Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2001)

618 consumer complaints on file.

#10158844June 2, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHING WAS CRACKED. THERE WAS NOT A NOTICEABLE PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM. UPDATED 6/19/2006 - THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE RUBBER OF THE BUSHING POORLY BONDS TO THE STEEL OUTER RING CAUSING FAILURE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157005May 8, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 3-5 ALSO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE HORN FAILED. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 06/05/2006. *AK *TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156420April 29, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCHES ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAVE BEEN BURNING UP. SOME HAVE STUCK ON AND MELTED THE SWITCHES. NOT ALLOWING THE HEAD LIGHTS TO WORK OR GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT AREAS WHERE THE POWER IS TRANSFERED TO THE FOG OR HEAD LIGHTS ARE TO SMALL OF A AREA. AND ARE BURNING UP OR MELTING. THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN REPLACING A LOT OF THEM. BUT EVEN SOME OF THE NEW ONES THEY HAVE INSTALLED ARE DEFECTIVE RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX AND DO NOT WORK. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156345April 27, 2006
WHEELS:RIM
I HAVE HAD TWO BLOW OUTS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND I WAKE UP TO FLAT TIRES IN THE MORNING ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE HAD TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE IN MY CAR AT LEAST TWICE WEEKLY (AND MOST TIMES AT LEAST ONE TIRE WILL HAVE SHOCKINGLY LOW PRESSURE). I HAVE HAD ALL OF MY TIRES REPLACED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR OR SO WITH NO RELIEF TO MY PROBLEM. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE IT WAS ME UNTIL I READ ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS AND REALIZED THAT THIS WAS A PRODUCT PROBLEM. THIS IS TOTAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR ANYONE DRIVING A PT CRUISER WITH THESE RIMS. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FOR SOMEONE TO LISTEN AND RECALL THESE (POTENTIALLY) DEADLY RIMS? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156346April 27, 2006
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BUMPER OF MY CAR AND ALSO THE DOOR PILLARS. FIRST OFF, ALL OF THE OLDER PTS THAT I HAVE SEEN HAVE PROBLEMS WITH BOTH OF THESE ITEMS. THE BUMPER HAS SOME SORT OF DISCOLORATION PROBLEM ON THE EDGES OF THE BUMPER. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOME TAPE (FROM THE FACTORY?) THAT HAS DISCOLORED THE BUMPERS ON THESE VEHICLES. ALSO, THE DOOR PILLAR THAT ARE FACTORY BLACK GET THIS TERRIBLE STAINING. IT LOOKS AS IF THEY ARE WATER SPOTTED, BUT IT IS JUST A DEFECT IN THE PAINT ON THE PILLARS. I SEE IT ON EVERY CRUISER I SEE. I HAS TO BUY CHROME COVERS TO MAKE MY CAR LOOK PRESENTABLE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL TO REPLACE THESE EYESORES (AND NOT ON MY DIME, LIKE I DID). *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155835April 21, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FOG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND ONLY WENT OFF WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS MANIPULATED. ON MONDAY THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT NO FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WAS MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155748April 20, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED REGULARLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154968April 10, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE ROADWAY WAS WET AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED ,THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THE CONTACT'S SHIRT AND UNDERGARMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND HELPED EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MAJOR BURNS TO THE STOMACH, HANDS, ARMS AND LEFT THUMB. UPDATED 05/16/2006. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10154466April 3, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DEFECTIVE FOG LIGHT SWITCH SUDDENLY FAILS & GOES OFF AND ON AT RANDOM RUNNING DOWN THE BATTERY TOTALLY. THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM RESULTS IN OWNER BEING STRANDED AND DESTROYING THE BATTERY. DEALER ALSO DOES NOT STOCK PART & SAYS IT WILL BE A WEEK TO GET PARTS. FOG LAMP IS WIRED DIRECT, THEREFORE FUSE SLOT SHOWN IN OWNERS MANUAL IS NOT OPERATIONAL SO FUSE CANNOT BE REMOVED TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT PROBLEM. NOW WAITING FOR PARTS!! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154218March 30, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
2 YEARS INTO MY OWNERSHIP, MY CAR BEGAN HAVING FAILURES, MY EGR VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE "BRAIN" IN THE CAR WAS REPLACED, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED,THE FOG LIGHTS STARTED GOING ON AND STAYING ON, THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND OVERHEATED, THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, PIPE CARRYING CIRCULATING COOLANT RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT, O RING WAS REPLACED,MANUAL TRANSMISSION BEGAN BEING DIFFICULT TO SHIFT, FLUID LEAKS,LOW FLUID, PLUG IS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150474February 16, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
