Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2008)

115 consumer complaints on file.

#10682210February 9, 2015
STEERING, SUSPENSION
I WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A POP AND MY CAR STARTED SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL AND I ALMOST HIT A MEDIUM. MY CAR WAS STUCK ON THE EXIT RAMP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10660464November 24, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,274.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10659773November 20, 2014
AIR BAGS
AT 10:15AM ON THURSDAY, 8/14/2014, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING <5MPH PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT NOR HAS SUSTAINED ANY OTHER DAMAGE, INCLUDING FROM POTHOLES (MY FAMILY TOOK ORIGINAL DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE IN 2008). THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP DECLINED TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, AND INSTEAD PROVIDED A PHONE NUMBER FOR THE CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER (CCAC). THIRTY MINUTES LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING 35MPH. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ARRIVED HOME SAFELY MOMENTS LATER. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE CCAC; THE REPRESENTATIVE FORWARDED MY INFORMATION TO CHRYSLER'S SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT FOR FURTHER INQUIRY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ON TUESDAY, 8/19/2014, AT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP BY A THIRD-PARTY CONTRACTED BY CHRYSLER. THE INVESTIGATOR CAREFULLY DOCUMENTED THE VEHICLE'S CONDITION, INCLUDING PUTTING IT UP ON A LIFT, AND TOOK 40-50 IMAGES. PARTICULAR ATTENTION WAS PAID TO THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. THE INSPECTOR FOUND NO DAMAGE AND INFORMED ME IT HAS BEEN "BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED." I RECEIVED A LETTER DATED 8/25/2014 FROM CHRYSLER STATING, "WE HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE INSPECTION REPORT AND MUST INFORM YOU THAT WE ARE NOT LED TO BELIEVE THAT THE INCIDENT WAS DUE TO MANUFACTURING RESPONSIBILITY." MY REQUEST FOR A COPY OF THE INSPECTION REPORT WAS DENIED IN A LETTER DATED 9/12/14, CLAIMING THE REPORT IS "CONFIDENTIAL" AND "PROPRIETARY." MY SECOND REQUEST TO VIEW THE REPORT WAS DENIED IN A LETTER DATED 10/13/14; I MAILED A THIRD REQUEST 11/10/14. THE BODY SHOP MANAGER OF THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND MY INSURANCE CARRIER BOTH CONCUR THIS WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT. WHILE CHRYSLER STONEWALLS ME, I AM FORCED TO DRIVE A VEHICLE LACKING FUNCTIONAL AIRBAGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10654903November 14, 2014
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIRBAG LITE AND SENSOR GOES OFF WITH NO ONE SITTING IN SEAT AND IF SOMEONE IS IN SEAT IT GOES OFF. IT SEAMS AS IF THERE IS A SHORT IN A WIRE. OTHERS I HAVE READ AFTER HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653950November 10, 2014
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT WARNING LIGHTS START FLASHING OFF AND ON, THE GAUGES DROP TO ZERO THEN COM BACK UP, AND THE ENGINE FALTERS SOMETIMES AND STOPS OTHER TIMES. WHEN ENGINE STOPS, POWER STEERING IS LOST. CAR WILL START UP AGAIN WITH STARTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10652279November 3, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING. AT THAT TIME I LOST ALL STEERING AND BRAKING FOR THE VEHICLE. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TIMES SINCE THEN, TWICE WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651731October 31, 2014
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLE CRACKED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE HAD COMPLETELY FAILED AND A BOLT IN THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10649779October 24, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SAME AS OTHER OWNERS, DASH LIGHTS GO ON,GAUGES DIE,AND CAR SHUTS OFF. IT WILL RESTART AFTER A BIT AND RUN FINE UNTIL BOOM IT HAPPENS AGAIN. