Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints

2,623 consumer complaints on file.

#10165515August 15, 2006
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
ON 8-14-06 I EXITED US HWY 59 WEST OF BELTWAY 8 SW OF HOUSTON TX. NOTICED "WOBBLE" IN FRONT END OF CAR. ON TURNING SOUTH ON MURPHY RD I NOTICE WOBBLE GETTING WORSE AND APPEARED TO BE ON DRIVERS FRONT. I PULLED INTO CHEVRON STATION TO PUT AIR IN WHAT I SUSPECTED WAS A LOW AIR TIRE. NO LOW AIR PROBLEM EXISTED. I RAN MY HAND OVER TREAD OF DRIVERS FRONT TIRE AND DISCOVERED A LARGE BULGE ON INSIDE EDGE. THERE WAS A FIRE STONE STORE ABOUT A 1/2 BLOCK SOUTH ON MURPHY STREET WHERE I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE. NOT BEING A TIRE EXPERT I CAN ONLY TELL YOU IT APPEARS THAT ONCE AGAIN A GOODYEAR EAGLE LS FAILED ON MY 2003 PT CRUISER DUE TO A "SLIPPED BELT". MY PT CRUISER CAME WITH WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES. IT ALSO CAME WITH A "TIRES FOR LIFE OFFER" FROM THE DEALER, "GOODSON DODGE" IN SPRING, TX. ( THEY HAVE SINCE SOLD DEALERSHIP). THE FOLLOWING TIRES FAILED DUE TO "SLIPPED BELTS" ON ORIGINAL TIRES. TWO (2) EACH 195/65/R15 DOT#M6C6 BMAR 0403. THEY OCCURED AT SEPERATE TIMES AND REPLACED WITH OTHER TIRES AT "DISCOUNT TIRE STORE". SECOND TIME WHEN I VISITED STORE AND EXPLAINED PROBLEM AS I WALKED ACROSS PARKING LOT THE DISCOUNT TIRE STORE EMPLOYEE SAID SOMETHING LIKE, "OH, A PT CRUISER, LET ME GUESS THESE ARE GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES. I SAID YES WHY ? HE SAID "I DON'T KNOW IF ITS A TIRE DEFECT OR A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BUT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCASION. I SHOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS THEN. I DID REPORT IT THEN TO YALL BUT I DID TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND THEIR TIRES FOR LIFE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER DEFECTS. ONLY TREAD WEAROUT. 2 OF ORIGINAL 4 TIRES ON MY PT CRUISER WERE REPLACED AT TIRE TREAD WEAR OUT. IT WAS ONE OF THOSE TIRES THAT FAILED YESTERDAY. DOT#M6C6BMAR1205. I STILL HAVE ALL 3 FAILED TIRES. RECAP: VEHICLE-2003 PT CRUISER PURCHASED AUGUST 15, 2003 ABOUT 90,000 MILES DRIVEN. DEFECTIVE TIES: GOODYEAR EAGLE LS M+S 195/65/R15 TIRES ROTAED EVERY 6000 MILES, 6 EACH TIRES OWNED 3 FAILED. 50% FAILURE RATE. THANKS, BOB SMITH. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165161August 10, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RECHARGING THE BATTERY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A SEAM FAILURE IN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL MODULE. THE FAILED PARTS WERE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. UPDATED 09/05/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164885August 8, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
POOR FUEL ECONOMY, COMPUTER AND ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS, POOR REPAIR & DIAGNOSTIC ABILITIES OF DEALER SERVICE TEAM. 12 MPG OFF THE LOT AND NO BETTER THAN 16 SO FAR INCLUDING A TRIP TO THE KEYS. THE H3 GETS 20 !! CONTINUOUS COMPUTER RELATED ISSUES WITH DASH DISPLAYING ERRONEOUS READOUTS. "REPAIRED" 1X, IN FOR 2ND ATTEMPT NOW. MY BIG LEMON STAMP IS READY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164934August 8, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 PT CRUSIER BOUGHT BRAND NEW. HEAD LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND DASH LIGHTS ALL FLICKER HARD TO PAY ATTENTION WHEN DRIVING. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SAYS NO FIX. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER AGAIN, POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. JUST WAITING FOR ALL LIGHTS TO FINALLY GO OUT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164829August 7, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPING AFTER DRIVING 10 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT WITH BRAKE PRESSURE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR AND THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. MODERATE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A FAILURE OR DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 09/15/06. *JB UPDATED 9/20/2006 - *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10164836August 7, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND FELT AS IF IT WAS DRAGGING. THERE WAS ALSO A SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE WAS STICKING. THE CALIPER WAS REPLACED AND BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED. ONE WEEK LATER, THE SAME THING OCCURRED. THIS TIME THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE CALIPER WITH THE ORIGINAL AND SUGGESTED A VISIT TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER FLUSHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND DURING A TEST DRIVE THE FRONT LEFT AND THE REAR RIGHT BRAKES CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED THE ROTORS AND PADS AND ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164495August 4, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SHIFTER FELT SLUGGISH AND WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OFF THE ROAD WHERE A TEMPORARY REPAIR WAS MADE BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BY THE CONTACT. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164200August 2, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