AT 62,000 MILES, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE IN MY 2001 PT CRUISER. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WAS TOLD THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS/BUSHINGS WERE BAD. OF COURSE, MY CAR WAS OVER WARRANTY. QUOTE $750.00 + TAX. HAD REPLACED, NOW AT 75,000 MILES 1 YEAR LATER, TOOK MY PT IN FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION.....YEP, LOWER CONTROL ARMS/BUSHINGS BAD & NEEDING REPLACED AGAIN. QUOTE THIS TIME $582.00 + TAX. SHOULD THIS BE A YEARLY THING? I HAVE NORMAL DRIVING ON PAVED ROADS...AVOID POT HOLES. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! I LOVE MY CRUISER BY A TRADE IN MIGHT BE HAPPENING!*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150325February 15, 2006
CHILD SEAT, CHILD SEAT:SHIELD ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A TOURIVA #22-130 WAL CONVERTIBLE CHILD SEAT MANUFACTURED BY COSCO JUVENILE ON JUNE 29, 2005. THE SHIELD ASSEMBLY DISLODGED FROM THE CHILD SEAT SHELL. THE SHIELD ASSEMBLY WAS LOOSE PRIOR TO THE COMPLETE DISLODGEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149629February 7, 2006
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
MY 2001 PT CRUISER WHICH I PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2005 SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE ON DEEMBER 27, 2005 AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR SUDDEN ENGINE FIRES CAUSED BY LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, RESEDA DODGE IN RESEDA, CA, HAD RECORDS SHOWING THE RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE, BUT MY INSURANCE COMPANY, STATE FARM, FOUND THE THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. CHRYSLER DENIED MY CLAIM WITH NO REASON GIVEN. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149428February 4, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
FOG LIGHTS CAME ON, EVEN WITH KEY TURNED OFF. FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. PUFF OF SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN AND FOG LIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149345February 3, 2006
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
2001- PT CRUISER -EMERGENCY BRAKE DISENGAGED WHILE RUNNING. WAS IN NEUTRAL (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) AND ON AN INCLINE. THE CAR DRIFTED BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVE AND INTO A UTILITY POLE ACROSS THE ROAD. ON OTHER INSTANCES THE BRAKE HANDLE WAS PULLED UPWARD AND IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGED (LIKE A BROKEN SPRING). WHEN PARKING BRAKE WAS REAPPLIED, IT WORKED PROPERLY? ALSO, THE CAR HAS DRIFTED BACKWARDS ON STEEPER INCLINES WHILE IN GEAR. AT THIS POINT THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS REPORTED, BUT NO ACTION WAS TAKEN THUS FAR. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149235February 1, 2006
WHEELS:RIM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND BECAME HARD TO CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LOSS OF PRESSURE TO THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE CAUSED BY CORROSION ON THE WHEEL RIM. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN AN AREA THAT TYPICALLY USES ROAD SALT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148191January 20, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR FRONT BUSHING ON THE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A HUMMING SOUND WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. THE BUSHING FRACTURE WAS DISCOVERED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DURING NORMAL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER THEY HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THE PART FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148013January 18, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE ENGINE OVER-HEATED AND THE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS BROKEN AND THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE; THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO OWNERS NEGLIGENCE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148028January 18, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2001 PT CRUISER HAD BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR BECAUSE FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF, THUS KILLING THE BATTERY. SERVICE DEPT. REPORTED THAT CAR "OVERHEATED" DURING REPAIR AND THEY REPLACED FAN. THREE WEEKS LATER, CAR ENGINE OIL LIGHT SOUNDED SUDDENLY ON FREEWAY WITH NO PRIOR WARNING AND THEN THE ENGINE FAILED. DEALERSHIP REFUSING REPAIRS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO ALLEGED "SLUDGE" IN THE ENGINE THEY SAY WAS CAUSED BY POOR MAINTENANCE WHEN I KNOW THIS TO BE UNTRUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147417January 11, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
ON MY 2001 PT CRUISER BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS PULLED LOOSE FROM THE ARM WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE REPAIR SHOP THEY BROUGHT ME OUT TO THE CAR AND SHOWED ME THE DAMAGE TO THE CONTROL ARMS. ODDLY ENOUGH THERE WAS ANOTHER PT CRUISER IN THE NEXT BAY THAT HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. THE OWNER OF THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME HE HAD PUT CONTROL ARMS ON AT LEAST 40 PT CRUISERS IN THE PAST YEAR. I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD NOTIFIED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HE SAID HE HAD CONTACTED THEM ON BEHALF OF HIS CUSTOMERS AND CHRYSLER INSISTED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. MY PT CRUISER HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND THE CAR THAT WAS NEXT TO MINE HAD 34,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION THE FRONT TIRES ON MY CAR WERE DESTROYED DUE TO VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT END. MY WIFE THOUGHT THE TIRES WERE FALLING OFF. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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