Why does my Pacifica Hybrid say Fuel and Oil Refresh Mode, and how do I make it stop?

Short answer: FORM is normal. The van runs the gas engine to burn old fuel and circulate oil when you mostly drive on electric. Owners end it by adding fresh gas. Some needed only a gallon, others closer to 4 gallons. To make it rarer, keep a smaller amount of gas in the tank and refill more often with fresh fuel.

Symptom: The screen says 'Fuel and Oil Refresh Mode in Progress. Engine is running', and the gas engine runs even with a charged battery.

What to check first

1. Add fresh gas. Owners report anywhere from 1 to about 4 gallons ending it.
2. Keep the tank between a quarter and half if you rarely use gas.
3. Don't run the tank near empty for long.
4. If FORM appears with warning lights, have the van checked.

Likely causes

1. Old gas in the tank. If you drive mostly on electric power, the same gas sits in the tank for months. FORM (Fuel and Oil Refresh Mode) runs the engine to burn it before it goes stale.
2. Engine oil needs circulating. Owners say FORM also runs the engine so the oil gets warmed up and moved through an engine that rarely runs.

What it usually costs

Just the cost of the fresh gas.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Yes. FORM is a normal maintenance mode, not a fault.

DIY or shop?

All DIY: it's about how you fuel the van.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA lists these recalls for Pacifica plug-in hybrids: 17V371000 (2017-2018, inverter diodes can fail and the van won't move), 18V740000 (2017-2018, the gas engine may not restart properly after running in electric mode), 20V334000 (2017-2020, the 12-volt isolator post behind the driver's seat can develop high resistance), and battery fire recalls 22V077000 and 24V536000 (2017-2018) and 24V538000 (2019-2021). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 0 keyword-matched complaints for Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid 2017–2024 (of 266 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-01; keywords: refresh, old fuel, stale, fuel and oil, engine (ran, run, start)) (NHTSA returned no data for 6 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In How to fix Fuel and Oil Refresh Mode? on Reddit r/pacificahybrid, an owner who drives about 90% electric got 'Fuel and Oil Refresh Mode in Progress. Engine is running.' Owners said it stays on until you add enough fresh gas or burn the tank down, that it's protecting the engine, and suggested keeping only a quarter to half tank so FORM ends faster next time.
• In I fixed Fuel Refresh mode with just 1gallon gas on Reddit r/pacificahybrid, an owner ended FORM by adding just 1 gallon twice now (and 3 gallons another time). Another said fewer than 4 gallons didn't work for them. One warned not to run below a quarter tank because the fuel pump is cooled by gas, and a 2017 owner got FORM even with a full tank and a full battery.

Quick tip

Treat FORM as the van reminding you to buy a few gallons of fresh gas. Don't fight it.

Vehicle focus: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (plug-in hybrid), 2017-2024.

Safety / mechanic note

If FORM comes with a check engine light or turtle icon, that's a different issue. Verify with a mechanic.