Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2001)

618 consumer complaints on file.

#10595288May 31, 2014
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I FIRST SENT THIS COMPLAINT ON MAR 7, 2014 AND RECEIVED AN EMAIL REPLY ACKNOWLEDGING IT, BUT SINCE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING. IS MY COMPLAINT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY? IT IS A SERIOUS COMPLAINT AS FOLLOWS: ON FEB 5, 2014, MY 2001 PT CRUISER SHUT DOWN WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN A BUSY STREET. IT DIDN'T MAKE A SPUTTER OR A SOUND, IT JUST DIED. LUCKILY, IT COASTED LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO PULL OFF ONTO A QUIETER STREET AND UP AGAINST A CURB. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP THE EXPLANATION FOR THE MOTOR SHUTTING DOWN WAS ALARMING. THE AUTOMOTIVE TECH REPORTED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED REPLACING. AS I UNDERSTAND, WHEN THIS SENSOR GOES BAD, THE ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS DOWN. WITH NO WARNING. I HAD GAS IN MY PT. I DON'T THINK PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS; THE TECH SAID MOST CARS THAT ARE 'NEWER' (AS FAR BACK AS 2002, AT LEAST) HAVE THIS SENSOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD. I LOOKED THROUGH EVERY PAGE OF MY 2001 PT CRUISER OWNER'S MANUAL AND DIDN'T FIND ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WOULD BE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS OR THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR SHOULD BE TESTED REGULARLY, IF IT COULD BE TESTED, THAT IS. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE DOING THE PUBLIC A LIFESAVING SERVICE TO LOOK INTO THE DANGER OF THIS FAILED DESIGN, NOT TO JUST REPLACE THEM IN ALL CARS WITH A NEW ONE, BUT WITH ONE THAT IS NOT DESIGNED TO FAIL AT THE RISK OF THE DRIVE AND ANYONE ELSE IN THE VICINITY WHEN A MOVING CAR DECIDES TO JUST SHUT DOWN. WITH NO WARNING. THERE IS NOT A TIME FRAME FOR THIS PART TO FAIL, BUT CARS THAT ARE AROUND MY CRUISERS MAY BE READY TO GIVE OUT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10594547May 28, 2014
STEERING, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10583049April 16, 2014
POWER TRAIN
PULLED INTO WORK SHUT CAR OFF NOTED LEAKAGE PART ON GROUND WAS TOLD PRESSURE SWITCH. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10575657March 30, 2014
STEERING
FOR A MONTH I HAVE BEEN PUTTING POWER STEERING FLUID IN MY PT CRUISER AND WENT TO GET NEW TAGS AND COULD NOT PAS EMISSIONS BECAUSE OF A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I WAS SO UPSET I WENT TO THE SALON AND WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW I NEED TO GET MY VEHICLE CHECKED .. A WOMAN IN THE OFFICE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. I CHECKED AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. HOW DO I GET IT REPAIRED? WILL THEY HONOR IT ? IS THERE A LIST OF SPECIAL DEALERS? HELP I NEED TO PASS EMISSIONS TO KEEP MY CAR LEGAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10575277March 28, 2014
SUSPENSION, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT A CAR FROM NORTH COAST AUTO MALL AND IT HAD A LOT OF SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THEY ENSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX THESE ISSUES IF I BOUGHT THE CAR. AFTER BUYING THE CAR, THEY HAVE HAD ME IN AND OUT OF THEIR SHOP 4 OR 5 TIMES TO WHICH THEY ONLY LUBE THE PARTS OR LIE TO ME CLAIMING THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN FIXED. I FEEL THAT THIS BUSINESS PRACTICE IS UNSAFE AND MISLEADING. THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED A CONTROL ARM TO WHICH GOODYEAR LATER (WHEN I WAS BUYING TIRES) INFORMED ME THAT MY CONTROL ARMS WERE BAD. I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS. NORTH COAST SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS THEY ARE SELLING UNSAFE CARS, CLAIMING TO REPAIR ISSUES AND THEN PUTTING ME IN AN UNSAFE CAR. 30 CLAIMS HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT SIMILAR ISSUES VIA THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568739March 12, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567322March 6, 2014
STEERING
2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING HOSE RECALL NOTICE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING PROBLEMS TWICE, WHERE THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SAME HOSE, AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FIRST REPLACEMENT, DUE TO A RECALL HE DISCOVERED, WHICH WAS THE SAME ISSUE HE EXPERIENCED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567308March 4, 2014
SUSPENSION
WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT MY CAR SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT. I HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT WHILE I STOPPED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE AND UPON INSPECTION THEY FOUND THE CROSSMEMBERS UNDER THE ENGINE WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND BROKEN. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS 13 YEARS OLD IT ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN STORED IN A GARAGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566849March 3, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON FEB 5, 2014, MY 2001 PT CRUISER SHUT DOWN WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN A BUSY STREET. IT DIDN'T MAKE A SPUTTER OR A SOUND, IT JUST DIED. LUCKILY, IT COASTED LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO PULL OFF ONTO A QUIETER STREET AND UP AGAINST A CURB. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP THE EXPLANATION FOR THE MOTOR SHUTTING DOWN WAS ALARMING. THE AUTOMOTIVE TECH REPORTED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED REPLACING. AS I UNDERSTAND, WHEN THIS SENSOR GOES BAD, THE ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS DOWN. WITH NO WARNING. I HAD GAS IN MY PT. A CAR CAN SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WHILE IN MOTION? WITH NO WARNING? I AM MORTIFIED THAT THIS IS POSSIBLE! IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE? BUT, EVIDENTLY, IT IS TRUE, SINCE THAT'S WHAT THE TECH IS REPLACING. I AM THANKFUL THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN 2 DAYS EARLIER WHEN I HAD MY ELDERLY MOTHER IN THE CAR ON THE WATTERSON EXPRESSWAY. I DON'T THINK PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THIS; THE TECH SAID MOST CARS THAT ARE 'NEWER' (AS FAR BACK AS 2002, AT LEAST) HAVE THIS SENSOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD. I LOOKED THROUGH EVERY PAGE OF MY 2001 PT CRUISER OWNER'S MANUAL AND DIDN'T FIND ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WOULD BE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS OR THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR SHOULD BE TESTED REGULARLY, IF IT COULD BE TESTED, THAT IS. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE DOING THE PUBLIC A LIFESAVING SERVICE TO LOOK INTO THE DANGER OF THIS FAILED DESIGN, NOT TO JUST REPLACE THEM IN ALL CARS WITH A NEW ONE, BUT WITH ONE THAT IS NOT DESIGNED TO FAIL AT THE RISK OF THE DRIVE AND ANYONE ELSE IN THE VICINITY WHEN A MOVING CAR DECIDES TO JUST SHUT DOWN. WITH NO WARNING. THERE IS NOT A TIME FRAME FOR THIS PART TO FAIL, BUT CARS THAT ARE AROUND MY CRUISERS MAY BE READY TO GIVE OUT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566271February 27, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO AND DOOR LOCKS WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10566127February 26, 2014
WHEELS
THE CHROME RIMS LEAK AIR BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN LEECHING (PEELING) SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 6 YEARS (I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 68,000 MILES) AND HAVE AVERAGED 8700 MILES PER YEAR. I HAVE HAD THE RIMS SEALED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BUT THE SEALS ONLY LAST FOR SHORT PERIODS DUE TO THE CONSTANT PEELING. CURRENTLY, I HAVE TO FILL THE TIRES WITH AT LEAST 20 POUNDS OF AIR EVERY 2-3 DAYS. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS THAT THEY WILL FAIL WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564360February 14, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NEVER A CLAMP HOLDING THE POWER BRAKE IN PLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,145. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,416. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563407February 7, 2014
CHILD SEAT:LATCH CONNECTOR/CLIP, CHILD SEAT
I OWN A TURBO BOOSTER CHILD CAR SEAT ,MANUFACTURED 5-28-2012 BY GRACO CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS INC.. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT WILL SNAP OUT FROM THE BASE AND IT CAN RECLINE ALL THE WAY BACK LIKE LAYING POSITION! THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH SAFETY INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WHEN WE BOUGHT IT. ON NOVEMBER 19 8 AM I GET READY DRIVE TO WORK AND MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS BUCKLED IN HER CAR SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER SHE WAS BELTED OVER HER SHOULDER CORRECTLY, SHE WAS NOT RESTRAINED SAFE ENOUGH BECAUSE WE ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. WE WERE TBONED BY A KENWORTH SEMI LOGGING TRUCK COMING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY, SHE WAS THROWN OUT OF THE CARSEAT ON THE FLOOR BEHIND MY DRIVERS SEAT. SHE CAUGHT HER FINGER ON THE BELT IT WAS DISLODGED BEFORE THROWN TO THE FLOOR AND SHE RECEIVED STITCHES ON HER INDEX FINGER LACERATION SHE ALSO WAS HURT ON THE HEAD BACK AND BELLY SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2001, MAKE=CHRYSLER, MODEL=PT CRUISER) *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10563420February 7, 2014
