Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2003)

258 consumer complaints on file.

#10159844June 14, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPRING INSIDE THE HOOD LATCH FRACTURED CAUSING THE HOOD LATCH TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE SPRING WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN THE HOOD LATCH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159226June 7, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A KNOCKING SOUND IS HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO REVERSE, OR WHEN A STOP, AND THEN PLACED INTO PARK. THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLS AFTER EACH START AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE SKIM MODEL IN THE COMPUTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/05/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158551May 30, 2006
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, WITH PRIOR BRAKING, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE MADE IMPACT WITH AN SUV. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND HAS BEEN DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156814May 4, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOTICED THE COVERING OF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE CLOUDY. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED THE HEADLIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155920April 23, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
MY 2003 PT CRUISER, STILL UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY, HAS HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH OIL LEAKS. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE WAS ONE YEAR AGO. NOW, WITHIN THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, I HAVE HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR OIL AND/OR BRAKE FLUID LEAKS THREE TIMES. I AM TAKING IT IN FOR A FOURTH TIME TOMORROW. I AM SIMPLY LOOKING FOR ANY AND ALL AVENUES WITH WHICH TO FORMALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LACK OF QUALITY IN THE VEHICLE AND THE LACK OF QUALITY SERVICE AT THE "FIVE STAR" DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. I HAVE NOTIFIED CHRYSLER OF THE PROBLEMS AND THE CAVALIER RESPONSE WAS EXTREMELY DISCONCERTING. IT IS QUITE CLEAR TO ME CHRYSLER DOES NOT CARE ABOUT QUALITY OR ITS CUSTOMERS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154806April 7, 2006
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT OCCURRED HOWEVER, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. EVEN THOUGH THE CONTACT WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. ALTHOUGH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT INSPECTED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS REPLACED. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 05/04/06. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10154427April 3, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING, AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 15 TIMES AND MULTIPLE COMPONENTS INCLUDING THE FUEL PUMP HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THESE REPAIRS HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE STALLING PROBLEM. UPDATED 6/12/2006 -*NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154295March 31, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2003 PT CRUISER WITH ABOUT 30,800 MILES ON IT. THIS CAR WHEN STOPPED IN GEAR AND YOUR FOOT ON THE BREAK SUDDENLY GOES INTO GEAR AND IT TAKES TWO FEET ON THE BREAK PAD TO HOLD IT. THIS ONLY LASTS ABOUT 3 SECONDS AND THEN STOPS. ON 03-28-06 I WAS DROPPING OFF MY DAUGHTER AND AS SHE WENT TO CROSS IN FRONT OF THIS CAR IT JUMPED INTO GEAR AND I ALMOST HIT MY DAUGHTER. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY DID A ROAD TEST AND DRB TEST AND SHOWED NO CODES. THEY SAID WAIT UNTIL IT GETS MORE REGULAR AND BRING IT BACK IN. I DID EMAIL CHRYSLER CORP. ON THIS AND HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM YET. I DON'T FEEL THIS CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL THIS GET FIXED. IT SEAMS THEY COULD REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR ME TO RUN SOMEONE OVER. MY 3 YEAR/36,000 WILL BE UP SOMETIME THIS APRIL. I DON'T FEEL ITS FARE FOR ME TO WAIT TILL IT GETS WORSE AND THEN DIG ME $1500.00 TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION ESPECIAL AFTER IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO CHRYSLER ATTENTION DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. VERY FRUSTRATED RIGHT NOW WITH ALL THIS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152249March 8, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NOV 19, 2005 I PURCHASED A NEW LOT MODEL 2003 PT CRUISER WITH 14 MILES ON IT. AT 500 MILES I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM OF FLICKERING HEADLIGHTS WHEN ANY OTHER ELECTRIC WAS TOUCHED IN VEHICLE, THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN NOTHING IS TOUCHED. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE TO SEE IF THIS WAS THE PROBLEM, BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER ON AT LEAST FOUR OCCASIONS BUT THEY STILL CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM.. I WAS ISSUED A TICKET BY THE POLICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE GIVEN A COPY TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE TICKET SAID THAT THE PROBLEM IS TO BE FIXED OR I AM SUPPOSED TO STOP DRIVING IT.. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPROGRAMMED IT AND THAT HASN'T HELPED EITHER. I NEED TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED OR REPLACED AS I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO USE IT LEGALLY BY ORDER OF POLICE. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE SAID THAT THIS IS JUST A PROBLEM THAT I WILL HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH AS IT IS A PROBLEM WITH 2001,2002,2003,2004 PT CRUISERS. IF THIS IS SO, THEN THERE SHOULD BE A DISCLOSURE WHEN YOU PURCHASE THE VEHICLES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152117March 7, 2006
INTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING FLICKERS AND THERE IS WIND NOISE NOTICED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE ALERTED NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148752January 26, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 2/28/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148530January 25, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES, CAUSING SLOP IN CONTROL ARM, WHEEL CAMBER TO VARY DURING OPERATION AND AUTO TO TEND TO WANDER ON ROAD (ALONG WITH THE SOUND OF METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT IN THE SUSPENSION). DC DEALER REFUSED TO COVER REPLACEMENTS AS A DEFECTIVE BUSHING (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND ADVISED ME ON 1/20/06 THAT THE PART IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE - ON BACK ORDER - 7,500 UNITS ON ORDER FROM SUPPLIER. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY WIDE-SPREAD FAILURE OF THIS BUSHING WITH THE RESULTANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO CAMBER CHANGES DURING OPERATION. - I HAVE ALSO BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS FAILURE CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE WATTS LINKAGE IN THE DRIVE TRAIN, AND EXCESSIVE WEAR OF TIRES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149736January 25, 2006
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2003 TURBO CHARGED CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. CLUTCH WHEN DEPRESSED TO START THE VEHICLE IT FEELS LIKE IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY PRESSURE AND DROPS TO THE FLOORBOARD. *TS THE MECHANIC REPLACED PORTIONS OF THE CLUTCH. *JB *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148017January 18, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES, CAUSING SLOP IN CONTROL ARM, WHEEL CAMBER TO VARY DURING OPERATION AND AUTO TO TEND TO WANDER ON ROAD (ALONG WITH THE SOUND OF METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT IN THE SUSPENSION). THE BUSHING WAS REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. AT 64,000 MILES 1/10/06) THE REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED CAUSING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I THEN INSPECTED THE REAR BUSHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE THAT WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES AND DETERMINED THAT IT IS SHOWING INDICATIONS OF BEGINNINGS OF ANOTHER FAILURE. DC DEALER REFUSED TO COVER LEFT SIDE AS A DEFECTIVE BUSHING (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND ADVISED ME ON 1/16/06 THAT THE PART IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE - ON BACK ORDER - 7,500 UNITS ON ORDER FROM SUPPLIER. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY WIDE-SPREAD FAILURE OF THIS BUSHING WITH THE RESULTANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO CAMBER CHANGES DURING OPERATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145789December 21, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BRAKE LIGHT MECHANISM FELL OUT FROM POSITION UNDER DASHBOARD WHICH MADE THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON CONSTANTLY, RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY AND A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS BEING CONSTANTLY ON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144599December 6, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT: CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, IT MADE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142376November 10, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
