Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2004)

217 consumer complaints on file.

#10262643March 21, 2009
WHEELS
THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING OF OUR CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN A PERIOD OF LESS THAN 24 MONTHS. THE CAR IS A 2004 MODEL AND HAS ONLY 43K MILES. THE FIRST TIME AROUND BOTH BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME THE DRIVER SIDE BEARINGS ARE ROCKING AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262360March 18, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING. YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE WHEN STOPPING TO PREVENT THE SUDDEN FORWARD MOTION AND BE CAREFUL WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF THE STALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN JULY 2008 WITH ONLY 17,900 MILES ON THE CAR. IT IS NOW MARCH 2009 AND THE CAR HAS AROUND 29,000 MILES ON IT, WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT GETTING WORSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259119February 17, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND FRONT SUSPENSION MAKE NOISE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT FEELS AS IF HE IS DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND A STONE PAVEMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIR SO THE CONTACT TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,998. UPDATED 03/12/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/16/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258053February 9, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CHRYSLER PT CRUISER MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS. FOG LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN WHEN KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN AND WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT CAN LEAD TO BURNED WIRES, BATTERY REPLACEMENT, ETC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254109January 7, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT THEN SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC. THE CHRYSLER DEALER PULLED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CLUSTER CIRCUIT WAS BURNED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WITH A NEW PART AND THEY RETAINED THE OLD PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252280December 19, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I TOOK MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER IN TO HAVE THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED AT 55,000 MILES, WHICH IS ONE OF MY COMPLAINTS, THE SHODY CONSTRUCTION OF THESE MOUNTS IS INSANE. WHEN INVESTIGATING THE MOUNTS MY MECHANIC SPOTTED A COOLANT LEAK WHICH HE TRACED TO A CRACK IN THE ENGINE BLOCK ITSELF. THE LEVEL OF CORROSION FROM THE LEAK INDICATED THE CRACK HAD BEEN THERE FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PERIOD OF TIME. DEALER DENIED ANY WARRANTY SERVICE FOR THE DEFECT. AT 32,000 MILES THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CHEAP MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION, THE ROTOR WERE ACTUALLY BOWING DUE TO THE CHEAP METAL USED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THESE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED WARRANTY SERVICE FOR THIS AS WELL. OVERALL THE 3 MAJOR COMPLAINTS I HAVE ARE FOR SHODY MOTOR MOUNTS, INFERIOR FRONT ROTOR CONSTRUCTION, AND DEFECTS IN ENGINE COMPONENTS LEADING TO A CRACKED BLOCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250232December 1, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AT LESS THAN 70,000 MILES, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON TIE ROD ENDS, THAT COULD HAVE LED TO TIE ROD FAILURE AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THIS 2004 PT CRUISER WAS MAINTAINED UNDER THE CHRYSLER MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WHICH BRINGS INTO QUESTION WHY BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD FAIL AT THIS LOW A MILEAGE. EITHER THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS DONE IMPROPERLY AT SOME POINT IN TIME, OR THE BEARING ASSEMBLIES WERE DEFECTIVE. AT THIS TIME THERE ARE NO SERVICE LETTERS THAT ADDRESS THE PARTS MAINTENANCE OR REPLACEMENTS DUE TO WEAR, NORMAL OR OTHERWISE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249158November 18, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN SMOKING. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE RPM'S INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 6,000. WHEN THE CONTACT EASED UP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STOPPED SMOKING AND THE RPM'S RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TURBO WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT RELATED TO ANY RECALLS; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,950.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246842October 27, 2008
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $200. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V268000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. HE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,647.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245195October 12, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DEFECTIVE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ON CHRYSLER PT (2004) CAUSES FOG LIGHTS TO STAY ON, EVEN WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND KEYS OUT, CAUSING BATTERY TO DRAIN AND DIE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244323October 3, 2008