STEERING
I HAVE 2001 PT CRUISER, I HAD THE CONTROL BUSHINGS AND TIE ROD REPLACED AFTER I HAD THEM REPLACE IT TOOK ONLY ONE YEAR FOR THEM TO GO OUT AGAIN. I WILL NEVER BUY OR SUGGEST PURCHASING A PT CRUISER. THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS PAGE/SITE TO LIST COMPLAINTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10554927December 5, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 70 MPH INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE HAD TO BE ENGAGED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. ..UPDATED 12-30-13 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10553029November 20, 2013
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HER VEHICLE WHILE SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES WHEN SHE WAS THROWN INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF FOUR VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE CRASH SITE BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG OR SEATBELT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10552013November 12, 2013
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MILES AN HOUR, THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS-MEMBER BROKE AS A RESULT OF SEVERE RUST. THIS CAUSED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO STEER TOWARDS THE DITCH CREATING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THE RUST WAS CAUSED BY WATER DRAINING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER ONTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CROSS-MEMBER. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT PART FROM CHRYSLER BUT SO FAR THE OUTLOOK FOR DELIVERY HAS CHANGED FOUR TIMES AND IS CURRENTLY ESTIMATED FOR 12/25/2013 (2.5 MONTHS AFTER THE CAR BECAME INOPERABLE). NOT ONLY DOES CHRYSLER IGNORE THE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS COMMONLY REPORTED DESIGN FLAW, THEY ARE PROVING TO BE INCAPABLE AT PROVIDING REPLACEMENT PARTS. THIS IS EVIDENT AS I AM ONE OF 28 CAR OWNERS WHO ARE WAITING FOR THIS PART FROM CHRYSLER, AND THERE IS HIGH DEMAND FOR THIS PART FROM JUNKYARDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548509October 19, 2013
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, POWER TRAIN
UPON INSPECTION DURING A REPAIR FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER KNOWN AS THE K-FRAME IS SEVERELY CORRODED AND WILL LIKELY NOT PASS ANOTHER SAFETY INSPECTION. THE REST OF THE UNDERNEATH OF THIS CAR IS RELATIVELY RUST-FREE AND THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE FOR ITS AGE. IF THIS PART FAILS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, ETC. WILL ALL DROP AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10541698September 3, 2013
SUSPENSION, WHEELS, STRUCTURE, ENGINE
I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A MAIN ROAD ONTO A SIDE STREET. WHILE THE CAR WAS TURNING, I HEARD A CLUNK AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS JERKED FROM MY HANDS. THE CAR PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE CURB. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE SERVICE TECH SHOWED ME THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE K FRAME WAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THRU. IT'S TO RUSTED TO BE WELDED AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISER AND DODGE NEON, SINCE THEY USE THE SAME FRAME. THE TECH ALSO TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T MOVING AT HIGH SPEED OR THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, THEY ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF REPLACEMENT PARTS, AND THEY BASICALLY IGNORE ANY COMPLAINTS. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536997August 23, 2013
STRUCTURE
I WAS NOT INITIALLY GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT UNTIL I SEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DASH CRACKED INTO MANY PIECES. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THAT MY WIFE HAD DONE SOMETHING TO CRACK THE DASH, AND SHE THOUGHT THAT I HAD. THE PART REMAINED BASICALLY INTACT UNTIL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER HAD TO REMOVE THE DASH FOR OTHER REPAIRS. AT THAT TIME WE HAD TO PAY FOR ANOTHER DASH BECAUSE IT FELL COMPLETELY APART AND COULD NOT BE RE-ASSEMBLED. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS EXACTLY A HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY CONCERN, BUT ONLY BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT, NOR AN INCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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