Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaints (2004)

217 consumer complaints on file.

#10179322January 22, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE OIL GAUGE READS EMPTY AND NEEDED TO REFILLED EVERY TWO WEEKS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HEATED UP VERY QUICKLY AND THE ENGINE GOT VERY HOT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176595December 19, 2006
WHEELS
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 PT CRUISER, THE CHROME IS LIFTING OFF THE WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND ADVISED HIM TO CALL NHTSA HOTLINE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE CHROME WAS NOTICEABLE WHEN HE PURCHASED THE CAR. THE AUTOMOBILE IS TWO YEARS OLD AND HE IS THE SECOND OWNER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175166December 5, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AT 2 MPH, THE FRONT BUMPER STRUCK A CONCRETE BARRIER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FRONT BUMPER SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE, AND THE POLICE WERE NOT ALERTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174812November 30, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON OCTOBER 4, 2006, I HAD NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE ON THE PT CRUISER WAS STILL READING FULL AND I KNEW AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A WEEK IT SHOULD BE READING EMPTY. I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE GAUGE READ "FULL" BUT WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES IT WOULD READ "EMPTY"; IT EVEN READ 1/2 FULL A COUPLE OF TIMES. ON OCTOBER 5,2006, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DAVE DENNIS CHRYSLER JEEP AND DODGE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. ACCORDING TO THE WORKORDER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE "FUEL SENDING UNIT". AT THAT TIME, I HAD ALSO ASKED FOR THEIR FREE 16 POINT CHECK WHICH INVOLVES CHECKING FLUID LEVELS AND TIRE AIR PRESSURE, ETC. THIS SERVICE WAS NOT PERFORMED BECAUSE THE NEXT MORNING WE HAD TO STOP FROM OUR ROAD TRIP TO PUT AIR IN ALL 4 TIRES. THE FRONT PASSENGER ONLY HAD 10PSI IN IT. ON OCTOBER 27, 2006 I HAD TO RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AGAIN AFTER I HAD FILLED THE GAS TANK TO CAPACITY. THE FUEL GUAGE WAS ONLY READING 3/4 FULL. ONCE AGAIN THEY REMOVED AND REPLACED THE "FUEL SENDING UNIT". I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HATCH DOOR ON THE PT. YOU HAVE TO USE MORE THAN NORMAL FORCE TO MAKE SURE IT IS CLOSED SECURELY. IF YOU USE REGULAR FORCE TO CLOSE THE HATCH, THE DOOR IS FLUSHED WITH THE REST OF THE CAR BUT THE SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON STATING THAT THE DOOR IS NOT CLOSED CORRECTLY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT ALONG THE STRESS POINTS ON THE HATCH DOOR THE PAINT HAD CRACKED. THE BODY SHOP SANDED AND REPAINTED THE DOOR BUT SAID THE FORCE USED TO SHUT THE DOOR IS A "FACTORY" ISSUE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174822November 30, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WIFE, DRIVING INTO REGULAR PARKING SPOT @ WORK. SPEED 10 -15 MPH. APPLIED BRAKE AND THE VECHILE "LUNGED"FORWARD. STRIKING THE CURB. DAMAGE APPEARED MINIMAL. BUT WAS QUITE EXTENSIVE UNDERNEATH. BUT THERE WAS QUITE A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE SUBFRAME AND UNDERSIDE OF FRONT, NOT VISABLE EXTERNALLY. CAUSE....WE THINK. A BABY BOTTLE ROLLED FROM THE BACK SEAT AND LODGED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN THE PT CRUISER, THERE IS A CLEAR PASSAGE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. WE ARE SURE THAT THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF OUR INCIDENT. I HAVE INSTALLED A HARDBOARD "STOP" UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT TO PREVENT A REOCCURANCE. PASSENGER SIDE HAS A STORAGE DRAWER AND THUS IS NOT A PROBLEM. HAS THERE BEEN OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE THE CAUSE COULD BE AN OBJECT ROLLING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER AREA AND GETTING JAMED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172390November 1, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. IT WAS DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT BRAKE SHOP WHO DETERMINED A HOSE RUPTURED AND THE HOSE WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V481000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; ANTILOCK. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172107October 29, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT
MY 2004 PT CRUISER NOT STEERING CORRECTLY AND FRONT END NOISES NOT NORMAL. DEALER ON SECOND TEST REPLACED BOTH FRONT HUBS AND BEARINGS BECAUSE OF WORN OUT BEARING SEATS MILEAGE 15,468. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10168913September 21, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR. PURCHASED NEW WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE ENTIRE HUB ASSEMBLY AND EVEN A WHOLE NEW AXLE. HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THE AXLE IS TOO SHORT AND IS COMING LOOSE RESULTING ON THE EXPEDITED WEAR ON THE BEARINGS CAUSING A NEED FOR A WHOLE NEW ASSEMBLY. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. *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
