Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2001)

618 consumer complaints on file.

#10281697August 25, 2009
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS, STEERING
IN 2004 CHRYSLER RECALLED PT CRUISERS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS FOR A FAULT WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE WHICH CAUSED FIRES IN A FEW CARS. THEY DID NOT HOWEVER COVER 2001 PT CRUISERS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *TR LAST WEEK (8-20-09) MY WIFE DROVE TO THE POST OFFICE (2 MILES FROM HOME) AND SMELLED BURNING RUBBER, SHE DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY BACK HOME. I EXAMINED THE CAR THAT NIGHT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE DRIVE BELTS, TIRES, AND THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY LEAKS. I TOOK IT FOR A QUICK TEST DRIVE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. THE FOLLOWING DAY (8-21-09) MY WIFE AGAIN DROVE THE CAR TO THE POST OFFICE, THIS TIME IT STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISES AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. SHE DROVE THE CAR STRAIGHT HOME AGAIN. THERE STILL DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY LEAKS BUT WHEN I TEST DROVE IT I COULD TELL THE POWER STEERING WAS NON FUNCTIONAL. I OPENED THE FILL CAP FOR THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO CHECK ITS LEVEL AND THE REMAINING FLUID IN THE SYSTEM DRAINED ONTO MY DRIVEWAY. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE HAD BEEN A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE THAT WAS BEING BURNT OFF ON THE ENGINE. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ONLY USING THE CAR FOR LOCAL TRIPS AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE DANGEROUS IF THE HOSE HAD LET GO WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. RECALL 04V268000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04028, SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE PT CRUISERS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AS WELL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278566July 28, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE FUEL LINE WAS RECALLED IN 2002 UNDER PT CRUISER FUEL LINE LEAKS AGAINST AIR CONDITIONER AND I HAD THAT REPAIRED IN 2002. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO THE FUEL LINE SINCE THEN. ON JULY 25 2009, THE FUEL LINE SPRUNG A LEAK. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THE LINE RUBBED AGAINST THE TOP OF THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE. OBVIOUSLY FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE LEAK COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC AND LIFE THREATENING TO MYSELF AND FAMILY. THE FUEL LINE IS THREADED UNDER THE POWER STEERING PUMP HOSE AND OVER THE ENGINE TO THE FUEL INJECTION RAIL. OVER THE MILES THE LINE RUBBED THE TOP OF THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE HOLE IN THE FUEL CAUSING GAS TO SQUIRT AND LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I REPLACED THE LINE TO REPAIR. I DID KEEP THE OLD FUEL LINE AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE ENGINE WHERE IT RUBBED. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW, BY ALLOWING THE FUEL LINE TO RUB ON THE ENGINE AND HELD DOWN BY THE POWER STEERING PUMP HOSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278198July 24, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE WOULD HEAR A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,000. UPDATED 08/28/09. *LJ THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FOG LIGHT WOULD COME ON WITH NO WARNING. A NEEW MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS NEEDED. UPDATED 09/02/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278200July 24, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,000. UPDATED 9/1/09 *CN THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING, THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS LEAKING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278148July 23, 2009
STRUCTURE
2001 PT CRUISER THE DASH IS CRACKED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277223July 17, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2000 PT CRUISER WITH 50000 MILES. MULTIFUNCTION LIGHT SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED IN PAST TWO WEEKS. WHEN VEHICLE TURNED OFF, FOG LAMPS STAY ON. ONLY WAY TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF IS TO TURN ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL. WENT TO DEALER TO GET REPLACEMENT SWITCH AND WE ARE #1500 ON WAITING LIST FOR NEW SWITCH. CHRYSLER HAS NO OUTLOOK FOR WHEN NEW SWITCHES WILL BE AVAILABLE. PULLED FOG LIGHT FUSE TO KEEP FOG LIGHTS DE-ENERGIZED. GREAT RISK ACCORDING TO WIDELY DISTRIBUTED REPORTS THAT LIGHT WIRING HARNESS CAN FAIL, MELT AND START FIRE. THE ONLY SAFE THING TO DO IS PARK CAR AND REMOVE BATTERY UNTIL NEW SWITCH IS AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275957July 7, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. SHE ALSO NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE FRONT HOOD. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, SHE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 02V214000 AND 02V215000, BUT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM BOTH RECALLS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH ANY REPAIRS AND WOULD NOT ASSUME LIABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNABLE TO BE ENTERED INTO THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 39,000. REMAILED 10/20/09. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275144June 28, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SHORT IN MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH CAUSES FOG LIGHTS TO COME ON RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS IS A 15 AMP CIRCUIT AND IT MAY POSSIBLE CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE ALSO. APPEARS TO BE A COMMON MALFUNCTION WITH THE PT CRUISER FOR ALL YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274828June 24, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE CHROME (ON ALL FOUR DOORS) FLAKING OFF AND CAUSING A DEEP CUT ON THE HAND UPON ENTRY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONCE TO MY YOUNG DAUGHTER, MY WIFE, MYSELF, AND SEVERAL OTHERS ON THIS SAME VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
