Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints

2,623 consumer complaints on file.

#10205866October 16, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
05 PT CRUISER HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE FEB 05 (BOUGHT NEW.) THE FIRST TIME I FILLED UP, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. REFERRING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, I RESTARTED THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. AT THE FIRST OIL CHANGE, I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE GAS CAP WAS PROBABLY LOOSE. OK -- MAYBE. THEY RE-SET THE COMPUTER AND DOWNLOADED A SOFTWARE UPDATE FROM CHRYSLER. WITHIN 3 DAYS, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK IT IN & RESET AND WAS TOLD AGAIN IT WAS PROBABLY THE CAP. NOT -- I MADE SURE THE CAP WAS TIGHT AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. OVER THE NEXT YEAR, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME ON AT LEAST ONCE BETWEEN EACH OIL CHANGE. SOME TIMES IT STAYS ON THE ENTIRE TIME, SOMETIMES IT COMES ON AND GOES OFF TWO OR THREE TIMES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS (2 DIFFERENT DEALERS) CAN FIND NO STORED CODE, NOR CAN THEY REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY -SET THE COMPUTER EACH TIME. I'VE ALSO HAD BOTH THE REAR WINDOWS OPEN WITHOUT NOTICE SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. ONCE, THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR WINDOW STAYED OPEN FOR NEARLY 40 MIN BEFORE CLOSING ON ITS OWN. USUALLY HAPPENS UPON FIRST STARTING THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE RACK & PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE OF A FAILED SENSOR EARLIER THIS YEAR. 3 MONTHS AGO, THE CAR STARTED STALLING WITHIN 5 MILES OF STARTING. SOMETIMES, THE ENTIRE MOTOR SHUTS DOWN; SOMETIMES I JUST LOOSE 1000-1500 RPMS. AFTER POPPING THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE IS FINE FOR HOWEVER LONG I WANT TO DRIVE. AGAIN, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS MONTH (10-07) A 3RD DEALER REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR AND A NEW FACTORY SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD, AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A WEEK. THE CAR SEEMED TO RUN MUCH BETTER FOR 10 DAYS, THEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. SO FAR, IT HASN'T STALLED AGAIN. I'LL TAKE IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE & HAVE THE COMPUTER RE-SET THIS WEEK. DO I HAVE A LEMON? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205358October 10, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND NEVER DIMMED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, BUT THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,800
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205246October 9, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS STUCK AND THE HEAD GASKET WARPED TO DUE HEAT. THE HEAD GASKET AND THERMOSTAT WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,258. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, ENGINE VIBRATION PROBABLY CAUSED VACUUM HOSE TO LOOSEN. THE REPAIR OF VACUUM HOSE TO EVAPORATED SYSTEM ON OCTOBER 17, 2007. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205200October 8, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH ON MY VEHICLE HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND NOW THE FOG LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO TURN ON WITHOUT THE HEADLIGHTS BEING ON. THIS CAUSES THE BATTERY TO DIE IF NOT CORRECTED PROMPTLY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205065October 5, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,150.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204741October 3, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
MULTI-SWITCH FAILS CAUSING THE FOG LIGHTS TO COME ON WHEN CAR IS OFF OR RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING. PLASTIC PART INSIDE SWITCH MECHANISM HOLDING METAL CONTACT FROM CONNECTING TWO TERMINALS OVERHEATS AND MELTS THUS BECOMES SHORTER AND CANNOT KEEP THE CONTACT AWAY FROM THE TERMINALS. DEALER TOLD ME WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT I SHOULD NOT USE THE FOG LIGHTS UNLESS NEEDED AND I DID AS TOLD. AFTER TWO BATTERIES AND MANY ATTEMPTS TO GET CHRYSLER TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY ADMITTED WAS HAPPENING ON ALL PT CRUISERS SOLD BY MY DEALER, I HAD TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL A NEW MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL AN CAN SEND IF WISHED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204685October 2, 2007
SEATS
