Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2002)

511 consumer complaints on file.

#10032422September 12, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED, THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. *PH *SCC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10039792September 11, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND TURNING RIGHT INTO A PARKING LOT UNDERHOOD BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK PE04028_CAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10038267September 5, 2003
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH VEHICLE PRODUCES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10037062September 2, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
I HAVE OWNED MY 2002 PT CRUISER SINCE MAY OF 2002. SINCE THE BEGINNING, I HAVE HAD TROUBLE FUELING UP THE TANK. AFTER ABOUT 3-5 GALLONS OF GASOLINE HAS FILLED THE TANK, THE HOSE SHUTS OFF. BEGIN AGAIN AND IT SHUTS OFF. THIS HAPPENS AN AVERAGE OF 8-10 TIMES DURING THE FUELING. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT IT'S BECAUSE THE OPENING TO THE TANK HAS BEEN MADE SMALLER TO AVOID SPLASHBACKS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. IT IS A ROYAL PAIN EVERYTIME I GAS UP. IS THERE NO SOLUTION? *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10036852August 29, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON JULY 10, 2003, MY WIFE WAS RETURNING HOME AFTER DONATING BLOOD. SHE PASSED OUT AND THE 2002 PT CRUISER THAT SHE WAS DRIVING HIT A SMALL PINE TREE WITH A GLANCING BLOW TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER, AND THEN HIT A POWER POLE HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE POWER POLE HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK THE POLE AND BRING THE HIGH VOLTAGE WIRES DOWN ACROSS THE TOP OF THE CAR. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, SHE WAS TRAVELING APPROX. 30 TO 35 MPH WHEN THE IMPACT OCCURRED.THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT , HER HEAD SNAPPED FORWARD AND HIT SOMETHING (I ASSUME THE RIM OF THE STEERING WHEEL) WHICH CAUSED A BONE-DEEP GASH IN BER FOREHEAD REQUIRING 10 (TEN) STITCHES TO CLOSE.I CONTACTED CHRYSLER, AND THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK AT THE CAR BEFORE REPAIRS WERE BEGUN. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT "....THE IMPACT, (WHICH DID NOT INVOLVE THE FRAME) DID NOT CREATE THE LONGITUDINAL (FRONT TO BACK) DECELERATION NECESSARY TO DEPLOY AIR BAGS.".IN FACT, THE FRAME WAS BENT. ACCORDING TO THE BODY SHOP MANAGER, THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL WAS MOVED BETWEEN 7 AND 10 MM.*AK MY CONTENTION IS THAT AN IMPACT SUFFICIENTLY HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK A POWER POLE SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPOLY. I SAID THAT IN A LETTER BACK TO CHRYSLER AND HAVE RECEIVED NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM THEM. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE PT CRUISER WAS $9,147.92
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10036706August 27, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKES NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT APPROXIMATELY EVERY 11,000 MILES. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,480 MILES, NOT ONLY THE PADS NEEDED REPLACING ROTORS WERE WORN AS WELL. THE DEALER DID THIS UNDER WARRANTY STATING IT WAS EARLY WEAR AND TEAR. THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS AT APPROX. 22,080 MILES, THIS TIME IT WAS ONLY THE PADS BUT IT WAS CAUGHT EARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING FLUID BECAUSE OF A BREAK IN THE HOSE THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGN OF A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES OR THE POWER STEERING. AND THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS NOT EARLY WEAR AND TEAR THIS TIME SO I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. WHEN I CONTACTED CHRYSLER WITH THIS ISSUE THEY STATED THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I MAY BE A WOMAN BUT I KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT CARS AND 11,000 MILES FOR BRAKES IS NOT "NORMAL' WEAR AND TEAR!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10034425August 22, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 20000 MILES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10033286August 21, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
UNCONTROLLABLE WOBBLE OF FRONT WHEELS AS BRAKES ARE APPLIED . THE HIGHER THE SPEED ,THE GREATER THE WOBBLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10029349August 15, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, WHICH ORIGINATED FROM THE IGNITION WIRING. *AK CONSUMER CUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND EVACUATED. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED BY THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED. *PH *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10033923August 14, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