) ON 9/2/03 I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED. PROBLEM FOUND WAS THE FRONT RIGHT CALIPER PISTON STUCK > CLOSED CAUSING UNEVEN WEAR > OF BRAKES PADS ( METAL TO METAL ON FRONT RIGHT AND 50% PADS ON OTHER THREE). DEALER REPLACED THE CALIPER PISTON, REPLACED PADS AND MACHINED ROTORS. HAD TO GET A RENTAL FOR ONE DAY. 2) ON 2/21/05 HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP AGAIN TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND BRAKES CHECKED. DEALER SAID ALTHOUGH THE PADS WHERE WEARING EVENLY NOW, THEY STATED "BUT WORN OUT FRONT AND REAR", NEED TO BE REPLACED. BRAKES FRONT AND REAR, REPLACED FRONT ROTORS, RESURFACED REAR ROTORS" THIS TIME I HAD TO HAVE A RENTAL FOR THREE DAYS. 3) ON 3/12/05 NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TO WORK THE, ENTIRE WINDSHIELD BECAME ENGULFED WITH STEAM, I COULD NOT SEE A THING AND THE WIPERS COULD NOT TAKE THE STEAM AWAY, SO AGAIN I HAD TO HEAD BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT. DEALER STATED "FOUND ENGINE COOLING FAN NOT WORKING & RADIATOR CAP NOT HOLDING PRESSURE" " REPLACED FAN AND RADIATOR CAP". ANOTHER RENTAL FOR TWO DAYS. 4) ON 6/14/06, 161 MILES AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY RUNS OUT, I HAVE A MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, I GET THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND THE DEALER STATES TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK SHORTED OUT AND DAMAGED THE CONTROLLER AND I HAD TO HAVE THIS ITEM REPLACED. NO RENTAL REQUIRED THIS TIME BUT THE BILL WAS $1055.66 ON MY DIME. NOW ....THE GRAND DADDY OF THEM ALL! 5) THE CAR WAS BACK AT THE DEALER ON 8/1/06 FOR THE SAME FRONT RIGHT CALIPER PISTON ISSUE AS ON 9/2/03, BUT ON MY DIME THIS TIME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163617July 27, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD 50 PLUS TIMES WHERE I HAVE FOUND MY BATTERY DEAD AND THE FOG LAMPS ON. OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD FEWER , BUT , REGULAR TIMES WHEN THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED. I CHECK TO SEE THAT THEY ARE OFF AS I EXIT THE VEHICLE , AND RETURN TO FIND THEM ON AND THE BATTERY DEAD. THE SWITCH ON THE END OF THE LIGHT CONTROL STICK IS NOT A GOOD ARRANGEMENT. IT WEARS OUT THE STOP AND THEN ( AS MINE IS NOW ) YOU CAN NOT TURN THE FOG LAMPS OFF. ANY LITTLE BUMP WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THEY COME ON. I HAVE HAD TO UNPLUG THESE LAMPS ( RATHER THAN PAY THE RIDICULOUS DEALER REPLACEMENT FEE ) TO KEEP MY CURRENT ( 3RD THIS LAST 2 YEARS ) BATTERY FROM DYING. I GOT THE FIRST RETAIL PT DELIVERY IN WI ON APRIL 12 2000 AND AM SURE IN TIME ALL OWNERS WILL FIND THIS PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163643July 27, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
FROM THE FIRST MONTH THAT I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON MORE THAN OFF. I READ THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT SAID THAT IT WAS A VACUUM ISSUE AND IT WOULD CORRECT ITSELF. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME TO DIAGNOSE AND TO FIX IT BUT NOW I SEE THAT THERE WAS A NHTSA 01V288000 ON A CLUSTER PANEL ISSUE. WHY WAS I CHARGED FOR SOMETHING THAT A DEALERSHIP SHOULD CHECK FOR TO SEE IF IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163644July 27, 2006
WHEELS:RIM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, ON 3/1/05 ALL TIRES WERE LOW. UPON INSPECTION BY THE SERVICE DEALER, CORROSION WAS FOUND ON THE RIMS OF ALL FOUR TIRES, CAUSING THE SEAL BETWEEN THE TIRE AND RIMS TO BE BROKEN. THE TIRES WERE REMOVED AND ALL TIRES AND RIMS WERE CLEANED AND PLACED BACK ONTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THERE WAS NO LIABILITY ON THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. UPDATED 11/3/2006 - *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163646July 27, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT UNDER 34,000 MILES. ALTHOUGH I WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I WAS CHARGED $100 FOR SOMETHING THAT I DO REMEMBER BEING A DEFECT THAT I HAD TO BRING INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO REPAIR WITHIN THE FIRST 2 MONTHS I HAD THE VEHICLE. WHY THEN MUST I PAY FOR A KNOWN DEFECT? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163536July 26, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