I ENTERED MY DRIVERS SIDE, SAT ON SEAT, TALKING TO MY SISTER WHO WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE, STILL HAD MY KEYS IN MY HAND AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PUT ON MY SEATBELT,FELT MY WHAT I THOUGHT WAS MY CAR MOVING. WHEN I REALIZED IT WAS MY SEAT MOVING FORWARD, I PUSHED THE BUTTON BACK TO STOP IT. IT WOULD NOT STOP AND I WAS NOW STUCK INTO MY STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE A PACE MAKER AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CRUSHING ME. I STARTED TO PANIC, SCREAMED AT MY SISTER TO CALL 911, OPENED MY SUNROOF SO I COULD BREATHE. MY SISTER COULD NOT GET A SIGNAL ON HER CELL SO SHE STARTED SCREAMING FOR HELP (WE WERE IN THE PARKING LOT OF A MALL). TWO MEN AND A SECURITY GUARD CAME TO MY CAR AND TRIED TO GET IT TO STOP MOVING FORWARD AND COULD NOT STOP THE SEAT FROM MOVING. FINALLY, WE MOVED MY GRANDDAUGHTERS CAR SEAT TO ONE SIDE IN THE BACK SEAT, SO THEY COULD RECLINE MY BACK REST. WE PULLED ME OUT FROM UNDER MY STEERING WHEEL AND ONCE I WAS OUT OF THE CAR THE SEAT STOPPED MOVING. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR NOW. I WANT A DIFFERENT CAR, ONE THAT IS BIGGER, AND MANUAL SEATS....THAT IS ALL ...AND CHRYSLER HAS TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO DO THIS BIG INVESTIGATION. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING AN ATTORNEY. I HAVE BEEN TO THE CHIROPRACTOR AND DOCTOR AND HAVE REPORTS. MY DOCTOR WANTS TO PUT ME ON MEDS FOR ANXIETY I GET WHEN GETTING INTO MY CAR....THAT IS BS! I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE ON MEDS TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE. I WORK FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND LOVED MY CAR UNTIL NOW. I WANT OUT OF THIS DEAL AND A DIFFERENT CAR, THAT SIMPLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10204718October 2, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH
THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, WHEN MY BATTERY WAS SUDDENLY DRAINED AND I HAD NO IDEA WHY. I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY, AND FOUND IT DRAINING AS WELL. I FINALLY DISCOVERED THAT MY FOG LIGHTS WERE COMING ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A SHORT OR SOME WIRING PROBLEM IN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH LEVER, WHICH HAS THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH ON THE END, AND THE PROBLEM HAS ONLY GOT WORSE. FOR NOW, THE ONLY SOLUTION I HAVE FOUND IS TO FLIP THE LEVER DOWN TO THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED, WHICH SOMEHOW KEEPS THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH FROM ENGAGING. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT HEAT, RELATED TO THE TIME OF THE DAY, SEEMS TO ALSO PLAY A PART IN IT. WHEN IT IS COOL, LIKE IN THE MORNING, THE FOG LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON. AS SOON AS IT WARMS UP FOR THE DAY, THEY COME ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I DECIDED TO DO A GOOGLE SEARCH TODAY, AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS IN A POST REGARDING THE PROBLEM, AND THAT CHRYSLER HAS NEVER ADDRESSED IT. THE COMPLAINTS ALL DEMONSTRATE THAT THE LEFT-TURN-SIGNAL SOLUTION I FOUND ON MY OWN IS THE ONLY WAY TO HANDLE THE PROBLEM. I ALSO NOTED OTHERS HAVE SUGGESTED THE TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIP, WHERE HEAT FROM THE TIME OF DAY MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE. THE THREAD CAN BE READ HERE: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER/TF81KHBDLDVT92AH2 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204907September 26, 2007
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH A RECALL FOR THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONSUMER HAD AFTER MARKET TINT ON THE WINDOWS. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE AFTER MARKET TINT. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE THE TINT WITH CLEAR WINDOWS. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204066September 25, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2001 PT CRUISER 21,800 MILES AND OUR DASH STARTED CRACKING AT SIDE VENTS IN 2004. CRACKS EXTEND FROM ALL VENTS TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD, SIMILAR TO OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS IN THE USA. THE PROBLEM IS WITH CHRYSLER'S CHOICE OF SUPPLIERS IN MEXICO. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WILL TAKE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER TO CHANGE THEIR SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS. I AM INVESTIGATING SEVERAL LAWYERS INVOLVED IN THIS AREA WHO ARE AWARE OF A MASS RECALL PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS NOT ISOLATED TO ONE STATE. THE DASH WILL SHORTLY COLLAPSE IN CAUSING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. PERHAPS AT THAT TIME NHTSA WILL CONSIDER A RECALL. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR A TRAGEDY TO RECEIVE A CORRECTIVE ACTION? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203642September 21, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE. HE INSPECTED THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND NOTICED THAT THE INNER WHEEL BEARING FAILED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,318.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203655September 21, 2007
SUSPENSION
I OWN A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE WARRANTY IS UP AND I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE FRONT AXLE BEARING IS SHOT. MY MECHANIC WAS VERY SHOCKED TO DISCOVER THIS ON SUCH A NEW CAR AND SAID IT WAS VERY UNSAFE. I AM VERY UPSET WITH CHRYSLER SINCE I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER AND HAPPENS ON EVERY MODEL AND YEAR. I HAVE READ ABOUT MANY EXACT SAME COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203408September 19, 2007
