Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2003)

258 consumer complaints on file.

#10136006September 9, 2005
STEERING:COLUMN
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE BREAK AWAY DESIGN OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSED A FATAL INJURY. THE POLICE RULED THAT THE FATALITY OCCURRED AS OVERCORRECTING. THE CONTACT STATED HE KNEW OF ANOTHER CASE WITHIN A TEN MILE RADIUS WHERE THE SAME TYPE OF FATALITY HAPPENED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10135763September 7, 2005
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING. THE CAR, A 2003 PT CRUISER WITH APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILES, WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF THE HOT SUMMER, AND INSTEAD OF TAKING THE CAR ACROSS TOWN TO A DEALER, I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE LOW SPEED ON THE FAN RELAY HAD GONE BAD. HE TOLD ME THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER, AND THEY WERE REPLACING ABOUT 300 PER WEEK. THIS IS A HIGH NUMBER, PLUS THIS PART SHOULDN'T FAIL WITH THIS MANY MILES IN MY OPINION. I SPEND $500 TOTAL TO REPLACE IT (LABOR, DIAGNOSTICS, AND PART). I CONTACTED CHRYSLER, WHO WAS SYMPATHETIC, BUT AFTER SENDING THEM THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE INVOICE, THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T PAY FOR IT SINCE IT WASN'T DONE AT THEIR DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER CONSUMERS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130762August 1, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
ON JULY 30, 2005, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN I SUDDENLY HEARD A HORRIBLE SCREECHING/GRINDING NOISE. I MANAGED TO GET MY CAR TO THE NEAREST CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO REAR BRAKE PADS LEFT AND THAT THERE WERE GROOVES IN THE ROTOR (METAL ON METAL). I RECENTLY HAD MY FRONT BRAKES REPLACED IN MAY 2005 AND THE REAR BRAKES WERE IN GOOD CONDITION WITH 1/2 BRAKE PADS LEFT ON BOTH SIDES. I PRIMARILY DO HIGHWAY DRIVING SO MY BRAKES TEND TO LAST LONG. I WAS INFORMED THAT CHRYSLER USES METALLIC BRAKE PADS ON THE PT CRUISERS WHICH MOST MANUFACTURERS DO NOT USE AS IT CAUSES MUCH HEAT AND FRICTION WHEN STOPPING AND PREMATURELY WEARS OUT THE BRAKES. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE LOW, THERE WERE NO NOISES, SQUEAKING, ETC. THE ONLY NOISES I HEARD WERE WHEN THE BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY GONE AND THE CALIPER WAS DIGGING INTO THE ROTORS EVERY TIME I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I LATER LEARNED THAT CHRYSLER USES WEAR INDICATORS ONLY ON THE TWO FRONT BRAKES, NOT THE REAR. THERE ARE NO WEAR INDICATORS ON THE REAR BRAKES SO CUSTOMERS WILL NEVER KNOW THAT THE REAR BRAKES ARE GETTING LOW UNTIL THEY HAVE NO MORE BRAKE PADS LEFT AND THE CALIPER STARTS EATING UP THE ROTOR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I ROUTINELY HAVE MY CAR INSPECTED (EVERY MONTH). THE REAR BRAKE PADS SHOULD HAVE NEVER WORN SO PREMATURELY IN THE SPAN OF 3 MONTHS, CONSIDERING 95% OF MY DRIVING IS ON THE HIGHWAY. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT HAVING WEAR INDICATORS ON ALL 4 BRAKES. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO BE DRIVING AROUND WITH ONLY 2 FRONT BRAKES AND NO REAR ONES AND TO NOT EVEN KNOW IT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130698July 31, 2005
TIRES
GOODYEAR 205 50R/17 EAGLE RS/A TIRES FROM FACTORY ARE POOR QUALITY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 22,000 MILES. PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT, BALANCING PROBLEMS WERE PRESENT. REPLACED TIRES WITH OTHER THAN GOODYEAR; DISCOVERED THAT FACTORY RIMS WERE NOT BALANCED! DISAPPOINTED IN CHRYSLER'S QC. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128494July 12, 2005
WHEELS:RIM
DT: THE SPARE TIRE DID NOT FIT ON THE RIM OF THE FRONT TIRES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED ALSO AND THEY WERE NOT ANY HELP EITHER. THE OWNER HAS TRIED TO PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON THE FRONT WHEN SHE HAD A FLAT, BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. THE SPARE ALSO DOESN'T FIT THE FRONT. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 2004, WHEN THE OWNER NOTICED IT. THE OWNER WENT AND BOUGHT BRAND NEW TIRES, BUT DID NOT BUY A 5TH TIRE TO MAKE A NEW SPARE. IT IS THE RIM THAT IS THE PROBLEM, NOT THE TIRE ITSELF. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128532July 12, 2005
STEERING, TIRES
TIRES ARE FIRESTONE EAGLE P205/55/16. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH A FRONT SHIMMY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND HAD RE-BALANCING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT TO NO AVAIL. THE REASON I SUSPECT THE TIRES IS THAT I HAD SOME FIRESTONE TIRES IN THE PAST DO EXACTLY WHAT I AM EXPEREINCING.I PURCHASED THE CAR USED WITH 15000 MILES ON IT.THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS EXPEREINCINGTHE SAME SHIMMY. THE CAR AT SLOWER SPEEDS BEGINS TO ROCK FROM SIDE TO SIDE.I WAS TOLD THE LAST TIME THAT I HAD IT LOOKED AT, THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117751July 5, 2005
