Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints

2,623 consumer complaints on file.

#10276775July 14, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HIGH BEAMS COMING ON WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON, AT FIRST ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK THEN EVERYDAY IT WOULD HAPPEN THEN EVERYTIME USING THE VEHICLE, THE HIGH BEAMS CAME ON AFTER I TURNED THEM OFF WHEN GETTING OUT OF MY CAR UPON RETURNING TO MY CAR WOULD NOT CRANK, THE HIGH BEAMS WHERE STILL ON, HAD TO GET MY CAR JUMPED STARTED, REMOVED THE FUSE AND HAVEN'T HAD THE HIGH BEAMS TO COME ON AGAIN, BUT I NEED MY HIGH BEAMS ESP. FOR LONG DISTANCE DRIVING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, THERE'S A SHORTAGE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE FUSE AND HIGH BEAMS LIGHTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275957July 7, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. SHE ALSO NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE FRONT HOOD. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, SHE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 02V214000 AND 02V215000, BUT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM BOTH RECALLS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH ANY REPAIRS AND WOULD NOT ASSUME LIABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNABLE TO BE ENTERED INTO THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 39,000. REMAILED 10/20/09. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275627July 2, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LINE ABRASION AND LEAKAGE ON FUEL LINE FROM FIREWALL TO FUEL RAIL. 2003 MPT CRUISER WITH 5 SPEED AND 146,000 MILES FUEL ABRADED THRU FIRE WALL INSULATION AND RUBBED WHILE THRU PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AND FUEL LINE FUEL LINE SPRAYED FUEL ALL OVER ENGINE, CONVERTER AND FIREWALL DRIVER NOTICED FUEL SMELL AND STOPPED CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275475July 1, 2009
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED AND HOUSES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275144June 28, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SHORT IN MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH CAUSES FOG LIGHTS TO COME ON RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS IS A 15 AMP CIRCUIT AND IT MAY POSSIBLE CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE ALSO. APPEARS TO BE A COMMON MALFUNCTION WITH THE PT CRUISER FOR ALL YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274885June 24, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILURE - FOG LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON - HEADLAMPS FLICKER - DEALERSHIP REPORTS THERE ARE CURRENTLY OVER 3000 OF THESE ON BACKORDER - PART #05073049AB. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274828June 24, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE CHROME (ON ALL FOUR DOORS) FLAKING OFF AND CAUSING A DEEP CUT ON THE HAND UPON ENTRY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONCE TO MY YOUNG DAUGHTER, MY WIFE, MYSELF, AND SEVERAL OTHERS ON THIS SAME VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
7
Deaths:
0
#10274649June 22, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT INSIDE OF THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. A NEAR CRASH ALMOST OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERED THREE YEARS AND 36,000 MILES. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS; HOWEVER, HE DOES NOT WANT TO PAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,805.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274677June 22, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHRYSLER 2005 PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE. DEFECTIVE MULTIFUNCTION CONTROL SWITCH. (TURN SIGNAL, HEADLIGHT, FOG LIGHT LEVER). CAUSES FOG LIGHTS TO STAY ON EVEN WHEN THE IGNITION IS OFF, DRAINING BATTERY ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. FOR NOW ONLY WAY TO REMEDY PROBLEM IS TO PULL THE FUSE FOR THE FOG LAMPS. CANNOT FIND A REPLACEMENT PART. DEALER SAYS THEY ORDERED 50 REPLACEMENT PARTS OVER 4 MONTHS AGO, NATIONWIDE OVER 3000 ARE BACK-ORDERED, SO CHRYSLER OBVIOUSLY KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274220June 18, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. SINCE MAY OF 2009, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE WITH A USED ONE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR FREE; HOWEVER, THE PART WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL TWO WEEKS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273952June 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE FAILED TO START. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED A POWDERY SUBSTANCE AND SEVERE CORROSION ON THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM THE POSITIVE TERMINAL. THE BATTERY AND ALL ASSOCIATED CABLES WERE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 16,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273235June 9, 2009
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
ON APRIL 8TH, THIS YEAR, I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT IN MY 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AND BROKE MY BACK; THERE IS A CHANCE I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO WORK AS A HOSPITAL INPATIENT NURSE EVER AGAIN BECAUSE I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LIFT 100 POUNDS. MY 6 AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED (IT LENGTHENED DURING THE FLIPPING OF THE CAR) ALLOWING MY BODY TO TURN AROUND, FACING THE REAR, AND CRUSHED MY SPINE AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD JUST FINISHED A 12-HR NIGHT SHIFT AT THE HOSPITAL, WAS JUST ONE MILE FROM HOME, SWERVED TO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID A RABBIT. THE TIRES SLIPPED OFF THE SHOULDER INTO THE GRASS (THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 50MPH & I USUALLY DRIVE A LITTLE UNDER), I WAS VERY TIRED & OVER-CORRECTED WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO ROLL SIDEWAYS 4 TIMES AND THEN HIT TWO TREES. IT WAS ABOUT 8AM AND NO ONE FOUND ME FOR ALMOST 1/2 HR. I WAS CONSCIOUS THE