Chrysler Pacifica Electronic Stability Control (esc) Defect Recall 2026 — Your Lemon Law Rights

Quick Answer (TL;DR)

FCA US, LLC (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2025 CHRYSLER PACIFICA vehicles. The reported issue: Electronic Stability Control (esc) (NHTSA campaign 26V561000, reported January 9, 2026). The remedy: dealers will inspect and replace brake pedal position sensor, as necessary. If the defect persists after the fix, or your dealer can't complete the repair within 30 days, you may qualify for a buyback, replacement, or cash compensation under your state's lemon law.

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Recall at a Glance

What Is the Defect?

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chrysler Voyager, Chrysler Pacifica, and 2026 Chrysler Voyager Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The brake pedal position sensor capacitor may be cracked, which can cause a loss of electronic stability control. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

The Safety Consequence

A loss of electronic stability control increases the risk of a crash. NHTSA has determined this defect warrants a formal safety recall. The remedy must be completed by an authorized CHRYSLER dealer; owners should not delay scheduling the fix.

The Manufacturer's Remedy

FCA US, LLC (Stellantis) will provide the following remedy free of charge: dealers will inspect and replace brake pedal position sensor, as necessary. Owners may contact CHRYSLER customer service at 1-800-853-1403 — referencing NHTSA campaign 26V561000.

Owner Timeline — What to Expect (Weeks 1-4)

For most PACIFICA owners, the recall repair follows a predictable path. Here's the typical 30-day window — and where lemon-law rights start to apply if it goes off track:

Does This Qualify for Lemon Law?

A recall by itself does not automatically qualify a vehicle as a lemon. What matters is whether the defect is fixed after reasonable repair attempts. Most state lemon laws require:

• Substantial impairment to safety, value, or use of the vehicle (the electronic stability control (ESC) clearly qualifies)
• A reasonable number of repair attempts (typically 3-4 for the same issue, or 1-2 for safety defects)
• OR 30+ cumulative days out of service for warranty repairs
• The defect persists despite the manufacturer's attempt to fix

Recall 26V561000 helps a lemon-law claim two ways: (1) the recall itself is documented evidence the defect exists, and (2) if the manufacturer's remedy doesn't permanently fix the electronic stability control (ESC) — or introduces a new problem — that failed remedy is exactly what lemon law was designed to address. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act adds an additional layer of protection that typically requires the manufacturer to pay your attorney fees.

Your Lemon Law Rights by State

Easy Lemon reviews Pacifica recall and repeat-repair cases under state lemon law. Lemon-law statutes vary by state — here are key jurisdictions where we have deep state-court experience:

Free VIN Lookup — Is Your PACIFICA Affected?

What to Do Right Now

1. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls to confirm your 2025 CHRYSLER PACIFICA is included in campaign 26V561000.
2. Schedule the recall repair at an authorized CHRYSLER dealer (1-800-853-1403). The repair is free of charge.
3. Save every repair order. Get a paper or digital copy showing date, mileage, technician notes, and campaign number 26V561000.
4. Document any incidents. If the defect returns after the recall fix, log the date, time, mileage, road conditions — and photos or video if safe. This evidence is critical for a lemon-law claim.
5. Contact a lemon law attorney if the defect returns, if your dealer can't complete the fix within 30 days, or if your VIN is on a do-not-drive list. Get a free case review here.

Past CHRYSLER Lemon-Law Settlements

Easy Lemon helps owners turn repeat repairs into a lemon law claim. Three representative outcomes:

Easy Lemon — No Cost Case Review

Easy Lemon reviews recall and repeat-repair cases under state lemon law, with deep state-court experience in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, New York, and New Jersey. No upfront fees. When we win, FCA US, LLC (Stellantis) typically pays our attorney fees under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Call 1-855-435-3666 or submit your case online — VIN check is free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 CHRYSLER PACIFICA electronic stability control (ESC) recall covered by lemon law?

Yes, if the defect substantially impairs the safety, value, or use of your 2025 CHRYSLER PACIFICA and cannot be repaired after reasonable attempts. NHTSA campaign 26V561000 itself is documented evidence the electronic stability control (ESC) exists — strengthening any lemon-law claim under state law and federal Magnuson-Moss.

What if my CHRYSLER dealer can't perform the recall repair?

If FCA US, LLC (Stellantis) or its dealer network cannot complete the recall repair for campaign 26V561000 within roughly 30 cumulative days, that delay can independently qualify the vehicle under state lemon law as an inability-to-repair — even if you never had a failed repair attempt.

Do I need to complete the recall repair before filing a lemon-law claim?

In most cases, yes. Courts and arbitrators expect FCA US, LLC (Stellantis) to be given an opportunity to cure the defect. Recommended path: complete the dealer's recall repair first, document each visit, and file a lemon-law claim only if the defect persists or the dealer can't perform the fix within 30 days.

How much can I recover under CHRYSLER lemon law for the 26V561000 recall?

Three outcomes are common for owners of the affected 2025 CHRYSLER PACIFICA: a manufacturer buyback (full purchase price minus a mileage-use deduction), a comparable replacement vehicle, or cash compensation if you keep the vehicle. Federal Magnuson-Moss claims can also recover attorney fees — typically paid by FCA US, LLC (Stellantis), not by you.

How do I check if my PACIFICA VIN is affected by recall 26V561000?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your VIN is included in NHTSA campaign 26V561000, you'll see the open recall listed. You can also call CHRYSLER customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with your VIN, or use the free VIN check on the Easy Lemon contact page to learn about your lemon-law rights.

How long do I have to file a lemon-law claim for the PACIFICA recall?

Statute of limitations varies by state: Florida and Texas typically allow 4 years from the manufacturer's last repair attempt, Georgia 1-2 years, Arizona 4 years, New York 4 years, and New Jersey 6 years. Federal Magnuson-Moss claims may extend the window. Document every repair visit for the 26V561000 fix and contact a lemon-law attorney early to preserve your rights.

What is the remedy for the CHRYSLER PACIFICA recall 26V561000?

FCA US, LLC (Stellantis)'s remedy is: dealers will inspect and replace brake pedal position sensor, as necessary. The fix is provided free of charge under federal recall law. If the remedy fails to fix the electronic stability control (ESC), that failed remedy strengthens your lemon-law case — keep the dealer's repair order and any post-repair incident logs.

Does the electronic stability control (ESC) count as a safety defect?

Yes. NHTSA classifies the electronic stability control (ESC) as a safety issue: a loss of electronic stability control increases the risk of a crash. Safety defects typically qualify for lemon-law relief faster than non-safety issues — most state statutes require fewer repair attempts (often just 2) for documented safety defects.

Sources & references:

• NHTSA Campaign 26V561000 — Official recall record
• CHRYSLER Customer Service — 1-800-853-1403
• BBB AUTO LINE — Manufacturer arbitration program
• Consumer Reports — Auto recalls & defects