Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints

2,623 consumer complaints on file.

#10245121October 11, 2008
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD OF MY PT CRUISER IS SUFFERING FROM MULTIPLE CRACKS THAT SEEM TO CONTINUALLY GROW AND INCREASE IN NUMBERS. THE CRACKS HAVE SHARP EDGES AND SEEM TO PRESENT THE POTENTIAL OF AN EVENTUAL DASHBOARD FAILURE OF THIS PADDED SURFACE. THE CRACK ALSO PRESENT SHARP EDGES. THE PROTECTIVE ASPECT OF THIS DASHBOARD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IS SUSPECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245128October 11, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON US 23 IN MICHIGAN, I WAS AT A FULL STOP. I WAS REAR ENDED BY A CAR DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60-70 MPH. THE IMPACT PROPELLED ME INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER CAR. NEITHER MY AIRBAG NOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE FOUR OF US IN THE CAR. WE HAVE ALL SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#10245078October 10, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, WENT TO ACCELERATE, ENGINE REVVED BY DID NOT MOVE. PULLED VEHICLE TO SIDE. COULD NOT GET VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. LOW REV SHAFT FOUND BROKEN. CAUSED DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A 2006 VEHICLE WITH ONLY 40,000MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244748October 8, 2008
STRUCTURE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DASHBOARD CRACKED IN CENTER FROM FRONT WINDOW TO INSIDE EDGE, RUNNING ACROSS VENT, WHICH HAS FALLING INTO DASH IN PIECES; ALSO FREQUENTLY "SHORTS OUT" AND RADIO, INSIDE LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, ALL GO OUT MAKING NIGHT DRIVING DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244544October 6, 2008
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
I WAS IN A CAR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007. I WAS DRIVING A 2007 PT CRUISER. I REAREND A TRUCK INFRONT OF ME DOING APPROXIMATELY 30-35MPH. MY SAFETY BELT DIDN'T LOCK AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NEEDLESS TO SAY MY HEAD HIT FULL FORCE INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. ROAD CONDITIONS WHERE DRY. IT WAS JUST STOP & GO TRAFFIC BUMPER TO BUMPER. I JUST DIDN'T REACT FAST ENOUGH. I WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF INTERIOR DASH CONSOLE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10244323October 3, 2008
VISIBILITY
THE FIXED REAR QUARTER GLASS ON MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FELL OUT. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO PROPERTY OR A PERSON. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL, G01, FOR 2005 AND 2006 PT CRUISERS. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE ADHESIVE FAILED.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244191October 2, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE HOUSE, THE FOG LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON EVEN THOUGH THE HEADLIGHTS THEMSELVES WERE OFF. PRESSURE ON THE END OF THE STALK TURNED THE INDICATOR OFF BUT IT CAME BACK ON WHEN PRESSURE WAS RELEASED. AFTER PARKING AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, THE INDICATOR (AND THE FOG LIGHTS THEMSELVES) REMAINED ON. REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION HAD NO EFFECT. THE ONLY THING THAT TURNED THE FOG LIGHTS OFF WAS SETTING THE TURN INDICATOR IN THE 'LEFT TURN' (DOWN) POSITION. FURTHER TESTING FOUND THAT THE ONLY OTHER WAY TO TURN OFF THE FOG LIGHTS WAS TO REMOVE THE APPROPRIATE FUSE FROM THE INTERIOR FUSE PANEL. RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE TURNED UP SEVERAL MESSAGE BOARDS WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF DRIVERS REPORTING THIS EXACT PROBLEM GOING BACK AT LEAST THREE YEARS, WHICH TURNS OUT TO BE CAUSED BY A FAILING MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. (ONE SUCH FORUM: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER/TF81KHBDLDVT92AH2/ ). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244079October 1, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
UPON ACCELERATION BETWEEN 0 AND 30 MPH THERE IS A FEEL OF THE ENGINE MISSING OR THE TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTER CHATTERING. HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES AND THEY ADVISE THERE IS NOTHING ABNORMAL OCCURRING IN THE VEHICLE THAT IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC PROBLEM IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244173October 1, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DEAR SIR/MADAM: I HAVE A 2006 CHYRSLER PT CRUISER HATCHBACK, AND FOR THE PAST YEAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE SHUTDOWNS OF THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY, I HAVE NO WARNING AND IT IS SCARY. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THE CAR. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS IN FLORIDA, AND BOTH TOLD ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. FIRST OF ALL, THEY OBVIOUSLY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO I FEEL LIKE THEY WROTE IT OFF AS OPERATOR ERROR. I DON'T CARE WHAT THEIR DIAGNOSIS COMPUTER SAID, THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE COMPUTER IN MY CAR. TO SHUTDOWN UNEXPECTEDLY, AT ANYTIME IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK TO ME AND THE TRAVELING PUBLIC. BOTH MY DAUGHTERS HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AT SEPARATE TIMES AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME SHUTDOWNS. THIS IS A LIABILITY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE AND NO ONE AT CHRYSLER WILL LISTEN. PLEASE HELP ME TO GET CHRYSLER TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THEIR DEALERSHIPS DO NOT SEEM TO CARE. SINCERELY, CLARA JOHNSON *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243445September 25, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE SAME MONTH, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243317September 24, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE ENGINE AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SHUT OFF WHILE IDLE AS WELL AS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND CAUSED AN 18-WHEEL VEHICLE TO SWERVE OVER THE MEDIAN TO AVOID CRASHING INTO HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER MODULE. ON JULY 10, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURES. THE ETAX RELAY AND THE CONTROLLER SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON AUGUST 30, 2007. THE FLASH CONTROLLER WAS REPLACED AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURES. ON DECEMBER 28, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO TRANSMISSION HESITATION. THE MODULAR ENGINE CONTROLLER WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,780 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 62,000. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243324September 24, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE ENGINE AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SHUT OFF WHILE IDLE AS WELL AS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND CAUSED AN 18-WHEEL VEHICLE TO SWERVE OVER THE MEDIAN TO AVOID CRASHING INTO HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER MODULE. ON JULY 10, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURES. THE ETAX RELAY AND THE CONTROLLER SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON AUGUST 30, 2007. THE FLASH CONTROLLER WAS REPLACED AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURES. ON DECEMBER 28, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO TRANSMISSION HESITATION. THE MODULAR ENGINE CONTROLLER WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,780 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 62,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243252September 23, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HAS DISCOLORATIONS (WHITE STRIPES) ON THE DARK GRAY FRONT AND BACK BUMPERS BECAUSE THE AUTO MAKER PUT PLASTIC AND TAPE ON THEM TO PROTECT THEM IN DELIVERY. THE ADHESIVE IN THE TAPE HAS DESTROYED THE FINISH ON THE GRAY PLASTIC. THIS STARTED TO SHOW UP AFTER 6 YEARS OF OWNING IT WHEN IT SAT IN THE SUN. MOST OF THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE IT WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE. FOR THE PAST YEAR IT HAS BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE. THIS WAS WHEN THE STRIPES STARTED TO SHOW UP. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SAYS THEY HAVE A "TSB" ON IT BUT SAYS THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX IT AND THAT I (THE CONSUMER) HAVE TO GO BUY PRODUCTS TO FIX IT MYSELF, WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN MAKE SUN BLEACHING AND FADING GO AWAY, IT'S PERMANENTLY DAMAGED. THEY STATED THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL THIS BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE DRIVEN AROUND TO SEE IF OTHER PT'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND EVERY PT CRUISER I HAVE SEEN WITH A GRAY PLASTIC BUMPER HAS THE SAME DEFECT. I HAVE TAKEN PHOTOS OF 5 DIFFERENT ONES JUST TODAY. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE FOR CHRYSLER TO DENY THEY ARE AT FAULT WHEN CLEARLY THEY CAUSED THE PROBLEM BY PUTTING TAPE ON OUR BUMPERS. IF MY CAR HAD BEEN IN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAD PLACED TAPE ON THE BUMPERS THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND LIABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. I AM FRUSTRATED THAT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THESE DISCOLORATIONS ARE A PERMANENT PROBLEM AND ARE SUN BLEACHED, THEY WON'T JUST GO AWAY. I WOULD LIKE MY BUMPERS EITHER REPLACED OR PAINTED TO MATCH THE REST OF THE CAR. I AM ALSO SPREADING THE WORD TO OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS, IN HOPES THAT CHRYSLER WILL SEE THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY ON ITS OWN. THIS WILL CAUSE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON MY FAMILY TO REPAIR THIS OURSELVES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242805September 18, 2008
STRUCTURE
2001 PT CRUISER: MULTIPLE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE FRONT CONSOLE RUNNING THROUGH THE CENTER VENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242817September 18, 2008
STRUCTURE
MY 2001 PT CRUISER HAVE 3 HUGE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. HAVE ALWAYS USED PROTECTION AGAINST THE SUN AND STILL GOT THEM. I FEAR THAT IF EVER HAVE AN IMPACT THE PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD WILL BE DANGEROUS DEBRIS IF AIRBAGS OPEN (IF THEY DO OPEN AND DOESN'T GET STUCK). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242459September 16, 2008
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DEFLATED. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALL FOUR RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,367.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242628September 15, 2008
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HAD A SAFETY RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED A FEE FOR A SAFETY RECALL. *NJ POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LOOSE AT THE RACK AND PINION. ACCORDING TO THE WORK ORDER, THE RECALLED HOSE DID NOT APPLY TO THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242199September 15, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MULTIPURPOSE SWITCH TURN SIGNAL, FOG LAMP, DIMMER. MALFUNCTIONED AND LEAVES FOG LAMPS ON INTERMITTENTLY, WHETHER VEHICLE IS OCCUPIED OR NOT. DRAINED BATTERY MULTIPLE TIMES AND REQUIRED REMOVAL OF FOG LAMP FUSE. MY POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MELTED AND LOST ELECTRICAL FUNCTION OF ENTIRE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242301September 15, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
APPROACHED VEHICLE AFTER VISIT AND NOTICED STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM 20 FT. AWAY. OPENED CAR DOOR, FUMES EVEN STRONGER. FELT DIZZY & DISORIENTED. CALLED SERVICE TO HAVE IT TOWED (DID NOT WANT TO START CAR WITH STRONG FUMES). WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FUEL LINE (RECALL) AND THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. NEARLY 1 YEAR LATER, SAME PROBLEM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. 1/2 TANK OF GAS LEAKED IN ONE DAY. NO OBVIOUS SOURCE OF LEAK FROM EXTERIOR. LINGERING GAS SMELL IN INTERIOR. WAS TOLD NVLD PUMP WAS REPLACED. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY, POSSIBLE ADVERSE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES, LIKELIHOOD OF FIRE. CAR HAS HAD MANY OTHER ISSUES AS WELL, INCLUDING SMELL FROM AC SYSTEM (ORIGINALLY NON-FUNCTIONAL) WHICH SMELLS LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE/BURNING PLASTIC. DEALERSHIP IS DISMISSIVE. POSSIBLE LEMON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10241648September 9, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, STRUCK A GUARD RAIL, AND LANDED IN A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIR. THERE WERE NO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS HAVE NOT BEEN SERVICED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,624.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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