VISIBILITY
THE FIXED REAR QUARTER GLASS ON MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FELL OUT. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO PROPERTY OR A PERSON. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL, G01, FOR 2005 AND 2006 PT CRUISERS. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE ADHESIVE FAILED.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239397August 22, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROUTERS ON THE VEHICLE FAIL EVERY 20,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO A FAULTY BRAKING SYSTEM. A MECHANIC STATED THAT MOST PT CRUISERS HAVE VERY POOR ROUTERS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238557August 17, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
IN APRIL 2008, OUR 2004 PT CRUISER TURBO FOG LIGHTS STARTED TO COME ON FOR NO REASON. INTERNET FORUMS CLAIM THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE SWITCH. THE COST IS $70 FOR THE PART PLUS LABOR. FAILURE TO FIX THE PROBLEM WILL CAUSE THE BATTERY TO FAIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237951August 13, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TWO GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES SUFFERED BELT SEPARATION WITHIN 10 DAYS. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOPS WHICH DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AND REPLACED WITH NEW TIRES. FOUR TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM TIRE RACK, AND THE REMAINING TWO TIRES ARE STILL ON THE AUTO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237789August 12, 2008
WHEELS
WE OWN A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER GT WHICH WE BOUGHT NEW. THE PROBLEM STARTED APPROXIMATELY AT 33,000 MILES AND IS STILL ONGOING. WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR TIRE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE LEAKAGE AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE FLAKING OFF OF THE CHROME ALLOY ON THE WHEELS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ONE WHEEL THAT WAS DEFECTIVE WHICH WAS JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND NOW AT 43,000 MILES WE HAVE AT LEAST TWO MORE DOING THE SAME THING. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN AND AFTER ABOUT TWO MONTHS THEY FINALLY SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE OTHER WHEELS AFTER TALKING WITH THE CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AS A TIRE WILL HEAT UP WHEN IT SLOWLY LOSES AIR AND COULD FAIL AT HIGH SPEED AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. I HAVE LEARNED THIS BY EXPERIENCE AS A TRUCK DRIVER WHEN I HAD A SLOW LEAK IN A WHEEL ON THE STEERING AXLE AND IT EXPLODED ON MY TRUCK AT LEAST FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES UNTIL WE FINALLY FOUND THE TINY LEAK IN THE CHROME WHEEL. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE NUMBER OR NAME OF WHO HE TALKED TO AS HE SAID IT WAS COMPANY POLICY NOT TO GIVE THESE OUT. HE ALSO DID NOT KNOW WHO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE WHEEL WAS AND HE WOULD HAVE TO FIND OUT FROM THE PARTS DEPT. THIS OF COURSE UPSET ME AND I RAISED MY VOICE TO HIM AND HE SAID THAT IF I KEPT YELLING AT HIM HE WOULD REFUSE TO HELP ME AT ALL. THIS WAS DONE ALL BY PHONE ON 8-11 08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234592July 16, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE ONLY HAD 40K MILES AND BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD. THESE VEHICLES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. THIS COULD RESULT IN DIMINISHED OR NO STEERING CONTROL. SAFETY OR DEFECT RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY CHRYSLER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234583July 16, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
IN JULY 2008, OUR 2004 PT CRUISER FOG LIGHTS STARTED TO COME ON FOR NO REASON. INTERNET FORUMS CLAIM THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE SWITCH. THE COST IS $70 FOR THE PART PLUS LABOR. FAILURE TO FIX THE PROBLEM WILL CAUSE THE BATTERY TO FAIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233790July 10, 2008
STEERING
GRINDING NOISE, WOBBLE IN STEERING-LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING GONE AT 43000 MILES-REPLACEMENT COST $300.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233090July 2, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
LOUD GRINDING/GROWLING NOISE, THUMPING SOUND WHEN DRIVING. GETS LOUDER WHEN ACCELERATING. REPLACED TIRES 6/08 THOUGHT IT WAS THAT. FOUND OUT ITS THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUBS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231888June 21, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
MY 2004 PT CRUISER ON THE WAY BACK FROM FLORIDA JUST OUT OF THE BLUE, STARTED MAKING HORRIBLE FRONT END NOISE AND STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I MADE IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WENT BAD. IT HAD 36,274 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, SO I CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, SOME RESULTING IN CRASHES. IN MY OPINION SINCE THIS PROBLEM IS SO WIDE SPREAD THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE RECALL. THANKS, FOR YOUR TIME. JOHN PALMER *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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