Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints

2,623 consumer complaints on file.

#10386467March 4, 2011
VISIBILITY
THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW OF MY 2006 PT CRUISER SPONTANEOUSLY (?) EXPLODED, SENDING SHATTERED GLASS INTO MY CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD AT ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR ON A VERY TEMPERATE NIGHT. I HAD JUST STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, AND WAS GETTING BACK UP TO NORMAL SPEED. THERE WAS ONLY ONE LOUD BANG, AND I HEARD NO OTHER SOUNDS. THERE WERE NO CARS BESIDE ME, AND I DID NOT SEE ANY ACTIVITY OUT THAT SIDE OF THE CAR THAT WOULD ACCOUNT FOR A PEBBLE BEING THROWN, OR A BB GUN BEING SHOT, ETC., ALTHOUGH IT WAS DARK OUT. IN FACT, I BELIEVE I WAS DRIVING PAST A VACANT LOT. THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE OF THE CAR AND OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WERE ABOUT THE SAME, AT ABOUT 65-70 DEGREES. I DID NOT FIND ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS WHILE CLEANING THE GLASS OUT OF MY CAR. ONLY A FEW PIECES OF SHATTERED GLASS WERE LEFT REMAINING AROUND THE EDGES OF MY WINDOW, BUT OTHERWISE THE WINDOW WAS COMPLETELY GONE. SHARP PIECES OF GLASS WERE MOSTLY IN THE FLOORBOARD AND FRONT SEAT OF MY CAR, ALTHOUGH SOME DID FLY INTO THE BACK FLOORBOARD. THERE WERE A FEW PIECES OF GLASS IN MY CUP HOLDERS IN THE CENTER CONSOLE, AND AT LEAST ONE PIECE MADE IT OVER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. MY ARM WAS CUT VERY SUPERFICIALLY IN ONE PLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386494March 4, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE TURBO ENGINE WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY IN 2009. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386331March 3, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WE OWN A 2005 PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FOR THE PAST YEAR WITH THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH LOCATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FOG LIGHTS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AND WILL DRAIN THE BATTERY DEAD. THERE MUST BE A SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. WE TURN OUR LEFT BLINKER ON BEFORE WE SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND THIS SEEMS TO KEEP THE FOG LIGHTS OFF. WITH THIS BEING A SHORT, IT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING - RESULTING IN POSSIBLE DEATH. MY EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH FOR THE SERVICE THAT THE NHTSA PERFORMS AND I ANTICIPATE THEIR ACTION ON THIS WELL KNOWN ISSUE TO BE COMING SOON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10387388March 2, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
IWAS DRIVING AND ENTERING THE EXPRESSWAY FROM AN ON RAMP WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER I HEARD A DING SOUND. I TRIED TO EXCELLERATE AND COULD NOT GO OVER 20 MILES AN HOUR WITH OUT THE CAR SPUTTERING AS IF IT WAS NOT GETTING GAS. I DROVE TO THE NEAREST OFF RAMP AND PRECEDED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE ON THE SAME CAR A MONTH PRIOR. I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM CARMAX JUST 4 MONTHS AGO AND IT ONLY HAD 44,000.THE TECH SAID IT WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING MINOR. WHEN HE CALLED TO TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG IT WAS NOT MINOR. THE CAM AND CRANK POSITION SENSORS HAD GONE OUT. AT THE TUNE OF $491.00 TO FIX IT. I CALLED THE OPERATIONS MANAGER AT CARMAX AND ALL HE WANTED TO SAY WAS THANK GOODNESS I HAD BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SO IT WOULD ONLY BE $300.00 FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE. I SAW THAT THERE WERE OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD MORE PEOPLE TELL ME THAT THESE CARS (PT CRUISERS) HAVE MANY PROBLEMS AND THAT SOMETHING IS ALWAYS GOING WRONG WITH THEM. I WISH I HAD NEVER GOTTEN THIS TYPE OF VECHILE NOW!!! I AM STUCK WITH THIS CAR BECAUSE I CANNOT TRADE IT IN, I WOULD BE UPSIDE DOWN. HOPEFULLY I WILL NOT HAVE THE OIL PROBLEMS THAT ALL THE OTHERS HAVE HAD. IF I HAD KNOWN THEY WERE BUILT IN MEXICO I WOULD NOT HAVE EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT BUYING IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10384798February 28, 2011