PT CRUISER. VIBRATION AT CERTAIN SPEEDS WHILE UNDER ACCELERATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163381July 25, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE CONNECTOR PLUG FOR THE FOG LIGHTS SHORTED OUT CAUSING IT TO SMOLDER AND THE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON EVEN THOUGH THE KEY WAS REMOVED. THERE WAS FIRE BUT NO FLAME. THE PLUG MELTED AND CRACKED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164729July 25, 2006
AIR BAGS
2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *KB BOTH OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MULTIPLE STRAINS AND BRUISES. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10163164July 22, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, TIRES
CAR HAD SHAKE IN FRONT THROUGH STEERING WHEEL AND RT. FLOORBOARD. CHANGE TIRES AND WHEELS. CHANGES TIRES TWICE. REPLACED LEFT FRONT AXLE WITH SINGLE AXLE. REPLACED SAME AXLE WITH TWO PIECE AXLE. STILL HAS SHAKE IN IT. FACTORY TECH SAID LIVE WITH IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163025July 21, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2004 PT CRUISER BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGH, SOMETIMES SHAKING THE WHOLE VEHICLE. IT SEEMED LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL, BUT NEVER DID. IT WAS ALWAYS WORSE AFTER A CAR WASH OR DURING DAMP, OR HUMID WEATHER. I USED CARBON CLEANERS IN THE GAS, TOOK IT ON THE TURNPIKE, AS SUGGESTED BY THE DEALER, BUT IT CONTINUED. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT IN. THEY SAID CARBON HAD BUILT UP IN THE ENGINE AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY THE GASOLINE. I HAVE ALWAYS USED 87 OCTANE (AS SUGGESTED IN THE MANUAL) AND MOST OF THE TIME USED 2 GAS STATIONS. WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALER AS THEY WERE REPAIRING IT, HE SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER. I ONLY HAVE 23,000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT IS PARKED EVERY NIGHT IN A HEATED/COOLED /DRY GARAGE. I HAVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND FOLLOW THE MAINTENANCE B SCHEDULE FAITHFULLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162940July 20, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS:FRONT, SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAVE A 2003 PT CRUISER THAT JUST WENT OUT OF POWER TRAIN WARRANTY 7K MILES AGO-WITH NO WARNING, NO HESITATION, LACK OF POWER, MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TAKING THE CONVERTER, PUMP AND TORQUE CONVERTER-LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION! I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE IN 1,2,3,D OR R-NOW I AM STUCK WITH A $2643.50 BILL. MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE CONSTANTLY VIBRATES, BEEN TO SHOP NUMEROUS TIME TO RESOLVE BUT NO BODY CAN FIND ANYTHING-TIRES ARE FINE, CV JOINT, NOTHING CAN BE FOUND. I AM ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE-MY SEAT BELT UNBUCKLES BY ITSELF, POSSIBLY LEAVING ME WITH NO RESTRAINT IN THE POSSIBILITY OF A WRECK. I AM FILING COMPLAINTS WITH CHRYSLER, BBB, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, NHTS, LEMON LAW AND ANYTHING ELSE I CAN FIND- *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162793July 18, 2006
WHEELS
2002 LIMITED EDITION PT CRUISER - WHEELS DEFECTIVE. THE ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS HAVE COMPLETELY DETERIORATED (PEELING AND FLAKING) UNDERNEATH THE CHROME PLATING (INSIDE AND OUT), CAUSING THE WHEELS TO CONTINUALLY LEAK AIR AND WEAKEN THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE WHEEL, MAKING THE VEHICLES UNSAFE. THE BEAD LIP DETERIORATED TO THE POINT OF BREAKING THE RIM. TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE WHEELS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 39,000 MILES. THIS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I AM REPORTING THIS TO PREVENT INJURIES AND CRASHES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162546July 17, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING TRANSMISSION OIL WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH UPHILL ON A HOT DAY AND ON DRY ROADS. SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, SO THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. THE FRONT HOOD WAS RAISED AND THE TRANSMISSION'S LEFT DRIVER SIDE, EXHAUST, AND REAR TIRES WERE OBSERVED TO BE COVERED IN TRANSMISSION OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE CLAMPS WERE NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE HOSE CLAMPS WITH STAINLESS STEEL WORMGEAR CLAMPS, AND FILLED THE VEHICLE UP WITH TRANSMISSION OIL. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE OPERATING TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE WAS HOT. THE VEHICLE IS A CHRYSLER PT CRUISER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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