Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2002)

511 consumer complaints on file.

#10732575July 7, 2015
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING BELT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10731921July 3, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WINDOWS AND AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. CAR UNDRIVEABLE ,ALL CURCIT BREAKERS AND FUSES CHECKED. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. ALMOST PASSED OUT GOING A FEW MILES. I CAN'T DRIVE IT WITH OUT INJURY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10731296June 30, 2015
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE PARKED AT A GAS STATION, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED COOLANT BUBBLING ON THE RESERVOIR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN WAS NOT ACTIVATING. THE DEALER STATED THAT PISTON NUMBER TWO FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10726409June 21, 2015
ENGINE
OUR PT CRUISER OVERHEATED ONE DAY AFTER MY WIFE HAD LEFT WORK, THANKFULLY SHE MADE IT HOME BEFORE IT GOT WORSE. I HAVE REPLACED ALL COMPONENTS KNOWN TO CAUSE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS SUCH AS THERMOSTAT, RADIATOR, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, WATER HEATER, FLUSHED THE BLOCK OUT, EVEN CHANGED THE TEMP SENSOR. I HAVE ALSO CHECKED ALL THE HOSES AND GAVE IT AN OIL CHANGE AND YET IT STILL OVER HEATS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10713391April 28, 2015
ENGINE
OK I AM SO UPSET I BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 YEARS AGO IT IS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH A BACK CHECK FROM MY DISABILITY CAUSE I HAD TO HAVE SOMETHING LOW TO THE GROUND TO GET IN AND OUT OF. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND I CAN'T AFFORD ANYMORE ON THIS CAR THIS IS LIKE A BRAND NEW CAR WITH SUCH LOW MILES I CAN'T GET TO THERAPY, DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND WHEN YOU GO ON ALL THESE SIGHTS IT IS THE SAME REPORT OVERHEATING FOR MODEL TEARS 2001-2005. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE OUT A LOAN TO HAVE A RADIATOR INSTALLED,SENSOR FOR FAN, THERMOSTAT,FAN,HOSES AND IT STILL OVERHEATS AND NOW BEING TOLD THAT IT IS A CRACKED HEAD GASKET NOW TELL ME HOW THE COUPLE OF TIMES IT DID OVERHEAT AND WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF AND TOWED IT GOT INTO THIS BAD OF SHAPE AND WHY SO MANY CRUISERS HAVE THE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS? I AM A SINGLE MOM ON DISABILITY WITH NO OTHER INCOME AND NOW HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE. I EVEN AS SOON AS GOT CAR HAD THE TIMING BELT CHANGED AND WHATEVER ELSE NEEDED FOR NEAR FUTURE JUST SO DIDN'T HAVE THAT EXPENSE LATER ON. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT I CAN'T GO ANYWHERE TO NECESSARY APPOINTMENTS FOR MY DISABILITY AND PAYING ON A CAR FOR REPAIRS AND NOW COMPLETELY DOWN AND WON'T BE FIXED HAVE BEEN QUOTED A THOUSAND DOLLARS AND ALREADY HAVE A LOAN OUT FOR $700 BECAUSE OF OTHER REPAIRS NOT TO MENTION HAVE LOAN WHEN BOUGHT THE CAR PAYING ON! THIS ISN'T RIGHT AND TRUST ME HAVE PLENTY OF OTHERS WHO CAN GIVE YOU THEIR STORIES! I HAVE A SON WHO WILL GRADUATE NEXT YEAR ONLY CAR WE HAVE AND NOW HE CAN'T GO TO COLLEGE! THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OF THEM AND MINE DID BUT THANK GOD DID HAVE SOME BOTTLED WATER IN THE CAR START A SMALL FIRE IN THE FRONT THIS IS SERIOUS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10712646April 24, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, ALL THE METERS, GAUGES, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ALSO FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10706557April 19, 2015
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
