Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2001)

618 consumer complaints on file.

#10819858January 12, 2016
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE RIGHT. WE WERE DRIVING SLOW IN TOWN, HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED A WRECK WOULD HAVE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE . GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND TOOK A LOOK AT IT . FOUND THE FRONT SUB FRAME (TO WHICH THE STEERING GEAR, LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND SUCH ARE BOLTED TO) HAD RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT CRACKED , ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE. THIS ALLOWED THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SHIFT BACKWARD CAUSING THE DEATH PULL TO THE RIGHT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10818823January 7, 2016
WHEELS
I HAVE ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE KEEPING AIR IN THE TIRE OF THIS CAR. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER OWNERS AND THEY TO HAVE HAD TROUBLE. IT IS THE CHROME WHEELS THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT I'M SURE SOME ONE HAS. IT ALSO HAPPENED IN MY DAUGHTERS STRATUS RT , CHROME WHEELS. I TALKED TO GM PEOPLE THAT HAD CHROME WHEEL FROM THAT ERA AND THEY TO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CHROME WHEELS. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU HAVE HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE. I STILL HAVE THE CAR BUT MY DAUGHTER GOT RID OF HERS. WE HAD TO PUT ANOTHER TIRE ON THE CAR THIS WEEK BECAUSE THE TIRES KEEP LOSING AIR. I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP YEARS BACK AND THEY SAID THERE WAS KNOW PROBLEM. I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS YEARS AGO BUT NEVER DID.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10762585September 9, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED AND SUDDENLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDERBODY PREMATURELY RUSTED AND COULD FRACTURE AT ANY MOMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CASING FOR THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID HAD TO BE CONSTANTLY ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,621.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10761836September 6, 2015
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY FASTENED IT COMES LOSE AND HITS ME IN THE FACE OR HEAD AS IT RETRACTS THE FAILURE OF IT TO LOCK IN IN THIS TYPE OF CIRCUMSTANCE IS DANGEROUS AND THE SEAT BELT IS INEFFECTIVE AND MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10743592July 27, 2015
STEERING
FRONT SUB FRAME (CROSS MEMBER) BROKE APART AT WELD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10725607June 16, 2015
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
AFTER REGULAR ROAD DRIVEING FOR A MONTH HAD FRONT TIRES WEAR DOWN TO STEEL BELT, PURCHASED TIRES AT WALMART SO TOOK CAR BACK IN TO HAVE TIRES LOOKED AT WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE CASE BECAUSE CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED AND ALIGNMENT CHECKED THE SAME DAY TIRE WERE PUT ON CAR. THE WEAR OUT IS ON THE INSIDES OF BOTH FRONT TIRES, AND MINOR WEAR ON THE INSIDES OF THE REAR TIRES AS WELL AS MAJORITY OF THE TREAD IS WORN OFF AS WELL ON ALL 4 TIRES. THIS WEAR DOWN CAUSED ME TO GO INTO DITCH IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, WHILE DRIVEING AT SAFE SPEEDS.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10722604June 1, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE GOING 55 MPH AND DASHBOARD FAULTS OUT WITH INCOHERENT READINGS AND TRANSAXLE SHIFTS SELF INTO NEUTRAL. I SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO DRIVE. DASHBOARD READINGS GO BACK TO NORMAL AND TRANSAXLE GOES BACK INTO DRIVE. 15 SECONDS LATER BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. CONTINUE DRIVING TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK. AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS ENGINE STALLS OUT. SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND TRY TO RESTART VEHICLE BUT IT WON'T START. COAST TO A STOP AND OPEN HOOD. NOTICE AN ODD SMELL. OPEN HOOD AND ALTERNATOR IS ON FIRE. CLOSE HOOD AND GRAB PERSONAL BELONGINGS (EXCEPT FOR PHONE CHARGER) OUT OF VEHICLE. CALL 911 AS VEHICLE BURNS UP. FIRE AND POLICE ARRIVE AND EXTINGUISH FIRE BUT VEHICLE BADLY DESTROYED BY BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10721339May 25, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING AND CONTINUED TO CRACK FROM WINDSHIELD AREA ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BOTTOM,THEN ANOTHER CRACK STARTED AND DID THE SAME.THESE DASHBOARDS ARENT MADE PROPERLY AND BOTH CRACKS ARE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.IM AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY SOMEDAY.MY WIFE HAS A CHRYSLER 300M 1999 AND SHE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER DASHBOARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10712825April 25, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I SLOWED DOWNED FOR A RAIL ROAD CROSSING AND AFTER I CROSSED IT THE FRONT END DROPPED DOWN . I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR . THE CAR VEERED