EQUIPMENT
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN ON THE VEHICLE HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET THE HORN TO WORK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.RL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10384522February 25, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN SHE DROVE OVER ICE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SPUN AROUND AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA EMERGENCY VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,871.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
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
#10384383February 24, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, EQUIPMENT
I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 PT CRUISER AND A GIRL DRIVING A GRAND CHEROKEE JEEP RAN A STOP SIGN AND HIT ME IN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER AND DRIVER DOOR. MY THREE CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME. THE IMPACT FLIPPED MY CAR 3 OR MORE TIMES LANDING US ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. NEITHER OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FROM THE IMPACT. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND SHE WAS COMING DOWN A HILL TO THE STOP SIGN BUT SHOWED NO SIGN OF SLOWING DOWN. HER SPEED WAS PROBABLY AROUND 50 MPH. THE POINT OF CONTACT WAS AT THE DRIVERS DOOR AND FENDER AND IT WAS CRUSHED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE A NECK INJURY FROM THE WHIPLASH AND THE FLIPPING OF THE CAR AND NOT SURE AT THIS POINT IF IT WILL EVER GET BETTER. IT HAS BEEN 7 MTHS. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD BE MADE LIABLE FOR THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING WITH SUCH AN IMPACT AS WE HAD. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
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
#10383251February 18, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT, AND THE FRONT SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF UPDATED 2/29/12 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383295February 18, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2001 PT CRUISER OVERHEATING PROBLEMS. HAVE SPENT OVER $2,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS,FROM A NEW RADIATOR,NEW HOSES,FANS, BELTS,FLUSHES,ETC. AND IT STILL OVERHEATS. PEOPLE NEED TO BE WARNED OF THIS PROBLEM ABOUT THESE CARS,THEY OVERHEAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE HAD REPAIRED ON THEM. I HATE THEM THEY NEED TO BE BANNED FROM BEING PURCHASED ANYWHERE WHERE CARS ARE SOLD!!!!!!! *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382992February 16, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE AIR BAG LIGHT STOPPED ILLUMINATING BUT ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN ILLUMINATING AND FLUCTUATING INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382711February 15, 2011
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE OTHER THAN NOTICING THE SEAT HEATERS SEEMED TO PUT OFF MORE HEAT THAN OTHER COMPARABLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES. SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH SEAT COVER AND SEAT CUSHION FOAM INTO A PILLOW THAT HAD SLIPPED BEHIND MY DAUGHTERS BACK. IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE PILLOW, MY DAUGHTER WOULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS BURN INJURIES AS SHE WAS ASLEEP AT THE TIME OF THE MALFUNCTION. SO FAR CHRYSLER HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE OLD PARTS ARE STILL IN THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAYS THE SEAT HEATER UNIT ITSELF MALFUNCTIONED OTHERWISE THE SYSTEM IS NORMAL. HOWEVER, THE DRIVERS SEAT ALSO REACHES TEMPERATURES THAT WILL CAUSE BURNS ALSO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
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