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR CODES SO DEALER AND SHOPS CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. SOME EVEN REFUSE TO LOOK AT THE CAR. I CAN NOT TRUST THIS CAR FOR ANY LONG TRIP OR ON THE FREEWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10648798October 20, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GAUGES WOULD SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION AND DISPLAY ERRONEOUS INFORMATION BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE DURING THE INCIDENCES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10630133September 2, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10628946August 27, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR HAS HAD REPEATED ISSUES WITH ALL WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON WHILE DRIVING AND SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER AND GAS GAUGE ALL GOING DEAD. AFTER A MOMENT THE GAUGES COME BACK TO LIFE AND THE WARNING LIGHTS GO OFF. IT LOOKS LIKE THE CAR WAS JUST STARTED. THE ENGINE KEEPS RUNNING AND THE RADIO, WIPERS, ETC ALL CONTINUE TO FUNCTION. ISSUE IS CONFINED TO THE INSTRUMENTATION PANEL. THIS CAN OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN GO FOR DAYS WITHOUT HAPPENING. I AM NOT ABLE TO 'FORCE' THE CONDITION AND GET IT TO OCCUR ON DEMAND SO THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. INTERNET SEARCHES REVEAL A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE ISSUES INCLUDING IGNITION SWITCH AND THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE - I WOULD JUST LIKE TO GET IT FIXED SO THE CAR WILL BE SAFE. THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO IS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT OCCURS WITH MY CAR - HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=XOVO0SIC9BK OR HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=FCIM1AYPBHI. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10609151July 9, 2014
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AND PROGRESSIVELY SPREAD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 52,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10605504June 24, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ALL INSTRUMENT GAUGES BEGAN FLASHING AND GOING UP AND DOWN. COULD NOT ACCELERATE. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURN OFF IGNITION. RESTARTED AND PROCEEDED ON MY WAY WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. 3 DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DOWN A BUSY INTERSTATE IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I JIGGLED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. I WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE BY JIGGLING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND NO CODES WERE FOUND. HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AND AFTER 1 WEEK HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM AGAIN. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS ALWAYS BEEN EASY TO MOVE AND NOW WITH A NEW SWITCH IT FEELS "NORMAL". WITH THE RECENT RECALLS OF IGNITION SWITCH ISSUES PERHAPS THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED ON CHRYSLER MODELS. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH IF THE ENGINE STALLS COMPLETELY IN TRAFFIC. NOT TO MENTION THE FACT OF HAVING NO STEERING CONTROL IF THE ENGINE DOES STALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10604462June 19, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INSTANCES OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS WHERE THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER INTERMITTENTLY. ON FOUR OCCASIONS I HAVE LOST POWER AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO STOP AND RESTART THE CAR. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE COULD NOT DETERMINE ANY ERROR CODES DEALING WITH THE IGNITION. AFTER MY THIRD VISIT HE SUGGESTED GOING TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THE STALLING OR INTERMITTENT POWER LOSS. I ASKED BOTH MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE DEALER IF THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NONE. ALSO, DASH WARNING LIGHTS FLASH OFF & OVER TIME I LEARNED IF I TOUCHED THE IGNITION KEY AND MOVED IT SLIGHTLY THE PROBLEM MIGHT GO AWAY. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE INSTANCES OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT POWER LOSS AND I HAVE DEALT WITH IT BY SLIGHTLY MOVING THE KEY. THE INTERMITTENT DASH WARNING LIGHT PROBLEM HAPPENED TWO OR THREE MONTHS AGO THEN STOPPED. WITHIN THE PAST TWO WEEKS 6/3/14-6/8/14 THE DASH WARNING LIGHT INCIDENT RECURRED THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT IN TRAFFIC ON 6/14/2014. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10598267June 14, 2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JANUARY 2014 IT HAD 58,000 MILES ON IT. ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BLEW OUT. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP (CARMAX) AND HAD IT REPLACED.NO PROBLEM. THREE MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT HAS BLOWN AGAIN. I GET A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT, NEEDS A SOCKET REPLACEMENT. #ISSUE 1 IN MAY 2014, THERE WAS A SLIGHT ELEVATION IN THE TEMPERATURE (HIGH 80'S), I WANTED TO TRY ON THE A.C., WHEN DOING SO I HEARD A "POP" THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT CAME FROM THE VENT. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT CAME FROM NOT BEING USED FOR AWHILE. THE AIR DID NOT BLOW COLD RIGHT AWAY, IT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINS BEFORE THE CAR BEGAN TO COOL. NOW ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT TO RUN THE A.C., THE SAME THINGS HAPPENED (THE "POP", 15MIN COOLING TIME) BUT A NEW PROBLEM CAME UP...WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT BEGAN TO SHAKE! IT WAS IDLING, WHILE SITTING; THEN WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT WAS OKAY (SLIGHT IDLE, BUT STOPPED). THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, IT IS VERY SPONTANEOUS. MY PLAN WAS TO GET SERVICE ON THE A.C BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT'S THE REAL PROBLEM #ISSUE 2 PLEASE HELP!!!! *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10597102June 9, 2014
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE SPEED OF BOTH VEHICLES WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,833. JCC
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10596880June 8, 2014
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SUSPENSION
I HAD STOPPED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT AND WAS HIT IN AN FRONT /HEAD ON CRASH THERE WAS NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT - THECAR WAS DEEMED AS A TOTAL LOST PER MY INSURANCE THE DAMAGE WAS FRONT LEFT FINDER - HOOD = BUMPER - GRILL LEFT SUSPENSION PARTS RADIATOR OIL COOLER AND FRAME I FEEL THAT IF THE CAR IS GOING TO SUSTAIN THAT MUCH DAMAGE THE CAR WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED THE AIR BAGS. I HAVE SEEN CARS THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHEN HIT HARD ENOUGH TO SCUFF THE FRONT BUMPER ALSO THE HORN WOULD LIKE TO STICK WHEN DEPRESSED SOME TIME THE HORN WOULD SOUND SOME TIME THE HORN WOULD NOT MAKE ANY SOUND TILL YOU BEAT THE DARN THING. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10594399May 27, 2014
STEERING, POWER TRAIN
I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR FOR A WHILE AND ON THE DAY THIS HAPPENED I HAD RETURNED FROM WORK PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GO BACK TO WORK I BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THE CAR HANDLED HARD. I STOPPED SHIFTED IT BACK INTO PARK AND THEN WENT BACK INTO DRIVE STILL THE STEERING WAS HARD TO TURN. OF COURSE THE WAS LATE FRIDAY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND SO I ENDED UP RENTING A CAR FOR 5 DAYS BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY AND THE FACT I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO NO CHRYSLER CERTIFIED MECHANIC WAS ON DUTY TO WORK ON MY CAR.TUESDAY MORNING I GO OVER TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD A BELT HAD SLIPPED AND THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR WHY IT HAPPENED. I WASN'T CHARGED FOR THIS BUT IT COST ME A TOW AND 5 DAYS OF RENTAL FOR A CAR SO I COULD GET TO AND FROM WORK. WHEN I GOT ON THIS SITE I COULDN'T FIND ANY INFO SO I STILL AM NOT SURE IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO TAKE VERY FAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10585743April 30, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
MY TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO THE LAST GEAR AND WAS SLIPPING. CAR HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT AND WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED OUT THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A CELLINOID BAD IN THE TRANSMISSION AND WHEN HE REPLACED IT THE TRANSMISSION STILL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY BY NOT CHANGING GEARS AND WHEN HE TOOK THE PART BACK TO THE PARTS STORE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH CHRYSLERS TRANSMISSIONS. I HAD A TOWN & COUNTRY VAN SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND THAT TRANSMISSION ALSO WAS DEFECTIVE. NOW I CANNOT GET MY MONEY BACK FROM BUYING A PART THAT REALLY WASN'T NEEDED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IT SELF IS DEFECTIVE. MY MECHANIC FELT SO BAD ABOUT THIS THAT HE CHECKED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED CHRYSLER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. WHAT RIGHTS OR WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS? I DO NOT HAVE MONIES TO SQUANDER AND I AM STILL PAYING FOR MY CAR. THANKS. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10584794April 25, 2014
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
EVERYTIME I TURN ON THE AC UNIT THE FAN DOESN'T COME ON RIGHT AWAY AND WHEN IT DOES IT POPS AND THE CAR BEGINS TO OVER HEAT. AT THE TIME I TURN OFF THE POWER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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