MY 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, GT MODEL, HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE HAD IT. FIRST, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY REPLACED A HOSE, THEN IT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT. IT DID, AT 28,000 MILES, IT WAS THE TURBO CHARGER. SECONDLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT, TOOK THREE TIMES TO GET THE RIGHT SEAT. THIRD, NOW, I WOULD PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, AND IT JUST SIT THERE, THEN JERKS INTO GEAR. SOMETIMES IF YOU GIVE IT GAS IT WOULD JUST REV UP. THEY SAID IT WAS THE PUMP IN THE TRANSMISSION, THEY TOOK 4 PLUS DAYS TO REPLACE IT. WHEN I PICKED IT UP I HEARD A NOISE AND SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. WHEN I TOOK IT OUT THERE THEY DIDN'T HEAR OR SMELL ANYTHING SO I WAS SENT ON MY WAY. THEN IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING IT DID WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. I TOOK IT IN, HE SAID IT NEEDED A BATTERY. I PUT A DIEHARD BATTERY IN IT, BUT SEARS SAID THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THEN THE CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEY SAID IT WAS THE EVAC PUMP. THEY FIXED THAT. THEY CLAIMED THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY I HAD WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN TWO WEEKS BEFORE. NOW, I HEAR A GRINDING WHEN I START THE CAR UP, SOMEONE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE THE FLYWHEEL AND THEY DIDN'T ASSEMBLE THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY, AND THAT WAS PROBABLY WHERE THE BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM. I AM TAKING IT IN TO THE SHOP TODAY FOR THIS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139456October 12, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, CAR IDLES AT LOW RPM, AND STALLS AT ANYTHING NEAR 1000 RPM, WHICH IS ITS NORMAL IDLE SPEED, AT LEAST 25 STALLS IN THE PAST 2-3 MONTHS. SO FAR CHRYSLER KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT CAN'T FIND IT, SO THEY KEEP GIVING IT BACK TO ME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138432October 4, 2005
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, STEERING:LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE TAKEN MY PT CRUISER INTO DEALER 10-12 TIMES FOR PROBLEMS THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO CORRECT. THERE HAVE BEEN PARTS LOOSE THAT NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED, SUCH AS BELTS, HOSES, CONNECTIONS AND INTERIOR PARTS THAT HAVE FALLEN OFF THE CAR AND DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO MANUFACTURER AND APPLIED FOR LEMON LAW, BUT CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT LISTEN AND TOOK DEALER SIDE. THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE NOISES, BUT I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THE SHOP SUPERVISOR WHO HAS BEEN CHECKING OUT MY CAR FOR THE NOISES HAS A SEVERE HEARING LOSS AND A CLAIM AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANY FOR HEARING PROBLEMS. THERE ARE HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISES, SQUEALS AND LOUD SCREECHING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR LOSES POWER AND SEEMS TO HESITATE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS ALSO A NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A TRAIN WHISTLE IN THE DISTANCE. I HAVE HEARD POPPING SOUNDS IN THE FRONT END AND SQUEALING AND SCREECHING SOUNDS FROM THE BRAKES AND UNDER HOOD IS CONSTANT. THERE IS ALSO A NOISE THAT IS HEARD SOMETIMES IN STEERING AND TURNING. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WOULD REPLACE THE POWER STEERING UNIT TO SEE IF IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEMS AND ORDERED THE PART. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE SERVICE, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE AGAIN AND DID NOT DO ANYTHING. WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES THE NOISE IS SO LOUD IT CAN BE HEARD FOR A LONG DISTANCE. IT SOUNDS LIKE CARS BEING CRUSHED. THE NOISE IS ALSO PRESENT IN TURNING CORNERS AND DRIVING, BUT WORSE IN STEPPING ON BRAKES. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES A BRAKE PROBLEM BUT SAY THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS RADIO/CD PLAYER DID NOT WORK WHEN NEW, SENSOR LIGHT REPLACED, RATTLES UNDER DASH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ETC, BUT THE NOISES AND IN-ABLILITY TO REPAIR HAVE ME WORRIED ABOUT SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THEY HEAR THE NOISE, BUT THEN TELL ME THE MECHANIC CANNOT DUPLICATE AND DO NOTHING TO REPAIR. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE IN 2003. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138351October 3, 2005
WHEELS:HUB, WHEELS
DT: THE WHEELS ARE CAST ALUMINUM WITH A METAL CHROME PLATE PUT ON IT, ALLOWING AIR LEAKAGE AROUND THE RIMS. THERE WAS CORROSION BETWEEN THE WHEELS AND AXLE. A MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HE HAD SEEN OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS A HIGH CHANCE THAT THE WHEEL AND AXLE WILL SEPARATE. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED ON DECEMBER OF 2004. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS AS OF YET. *AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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