5 investigations, the 2008 record shows zero recalls and zero investigations, indicating a reduction in reported issues by the end of the cycle. Primary complaint areas for this year include Power Train and Engine with 9 reports each, along with 4 fire complaints, though the data does not specify a root cause. This model year falls at the most stable point of the 2003-2008 arc, contrasting with the higher recall activity seen in the post-2016 data block. Given the lowest complaint volume and absence of recalls in its immediate cohort, the 2008 model is a statistically preferable choice to buy within this specific generation.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
60
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
102
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 102 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train9
Engine9
Structure8
Electrical System8
Engine & Engine Cooling8
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Unknown Or Other4
Air Bags3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 60 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
S1121000006RevA2020-08-19Power Train(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes…
S1121000006 Rev.2020-08-19Electrical System(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes…

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Pacifica 3.8L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Pacifica have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.8L get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 22 highway / 17 combined mpg.