I PURCHASED 4 NEW DOUGLAS EXTRA-TRAK II TIRES AT WALMART AND WITHIN ONLY A FEW MONTHS WAS HAVING MAJOR "ALIGNMENT" TYPE ISSUES. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE BALANCED AND ROTATED AND HAVE THE PRESSURE CHECKED. WALMART TECH HAD ONE OF MY TIRES THAT WAS A FEW LBS LOW AND IT BLEW OUT AFTER HE PUT IT BACK UP TO APPROPRIATE LEVELS. BLOW OUT WAS OUT THE SIDE AND NOT VISIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. OTHER SIDE BULGES WERE FOUND ON THE OTHER TIRES. SINCE THE TIRES HAD BEEN DRIVEN, WALMART ONLY GAVE ME A "DISCOUNT" ON REPLACING THE ONE THAT BLEW OUT - THE OTHERS WERE MY PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THEM. THESE TIRES ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND NOT SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10680103January 31, 2015
STRUCTURE
NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE (AS FAR AS I KNOW) BUT I WANT IT TO GO ON RECORD FROM WHAT ALL PT CRUISER OWNERS HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH. DASHBOARD CRACKED AND VENT GRIDS CRUMBLED WHEN DOING A REGULAR CLEANING (DUSTING WITH CLOTH). I JUST WANT TO BE NOTED THAT I FOUND OUT THAT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF PT CRUISERS HAVE THIS ISSUE. I DO NOT THINK IT IS FAIR TO CUSTOMERS TO HAVE NO PROTECTION FROM SUCH POOR QUALITY MATERIALS. MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE MADE LIABLE FOR SUCH THINGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10672407January 14, 2015
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10668604December 28, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAD JUST PUT FUEL IN MY CAR AND WAS DRIVING ACROSS A PARKING LOT. I PROCEEDED TO PARK MY CAR AND NOTICED SMOKE RISING OUT OF MY STEERING WHEEL AND A BURNING SMELL. MY LOWER SET OF LIGHTS ( FOG LIGHTS) HAD TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES, WHICH IS ODD SINCE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN WORKING FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. IN ORDER TO STOP THE SMOKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, I HAD TO REMOVE FUSE #8. SAME SET OF LIGHTS HAVE TURNED ON BEFORE A FEW YEARS BACK DRAINING MY BATTERY SINCE I COULDN'T TURN THEM OFF WITH THEIR SWITCH. IN ADDITION, MY HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY AT RANDOM WHILE I'M DRIVING AND MY CLOCK LIGHTS GO OUT FREQUENTLY. HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT ON ME 5 TIMES OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. I TRY NOT TO DRIVE MUCH AT NIGHT AS A RESULT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10650938October 29, 2014
AIR BAGS
WIFE WAS SITTING IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC WAITING AT A LIGHT. VEHICLE CAME FROM BEHIND AND HIT HER AT APPROXIMATELY 40. M.P.H. CAR WAS THROWN INTO CAR IN FRONT OF HER WHICH WAS THEN THROWN INTO CAR IN FRONT OF THEM. BREAKING HOOD LATCH SYSTEM, RADIATOR, A/C COOLER/, AND BENDING HOOD UP. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WIFE SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND CERVICAL SPRAIN, AND HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED FROM SCENE BY AMBULANCE DUE TO ACCIDENT. OUR CAR HAD IN EXCESS OF 2500 DOLLARS DAMAGE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10641402October 4, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FOG LIGHTS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE PARKED WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION (WHILE AT WORK). COMMON ISSUE FOUND ALL OVER THE INTERNET. CAUSE IS A DEFECTIVE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. SMELLED A BURNING SMELL. REPAIR SHOP WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS THROUGH DIAGNOSTICS WHICH WAS BEFORE THE CAR HAD BEEN SEEN DURING THE DAY WITH IT'S RUNNING LIGHTS ON. THAT DRAINED THE BATTERY AND REQUIRED A JUMP START. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. DUE TO OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTED THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET FOR THIS SAME ISSUE WE FEEL A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AS THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. THE 15 AMP FUSE (NUMBER 8 ON INTERIOR FUSE PANEL) NEVER BLEW BUT WAS DISCOLORED FROM HEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10630598September 4, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I GOT THE IN JANUARY 2014 AND I ONLY HAD IT FOR TWO WEEKS AND SHAD TO GO IN THE SHOP AND I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS DIAGNOSIS WITH LUNG CANCER AND I HAVE TO GET BACK AND FORWARD TO MY TREATMENTS AND I NEED A RELIABLE CAR AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT THE TIRE ROD WENT THE FIRST TIME THEN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TIRE ROD WENT NOW IT'S THE ELECTRICITY SYSTEM IS ACTING IT AND SINCE I HAD THIS CAR IT BEEN IN THE SHOP EVERY MONTH AND IT DON'T MAKE SENSE THAT I HAVE TO PAY A CAR NOTE AND PAY TO FITS IT TOO I HAVE MISS A LOTS OF TREATMENTS WILL ALL PLEASE HELP ME BECAUSE I HEAR EVERYBODY TALK ABOUT HELPING CANCER SURVIVORS BUT ONLY THING THAT I SEE IS I AM BEEN HURT FIRST IT'S MY CAR NOW THE CITY IS TRYING TO TAKE MY HOUSE THAT MY MOTHER LEFT ME PLEASE HELP ME ALSO YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT [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
#10626890August 20, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
HEATED SEATS COME ON BY THEM SELFS AND OVERHEAT CAN NOT TURN THEM OFF UNLESS YOU TURN OFF CAR IT GETS SO HOT IT CAN BURN YOU . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10622348August 14, 2014
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INDICATING AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10615986July 24, 2014
ENGINE
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT SO I PULLED OVER AND LET IT COOL DOWN. AFTER ADDING MORE COOLANT TO IT I STARTED TO DRIVE IT HOME ONLY TO HAVE IT START TO OVERHEAT AGAIN, SO PARKED IT AT A NEARBY SCHOOL AND LEFT IT OVER NIGHT. UPON GETTING IT THE NEXT MORNING IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND I DROVE IT HOME, WHEN I WENT TO GO START IT AGAIN IT WOULDN'T START. AFTER CALLING MY MECHANIC AND HAVING HIM LOOK AT IT HE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE EXHAUST AND I WOULD HAVE TO GET A NEW MOTOR. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON HERE FOR THE SAME OR SIMILAR THING, IT MAKES ME WONDER WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON THESE SYSTEMS IN THIS PARTICULAR CAR? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606984June 30, 2014
WHEELS, ENGINE, STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS
VEHICLE PULLED OUT OF BUSINESS COMPLEX TURN IN LEFT ABOUT A CAR LENGTHS AWAY FROM ME WHEN HE PULLED OUT..ATTEMPTED TO STOP BUT VEHICLE WAS TOO CLOSE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10595644June 2, 2014
ENGINE
DRIVING AT 35MPH. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE CAR COASTED/ROLLED DOWN-HILL FOR 1.5 BLOCKS. I STOPPED AT THE FIRST RED LIGHT. THE CAR WOULD NOT RE-START. IT BEGAN TO CRANK BUT WOULD NEVER TURN THE ENGINE OVER. CHECKED THE OIL STICK AND THERE WAS NO (ZERO) OIL ON THE STICK. WE ADDED 4 QUARTS OF OIL. THE OIL DID NOT LEAK OUT OF THE CAR. WE LET THE ENGINE COOL AND TRIED TO START THE CAR. IT WOULD NOT START, IT CRANKED AGAIN BUT DIDN'T TURN OVER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC SHOP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10594932May 29, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FOG LIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF, STAYED ON LONG ENOUGH TO RUN DOWN BATTERY. NOT GOOD FOR SINGLE ELDERLY WOMAN VOLUNTEER STUCK IN A PARKING LOT ACROSS TOWN. UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED IN MANY, MANY VEHICLES FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS. DID I MISS A RECALL? I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WHERE IN THE WORLD WILL I FIND A MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND SOMEONE TO INSTALL IT? WILL THE COMPANY COVER THE COST? ARE THEY ON A FIXED INCOME? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10585938May 1, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY CONTINUOUSLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,583.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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