Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints

2,623 consumer complaints on file.

#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
#10154798April 7, 2006
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A LEAK WAS DETECTED IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE. A NHTSA RECALL, 04V268000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE POWER STEERING HOSE, HOWEVER THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154684April 6, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT WAS CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME, RESULTING IN THE BATTERY BEING DEAD. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES. THE 1ST TIME, THE DEALERSHIP SIMPLY CONNECTED THE SWITCH BACK TOGETHER. THE 2ND TIME, THE DEALERSHIP DID THE SAME THING AND TOLD US THAT WE COULD DISCONNECT THE SWITCH IF IT OCCURRED AGAIN TO KEEP THE LIGHTS FROM STAYING ON. THE 3RD TIME I WAS UNABLE TO DISCONNECT THE WIRES AND HAD TO CUT THEM BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN AND I WAS ENROUTE TO FL FROM TN. THE DEALERSHIP IN FL WASN'T GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAD TO CUT THE WIRES MYSELF SO I COULD TRAVEL IN THE CAR. AFTER SOME CONSIDERATION, HOWEVER, THEY DECIDED TO FIX THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY. IT'S A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AND HAS LESS THAN 8500 MILES ON IT. WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THIS CAR AT ALL! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
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
#10154434April 3, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I HAD A VERY ALARMING INCIDENT ON JANUARY 23, 2006. AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK AND TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES I SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED TO BE SURE THE FUEL CAP WAS IN PLACE. IT WAS SO I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE ENGINE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE STARTED BUT RAN QUITE ROUGHLY. I AGAIN STOPPED THE ENGINE TO CHECK THE SOURCE OF THE GASOLINE ODOR. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE GASOLINE WAS RUNNING OVER THE EDGE OF THE FUEL TANK SHIELD. I DECIDED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE STARTED AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERS SERVICE CENTER. I WAS TOLD THE FUEL LINE WAS BROKEN. I ASKED THAT THE FUEL LINE BE SAVED FOR ME. I HAVE IT AND IT IS BROKEN ON THE END.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154466April 3, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DEFECTIVE FOG LIGHT SWITCH SUDDENLY FAILS & GOES OFF AND ON AT RANDOM RUNNING DOWN THE BATTERY TOTALLY. THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM RESULTS IN OWNER BEING STRANDED AND DESTROYING THE BATTERY. DEALER ALSO DOES NOT STOCK PART & SAYS IT WILL BE A WEEK TO GET PARTS. FOG LAMP IS WIRED DIRECT, THEREFORE FUSE SLOT SHOWN IN OWNERS MANUAL IS NOT OPERATIONAL SO FUSE CANNOT BE REMOVED TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT PROBLEM. NOW WAITING FOR PARTS!! *JB
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
#10154193March 30, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPOT ON THE STEERING WHEEL THAT ACTIVATES THE HORN IS HARD TO FIND. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154218March 30, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
2 YEARS INTO MY OWNERSHIP, MY CAR BEGAN HAVING FAILURES, MY EGR VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE "BRAIN" IN THE CAR WAS REPLACED, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED,THE FOG LIGHTS STARTED GOING ON AND STAYING ON, THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND OVERHEATED, THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, PIPE CARRYING CIRCULATING COOLANT RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT, O RING WAS REPLACED,MANUAL TRANSMISSION BEGAN BEING DIFFICULT TO SHIFT, FLUID LEAKS,LOW FLUID, PLUG IS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153791March 27, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, TIRES, WHEELS:RIM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY LOST AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AND A RIM; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MANIFESTED REMOTE CONTROL PROBLEMS, AS WELL A CRACKED WINDSHIELD A BROKEN GAS TANK. IN ADDITION RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE, AND POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153344March 21, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
I WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE ADVISOR JAMES QUINN AT BRUNSWICK AUTO MALL IN BRUNSWICK, OHIO (330-273-3300) THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM(RUBBER BUSHINGS ON MY 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WERE WORN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 44,971 MILES. I DID A WEB SEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS PT CRUISER USER FORUMS AND FOUND REFERENCES TO CHRYSLER CHANGING THE SUPPLIER OF THE BUSHINGS SOMETIME AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT. CHRYSLER CHANGED THE BUSHINGS SUPPLIER DUE TO VERY EARLY FAILURE AND ALSO UPGRADED THE QUALITY OF THE BUSHINGS. MY BUSHINGS FAILED DUE TO HAVING THE OLDER STYLE BUSHINGS. 45K MILES IS VERY EARLY FOR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS TO WEAR OUT. I CONTACTED CHRYLSER WARRANTY AT 800-992-1997 TO COMPLAIN AND WAS ASSIGNED REFERENCE NUMBER 14736996. AFTER EXPLAINING THE SITUATION, THE CHRYLSER REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT CHRYSLER WOULD OFFER NO CUSTOMER GOOD-WILL ASSISTANCE WITH PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE I WAS 1 YEAR AND 4 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CHRYSLER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE CHRYSLER EXTENDED WARRANTY IN ANTICIPATION OF UNANTICIPATED VEHICLE REPAIR PROBLEMS LIKE MY BUSHINGS. THE "UNANTICIPATED" EARLY FAILURE OF REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON OLDER MODEL PT CRUISER BUSHINGS IS A SEVERE SAFETY THREAT TO CONSUMERS WHO EXPECT QUALITY PARTS IN THEIR VEHICLES THAT SHOULD NORMALLY LAST AT LEAST 100,000 MILES. THE UNANTICIPATED FAILURE OF THE PT CRUISER BUSHING CAN EASILY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, ACCIDENTS, OR MUCH WORSE. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY COMPLAINT. BEST REGARDS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152884March 16, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR
VIBRATION IN REAR END OF VEHICLE; VEHICLE DRIFTS TO RIGHT; EXCESSIVE/UNEVEN TIRE WEAR SINCE NEW. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152898March 16, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES SQUEAKED AND BRAKE DUST WAS OBSERVED ON THE HUBCAPS. THE BRAKES PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED FREQUENTLY AT EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE ALL OVER THE ROAD. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE. THREE DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE ADMITTED THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT BUT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE FUNCTIONING OF THE BRAKES THEY ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO ISSUE A RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE CONTACT THIS FAILURE DOES AFFECT THE FUNCTION OF THE BRAKES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152738March 15, 2006
AIR BAGS
MY WIFE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. SHE HIT A GUARD RAIL HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE HIT IT HARD ENOUGH TO BEND THE FRAME 3 INCHES OUT OF SQUARE. THIS RESULTED IN BODILY INJURY. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
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
#10152070March 7, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS ONLY A SMALL AREA ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO ACTIVATE THE HORN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 3/22/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. *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
#10151790March 4, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAVE A 2002 PT CRUISER AND TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY SAID: BUSHINGS (BOTH LOWER-FRONT) REMOVE & REPLACE CONTROL ARM SHAFT AND BUSHINGS, LOWER BOTH CONTROL ARM. BEARING & SEALS. FROM WHAT I AM READING IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PT CRUISERS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150404February 16, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
DT*: AT 45,000 MILES THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND LINK FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150474February 16, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
AT 62,000 MILES, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE IN MY 2001 PT CRUISER. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WAS TOLD THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS/BUSHINGS WERE BAD. OF COURSE, MY CAR WAS OVER WARRANTY. QUOTE $750.00 + TAX. HAD REPLACED, NOW AT 75,000 MILES 1 YEAR LATER, TOOK MY PT IN FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION.....YEP, LOWER CONTROL ARMS/BUSHINGS BAD & NEEDING REPLACED AGAIN. QUOTE THIS TIME $582.00 + TAX. SHOULD THIS BE A YEARLY THING? I HAVE NORMAL DRIVING ON PAVED ROADS...AVOID POT HOLES. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! I LOVE MY CRUISER BY A TRADE IN MIGHT BE HAPPENING!*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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