Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2008)

115 consumer complaints on file.

#10455233April 14, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY
DASHBOARD, INSIDE, OUTSIDE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING; WINDSHIELD AND BACK WINDOW WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEED TO BE REPLACED; IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN 2011, AND NOW AGAIN IN 2012. PER DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT., CA LAW REQUIRES IT BE REPLACED - FOR SAFETY SAKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452595March 21, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE, AND CROSSING A BRIDGE ACROSS THE COLUMBIA RIVER WITH NO SHOULDER, THE CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE. ALL THE GAUGES STARTED TO CUT IN AND OUT (GAS, SPEED AND RPM ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON), AND THEN THE CAR STALLED AND DIED. THERE WAS AN 18 WHEELER DIRECTLY BEHIND ME AND HE SAW MY FLASHERS AND I WAS FRANTICALLY HONKING MY HORN BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS ABOUT TO DIE. HE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY, BUT THERE WAS ANOTHER 18 WHEELER DIRECTLY BEHIND HIM AND THAT ONE NEARLY HIT US. THIS WOULD HAVE EASILY KILLED ME AND MY FAMILY ( A BEAUTIFUL 16 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND A BEAUTIFUL WIFE WHO IS A NEWLY GRADUATED DVM. MIRACULOUSLY THE CAR RESTARTED DURING MY PANIC, AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP , AND TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEY RAN EXHAUSTIVE TESTS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, AND SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM EITHER, WHICH IS ODD BECAUSE I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AS WELL: HTTP://WWW.PTCRUISERLINKS.COM/FORUM/TECH-PERFORMANCE-FORUM/33457-FLASHING-ICONS-GAUGES-GO-UP-DOWN-THEN-CAR-DIES.HTML THEN I FOUND THIS SITE AND FOUND EVEN MORE PROBLEMS THAT ARE EARILY SIMILAR. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE! PLEASE INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION!!!! *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10450483March 6, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446982February 7, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DURING DRIVING OPERATIONS, THIS IS AFTER START UP, THE DASH BOARD INDICATORS WILL BLINK ON, LIGHT UP. THIS DESCRIPTION INCLUDES ALL OF THE INDICATORS, SUCH AS LOW TIRE PRESSURE, OIL, SEAT BELT, ETC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446800February 6, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD LIGHT INDICATORS WOULD ALL ILLUMINATE ERRONEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10438488December 4, 2011
VISIBILITY
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IN THE RAIN THE WIPERS STOPPED MID CYCLE, WHEN I MADE ADJUSTMENTS ON THE COLUMN CONTROL THE WIPERS WENT INTO LOW SPEED MODE AND WOULD ALSO WORK IN THE HIGH SPEED MODE, HOWEVER THE WIPERS WOULD NOT STOP WORKING UNTIL SEVERAL TRIES TO TURN THEM OFF WORKED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PRESENT IT'S SELF AND AT ONE POINT THE WIPERS CONTINUED TO RUN WITH THE KEY IN THE "OFF" POSITION. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DICK HANNAH CHRYSLER IN VANCOUVER , WA ON 3 DEC 2011 WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE T.I.P.M (FAULT CODE B3205) . I HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE T.I.P.M REPLACED BY THIS DEALER WHEN THEY GET THE T.I.P.M REPLACEMENT FROM CHRYSLER (5 DAYS OUT). THE COST OF THIS PROBLEM CAUSED BY ONE CIRCUIT OF THE T.I.P.M IS $840.00 AND THERE IS NO WAY TO HAVE THE ONE CIRCUIT REPLACED OR REPAIRED ON THE DEFECTIVE UNIT IN THE PT CRUISER. THE COST OF THIS PROBLEM IS ONLY ONE ISSUE IN THIS MATTER THE MAJOR ISSUE IS SAFETY CAUSED BY THE DISTRACTION OF ATTENTION WHEN THE PROBLEM PRESENTS ITSELF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. THERE ARE MANY SITES ON THE INTERNET THAT HAVE INFORMATION REGARDING THE T.I.P.M FAILURE ON CHRYSLER VEHICLES WHICH INDICATES A SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE T.I.P.M. I FEEL THAT THIS MATTER SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS IT IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD WAITING TO PRESENT LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND DISTRACTION OF ATTENTION IN REGARD TO SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413750July 20, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER TOURING. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THROUGH FOG, HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF AN 18-WHEELER. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAG UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD DEPLOYED AND FRACTURED HIS LEG. THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG ALSO DEPLOYED AND FRACTURED HIS NOSE ALONG WITH OTHER FACIAL INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 79,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10404574June 6, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY 2008 PT CRUISER HAS A BAD #3 VALVE. I HAD THE CAR TUNED UP DUE TO A MISFIRE CODE OF THE #3 VALVE. AFTER DRIVING FOR TWO DAYS WITH NEW SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, THE CAR IDLED ROUGH AND THE SAME CODE FOR #3 MISFIRE VALVE CAME UP ON THE DASH. MY MECHANIC CHECKED THE PRESSURE IN THE VALVE AND #1,2, & 4 HAD A PRESSURE OF 175 WITH # 3 HAVING PRESSURE OF 110. MY CAR ONLY HAS 77,135 MILES ON IT. I FOUND ANOTHER COMPLAINT WITH THE SAME VALVE ON THE SAME YEAR AND THEIR CAR ONLY HAD 38000. SEEING HOW MORE THAN ONE CAR HAS THE VERY SAME PROBLEM, DOESN'T THIS NEED LOOKING INTO. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WAS TO REPLACE VALVE OR REPLACE THE ENGINE HEAD WHICH COSTS AROUND $1500.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389678March 10, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HAVE A 2008 PT CRUISER. I HAD A ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THERE IS A ALERT THAT THE CAR NEEDS A COMPUTER SOFTWARE UPDATE ($150). CAR IS SHAKING. WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAPPENS TO ALL THE PT CRUISER THAT SEVERAL BUSHING AROUND THE ENGINE VERY FAST WEAR OUT. PASSENGER WINDOW SOMETIMES DOES NOT GO ALL THE WAY UP. THESE ARE SAFETY ISSUE THAT CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT BUT DO NOT DO ANYTHING. IT IS NOT LIKE BATTERY OR TIRE THAT WEAR OUT. DO THEY WANT TO PEOPLE GET INJURED OR DIE BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHING? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10384311February 24, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE STOPPED WITH THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO PARK, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SEE SMOKE BEING EMITTED FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN POPPED THE HOOD AND NOTICED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD A HEAT SHIELD WAS MISSING FROM THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,474 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,674. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, IT WAS DUE TO A MISSING COVER ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. UPDATED 05/06/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10374924January 6, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO FLASH AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371613December 17, 2010
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADD AIR TO THE RH REAR TIRE A SECTION OF THE VALVE STEM BROKE AND THE VALVE CORE WAS EXPELLED. THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. HAD THIS VALVE STEM FAILED WHILE TRAVELING AT TURNPIKE SPEEDS IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THE CAR COULD LOST STABILITY. THE STEM DEMONSTRATED ADVANCED CORROSION. AN ADDITIONAL NOTE THE VALVE CAP IN USE WAS NOT METAL BY PLASTIC ELIMINATING GALVANIC CORROSION FROM DISSIMILAR METALS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370527December 14, 2010
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TPMS LIGHT CAME ON. STOPPED TO CHECK LOW TIRE. AS I WAS TRYING TO AIR IT UP I HAD A HARD TIME. I INSPECTED THE VALVE STEM TO FIND IT CRACKED AROUND THE THREADED PART. I TOOK IT TO A CHRYSLER DEALER. I WAS TOLD THE TPMS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT AN INTERNAL FAILURE. HOWEVER WHEN I HAD THEM ORDER ME ONE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS TPMS PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. 75,000 OF THEM. SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT TO ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369861December 10, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE EVERY WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MOMENTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367959November 27, 2010
