Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints

2,623 consumer complaints on file.

#10167930September 12, 2006
WHEELS:RIM
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 PT CRUISER WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. TO DATE, I HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS TELL ME THAT THE WHEELS/RIMS ARE DETERIORATING/PEELING AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AS A RESULT, I AM ALSO CONSTANTLY PUTTING AIR IN SOME OF THE TIRES. MY GREATEST WORRY, IS HAVING A "TIRE BLOW OUT" WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT MANY OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IF THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS VEHICLE IS NOT WILLING TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR WHEELS, I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO TURN THIS OVER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND/OR MEDIA. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ACCORDINGLY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168049September 12, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP STALLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CONSTANTLY FAILED TO REMAIN SECURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOT. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - THE TECH FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS HAD SLOWLY BEEN GRINDING AWAY, THROWING METAL SHAVINGS INTO THE CONVERTER AND THE PUMP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167829September 11, 2006
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A SOUND OF WIND RUSHING THROUGH THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTER THE SOUND BEGAN, THE QUARTER GLASS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FLAPPED LOOSELY IN THE WIND BEFORE BLOWING OFF COMPLETELY, AND SHATTERING ON THE ROAD. A SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167910September 11, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MOVING FROM A STOP SIGN AT 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, FIRE WAS NOTICED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED A SHORT CIRCUIT FROM THE BATTERY CABLE WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT TAKEN. THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167529September 7, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE MULTI-FUNCTION LIGHT SWITCH ON BOTH THE PT CRUISER AND SRT-4 HAS BEEN KNOWN TO MELT AND/OR CATCH FIRE. DCX HAS KNOWN THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE PT CAME OUT AND NOW THE SRT-4 IS SUFFERING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM NOW AFRAID TO USE MY FOG LIGHTS ON MY SRT-4. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167596September 7, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT
HERE IS AN EXTRACT OF WHAT I SEND TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE, WHICH THEY REJECTED- NO INJURY WAS INVOLVED: I DO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH ONE REPAIR THAT WAS NEEDED, THOUGH. I HAD TAKEN THE CRUISER IN FOR SERVICE ON AUG 7, 2006 AT THE ADVICE OF OAKLAWN MOBILE IN CRANSTON, RI. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISER WAS TO DO WITH A STEERING RACK THAT PURITAN REPLACED IN 2003 AND REPAIRED VIA A RECALL AGAIN IN 2005. HOWEVER, IT WAS DUE TO WORN FRONT-END PARTS. SPECIFICALLY BOTH FRONT TIE RODS, WHEEL BEARINGS, AND CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. GIVEN THAT THE CAR ONLY HAS 40,400 MILES AND HAD JUST COME OFF WARRANTY, I FOUND IT ODD THAT PARTS WOULD WEAR OUT THAT FAST. ESPECIALLY SINCE THE VEHICLE IS GENTLY DRIVEN. I DECIDED TO REVIEW THE NHTSA WEBSITE TO SEE IF I COULD FIND ANY INFORMATION RELATING TO THIS SORT OF REPAIR. IT TURNS OUT THAT THERE WERE 20 ODD COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUSPENSION PROBLEMS SPECIFIC TO THE '02 CRUISERS. MOST OF THE INFORMATION WAS REDACTED, BUT I DID FIND (AND ENCLOSE) ONE COMPLAINT THAT WAS VERY SIMILAR TO MINE. I WISH TO REQUEST FROM DAIMLERCHRYSLER WHAT I THINK IS FAIR AND EQUITABLE COMPENSATION IF THE FORM OF 90% OF THE REPAIR BILL OF $1320.64 TO BE REFUNDED. I TAKE THIS UP WITH THE COMPANY RATHER THAN THE DEALER. THE ENCLOSED COMPLAINT, AS WELL AS THE SERVICE REP AT PURITAN, STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EARLY PT CRUISERS. I WOULD ACCEPT A 10% REDUCTION FOR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE, AS A REASONABLE CONSUMER WOULD EXPECT SOME SORT OF SUSPENSION WEAR AFTER 40,000 MILES, RATHER THAN 100% WEAR THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167350September 5, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
REAR BRAKES HAVE NOT WORKED CORRECTLY SINCE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2002 (PT CRUISER). REAR BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS MADE A GRINDING NOISE FOR FIRST OR SECOND USE AND THEN THE GRINDING NOISE GOES AWAY. CAR HAS 69,600 MILES ON IT AND I BOUGHT IT NEW. I RECENTLY PULLED THE REAR WHEELS AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE NOT WORN (FOR BOTH REAR WHEELS) AND THE DRUMS HAD RUST STREAKS ON THEM. ALSO, RUST DUST WAS COVERING EVERYTHING. IT APPEARS THAT THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND I PLAN ON REPLACING THE CALIPERS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161568September 5, 2006
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
2003 PT CRUISER CLUTCH DOES NOT DISENGAGE. *TS THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE JUMP BACKWARDS ABOUT 6 FEET IN THE CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY. THE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WERE RECALLED, RECALL 03V076000. THE CONSUMER CONTINUE TO HAVE CLUTCH PROBLEM AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKE TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN PULLED OUT OF THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167315September 4, 2006
