Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints

2,623 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
#10281526August 24, 2009
POWER TRAIN
MY DAUGHTER WAS ON HER WAY TO NURSING SCHOOL WHEN HER 2008 PT CRUISER ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, WITH HER FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, TO APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH SHE HAD TO USE BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES TO STOP IT. I ARRIVED ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, STARTED THE CAR, THE ACCELERATOR WAS STILL STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION. CHRYSLER TOWED THE AUTO TO OLATHE CHRYSLER, THEY SAID NO CODES WERE STORED AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AUTOMOBILE. AFTER A EXTENDED CONVERSATION, THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED TO REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND THE THROTTLE BODY. BUT STATED HE DID NOT THINK THEY WERE THE PROBLEM BUT HAD NO OTHER IDEAS. WHEN I ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE FOR MY DAUGHTER TO DRIVE, HE SAID I SHOULD DRIVE IT FOR A WHILE IN CASE IT HAPPENED AGAIN. MY RESPONSE WAS IS IT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE HE SAID BE CAREFUL. I ALSO CALLED CHRYSLER BUT GOT THE SAME RESPONSE, WITHOUT CODES STORED IT IS VERY HARD TO FIX. THEY WERE VERY NON-COMMITTAL WHEN ASKED WILL THE CAR BE SAFE TO DRIVE AFTER THE CABLE AND THROTTLE BODY ARE REPLACED? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281353August 21, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE FOG LIGHTS ON MY 2005 PT CRUISER COME ON BY THEMSELVES. ENGINE OFF - KEYS NOT IN IGNITION. DEAD BATTERY TWICE IN THE PAST 24 HOURS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280999August 19, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS ARE SO CLOUDY, LOOKS TO BE UNSAFE. HAVE TRIED 3 DIFFERENT PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET TO CORRECT THIS BUT SO FAR NOTHING HAS HELPED. SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE OUT IN THE WEATHER LIKE A HEADLIGHT COULD BE MADE FROM SOMETHING BETTER THAN THEY ARE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280627August 17, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2006 PT CRUISER UNDER 60,000 MILES AND I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULBS TWICE. IT IS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR AC REPAIRS (THEY FOUND A BAD LOW PRESSURE SWITCH AND FAN) AND NOW I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING AND IT IS APPARENTLY CORRODE TERMINALS AND BOTH LAMP ASSEMBLIES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. IS THIS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THESE VEHICLES? APPARENTLY THESE ARE DEALER ITEMS AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280581August 16, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY
NHTSA 629139 EXTERIOR LIGHTING HEADLIGHTS, MOISTURE INSIDE VENTED HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. HEADLIGHTS HAVE HARD WATER DEPOSITS ON INSIDE OF LAMP,WITH SUN EXPOSURE HAVE BECOME SO CORRODED THEY ARE NOT USABLE HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279789August 8, 2009
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE A/C PRESSURE SWITCH DOES NOT WORK AND I HAVE JUST RESEARCH IT ON LINE AND THEIR ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, CLAIMING THAT THEIRS BROKE WHEN THE CAR REACHED BETWEEN 37,000 TO 40,000 MILES. THE PART IS ON BACKORDER FROM CHRYSLER INDEFINITE AND ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET AND JUST ABOUT ALL CAR PARTS DEALER, YOU CAN' GET IT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! SOME PEOPLE LIVE IN 102 DEGREE WEATHER WITH ASTHMATIC CHILDREN. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE? CHRYSLER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ESPECIALLY THAT MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD (2007). *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
#10277910July 22, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING, SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT END WAS ALSO WOBBLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUBS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $792.36. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. HE WAS LATER AWARDED $400 TOWARDS THE MONEY HE PAID FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277654July 21, 2009
VISIBILITY
I HAVE AN 2006 CHRY PT CRUISER. THE FRONT WIPER POWER MODULE HAS GONE OUT ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS. SO WHEN IT RAINS I CANNOT USE MY FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS AT ALL WHEN I DRIVE CAUSE THEY DO NOT WORK AND IT IS VERY HARD AND DANGEROUS FOR ME TO TRY AND DRIVE WITHOUT THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277347July 19, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY WIFE'S 2005 PT CRUISER WITH ONLY 10,100 HAS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM STARTING. BY REPLACING OR REINSTALLING THE FUEL PUMP RELAY THE ENGINE WILL START. RECENTLY ON ONE OCCASION THE ENGINE STALLED; GLADLY IN A PARKING LOT, HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE ROAD OR FREEWAY AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED. HAS CHRYSLER BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IS IT JUST THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE OR ARE THERE OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND WILL THERE BE A RECALL BY CHRYSLER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE OR AFTER AN ACCIDENT? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277258July 18, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH ACCELERATION FROM A STOPPED OR SLOWED POSITION. ONCE ACCELERATED BEYOND THAT SPEED, VIBRATIONS REMAIN, BUT LESS INTENSE. VEHICLE WILL PULL UPON APPLYING BRAKES, MAKING IT HARDER TO CONTROL. FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE FRONT END AND TIRES ARE "GRINDING INTO THE PAVEMENT", THIS AT STREET SPEEDS OF 35-40 MPH. HAD TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED ON ALL FOUR TIRES AND PRESSURE WAS AS SUGGESTED BY MANUFACTURER. HAD BRAKES CHECKED AT DEALER AND THEY STATED THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, "THE BRAKES ARE FINE." THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 15,000 MILES. IF CHRYSLER/FIAT DEALERS CANNOT PINPOINT THE CAUSES OF THESE DEFECTS/PROBLEMS AND FIX THEM (AT NO COST THEIR CUSTOMER) ONCE AND FOR ALL, THEN WHO? THESE PROBLEMS POSE SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS, AND RECALLS SHOULD BE ISSUED. WITH THESE PROBLEMS UNRESOLVED, THERE IS LITTLE ENJOYMENT IN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10277172July 17, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO INSTALL A PROTECTIVE PLATE ON THE BATTERY; THEREFORE, FLUID PENETRATED THE COMPUTER WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
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
#10276880July 15, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FOUND 2002 PT CRUISER WITH DEAD BATTERY ON OCCASION, NO CONSISTENCY. REPLACED BATTERY (7.75 YEARS OLD, 90K MILES) AFTER 3RD INSTANCE OVER 2 MONTHS, ISSUE RESOLVED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. CAR PARKED IN HOT PARKING LOT, FOG LIGHTS WERE DIM WHEN APPROACHING CAR. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START, HAD IT JUMPED. UPON RETURNING HOME, WENT TO TURN OFF CAR, FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. FIDDLING WITH LIGHT SWITCH WOULD MAKE THEM GO OFF TEMPORARILY, THEN RIGHT BACK ON. FOUND TURNING LEFT BLINKER IN ON POSITION KEPT FOGS OFF. RESEARCHING ISSUE, FOUND THE FOLLOWING FORUM: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER/TF81KHBDLDVT92AH2 WHERE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. WAITING TO HEAR FROM CHRYSLER ON REPLACEMENT PART, AS ALL ONLINE SOURCES SAY IT IS BACK ORDERED 30-60 DAYS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276727July 14, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHTS WILL NOT SHUT OFF DUE TO DEFECTIVE SWITCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276741July 14, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO MOVE INTO THE LEFT LANE. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BROKEN BONES AND THE DRIVER RECEIVED BRUISES TO HER SHOULDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. RICHMOND POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER 467202500. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0

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