Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2001)

618 consumer complaints on file.

#10215346January 18, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
FOG LIGHTS STAY ON DRAINING BATTERY. INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES PROBLEM WITH THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. ALSO INDICATES THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM - SOME MULTIPLE TIMES - REPLACING SWITCH AT DEALER FOR APX $200 - AND MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO ISSUE RECALL OR ASSISTANCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214820January 14, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
STRONG EXHAUST ODOR IN CAR WITH AC ON FRESH AIR. AFTER DOING A LITTLE TESTING I FOUND THE MANIFOLD TO EXHAUST SLIP JOINT LEAKING HEAVILY. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR A LONGE TIME AND ARE JUST GETTING TIRED OF CHOAKING LEVELS OF EXHAUST EVERY TIME WE COME TO A STOP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214848January 14, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
OWNER NOTICED A SLIGHT "PUDDLE" (SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR) ON GARAGE FLOOR. OWNER JACKED UP CAR TO INSPECT AND IDENTIFY WHERE LEAK WAS ORIGINATING. NOTED A MISPLACED BUSHING ON THE BRACKET HOLDING THE POWER STEERING HOSE IN PLACE UNDER THE ENGINE. ONE END OF THE BUSHING HAD BROKEN ALLOWING THE HOSE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE BRACKET AND LEAK FLUID. OWNER IMMEDIATELY TOOK CAR INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE REPAIRED. UPON EXAMINATION, DEALER INFORMED OWNER THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS (2) HAD BROKEN ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO SIT LOWER ON THE FRAME AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE BUSHING TO FAIL. OWNER PAID OVER $1,000 TO REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS (2) AND REPLACE BUSHING AND POWER STEERING HOSE. OWNER FEELS THAT MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE WAS PREMATURE AS THE CAR ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD AND HAS BEEN GARAGED ITS ENTIRE LIFETIME. OWNER HAS IN HIS POSSESSION THE DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNTS. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DEATHS, THERE CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN IF THE OWNER HAD NOT BEEN SO OBSERVANT AND VIGILANT ABOUT MAINTAINING THE CAR. LOSS OF POWER STEERING FUNCTION OR ENGINE DETACHMENT WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC ON THE ROAD, PARTICULARLY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211831December 13, 2007
WHEELS:RIM
THE ORIGINAL CHROME WHEELS ON MY CHRYSLER 2001 PT CRUISER HAVE CONTINUALLY LOST AIR FOR AT LEAST THE PAST TWO YEARS. I HAVE TO ADD AIR EVERY SEVERAL DAYS. BOTH THE MECHANIC AT THE TIRE SHOP AND MY OWN MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES, BUT THE PITTING OF THE WHEELS WAS CAUSING AIR TO LEAK OUT. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A SIX YEAR OLD CAR WITH 80,000 MILES. I WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OWNERSHIP HAS CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF AIR AT HIGH SPEED AND LEAD TO A CRASH. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED ON SEVERAL WEBSITES, BUT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY CHRYSLER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211274December 9, 2007
STRUCTURE
2001 PT CRUISER WITH 44,500 MILES. ABT 3 MONTHS AGO A SMALL CRACK APPEARED IN THE DASHBOARD. IT GREW LARGER AND LARGER, AND IN OCTOBER THE VENT SCREEN PIECE POPPED OUT ON ITS OWN. THE CRACK FINALLY BISECTED THE DASHBOARD, SO I HAD IT REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS CAR HAS GOTTEN NORMAL USAGE AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NO INCIDENT OR REASON FOR THIS TO HAVE OCCURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210387November 30, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS. WHEN THE CONTACT LEFT THE DEALER, SHE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,280. UPDATED 12/13/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210299November 29, 2007
WHEELS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE TIRES WERE CONTINUOUSLY FLAT AND THE CONTACT HAD TO ADD AIR IN THEM EVERY OTHER DAY. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CHROME WAS FLAKING INSIDE THE WHEELS AND DAMAGED THE TIRES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD SCRAPE THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL, BUT WERE UNSURE IF THAT WOULD CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208588November 10, 2007
STEERING:COLUMN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CLOCKSPRING IN MY STEERING COLUMN BROKE. I NOTICED A RUBBING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD STICK WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WHEN ACTIVATED WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THE CLOCKSPRING IS REPLACED. FOR A ITEM TO FAIL ON A VEHICLE THAT INVOLVES SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND NOT BE REPLACED AT THE MANUFACTURES EXPENSE IS QUITE IRRESPONSIBLE AND CARELESS FOR THE PUBLICS SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208406November 8, 2007
STRUCTURE
CRACKED DASHBOARD. THE CRACK HAS NOW SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD, SEPARATING THE DASH INTO TWO PIECES. THE CRACK EXTENDS FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 98,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207630November 1, 2007
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD ON PT CRUISER 2001 BEGAN CRACKING RECENTLY. CRACKING PROGRESSING DAILY AND DASHBOARD IS ABOUT TO CAVE IN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206529October 22, 2007
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