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CRACKS APPEARED ON ALL FOUR TIRES. CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. GOODYEAR, EAGLE, 205/50R17. *AK WHEN CONSUMER CALLED DEALER, CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO CONTACT GOODYEAR. CONSUMER REPORTED INCIDENT TO GOODYEAR AND THEY ACTED AS IF IT WEREN'T THERE CONCERN. CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO KAUFFMAN TIRE. AT THIS TIME ONLY TWO FRONT TIRES HAVE SPLITS IN THEM AND WERE REPLACED. 6 TO 8 MONTHS LATER THE OTHER TWO DEVELOPED SPLITS AND WERE REPLACED BY MCNABB TIRE IN ROCKMART, GEORGIA. CONSUMER FEELS GOODYEAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT, BECAUSE BY THE TIRES FIRST SPLITTING IN THE FRONT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.*SB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122620May 20, 2005
SUSPENSION
2003 PT CRUISER SWAY ARM LINK BAR BROKE.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS 2231 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THIS FAILURE LIKELY OCCURRED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118954May 16, 2005
TIRES
ALL FOUR TIRES CONTAINED BULGES IN THEM, AND CRACKS. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. GOODYEAR, EAGLE RSA, 205/50 R17.*AK THE 5TH TIRE HAD A BULGE AFTER 7 DAYS. *BF *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120822May 12, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING OUR BRAND NEW 2003 PT CRUISER, WE NOTICED THE DASH LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS WOULD OCCASIONALLY FLICKER FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AT FIRST, IT WAS VERY INTERMITTENT AND WE DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO IT. HOWEVER, SINCE ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER OF 2004, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. NOW WHENEVER THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE DASH LIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER VERY NOTICEABLY, AND THE FREQUENCY OF THE FLICKERING FOR NO REASON HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. ON NOVEMBER 18, 2004, WE TOOK THE CRUISER INTO SPOKANE CHRYSLER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM (INVOICE 147545). SPOKANE CHRYSLER WAS VERY COURTEOUS AND TRIED DILIGENTLY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE GENERATOR, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, AND EVEN TRIED A NEW BATTERY -- UNFORTUNATELY, NONE OF THEIR EFFORTS FIXED THE PROBLEM. SPOKANE CHRYSLER DID DISCOVER THAT THIS FLICKERING LIGHTS DEFECT WAS NOT UNIQUE TO OUR CRUISER. THE TECHNICIAN TESTED SEVERAL 2002, 2004, AND EVEN BRAND NEW 2005 PT CRUISERS AND FOUND THAT IN EACH OF THESE MODELS, WHILE NOT ALL, BUT SOME OF THEM HAD THE SAME DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY DISTURBING CONSIDERING THE NATURE OF MANY OF THE PT CRUISERS CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE PT IS IN MANY RESPECTS A FLY-BY-WIRE TYPE OF VEHICLE. EVERYTHING FROM THROTTLE CONTROL, AIR/FUEL MIX, SPEED CONTROL, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING, TRACTION CONTROL, TO ABS BRAKE CONTROL IS GOVERNED BY ELECTRONICS. THE FLICKERING LIGHTS ARE A DEFECT THAT CAN CLEARLY BE SEEN, BUT WHAT ABOUT DEFECTS THAT CANNOT BE SO EASILY SEEN. WHAT ABOUT A BRAKE CONTROL FLICKER OR AN ERRATIC THROTTLE CONTROL FLICKER THAT YOU DO NOT NOTICE UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE. OR, WHAT HAPPENS IF IT IS PITCH DARK, YOU ARE ROUNDING A CURVE AT 60 MPH, AND THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER OUT AND STAY OUT! AT THIS TIME, THE PROBLEM HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED. WE FEEL CHRYSLER HAS TWO OPTIONS--EITHER FIX THE DEFECT IMMEDIATELY (THIS IS OUR PREFERRED CHOICE) OR REPLACE THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120522May 10, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: BRAKES FAILED. WAS STOPPING AT STOP LIGHT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CAR DID NOT STOP. THERE WAS A CRASH. VEHICLE HIT A SUV . THERE WERE INJURIES. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO THE BRAKES AND CRASH. NO INQUIRES ABOUT RECALLS, BUT WOULD LIKE TO SEARCH FOR RECALLS AFTER COMPLAINT.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10120111May 6, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AFTER 42,000 MILES, MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116511April 6, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