#10381124February 8, 2011
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ONLY OPERATE WHEN ON THE HIGH SETTING BUT NOT ON ANY OTHER SETTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,238 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380984February 7, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
I HAVE HAD HUGE BREAK ISSUES. I HAD TO REPLACE THREE TIMES THE BRAKES AND ROTOR IN MY CAR. IT ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST INSTANCE WAS AT 28,000. THEN 40,000....AND NOW AGAIN. I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT PT CRUISER BRAKE PROBLEMS, AND HOW PREVALENT THEY ARE. I AM SURPRISED THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381021February 7, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE WITH THE ENGINE. THE CRANK SEAL WAS KNOCKED OUT DUE TO THE ENGINE DESIGN WHICH CAUSED OIL TO LEAK ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379923February 2, 2011
STRUCTURE
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD CRACK AND THE DASH ON THE CAR CRACKED ABOUT 16 INCHES, SO FAR HAVE ONLY PUT DUCT TAPE ON IT TO HOPEFULLY KEEP THE CRACK FROM GOING ANY FURTHER. IT HAS CRACKED FROM THE LEFT SIDE, JUST UNDER THE WINDOW TO ALMOST THE CENTER VENT ON THE DASH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379997February 2, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON SATURDAY MORNING, AT ABOUT 11:40 AM, THE TEMPERATURE WAS 31 DEGREES F, AND I'D NOTICED THE DEW POINT WAS AT 33 DEGREES, ACCORDING TO ACCU-WEATHER. IT WAS SOMEWHAT SUNNY, AND THERE WAS VERY LITTLE FROZEN PRECIPITATION FLOATING THROUGH THE AIR. WE HAD JUST LEFT HOME AND DROVE TWO MILES THROUGH STOPS AND STARTS THROUGH LOCAL RESIDENTIAL ROADS. AFTER TURNING LEFT AT A STOP SIGN AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 1.5 MILES, THE ROAD WENT INTO A STRAIGHTAWAY. I GENTLY ACCELERATED, AS I USUALLY DO. THE SPEED CONTROL WAS NOT TURNED ON. MY WIFE AND I SHORTLY NOTICED THAT AFTER THE USUAL 30-35 MPH SPEED, THAT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I CHECKED THE SPEED CONTROL-OFF. CHECKED THE GAS PEDAL-SWINGING FREE. LIFTED THE PEDAL WITH MY SHOE EDGE-NO CHANGE. TAPPED THE BRAKE A FEW TIMES-BRAKE OPERATED, BUT NO CHANGE. AS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET UNTIL I REACHED ABOUT 10 MPH. AT THAT POINT I SLIPPED THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND SWITCHED OFF THE ENGINE. THE CAR STOPPED. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE GAS PEDAL AND FLOOR MAT-BOTH WERE CLEAR. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, IT STARTED, AND THEN SLOWED, THEN SPUTTERED AND FINALLY QUIT. AFTER QUITTING IT WOULD NOT RESTART. I CALLED CHRYSLER WARRANTY SERVICE FOR A TOW. THE TOWING SERVICE WAS DELAYED. WE WAITED ABOUT AN HOUR AND 15 MINUTES, CHECKED THE ETA OF THE TOW TRUCK WHEN TOLD IT MIGHT BE A COUPLE OF MORE HOURS, I RETRIED THE IGNITION, AND THAT TIME THE ENGINE RESTARTED AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. I DROVE ABOUT A MILE TO A NEARBY GAS STATION (TO WAIT FOR THE TOW IN A SAFE PLACE) WITH NO INCIDENT. THE DEALER COULD FIND NO PROBLEM WHEN INSPECTING THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. THEY DROVE 19 MILES, NO PROBLEM. NO FAULT CODES OR TSB'S. CABLE NOT FRAYED. THROTTLE BLADE AND GAS PEDAL NOT BINDING. I SUGGEST THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT ICING COULD HAVE OCCURRED AROUND THE THROTTLE PLATE, SINCE THE AIR WAS NEAR THE DEW POINT ON A HARDLY WARM ENGINE. AFTER THE ENGINE SAT OVER AN HOUR, THE ICE COULD MELTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379846February 1, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH, WITH NO INDICATION OR WARNING MY 2002 CHYSTLER PT CRUISER COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. AFTER I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER TURN OVER OR ACT LIKE IT WANTED TO START UP. I THEN HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP NEAR MY HOME AND WAS INFORMED TODAY MY FUEL PUMP WENT OUT. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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