2001 PT CRUISER (TOURING EDITION) THE REAR SEAT, MIDDLE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK UP WHEN THE SEAT BELT IS PULLED/YANKED ON OR THE VEHICLE TURNS CORNERS. MY SON AT 3 MONTHS OLD WENT TIPPING OVER SIDEWAYS WHEN I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN (LESS THEN 15 MPH). HE WAS SAFE AND SECURE IN HIS CAR SEAT WITH MATCHING BASE, BUT THE WHOLE THING TIPPED OVER. I TRIED MANUALLY GETTING IT TO LOCK SO THE BASE OF MY SONS CAR SEAT WOULD STAY IN PLACE, BUT I HAD NO LUCK. HE TIPPED A FEW TIMES, SO I DECIDED TO MOVE THE SEAT CLOSER TO THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR. SO NOW WHAT? DO I KEEP RISKING HIM TIPPING OVER OR RISK HIM BEING CLOSER ONE OF THE DOORS? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206540October 22, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WE RECENTLY TOOK OUR 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER IN THE SHOP FOR A STATE INSPECTION FOR RENEWAL OF OUR LICENSE PLATES. IN THE PROCESS, THE VEHICLE KEPT BLOWING 40 AMP FUSES. AFTER 3 HOURS OF SEARCHING. THE "ELECTRICAL SHORT" WAS LOCATED "ON BOTH SIDES" OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS". WHEN THE "HIGH BEAMS" WERE USED IT WOULD BLOW A FUSE. THIS SOUNDS STRANGE?? ONE SIDE MAYBE?? BUT BOTH HEADLIGHTS?? THIS SHOULD BE A "FACTORY RECALL". YOU CAN NOT USE YOUR "HIGH BEAMS" WHEN DRIVING?? COULD COST A LOSS OF LIFE. THE SHOP CHARGED ME $225.00. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THE FACTORY!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206388October 20, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
MY LED LIGHT ON THE RADIO AND THE HORN BOTH CEASE TO WORK AT THE SAME TIME. WE HAVE REPLACED FUSES, LIGHTS AND RADIOS. STILL NO WORKING HORN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206282October 19, 2007
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DRIVING AT 65MPH ON I75 THE CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE. INSPECTION SHOWED APPROXIMATELY 10 CM X 2 CM SEPARATION ON THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE BETWEEN THE STEEL BELTS. (NYLON OVERLAY MAINTAINED THE INTEGRITY OF THE TIRE). LATER INSPECTION OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SHOWED A BELT EDGE SEPERATION OF 3 CM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206302October 19, 2007
WHEELS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE FLATTENED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CHANGED THE TIRE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE WHEELS WERE CORRODING. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MONTHS BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH CHRYSLER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SEAL WAS PROBABLY LOOSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 51,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205840October 16, 2007
WHEELS
I OWN A 2001 PT CRUISER. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. I HAVE A CONCERN THAT MAY LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT CHROME PLATED ALUMINUM WHEELS SUPPLIED WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN NOTICING ABNORMAL DETERIORATION OF THE ALUMINUM WHEELS ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE APPEARS TO BE SOME TYPE OF GALVANIC REACTION BETWEEN THE ALUMINUM WHEEL AND THE STEEL OF THE WHEEL HUBS. THIS DETERIORATION APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A BAD FIT BETWEEN THE ALUMINUM WHEEL AND THE BEARING HUB. THIS DETERIORATION HAS PROGRESSED TO THE POINT WHERE THE WHEEL BOLT (LUGS) PATTERN IS AFFECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO HELP WHEN THIS ISSUE WAS RAISED WITH THEM. MY FEAR IS THAT, IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, THE WHEEL COULD FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS MAY BE TYPICAL OF SEVERAL YEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE TYPE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204066September 25, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2001 PT CRUISER 21,800 MILES AND OUR DASH STARTED CRACKING AT SIDE VENTS IN 2004. CRACKS EXTEND FROM ALL VENTS TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD, SIMILAR TO OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS IN THE USA. THE PROBLEM IS WITH CHRYSLER'S CHOICE OF SUPPLIERS IN MEXICO. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WILL TAKE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER TO CHANGE THEIR SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS. I AM INVESTIGATING SEVERAL LAWYERS INVOLVED IN THIS AREA WHO ARE AWARE OF A MASS RECALL PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS NOT ISOLATED TO ONE STATE. THE DASH WILL SHORTLY COLLAPSE IN CAUSING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. PERHAPS AT THAT TIME NHTSA WILL CONSIDER A RECALL. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR A TRAGEDY TO RECEIVE A CORRECTIVE ACTION? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202016September 6, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. SHE NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD THAT WENT FROM THE CENTER VENT TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK HAS EXPANDED. THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200583August 23, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DOORS ATTEMPTED TO AUTOMATICALLY RE-LOCK IN INTERVALS OF 20 SECONDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE AND DISCONNECTED THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEM. HE STATED THAT MANUALLY LOCKING THE DOORS WORKED FOR A MONTH, HOWEVER, THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE COMPUTER SECURITY SYSTEM PREVENTED THEM FROM ACCESSING THE COMPUTER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199330August 12, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MY PT CRUISER OVERHEATED AND I REALIZED THAT THE FAN WAS NOT COMING ON. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE SENSORS AND FUSES WERE FINE AND THAT THE FAN ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING. WHICH COST $700. 2 WEEKS LATER, THE CAR OVERHEATED, AGAIN AND ONCE AGAIN A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THAT. THIS TIME IT STALLED AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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