RIGHT . I GOT STOPPED BEFORE I GOT TO THE DITCH . WE COULDN'T MOVE THE CAR . HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE . AFTER INSPECTION THEY TOLD ME THE FRAME THAT HOLDS THE SUSPENSION TOGETHER RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE IN HALF . IT PUSHED THE SUSPENSION UP AND AGAINST THE ENGINE . IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING ANY FASTER COULD HAVE VEERED LEFT TO A HEAD ON CRASH OR HIT THE DITCH AND FLIPPED THE CAR . DEFINITELY THINK THIS IS DESIGN FLAW , WHEN YOUR FRAME FAILS AND YOU LOOSE CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE . A POT HOLE COULD AT 55 MPH COULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING ONLY WITH MORE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10704079April 6, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL LINE WAS CHAFING AGAINST THE AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE PORT CAUSING A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE. FUEL WAS SPRAYING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. EXTREME FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10682973February 12, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND DISCOVERED A PLUG MELTED AND THAT THE FOG LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE NAME OF THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. UPDATED 04/07/15*LJ UPDATED 9/21/2017*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10679363January 28, 2015
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I PURCHASED A USED 2001 PT CRUISER ON THE WAY HOME WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT, IT SOUNDED LIKE WATER RAPIDLY BOILING WITH SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE LOOK UP THIS PROBLEM AND SAW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FROM 2001 TO 2008 PT CRUISERS, NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, IT WENT FROM A RADIATOR CAP TO THE BLADES COMING OFF OF THE FAN. I DON'T KNOW HOW SO MANY VEHICLES CAN HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM WITHOUT THERE BEING A RECALL TO FIX THIS. TO LOWER THE ENGINE HEAT I HAVE TO PUT THE HEAT OR AC UP TO THE HIGHEST SETTING. I HAVE HAD THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP REPLACED. HOW CAN THIS SAME PROBLEM GO UNFIXED FROM YEAR TO YEAR? I HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS TILL I EXHAUSTED ALL AVENUES TO LOOK, EVERYONE SAYS THE SAME THING, FROM YEAR TO YEAR, WATER BOILING SOUND, CAR OVERHEATING ALMOST EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD REPLACED AND STILL THIS SAME PROBLEM EXIST. I AM SHOCKED THAT I DID NOT SEE THIS PROBLEM LISTED ON YOUR SITE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE IT. YOU WILL BE SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM YEAR AFTER YEAR, YET IT GOES UNFIXED. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT. I AM AFRAID THAT MY CAR IS GOING TO JUST STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE SOMEONE SLAM INTO THE BACK OF ME WHERE MY TWO GRANDCHILDREN SIT. THE LIGHT TO SHOW IT IS OVERHEATING NEVER LIGHTS UP. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS! NO BELLS OR WHISTLES GOING OFF. JUST SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE CAR WITH LIQUID SHOOTING OUT ALL OVER. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL CAUSE MY ENGINE TO CATCH ON FIRE!! IF THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS! SINCERELY, PT CRUISER OWNER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10667333December 19, 2014
STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION, ENGINE
I FILED A CLAIM WITH CHRYSLER ABOUT THE RUSTED OUT ENGINE CRADLE AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10649477October 23, 2014
AIR BAGS, STEERING
CENTER OF STEERING WHEEL (WHERE AIRBAG IS LOCATED) BECAME SO HOT THAT IT COULD NOT BE TOUCHED WITH YOUR BARE HAND. PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. WAITED UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN TO NORMAL TEMPERATURE THEN GOT BACK IN AND RESTARTED VEHICLE AND MOVED SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK FROM THE STEERING WHEEL JUST IN CASE. THE HEATING PHENOMENON DID NOT RECUR IN THE SHORT DRIVE HOME (5-10 MINUTES). HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. SCHEDULING A VISIT TO LOCAL DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NOTHING FOUND ON CHRYSLER RECALL INFORMATION AND EMAIL TO CHRYSLER GOT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH PACKAGE 28G THAT INCLUDED SUPPLEMENTAL SIDE AIRBAGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10627524August 22, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY
WHILE DRIVING THE DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE ENTIRE REAR QUARTER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INCLUDING THE FRAME AND THE GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF MY VEHICLE AND WENT INTO THE ROADWAY. THIS IS ALREADY A RECALL ISSUE FOR THE 2005 AND 2006 MODELS OF THE PT CRUISER, BUT SINCE IT IS NOT AN EXISTING RECALL ISSUE WITH THE 2001 MODELS CHRYSLER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WINDOW THAT FELL OUT OR THE REMAINING REAR QUARTER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY DO THE SAME THING AT SOME POINT. FORTUNATELY, THE WINDOW THAT FELL OFF MY CAR DIDN'T INJURE ANYONE, BUT IT CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10626759August 20, 2014
STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CAR JUST SHUTS OFF LEAVING ME NO CONTROL TO STOP, TURN, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC BEHIND ME..... @ 55MPH TO NOTHING IS ASKING TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND. OR IF TURNING ACROSS A DIVIDED HIGHWAY, TO BE LEFT STUCK WITH 2 LANES OF SEMI COMING FOR ME AND MY KIDS. NOW IT SOMETIMES WONT EVEN DO ANYTHING WHEN I CRANK OVER THE IGNITION (LIKE THERE IS NO BATTERY) OR IF IT CRANKS AND STARTS IT WILL SHUT OFF RIGHT AWAY. IT WANTS TO IDLE DOWN AT STOPS AND STALL. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I LIKE N SPENT MORE MONEY TO HAVE TO BE TOLD THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. I READ OF SO MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WHO END UP JUNKING THESE CUZ THEY JUST STOP STARTING....SAD, WE NEED OUR CARS TO RUN. CHRYSLER KNOWS THEY R RIDDLED WITH SERIOUS ISSUES INCLUDING THE LIGHTS AND TRANSMISSIONS.....THESE ARE A BAD COMBINATION ON THE ROAD. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK @ SOME STATS! THANKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10626449August 19, 2014
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE WALL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON HER LEFT FOREARM AND A BLACK EYE DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10619367August 6, 2014
STEERING
MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND HEARD A METAL CLUNK NOISE, PROCEEDED ANOTHER BLOCK - FROM A STOP MADE A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO A HIGHWAY - AT THAT TIME A VERY LOUD METAL NOISE, NO BRAKES, NO STEERING, NO CONTROL OF VEH AT ALL. SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD WITHOUT ROLLING VEH, WHEELS TURNED OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, HAD VEH TOWED TO SHOP. ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED OUT ON RIGHT SIDE AND GAVE WAY, WHICH DISCONNECTED STEERING CONTROL ARM AND AXEL FROM THE WHEELS, MECHANIC - STATED DRIPPING FROM AIR CONDITIONER HAD RUSTED THE PARTS ON THAT SIDE ONLY - REST OF UNDER VEH WAS IN GOOD SHAPE - STATED HAD SEEN THIS IN PT'S OFTEN - A KNOWN CHRYSLER ISSUE WITH THE PT CRUISERS AND THE NEONS ALSO - WHICH HAVE THE SAME PLATFORM. IF HAD BEEN GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD, POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT. OWN TWO OF THESE VEHS - TOOK THE SECOND VEH TO HAVE INSPECTED (ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES) - HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. RESEARCHED THE PT CRUISER FORUMS AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE. CHRYSLER IS NON RESPONSIVE - THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IS A DEADLY PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS UNREPAIRABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10618885August 5, 2014
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR TO INCLUDE ELECTRICAL, OVER HEATING (WHICH WAS NEVER FIXED EVEN AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES), AND TRANSMISSION. IN 2013 AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY 4 LANE HWY. I HEARD A SUDDEN AND LOUD BOOMING NOISE AND THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THINKING THAT I HAD HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD I BEGAN SLOWING DOWN AND MAKING MY WAY TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HWY. BUT BEFORE I COULD GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HWY. THE CAR MADE THAT LOUD BOOMING NOISE A SECOND TIME AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY AGAIN. IT THEN LOST ALL POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HWY. AFTER REMOVING AND OPENING UP THE TRANSMISSION I FOUND THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT IN THE CENTER OF THE TRANSMISSION HAD SHEARED IN HALF. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I BELIEVE THAT THE SLIGHTLY WORN ENGINE MOUNTS CAUSE A BINDING ACTION ON THE DRIVE SHAFT IN THE TRANSMISSION THUS CAUSING THE SHAFT WHICH IS MADE OF A COMPOSITE MATERIAL TO BASICALLY EXPLODE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM IS SO WELL KNOWN BY US CAR BUFFS THAT JASPER ENGINES INC. (A WELL KNOWN COMPANY THAT REMANUFACTURES ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS) REPLACES THIS STOCK SHAFT WITH A STRONGER MORE ROBUST ONE WHEN THEY REMANUFACTURE THESE TRANSMISSIONS. THE VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE CAR THAT HAPPENED WHEN THIS TRANSMISSION SHAFT FAILED ALMOST CAUSE ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON A VERY BUSY HWY. CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL ALL TRANSMISSIONS WITH THIS TYPE OF COMPOSITE SHAFT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10596578June 6, 2014
STEERING
I PURCHASED A USED PT CRUISER THAT DROVE FINE UNTIL THE COMPONENTS NEAR THE POWER STEERING HOUSE TOUCHED AND CREATED A MAJOR LEAK AND CAUSED MY CAR TO SMOKE VERY BADLY CLOSE TO CAUSING A FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chrysler PT Cruiser