Page 10 of 13 · complaints 451–500 of 618

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Jan 28, 200450,000 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER BRAKES, POWER STEERING, AND STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT RADIATOR HOSE BROKE, AND COOLANT FELL OFF. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Jan 27, 200436,600 milesNY

LOCK CYLINDER FOR IGNITION KEY BROKEN IN STEERING COLUMN. KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE LOCK CYLINDER BROKE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL MAY LOCK UP CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. *JB

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jan 20, 200450,000 milesSC

WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHEN MAKING A TURN VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO TURNING, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL STRAIGHT. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE, AND NOTICED RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Jan 15, 200431,000 milesIN

2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER: THE BATTERY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I'VE TAKEN TO DEALER FOUR TIME NOW FOR THAT PROBLEM. HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED TWICE. HAD THE REGULATOR IN THE COMPUTER REPLACED. I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED. ALL OF THIS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS! THE VEHICLE KEEPS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. HAD IT FIXED ONCE AND IT STILL PULLS. THE DATE ENTERED IS WHEN EVERYTHING STARTED. *CB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 2004NJ

ENGINE STOPS DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING...DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPEAT PROBLEM BUT 4 WARNINGS COME UP ON COMPUTER

Power Train › Manual TransmissionCrash
Filed Jan 14, 200435,000 milesMN

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE 1ST GEAR AND TURNED OFF, IT ROLLED, AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jan 6, 200447,000 milesAL

THE DRIVER HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Dec 27, 2003AL

I OWN A 2001 PT CRUSIER AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS BECAUSE OF EXESSEIVE WHEAR AND THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 50K MILES PLEASE ADVISE . *AK

Wheels › Rim
Filed Dec 18, 200326,000 milesNJ

IHAVE A DEFECTIVE RIM RESULTING IN A WHEEL THAT LOSES 1-2 POUNDS OF AIR PRESSURE PER WEEK. CHRYSLER HAS HAD THE CAR FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES IT THE LAST SIX WEEKS AND DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Dec 12, 2003FL

I SMELLED GASOLINE AND DISCOVERED A PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER MY 2001 PT CRUISER. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE NECK LEADING FROM THE GAS TANK AND THE TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS NOTHING IN MY DRIVING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS APPARENT DEFECT MAY OCCUR ON MORE THAN JUST MY CAR AND MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH 42,000 MILES ON THEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAD ALSO DONE RECALL WORK AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION ON THIS GAS TANK AND THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CARE THEY TOOK DOING THE RECALL WORK. THE CRACK IN THE TANK WHEN VIEWED IS BETWEEN A PLASTIC 2.5" DIA. TUBE PIECE IN THE UPPER CORNER OF THE TANK AND THE TANK ITSELF, THIS TUBE PIECE IS A SEPARATE PIECE THEY HAS BEEN ATTACHED TO THE PLASTIC TANK. THE SEAL BETWEEN THE TWO HAD BEEN BROKEN IS SOME WAY.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 3, 200310,160 milesDC

TRANS SHIFTER FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOCK UP. *MR THE DEALER STATED THE STARTER MALFUNCTION, BUT THE CONSUMER DISAGREED.*SCC *JB

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Nov 28, 200343,500 milesNY

PREMATURE FAILURE OF FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. DEALER STATES HE HAS SEEN THIS IN OTHER PT CRUISERS. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Nov 7, 200349,400 milesVA

THE CONSUMER CAN TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE KEY AGAIN AS IF RESTARTING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT IT OFF. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 24, 200336,100 milesNJ

MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER LIMITED EDITION -- LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD, AFTER HAVING EVERY REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED SERVICE AT THE CAR DEALERSHIP -- NEEDED A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL ON THIS DATE. THE PROBLEM SURFACED JUST PAST 36,000 MILES WHILE I WAS ON VACATION IN LATE AUGUST, AND I INITIALLY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON SEPTEMBER 3. I WAS TOLD IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. BUT THE PROBLEM DID GET WORSE AND I FELT UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING IT, YET I COULD NOT GET AN EARLIER APPOINTMENT. A NEW CAR, WELL CARED FOR, SHOULD NOT NEED ITS TRANSMISSION REBUILT JUST AFTER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY RUNS OUT. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Oct 21, 200351,000 milesIN