#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
#10163536July 26, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
PT CRUISER. VIBRATION AT CERTAIN SPEEDS WHILE UNDER ACCELERATION. *JB
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
#10159294June 8, 2006
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE KNOB ON THE DASH THAT CONTROLS THE POSITION FOR CIRCULATION OF HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONING FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT MOVE TO ANY POSITION TO THE LEFT. TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY PLAYED WITH IT BUT IS STILL A LITTLE STIFF WHEN TURNING TO LEFT. THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE HOW LONG IT WILL LAST. ALSO WAS INFORMED IF AND WHEN IT GOES IT WILL BE AN $800 JOB. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH DOESN'T COVER THIS JOB. SO SINCE WE WERE TOLD THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADJUST WERE WE WANT THE HEAT OR AIR TO CIRCULATE. ALSO MY SISTER HAS THE SAME YEAR PT AND SAID HER KNOB HAS BEEN STIFF LIKE THAT SINCE SEE PURCHASED IT NEW. SO I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. ALSO I'M NOT USUALLY ONE TO COMPLAIN THIS IS OUR SECOND PT, AND IT ISN'T OUR DEALERSHIPS FAULT THEY ARE REALLY GREAT. *JB
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
#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
#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
#10142947November 17, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2004 PT CRUISER STALLS WHEN STOPPING WITHOUT WARNING. STALLS WHEN TURNING CORNERS OR STOPPING FOR SIGNS AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS. ACCIDENTS ALMOST OCCURRED A NUMBER OF TIME. 2 SEPARATE DEALERS HAVE HAD THE CAR, THEY CANNOT MAKE IT DO IT? AT LEAST 10 TRIPS AND THE LAST 9 WITHOUT PAPERWORK BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY DON'T NEED IT UNTIL THEY CHECK IT OUT. SOMETHING IS FISHY WITH THESE CARS. PRIVATE PARTY LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT DOWN SHIFTING WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING TO MINIMUM SPEED. DEALERS AND CHRYSLER ARE DENYING A PROBLEM. I AM GETTING RID OF THE AUTO AS IT IS TOO UNSAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. I HOPE MORE OWNERS OF THESE COMPLAIN AS TO GET SOMETHING DONE ASAP. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138986October 7, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SINCE SEPT. 22, 2005, I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES AND AND THE CAR SPUTTERS AND STALLS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 3 TIMES AND IT HAS BEEN TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER 3 TIMES AND IS THERE RIGHT NOT SINCE MONDAY OCTOBER 3, 2005. I BOUGHT IT IN FEBRUARY 2004 AND IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE "CAM SENSOR" HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, I WAS TOLD IT HAD A SHORT THAT WAS FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENED. THIS LAST TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE "CRANKSHAFT" WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED! IT'S LIKE THEY ARE REBUILDING MY CAR BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I FEEL THIS CAR IS TOO NEW TO BE GOING THROUGH THIS. I HAVE MISSED WORK BECAUSE OF IT. BEEN STRANDED ON THE STREET AND FREEWAY (VERY DANGEROUS). HAVE LOST SLEEP AND AM VERY DEPRESSED AND STRESSED ABOUT IT. I FEEL THIS IS A CASE FOR THE LEMON LAW IF THERE EVER WAS ONE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126069July 22, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT: THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP FOR POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. THE BRAKES WERE MUSHY. WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD KIND OF GLIDE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID BRAKES HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BEFORE 15,000 MILES. THIS WAS NORMAL ON THIS VEHICLE.*AK *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129312July 19, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT 10 MONTHS OLD, PT CRUISER GT ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER REPLACED PLUGS AND WIRES. 2 WEEKS LATER LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK DEALER 2 WEEKS TO ORDER HEAD GASKET. DEALER LAPPED THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES AND REPLACED HEAD GASKET. NEXT DAY, ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. DEALER REPLACED THE WASTE GATE SOLENOID. DEALER CALLED AND SAID CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. BEFORE I GOT THERE, DEALER CALLED ME BACK TO TELL ME THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. DEALER THEN DETERMINED THAT A VACUUM HOSE HAD SLIPPED OFF CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO GO ON. PRIOR TO 12 MONTHS, CAR WAS OUT OF SERVICE 15 DAYS, OFFICIALLY AT THE DEALER 5 TIMES. ALL FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. DEALER IS SUPPOSEDLY WORKING WITH CHRYSLER TO GET THE CAR BOUGHT BACK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chrysler PT Cruiser