7
Deaths:
0
#10272537June 1, 2009
SEATS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME LOOSE AND TEMPORARILY INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION EXPERT AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE GEAR BOX BUSHINGS AND THRUST WASHERS WERE MISSING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CLUTCH CABLES AT THE COST OF $300. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT CABLES TO THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND LEFT A MESSAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269513May 20, 2009
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD CRACKED IN HALF IN 2001 PT CRUISER. THE DASHBOARD IS NO LONGER STABLE NEAR THE WINDSHIELD AND PIECES ARE STARTING TO BREAK OFF FROM THE CRACKED AREA. IF THIS CONTINUES IT COULD POTENTIALLY EXPOSE WIRING AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. THIS COULD ALSO POSE ADDITIONAL DANGERS IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION WITH OR WITHOUT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265249April 14, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V214000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO SAFERCAR.GOV, HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE COMPONENT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE REMEDY REFERENCED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,629 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263291March 27, 2009
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FIRST THE DASH TOP HEATER DEFOGGER GRILL BROKE UP AND COLLAPSED, NOW THERE IS A HUGE CRACK ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE DASHBOARD TOP, AND OTHER CRACKS ARE DEVELOPING. I AM AFRAID THE DASHBOARD TOP WILL COLLAPSE IN. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PT CRUISERS AND COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262652March 21, 2009
STRUCTURE
MY 2001 PT CRUISER'S DASH HAS FAILED, THERE IS A CRACK FROM THE WINDSHIELD ALMOST ALL THROUGH TO THE FRONT. I'VE READ IT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WHEN IT FINISHES BREAKING, WHICH FROM APPEARANCES IT WILL SOON DO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262513March 20, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNEXPLAINABLE COMPLETE BATTERY DRAIN BEGAN IN 08/2008. DISCOVERED IN 03/2009 THAT THE FOG LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AND STAYING ON WHEN CAR WAS ON AS WELL AS WHEN OFF AND PARKED THUS, CAUSING THE BATTERY DRAIN. ONLY WAY TO KEEP FOG LIGHTS OFF WAS TO ENGAGE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL OR REMOVE THE FUSE. TOOK TO DEALER 03/21/2009 AND FOUND THE ISSUE IS WITH THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, WITH A REPLACEMENT COST OF $269. WENT AHEAD WITH THE REPLACEMENT AS I DO USE THE FOG LIGHTS. HAVE SEARCHED INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND MANY, MANY CASES OF THIS EXACT PART DEFECT. CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260965March 6, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VACUUM LINE CAME OFF ENGINE CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE. THERE WAS NOT A CLAMP ON THE LINE AND YOU COULD ALMOST BLOW THE LINE OFF WITH YOUR MOUTH IT WAS SO LOOSE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259531February 21, 2009
STRUCTURE
2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER: DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS - CRACKS RADIATING OUT FORM DEFROSTER VENT. DEFROSTER VENT GRILL HAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED INTO SMALL PIECES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259311February 19, 2009
CHILD SEAT:BASE, CHILD SEAT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS AN EVENFLO DISCOVERY REARFACING INFANT SEAT, MODEL 3091892A. THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON NOVEMBER 10, 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BASE OF THE INFANT SEAT DOES NOT PROPERLY ANCHOR TO THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE STABLE, WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE CHILD IS 13 MONTHS OLD AND WEIGHS 31 LBS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE SEAT. THE CONTACT STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE SEAT. UPDATED 03/18/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/19/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259219February 18, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ENGINE NOISE FOLLOWED BY EXHAUST FUME SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE "FLEX" PART OF THE EXHAUST PIPE BEFORE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THEY SAID THE WHOLE FLEX PART AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS ONE PART AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (COST ABOUT $1400). THE CAR WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION UNTIL THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED. TOOK VEHICLE FOR A SECOND OPINION AND THE MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PT AND THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL THE CARS. I HAD THE PART REPLACED SO THAT THE CAR WOULD PAST INSPECTION AND BE LEGAL TO DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254711January 12, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2001 PT CRUISER. HORN AND RADIO/CLOCK DISPLAY INTERMITTENT. WHEN THE RADIO/CLOCK DISPLAY IS DARK, THE HORN IS INOPERATIVE. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. SOMETIMES THE HORN DOES NOT WORK FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, OTHER TIMES FOR ONLY A SHORT TIME. TWO REPAIR SHOPS LOOKED AT IT, BUT THE PROBLEM CLEARED BY IT SELF, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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