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I HAVE OWNED A MANUAL SHIFT 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER SINCE JAN 2004. IN JUNE OF 2006 THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACK IN OUR DRIVEWAY. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT GEAR IT IS IN. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER WHO AT FIRST SAID IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN. THEN THEY SAW IT WITH THEIR OWN EYES. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS THE CLUTCH SLIPPING. TWO DAYS LATER I HAD PAID FOR A NEW CLUTCH AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL BACK ANYMORE, EVEN WHEN THEY PUSHED ON IT. I WAS TOLD TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE AT LEAST 3 CLICKS FOR THE NEXT 3 DAYS UNTIL THE CLUTCH HAD SETTLED IN. THREE WEEKS LATER I PARKED ON MY DRIVE OF NORMAL SLOPE AND RAN INSIDE FOR 5 MINUTES. WHEN I RETURNED THE VEHICLE WAS 3/4 DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THEIR SERVICE MANAGER AND MECHANIC HAD BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT THE ROLL BACK IS NORMAL FOR THAT CAR. WHEN ASKED WHY IT NEVER DID IT BEFORE I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAD GOTTEN OLDER AND MORE LOSE AND THAT ALL THE PT CRUISERS ROLL BACK. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEALER WHO HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CHRYSLER. I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER BUT THEY ARE STILL STANDING THEIR GROUND SAYING THAT THE ROLL BACK IS NORMAL. NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING EVEN A 2006 MANUAL SHIFT PT CRUISER CAN BE SEEN ROLLING BACK WHEN THEY PUT IT ON A SLOPE IN THEIR SHOP. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. IT COULD ACTUALLY CAUSE A DEATH IF THERE WAS A CHILD PLAYING NEAR THE VEHICLE OR EVEN INJURY TO AN ADULT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167263September 2, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
2002 PT CRUISER, AT 59000 MILES BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. A YEAR LATER AT 75000 MILES BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE GONE AGAIN AND BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE NOW WORN DUE TO THIS FAILURE, DEALER REFUSES TO COVER ANY OF THE FAILURES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166994August 29, 2006
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ORIGINAL TIRES OF THE VEHICLE HAD VERY THIN TREAD BELT AND A VERY SMALL NAIL CAUSED A PUNCTURE. THE TIRES ALSO WOULD NOT GRIPPED ON WET PAVEMENT AT ANY SPEED, CREATING SAFETY RISK DURING RAINY WEATHER. DUE TO THE POOR QUALITY OBSERVED ON THOSE TIRES BY THE CONTACT THE TIRES WERE ROTATED EVERY 3000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE ALL TIRES AT ONLY 19000 MILES. THE TIRES MANUFACTURER DID NOT WARRANTY IN RELATIONS TO MILEAGE. THE TIRES WARRANTY PROVIDED REFERRED ONLY TO PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING. GOODYEAR MANUFACTURED THE EAGLES SS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166871August 29, 2006
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A PUDDLE OF FLUID WAS NOTICED UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR HAD A PIN-SIZED HOLE. THE RESERVOIR WAS REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166711August 28, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE ENGINE STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PCM MODULE TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED FOUR SPARK PLUGS AND VARIOUS WIRING TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166720August 28, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND THE FOG LIGHTS WORKED FINE. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN EARLY MORNING WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT TURN OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED SOME WIRES IN THE WIRING HARNESS WERE MELTING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE COST OF THE REPAIRS THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166795August 28, 2006
WHEELS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTIES WITH THE STEERING. UPON INSPECTION, THE TIRES APPEARED FLAT. THIS BECAME PRESENT AFTER THE RENEWAL OF ALL FOUR TIRES AT A TIRE SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO BALANCED THE TIRES AND PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT. THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AND THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY ABOUT THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DECLARED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON VEHICLE'S OPERATED IN SNOW BELT STATES BUT PROVIDED NO SOLUTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166242August 22, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE ROLLED, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SAFETY BELT, BUT STILL INCURRED MUSCULAR AND NEUROLOGICAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10166259August 22, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER CHANGED AN ELECTRONIC MODULE. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE GAS WAS CONTAMINATED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD THIS PROBLEM ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166265August 22, 2006
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER SIDE BACK TRIANGLE WINDOW BLEW OUT INCLUDING THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE DRIVING BEHIND MANEUVERED TO AVOID BEING HIT BY THE FLYING WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE MISSING WINDOW.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166116August 21, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN OUT. UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166006August 19, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE FOG LIGHTS ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER COME ON BY THEMSELVES. THEY HAVE COME ON DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THIS HAS CAUSED MY BATTERY TO GO DEAD. I HAD TO PULL THE FUSE TO MAKE THEM STOP COMING ON. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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