Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2003)

258 consumer complaints on file.

#10422871September 1, 2011
STEERING
YEAR: 2003 MAKE: CHRYSLER MODEL: PT CRUISER ENGINE: 2.4L TURBOCHARGED COMPONENTS: POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE WAS RUBBING UP AGAINST THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THE RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE RUPTURED DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE HOT TRANSMISSION DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN THE FIRST INCIDENT SINCE THE OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER PURCHASED NEW POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE AND HAD IT INSTALLED AT A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE SHOP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416948August 3, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I AM HAVING OVERHEATING PROBLEMS. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER OWNERS OF PT CRUISER WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES. IT OVERHEATS AT IDLE AND WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE NOT FOUND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM YET. I HAVE HAD IT PRESSURE TESTED AND THE THERMOSTAT CHANGES AND IT IS STILL OVERHEATING TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10396072April 16, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH HAS WORN OUT AND IS CAUSING MY CAR BATTERY TO BE DRAINED DUE TO THE FOG LIGHT STAYING ON. I WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE PART. HOWEVER I WAS CHECKING ONLINE FOR QUOTES WHEN I STUMBLED UPON A FORUM FULL OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE OVER 600 COMMENTS REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH THE PT CRUISER, MOST OF THEM WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I HOPE THERE IS SOMETHING SOMEBODY CAN DO ABOUT THIS. I AM HOPING FOR A RECALL OF THE PART, I WILL BUY A NEW PART I JUST DON'T WANT THE SAME PART AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED DUE TO MY CAR BEING DRAINED OF BATTERY LIFE MORE THAN 5 TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395682April 12, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN STARTING CAR IN MORNING, IT MADE A VERY UNFAMILIAR SOUND THEN THE SOUND DISAPPEARED. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE THE CAR WAS PARKED. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, WE HEARD TWO LOUD THUDS AS IF SOMETHING HAD FALLEN TO THE PAVEMENT. WE SAW NOTHING UNDER THE CAR, BUT AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD TWO MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY DISLODGED. MECHANIC TOLD US THIS WAS HIS THIRD REPAIR OF THIS TYPE BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS TOO HEAVY FOR THE TYPE OF MOTOR MOUNTS CHRYSLER USED IN THE PT CRUISER. PLEASE CALL OWNERS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED BEFORE OFFICIAL RECALL DAMAGES CHRYSLERS IMAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10384115February 23, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNTS BOLT FRACTURED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LEAN ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE. AS A RESULT, THE CV BOOT FRACTURED FROM THE CONSTANT FRICTION OF THE ENGINE LEANING ON THE AXLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN A CRASH THEREFORE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN A CRASH BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES PREVIOUSLY BUT NONE OF THE REPAIRS REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,700. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382790February 15, 2011
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP IN OCTOBER 2008 AND THE STEERING HOSE IN APRIL OF 2009; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR WAS THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE COST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365932November 16, 2010
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH, HE REMEMBERED CHANGING LANES AND THERE WAS SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OFF OF THE GROUND PER A WITNESS SINCE THE CONTACT DOESN'T RECALL THE DETAILS OF WHAT OCCURRED. HE DOES REMEMBER THAT THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD AND HIP INJURES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 02/02/11 *CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10363878November 3, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS FUMES INTERIOR OF CAR NO PHYSICAL GAS UNDER VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362371October 26, 2010
POWER TRAIN
I SAW A STORY ON ABC NEWS CONCERNING DECELERATION ON BMW VEHICLES AND I HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE IN A CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. I WAS TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEED AND EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN DECELERATION OF MY VEHICLE. IF SOMEONE WAS BEHIND ME I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361396October 20, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ON MY 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HAVE BECOME SO CLOUDY THEY ARE PRACTICALLY USELESS. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE SEEN OTHER PT CRUISERS AS WELL AS OTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AS I AM FEARFUL OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LOW VISIBILITY. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH ALOT OF DEER AND THIS LOW VISIBILITY CONCERNS ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357829September 27, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE EXHIBITED HESITATION WITH A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER. THE FAILURE WAS SPORADIC. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SIX TIMES FOR DIAGNOSIS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. A MOBILE COMPUTER WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE TO POSSIBLY DETECT FUTURE FAILURE OCCURRENCES. WHEN THE ENGINE FAILURE RECURRED, THE MOBILE COMPUTER WAS UNABLE TO PROJECT AN ACCURATE READING. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THE OXYGEN SENOR BE REPLACED HOWEVER HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE REPAIR WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 01/14/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 02/23/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353925September 5, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 TURBO PT CRUISER ISSUE WITH ENGINE OVER HEATING LIGHT COMING ON ENGINE WAS NOT OVER HEATING. A WEEK LATER RUNNING LIGHTS AND FOGLAMPS STARTED COMING ON WHILE CAR IS OFF AND SITTING. CHECKED A SITE THAT SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM IN THE TURBO 2003 AND 2004 TURBO CRUISERS AND THE ISSUE WILL GET WORSE. MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10353638September 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT
MY PT CRUISER 2003 HAS BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION BECAUSE OF THE CONTAMINATION MY BRAKES BRAKE PADS CALIBER ARE MESSED UP HAVEN'T GOT FIXED YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10346931August 2, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2003 P T CRUISER WITH 44000 MILES AM TOLD IT NEEDS FRONT BEARINGS ON THE FRONT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10329522May 10, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT
LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE BAD AT 60,000 MILES AND THE CAR IS WANDERING ON THE ROAD. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS KNOWN ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10328504May 3, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. CONSUMER STATES DEFECT INVOLVING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION *TGW IN AUGUST 2007 THE BUSHINGS HAD DETERIORATED AFTER ONLY 30,620 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THEM AT A COST OF $414.84 WHICH THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY. IN JUNE 2009, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EVEN THOUGH IT HAD ONLY BEEN 12,292 MILES SINCE THEY WERE INITIALLY REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HAD THEM REPLACED AGAIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10300331January 19, 2010
WHEELS
2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FACTORY CHROME RIMS 17" CORRODING AND FLAKE OFF CAUSING THE AIR PRESSURE TO DROP OVERNIGHT. CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION RESULTING IN LOSE OF CONTROL AND UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10297523December 30, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WITH 59,000 FREEWAY MILES, AT 65 MPH VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED ABRUPTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. VEHICLE WOULD ONLY LURCH ALONG AT A SLOW SPEED AND UNABLE TO GO INTO REVERSE. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL REQUIRED COSTING OVER $2,000 TO REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10297433December 29, 2009
WHEELS
OEM 17" CHROME WHEELS ON 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER GT CORRODE, FLAKE OFF, AND TIRES LOSE PRESSURE OVERNIGHT. LOW TIRE PRESSURE CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL OR SKID. THE CONSUMER IS FORCED TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE TWICE A DAY. FORGETTING TO DO THIS, EVEN ONCE, CAN LEAD TO AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10296345December 18, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THIRTY SECONDS AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM), FOUR FUEL INJECTERS , SPARK PLUGS, AND BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS. WERE REPLACED. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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