HESITATION IN VEHICLE IN ALL SPEEDS (5 SPEED), TOOK TO CHRYSLER AT LEAST 5 TIMES (4 DIFFERENT DEALERS) TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.....THE FOLLOWING WAS PERFORMED... 1) RE-FLASHING OF PCM 2) CHANGING OF SPARK PLUGS 3) CHECK OF SPARK PLUG WIRES 4) FUEL INJECTORS CHECKED FOR CLOGGING 3 TIMES DEALERS REPLACED ONE (OR MORE) OR ALL SPARK PLUGS (WITHIN ONE YEAR) 1 TIME PCM WAS RE-FLASHED 2 TIMES DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE HESITATION WAS 'NORMAL' 2 TIMES DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE HESITATION WAS NOT FOUND, WHEN EACH TIME IT WAS INSISTED THAT THE TECHNICIAN OR SERVICE MANAGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO CONFIRM THE HESITATION. GATHERING ALL INVOICES FOR CORRECT DATES...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112923April 6, 2005
TIRES
THREE OF THE TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED BUBBLES ON THE SIDE WALL. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE BUBBLES WERE CAUSED BY THE VEHICLE IMPACTING POT HOLES. THE TREAD DEPTH ON THE FRONT TIRES ARE 632, THE REAR TIRES 832. *JB *BF *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116208April 1, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I BOUGHT MY 2003--NEVER TITLED--PT CRUISER LAST MAY. I NOTICED SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THAT WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS AND PANEL LIGHTS FLICKERED CONTINUOUSLY. AFRAID OF A SHORT AND CAUSING A FIRE I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. I HAD THE CAR BACK 5-6 TIMES AND THEY TRIED EVERYTHING FROM CHECKING FOR SHORTS, TO REPLACING A SWITCH, TO INSTALLING A NEW PANEL CLUSTER, AND NOTHING FIXED THE PROBLEM. AT ONE TIME THEY HAD MY CAR FOR OVER A WEEK WORKING BY PHONE WITH THE TECHNICIANS FROM CHRYSLER TO TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND IT STILL EXISTS. I HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENT THEM, BUT MY PATIENCE HAS WORN OUT. ON ONE OCCASION 50 MILES FROM HOME THE LIGHTS FLICKERED SO BAD THEY WENT OUT TEMPORARY AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111035February 7, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10108262January 30, 2005
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
2003 PT CRUISER GT PURCHASED BRAND NEW APRIL 29, 2003. CLUTCH HAS FAILED 3 TIMES OVER 10 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS. MARCH 8, 2004 MILEAGE ? 19,842: DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT ENTERED ONTO THE 60 FWY EAST THE CLUTCH GOES OUT ON THE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC! HAVE TRUCK TOWED TO JAMMIN DODGE CHRYSLER THAT NIGHT. THE CAR IS ALMOST 12 MONTHS OLD! MARCH 12, 2004 REMOVED AND REPLACED CLUTCH MODULE ASSEMBLY. CAR PICKED UP. DECEMBER 17, 2004 MILEAGE ? 35,930: THIS IS JUST 9 MONTHS AFTER THE CLUTCH WAS FIRST REPAIRED! CLUTCH GOES OUT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR; IT LAUNCHED FORWARD BECAUSE IT WAS IN FIRST GEAR. IT MISSES THE CONCRETE WALKWAY TO MY OFFICE BUILDING BY LESS THAN A INCH. DECEMBER 21, 2004 STAR CHRYSLER REPAIRS CLUTCH JANUARY 22, 2005. MILEAGE ? 37,275: JUST ONE MONTH SINCE LAST REPAIR TO CLUTCH! I AM DRIVING TO BANK IN MORNING. I COME TO STOP AT THE END OF MY STREET AT THE STOP LIGHT. MY CAR CLUTCH IS MALFUNCTIONING. I STOP THE CAR. I TRY TURNING IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE CAR LAUNCHES FORWARD HITTING THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. THE MAN GETS OUT OF THE TRUCK. HE LOOKS AND THERE IS NOT DAMAGE TO HIS TRUCK. HE ASKS ME DID I SEE HIM? I TOLD HIM THAT MY CLUTCH WENT OUT AND HE CAME OVER AND SAW HOW THE CLUTCH JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS WISHED ME LUCK AND TOOK OFF. MY GRILL IN THE FRONT IS BULGING. MY LICENSE PLATE FRAME CRACKS. AND THE TOP OF MY BUMPER IS SCRATCHED. I CALL AAA. HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO JAMMIN DODGE IN POMONA. I REQUEST NO WORK TO BE DONE. I WILL CALL CHRYSLER CORPORATE MONDAY MORNING. I WILL NO LONGER DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT SAFE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10108223January 29, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL AND GOING UP HILL I HAVE TO STEP ON THE BRAKES AND THEY WOULD NOT RELEASE. I HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES WITH INCREASING FORCE UNTIL THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAUGED. I HAVE DONE THISTIME ON MY DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AND IT REQUIRES MUCH MORE FORCE GOING UPHILL THEN ON LEVEL GROUND. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THERE WAS ALMOST AN ACCIDENT BUT I HAD THE ADDITIONAL TIME TO STEP ON THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIME TO GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO TURN-OFF.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109087January 27, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND HAD SEVERAL ADJUSTMENTS MADE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERS, AND PROBLEM DID NOT DUPLICATE ITSELF. HOWEVER, THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. *AK....*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10108763January 24, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE OVER 60 MPH. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIME. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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