Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2002)

511 consumer complaints on file.

#10098988October 28, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10094104October 27, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A 36000 MILES CHECK UP. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAL METAL TO METAL. MECHANIC STATED THEY HAD ONLY EXAMINED THE BRAKES, AND WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIRS. CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ROTORS HAD BEEN TURNED TOO MUCH.*AK THE CONSUMER WAS MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS AFTER BEING TOLD THE ROTORS WHERE TURNED TO MUCH BY THE MECHANIC. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097820October 22, 2004
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
NO POWER STEERING AFTER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *BF UPON BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CONSUMER NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND WHEN SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SHE NOTICED A CLOUD OF SMOKE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HER POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS BROKEN AND IN NEED OF REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, SOON AFTER THE CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEALING SOUND AND DISCOVERED THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD A FITTING WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED WHEN THE PREVIOUS WORK WAS DONE. *TC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096806October 14, 2004
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
COMPLAINT SENT VIA E-MAIL." I FIRST STARTED HAVING A SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR POWER STEERING. WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD, AND I THOUGHT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. I THEN CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND TOLD THEM, AND THEY JUST SAID THAT THEY WOULD MAKE A REPORT. BUT I HEARD NOTHING FROM THEM AT ALL. HOWEVER, I TOOK MY CAR TO CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THEY TEMPORARILY FIXED IT, BUT A MONTH LATER THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A WHINING SOUND WHEN TURNING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY PUT A NEW POWER STEERING TO FIX IT. THREE WEEKS LATER OCT 8TH 2004, I STARTED HEARING THE LOUD WHINING NOISE AGAIN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR WILL CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THAT I OR MY PASSENGERS WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095634October 12, 2004
AIR BAGS
WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A DELAWARE CAB (CROWN VICTORIA); WHICH CONTINUED TO DRIVE ME INTO THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AND BOTH OF US INTO THE PICKUP TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER. IT WAS A FOUR CAR COLLISION, WITH THREE OF US BEING TOTALLY STOPPED WHEN I WAS REAR-ENDED. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND INQUIRED AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND WAS TOLD "WE NEED TO OFFER YOU A SETTLEMENT". CHRYSLER HAD AN "INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR" DO AN EVALUATION AND HAS INFORMED ME THAT "WE CAN NOT GIVE YOU A COPY OF THIS REPORT AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF YOU WANT A COPY YOU WILL HAVE TO SUE US". MY CAR WAS NOT RUNNING WHEN THE CAB DROVE ME INTO THE CHEVROLET LUMINA IN FRONT OF ME. THE OFFICER THAT RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT ASKED IF I HAD A SWITCH TO TURN OFF THE AIR BAG, WHICH THE CAR DID NOT. WHEN THE OFFICER REQUESTED US TO MOVE THE CARS OUT OF THE ROADWAY, HE TOLD ME TO STAY OUT OF MY CAR, WHILE THE OTHER CARS WERE MOVED BECAUSE HE WAS CONCERNED THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10094959October 4, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED GAS FUMES. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND SAW FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10092720September 20, 2004
WHEELS:RIM
RIMS CORRODED ALONG THE LUGS AREA. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10092328September 15, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
01 V 288 000/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER: CONSUMER HAS A CONCERN THAT THE DEALER REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION FROM THE CONSUMER FOR AN 11/2 HOURS FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AT CONSUMER COST. RECALL NOTICE MENTION NOTHING CONCERNING A CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10089233August 18, 2004
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING . CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING PITMAN BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087931August 16, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 55 TO 60 MPH AND HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE BUMPER CAME OFF BUT THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10087937August 16, 2004
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE. THE POWER STEERING UNIT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MPH WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081545August 12, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DURING AN INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081890August 12, 2004
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS WAITING ON THE MANUFACTURER TO SEND OUT AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE FIRE.*AK THE CHRYSLER INSPECTOR AND INSURANCE INSPECTOR BOTH REPORTED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILURE. THE HOSE LEAKED ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL COVERED UNDER IT'S ORIGINAL WARRANTY BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10079747August 12, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, STRUCTURE