WHEN DRIVING AND SUDDENLY STOPPING IS NEEDED, AND THE HORN IS NECESSARY TO BE USED, HORN ONLY BLEATS OUT A SPUTTERING NOISE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10033865August 13, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN EVER THERE IS A CRITICAL OR EMERGENCY SITUATION WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKES AND HORN ARE PRESSED AT THE SAME TIME HORN DOES NOT HONK BUT SPATTERS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10032027August 4, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
THE SPRING IN THE BRAKE BROKE AND DESTROYED THE FLACK ADJUSTER AND THE DRUMS. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART IN STOCK BECAUSE THIS PART SHOULDN' T BREAK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10031374July 29, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES THEY WILL LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10029056July 24, 2003
TIRES:BEAD
2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH CHROME PLATED 5-SPOKE WHEELS; CHROME PLATING HAS BUBBLED/CORRODED ON THE SEALING SURFACE OF THE TIRE BEAD. THIS HAS CAUSED SLOW LEAKAGE OF AIR IN TIRES. UNLESS THE PRESSURE IS ADJUSTED WEEKLY OR MORE OFTEN, THE TIRE PRESSURE GETS LOW CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR AND OVERHEATING WHICH COULD LEAD TO CATASTROPIC FAILURE. THIS CONDITION PROGRESSES OVER TIME AND EXPOSURE TO ROAD CAUSTICS & SALT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10026754July 8, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 5MPH ON A MAJOR STREET AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10025299July 2, 2003
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THE CAR HAD A FITTING IN THE POWER ASSIST STEERING SYSTEM THAT WAS LOOSENING. IN A DRIVING CONDITION OF HIGH PRESSURE, THE SYSTEM DEVELOPED AN INSTANT, FAST LEAK, WHICH REACTED TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURES OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THIS REACTION ULTIMATELY STARTED THE FIRE, WHICH BURNED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.*AK SAME INCIDENT AS VOQ#10039792 PER CONVERSATION WITH PAUL ABBEY ON 6/16/04. PE04029_CAT
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10026188June 30, 2003
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023556June 22, 2003
AIR BAGS
ALL AIR BAGS FAILED TO INFLATE IN A SIDE AND FRONT IMPACT CRASH OF 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. *NLM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10023527June 22, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I PURCHASED MY 2002 PT CRUISER TOURING LIMITED ON 5/20/2002 WITH ONLY 4,780 MILES FROM: FERMAN AUTOMOTIVE, 11025 NORTH FLORIDA AVE., TAMPA, FL UNITED STATES 33612, (813)371-9700, HTTP://WWW.FERMANAUTO.COM, SALESMAN: RICK MARTINO SERVICE REP: ERIC FLANNIGAN; SERVICE MGR: CHRIS WEATLEY; WARRANTY MGR: TOM SAWYER. MY PT CRUISER EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED ABOUT THE TIME OF THE FIRST OIL CHANGE. IT CONSUMED ABOUT ONE QUART OF OIL EVERY 500 MILES. THE FIRST ACTUAL ATTEMPT AT REPAIR FERMAN MADE WAS TO REPLACE THE VALVE COVER GASKET, THIS FAILED. THE SECOND REPAIR ATTEMPT WAS REPLACING THE ENGINE THEY TOLD ME. THEY ONLY REPLACED THE SHORT BLOCK, AND THIS ALSO FAILED. I SENT A VEHICLE DEFECT NOTIFICATION TO THE MANUFACTURE AND ONE TO THE STATE TO START THE LEMON LAW PROCESS. THE CHRYSLER CORPORATE OFFICE SENT THE REGIONAL LEAD TECHNICIAN TO OVERSEE THE LAST REPAIR ATTEMPT. FERMAN TORE DOWN THE ENGINE AND INFORMED ME THAT THEY FOUND NINE BAD VALVE SEALS. FERMAN REPLACED THE ENTIRE HEAD. THEY ALSO REPLACED THE VALVE COVER, THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SOME 2001 MODEL PT CRUISERS HAVE A DEFECTIVE VALVE COVER THAT CAUSES THE PCV VALVE TO SUCK IN OIL. I DROVE ABOUT 370 MILES AND CHECKED THE OIL TO FIND IT CONSUMED A QUART OF OIL! I LOCATED AND CONTACTED THE PREVIOUS OWNER MR. BENNETT ON 4/13/2003. I FOUND OUT THAT HE HAD PURCHASED THE PT CRUISER AT FERMAN AUTOMOTIVE BRAND NEW. MR. BENNETT HAD THE EXACT SAME OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. AFTER SEVERAL FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPTS AND CONTINUED CONTACT WITH THE CHRYSLER CORPORATE OFFICE THE DEALER CONTACTED HIM AND REPLACED HIS VEHICLE WITH A BRAND NEW ONE FROM THE LOT. I CONTACTED FERMAN AND THE CHRYSLER CORPORATE OFFICE INFORMING OF THIS MATTER. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE TO FIND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES WITH THE PT CRUISER. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS STRUGGLING WITH THEIR CHRYSLER DEALERS ON THIS SAME ISSUE. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023363June 19, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PREMATURE, UNEXPLAINED WEAR, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF FRONT DISCS AND CALIPERS, BRAKES. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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