SEATS
I TOOK A TRIP TO PICK MY SON UP FROM COLLEGE THE NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 91 AND AT TIMES IT WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER. WHEN I GOT ON THE 91 MY ELECTRONIC DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN ADJUSTING ITSELF WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM ME. THE SEAT BOTTOM MOVED UP AND DOWN, AT ANGLES AND FORWARD TO BACKWARD. ALL THIS HAPPENED CONTINUOUSLY. I TRIED PUSHING THE BUTTON THAT CONTROLS THE SEAT AND GOT NOT RESPONSE. I ENDED UP HAVING TO LURCH AROUND ON MY SEAT FOR ALMOST AN HOUR BEFORE I COULD GET OFF THE BUSY HIGHWAY. IT WAS A STRAIN TO REMAIN IN LANE AND STAYING UPRIGHT. OTHER DRIVERS MUST HAVE THOUGHT I WAS DRUNK AND IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO KEEP FROM HAVING AN ACCIDENT. THE SEAT FINALLY STOPPED MOVING WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND GOT OUT. I WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING WITH A PULLED MUSCLE IN MY BACK AND COULD BARELY WALK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10364298November 6, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SAFETY NOTICE PT CRUISER 2008 CAR WASH WATER CAN READILY INFILTRATE THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS THROUGH THE ANTERIOR VENT, AND CAUSE BOTH REAR STOP LAMPS TO IMMEDIATELY HEAT FRACTURE IN THE 2008 PT CRUISER WHILE WASHED BY AN AUTOMATIC SYSTEM. THE HIGH PRESSURE WATER ENTERS THROUGH THE TOP AND GLIDES BACK OFF THE CAVITY BOSS, AND RUNS DOWN INTO THE OPEN VENT. THE VENT SHIELD IS INEFFECTIVE TO THIS LEVEL OF WATER FLOW. ADDITIONALLY, THE VENT IS PACED AT THE TOP OF THE LIGHT ALLOWING FOR WATER TO DRIP DIRECTLY ON A HOT BULB. PREFERABLY, THE VENT SHOULD BE A BOTTOM DRAIN; BUT THIS WOULD REQUIRE REDESIGN. (DELTA SONIC , TOUCH CAR WASH ROUTE 277 ORCHARD PARK, NY) MY NAME IS RC MECHANICAL ENGINEERING B.S. PREVIOUS AUTOMOTIVE FUEL SYSTEM SAFETY PRODUCT VALIDATION ENGINEER, AND NOW A HVAC CONTROLS ENGINEER. THE LIKELY FAILURE MODE OF HAVING A CAR WASH IS PROBABLY HIGH SPEED IMPACT AT A STOP LIGHT DURING NIGHT TIME DRIVING. PEOPLE COULD DIE. I RECOMMEND A SERVICE REPAIR WHERE NARROW BENT TUBE IS ALUMINUM TAPED TO THE EXISTING VENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360046October 12, 2010
SEAT BELTS
I HAD TO HAVE MY PASSENGER FRONT SIDE SEAT BELT REPLACED TOO AS THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND SOUND WOULD GO OFF WHEN ANY ONE SAT IN THAT SEAT. MY REPLACEMENT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357701September 26, 2010
SEAT BELTS
THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEATBELT QUIT WORKING AFTER NORMAL USE. THIS CAUSES THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO GO ON WHENEVER A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE SEATBELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $300.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356705September 20, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS ALL STOPPED WORKING AT AN UNKNOWN TIME THIS YEAR ANOTHER DRIVER TOLD ME THEY WEREN'T WORKING AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM IN THE FUSE BOX OR PART OF IT AND WANTED OVER $800.00 TO FIX IT. MY PT CRUISER IS A 2008 WITH APX 48,000 MILES ON IT. THE A/C SYSTEM ALSO FAILED WHEN SOME SMOKE CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. NOT SURE IF THERE IS A CONNECTION BUT THE LIGHTS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND THE TURN SIGNALS COME ON INSIDE BUT NOT OUTSIDE SO I WOULDN'T KNOW UNLESS SOME ONE TOLD ME. I THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND THE SERVICE ADVISER AND PARTS DEPARTMENT INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354270September 8, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
LETTER FROM SENATOR BROWN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE CONCERNS ABOUT A MECHANICAL FAILURE SHE HAS EXPERIENCED WITH HER 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER (DOT/I#2010-1236) RESPOND TO CLEVELAND, OH OFFICE *TGW FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE 3RD CYLINDER FAILED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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