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND PERFORMED POORLY WHEN APPLIED. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTS THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT WORK ON THE BRAKES AT ALL. *AK THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE AND THE BRAKES WOULD SOMETIMES GO ALMOST TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT ALWAYS LOCK, THE BRAKES WOULD RUB AND HESITATE TO STOP, THE A/C DID NOT GET COLD ON HIGH SETTINGS, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD ELECTRONIC SYSTEM WAS OFF, THE FUEL, MPH AND THE RPM LIGHTS HAD COME ON, AT THE INSIDE TOP OF ALL FOUR DOORS, THE LINING WAS BULDGING IN AND OUT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE LOCKING, THE RIGHT SIGNAL HAD TO BE MANUALLY STOPPED, AND THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT DID NOT HOLD. THERE WAS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE ODOMETER READING. (THE CONSUMER FELT THAT IT DID NOT DISPLAY THE PROPER MILEAGE) *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086599August 11, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING SEPERATION: LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILED WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE SUDDEN FAILURE CAUSED THE CAR TO DROP ON PASSENGER SIDE. TECH AT LOCAL WAL-MART STATED THAT IF IT HAD FAILED WHEN I WAS TURNING THE REDUCED CLEARNCE WOULD HAVE CAUSED MY FRONT RIGHT CORN TO DIG INTO THE GROUND. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083135August 2, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE RUBBER. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RATTLES, SEVERE TIRE VIBRATION OR FRONT END VIBRATION. SOME OF MY MEMBERS HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR AS LOW AS 5000 MILES. CURRENTLY MINE HAS 36.000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING ON MINE. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT THESE TYPE OF BUSHINGS SHOULD BE HAVING THIS SEPARATION PROBLEM AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. A RECALL IS IN ORDER, BEFORE A OWNER HAS A VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO THE VEHICLE LOOSING STEERING CONTROL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083146August 2, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
BASED ON CONCERNS BY OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS, I HAVE CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON MY TWO YEAR OLD, 11,000 MILE CAR. THE RUBBER IS SEPARATING FROM THE METAL, DUE TO A POOR BOND BETWEEN THE TWO? IN ANY CASE THIS IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR A NEW CAR WITH SO LITTLE USE. I BELIEVE DAMLERCHRYSLER SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REPAIRING SAID BUSHINGS: PARTS, INSTALLATION, EXTEND WARRANTY, WORN TIRES DUE SAID LOOSE PARTS, AND OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. HAVING OWNED MANY CARS AND QUITE A FEW NEW CARS, NEVER A PROBLELM WITH THESE COMPONENTS STARTING TO DISINTEGRATE. PLEASE REVIEW OTHER COMPLAINTS AND TRUST THAT YOU WILL PROVIDE A FAIR SOLUTION TO THE MANY OWNERS OF THIS MODEL CAR, MANY OF WHICH HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR A REPAIR/REPLACEMENT FROM THEIR OWN POCKET!!!!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083124August 1, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
I READ SEVERAL PT RELATED FORUMS AND MANY MEMBERS HAVE COMMENTED ABOUT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILURES, WEEL SO HAVE MINE. I AM EXPERENCING VIBERATION FROM THE FRONT END AND WILL MAKE ARANGMENTS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE FORUMS IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF THEY WILL FAIL......BUT WHEN THEY WILL FAIL. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MATTER THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFTY ITEM, AS TOTAL LOSS OF THESE BUSHINGS WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROLL OF THE CAR CAUSING A CRASH. THANK YOU 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER DREAM SER 1.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082297July 20, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TWO MAJOR COMPLAINTS: 1. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON 3 OCCASIONS IN DESERTED PARKING SPOTS - WITH MY CAR JUST NOT STARTING - THE IGNITION WILL NOT WORK AND THERE WAS A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE / DISCHARGE. ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WE CALLED ON EACH OCCASION AND ONLY ON CHARGING THE BATTERY WOULD THE CAR START. THE FIRST INSTANCE HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD (ITS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, 4 CYL NON TURBO , AUTOMATIC - BOUGHT IN MARCH 2003) - THE SECOND SIMILAR INSTANCE WAS 3 MONTHS LATER AND THE LAST ONE WAS A FEW WEEKS BACK. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR REPEATEDLY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BUT THEY KEEP SAYING THAT MAYBE SOMETHING IS DRAWING EXTRA POWER. THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE OR TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTION. 2. I READ ABOUT THE RECALL NOTICE RELEASED IN JUNE 2004. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM SAYING THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY CONFIRMATION FROM CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS. I CALLED UP CHRYSLER AND I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A LETTER IN THE MAIL AUTHORIZING THE RECALL. ITS BEEN A MONTH AND THE LETTER HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED - THE CHRYSLER COMPANY DOES NOT RETURN CALLS AND ON LISTENING TO MY PROBLEMS SAYS I WILL RECEIVE A LETTER IN THE MAIL. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TOUCH MY CAR UNLESS I HAVE A LETTER - WHAT DOES CHRYSLER WANT US TO DO -THEY SELL US INFERIOR PRODUCTS AND NOW DO THEY WANT US TO BURN !! PLEASE HELP AND TAKE ACTION AGAINST THIS COMPANY BEFORE ANY MORE LIVES ARE LOST. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10081514July 8, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT GAS GAUGE WAS ON EMPTY. CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GAS STATION AND FILLED THE GAS TANK BUT THE GAS GAUGE STILL WAS ON EMPTY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE GOT HOT FROM THE SUN THE DASHBOARD COMPONENTS BECOME INOPERATIVE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPEED HE WAS DRIVING, AND HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE GAS TANK. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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