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FIXED REAR QUARTER GLASS FLEW OFF THE WINDOW WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO SEE ABOUT ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY RECALLED 2005 / 2006 PT CRUISERS FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME SORRY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WELL OF COURSE IT IS, BUT GOSH ARE WINDOW'S SUPPOSED TO FLY OFF THE CAR??? NO!!!!! JUST FIX IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203465September 19, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH, THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION ON THE GROUND. GOODYEAR TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A GOODYEAR DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BOLTS SEPARATED IN HALF AND RELEASED THE TRANSMISSION. THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHES AND A BRACKET NEAR THE TIMING BELT WERE ALSO DAMAGED. DAIMLER CHRYSLER STATED THAT HER WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT HAS THE BOLTS AND FAILED PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY GOODYEAR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,146 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99746. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203349September 18, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE'S BUMPER IS DEFECTIVE. SHE NOTICED A WHITE, HAZY TAPE MARK ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. IN JULY OF 2007, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE FAILURE TO A SERVICE REPAIRMAN AND WAS INFORMED OF THE DEFECT AT THAT TIME. CHRYSLER PERFORMED THE REPAIR, BUT THE DEFECT IS STILL PRESENT. SHE WOULD LIKE THE BUMPER TO BE REPLACED FOR FREE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,977 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,977.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203201September 17, 2007
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. DURING A CRASH UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT TORE. THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE SPEED, PURCHASE DATE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10203235September 17, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE GEAR SLIPPED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON JANUARY 19, 2007 AT 1,443 AND ON JUNE 28, 2007 AT 4,404 MILES, JULY 16, 2007 AT 4,838 MILES AND AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2007 AT 6,306 MILES. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED GEARS, LUNGED FORWARD, AND THEN BECAME STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE TO THE DEALER AND A COMPUTER ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED GEARS, LUNGED FORWARD, AND THEN WENT BACK TO THE CORRECT GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO REVS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,301 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,443. UPDATED 10/04/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202498September 11, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MY CAR OVERHEATS JUST WHEN GOING SLOW CHANGED RADIATOR CAP THERMOSTAT CLEANED RADIATOR STILL OVERHEATS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202558September 11, 2007
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:LUBRICANT
AFTER MY 30,000 MILE MAJOR MAINTENANCE, I NOTICED A LEAK ON THE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT OF THE CAR. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK. IT WAS UNDER THE $100 DEDUCTIBLE WARRANTY SO I PAID THE $100 AND THEY "FIXED" IT. THE LEAK CONTINUED AFTER 3 OTHER ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT OVER A 6 MONTH PERIOD. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE DEALER SHOP TO BE FIXED AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND THE LEAK. THEY NOW THINK IT'S COMING FROM THE "TOP". SINCE I DON'T MONITOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL, MY CONCERN IS THAT I WILL HAVE A MAJOR FAILURE THE MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND/OR INJURY IF THE TRANSMISSION FAILS. ALSO, THE CAR IS KEPT IN MY GARAGE DURING EXTENDED TIMES WHEN I'M OUT OF TOWN AND THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE PUDDLE WHEN I RETURN. I'M ASSUMING THAT THE TRANSMISSION OIL IS FLAMMABLE SO THERE IS SOME CONCERN THERE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN COOPERATIVE BUT SEEMS TO LACK GUIDANCE AND HOW TO FIX IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202393September 10, 2007
WHEELS:RIM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RIM WAS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRE. AS A RESULT, HE HAS PLACED AIR IN THE TIRE AT LEAST ONCE A DAY FOR THE PAST FOUR MONTHS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,655 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CONSUMER STATED NOW HAS A 2ND TIRE THAT HE HAS TO MAINTAIN AIR IN EVERY OTHER DAY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS THE CENTER HUB COVER BECAUSE IT SNAPS IN PLACE AND LEAVES SPACE FOR SAIL AND OTHER MATERIALS TO ENTER. UPDATED 10/23/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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