ENTIRE TIME. I FRACTURED ONE VERTEBRA (T11) WHICH WAS SURGICALLY FUSED WITH MY T10 AND T12 VERTEBRAE, AS WELL AS THE 3 VERTEBRAE REPAIRED WITH TITANIUM RODS AND SCREWS, AND PACKED WITH DONOR BONE. I'M BLESSED IT WAS NOT WORSE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I SURVIVED. I AM ALSO VERY INTERESTED IN FORCING CHRYSLER TO DO A RECALL ON THE 2008 P T CRUISERS. IF I'D HAD MY CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN IN MY CAR, MOST LIKELY ONE OF THEM WOULD HAVE DIED. I SEE ENOUGH PEOPLE DIE EVERY DAY AT THE HOSPITAL SO I DON'T WANT ANY CHILD,ETC., TO DIE IF THE SAME THING HAPPENS IN THEIR PT CRUISERS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272840June 4, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FOR HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS FAILS. LIGHTS ERRATIC, SAFETY PROBLEM BIG TIME AT NIGHT. THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE PROBLEM SINCE 2001 CAN BE VIEWED ON LINE UNDER VARIOUS POSTS AND THREADS. OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT THE COMPANY NEEDS TO ADDRESS. SINCE THE COMPANY IS NOW RUN BY THE GOVERNMENT, SHOULD I CALL THE WHITE HOUSE? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272765June 3, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT OR WHEN IDLING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATES VIOLENTLY. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IDLING. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE ANY FAILURE CODES NOR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE SAFETY HAZARD STILL EXISTS. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,700 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272819June 3, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, STRUCTURE
I PURCHASED MY 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER A FEW YEARS AGO NOW. I HAVE SENT CHRYSLER MANY LETTERS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS VERY SCARY. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT ABOUT 31,000 MILES. ABOUT A MONTH LATER MY PAINT STARTED PEELING OFF OF THE FRONT BUMPER AND MY DASH STARTED TO CRACK. MIND YOU I KEEP MY CAR GARAGED AND IT IS WASHED AND WAXED REGULARLY BY A SHOP THAT I HAVE USED FOR YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY WERE GONE. SO I CONTACTED MY NEXT CLOSEST DEALER. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THAT MY CPU WENT OUT WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED. THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT TWICE BEFORE IT FINALLY LASTED MORE THAN A DAY. THEN MY DASH COMPLETELY CRUMBLED. IT CRACKED FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE FRONT IN THE CENTER AND ON BOTH SIDES. I WROTE A LETTER AND EMAIL WITH NO ANSWER. I THEN CONTACTED CHRYSLER BY PHONE AND THE LADY TOLD ME TO F%*K OFF AND HUNG UP ON ME. SO I GAVE UP. OBVIOUSLY I WAS NOT GOING TO GET ANYWHERE WITH THEM. THEN ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO A FRIEND WHO IS A LICENSED MECHANIC AND HE SCANNED IT ON THE COMPUTER AND SAID IT WAS MY CPU AGAIN! I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. SO I WROTE ANOTHER LETTER BECAUSE THIS REPAIR WAS GOING TO BE $1400.00 DOLLARS. NO RESPONSE. BUT THE SCARIEST WAS ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 13 MONTH OLD NIECE IN THE CAR AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF MY STEERING COLUMN. I ALMOST HAD GOT IN A WRECK TRYING TO GET US TO SAFETY. THE SMOKE STOPPED SO I FIGURED WHATEVER IT WAS DONE FOR NOW. WE WERE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A NOT SO DESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOOD AT NIGHT SO I DECIDED TO TAKE MY CHANCES WITH THE CAR. WE HEADED OFF ON OUR WAY AND MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING MY FAIRLY NEW BATTERY WAS DEAD. MY FLOOD LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND HAD BEEN ON ALL NIGHT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272537June 1, 2009
SEATS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME LOOSE AND TEMPORARILY INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION EXPERT AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE GEAR BOX BUSHINGS AND THRUST WASHERS WERE MISSING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CLUTCH CABLES AT THE COST OF $300. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT CABLES TO THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND LEFT A MESSAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270163May 28, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
REPEATED OVERHEATING DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM. ANTIFREEZE IS PROPERLY MIXED AND THE RESERVOIR IS FULL. ENGINE OVERHEATS AFTER ONLY A FEW MINUTES OF OPERATION. THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP HAVE BEEN REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. WHEN ENGINE IS SHUT OFF, GURGLING NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM INSIDE THE CAR. RADIATOR WAS PRESSURE TESTED AND FOUND NO LEAKS. ANTIFREEZE SEEMS TO EVAPORATE CONSTANTLY CAUSING THE OVERHEATING ISSUE TO OCCUR AGAIN AFTER ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS OF ANTIFREEZE HAS BEEN ADDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270175May 28, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE LOW WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, A STOP SIGN, OR RED LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALMOST STALL BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL OPERATION. WHEN STOPPED, WARM OR HOT AIR WOULD BLOW THROUGH THE VENTS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAN MODULE REPAIR WOULD COST $700. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE AND ALSO EXPERIENCED SIMILAR FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270021May 27, 2009
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED INTO POSITION & WOULD NOT PROTRACT. HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO GET IT TO DO SO BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270027May 27, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2005 PT CRUISER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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