HAVE A 2001 PT CRUISER. POOR PERFORMANCE IN GAS ECONOMY, FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER NOW EGR VALVE HAS FAILED, I BELIEVE IT IS DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. SINCE CHRYSLER HAS HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE CRUISERS WHY HAVE THEY NOT BEEN REPAIRING THEM TO THE CUSTOMERS SATISFACTION?*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Oct 10, 2003FL

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL INTO TRAFFIC.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Oct 8, 200357,500 milesCA

2001 PT CRUISER, 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, 60,000 MILES ENGINE SURGES WHEN CAR IS MOVING, MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE CAR IS NOT IN GEAR. WHEN COASTING THE ENGINE RPM WILL VARY BETWEEN 1,200 AND 2,000 RPM EVERY 3-4 SECONDS UNTIL THE CAR COMES TO A STOP AND THEN THE ENGINE RPM FALLS TO 800. WHEN THE CAR IS IN GEAR, THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, BUT THAT ONLY FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ONE DAY. THE CAR ENGINE CAN SURGE WHEN COASTING AND ABOUT TO MOVE INTO A PARKING SPOT OR GARAGE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *LA

Electrical System
Filed Sep 27, 200329,000 milesFL

BOUGHT AN EARLY 2001 PT CRUISER. ABOUT ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE, BATTERY FAILS, CAR WOULD NOT START, JUMP STARTING DID NOT WORK. TOWED IT IT DEALER AND THEY REPLACED BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS FAULTY. ABOUT A YEAR AFTER THIS OCCURED, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, DEALER STILL SAYS IT IS THE BATTERY'S FAULT. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON AUGUST 22, 2001 AND I PUT A SPARE BATTERY IN CAR AND DROVE TO DEALERSHIP. AGAIN THEY SAID THAT THE BATTERY WAS FAULTY. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Sep 23, 200350,900 milesNJ

THE GAS PEDAL FELL OFF IT ATTACHMENT *AK THE PEDAL HAD COME OFF IT'S ATTACHMENT ON THE FLOORBOARD AND FELL BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH MADE BOTH THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS USELESS. *SCC *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Sep 23, 2003TX

FRONT BRAKE PADS CRYSTALIZE REQUIRING ROTOR REPLACEMENT EVERY 30000 MILES. BRAKE SHOP SAYS EVERY PT COMES IN THIS WAY. REAR BRAKES DO NOT ADJUST OUT AND THE FRONT BRAKES STAY PARTIALLY ENGAGED. THIS OVER HEATS THE BRAKES CAUSING MANY COMPONENTS TO FAIL. IN ADDITION TO THE EXPENSE OF REPLACEING THEESE PARTS, I AM WORRIED THAT I COULD HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE LEADING TO A CRASH.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 22, 2003WI

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD, HIT A DITCH, AND ROLLED OVER. FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED BRAIN DAMAGE/A BROKEN CLAVICLE, AND FRACTURED BACK. COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 18, 200312,000 milesCA

ON 1/22/ 03 WE TOOK OUR 2001 PT CRUISER (ODOMETER 12,000 MILES) INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FRONT DISC BRAKES WERE SQUEALING. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY NOTED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DISC BRAKE HAD LOCKED WHEN WE TRIED TO BACK THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE. AFTER HITTING THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES, THE BRAKE FINALLY UNLOCKED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES WERE GROOVED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED BECAUSE THE METAL WAS SO THIN TO BEGIN WITH THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO MACHINE EVEN ON A BRAND NEW ROTOR. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD US WE DIDN'T NEED TO REPLACE THE PADS YET, JUST THE ROTORS. WE OPTED TO REPLACE BOTH THE PADS AND THE ROTORS AT THE TIME DUE TO THE LABOR COSTS. IT IS NOW 8 MONTHS AND 5,671 MILES LATER AND THE BRAKES ARE AGAIN SQUEALING. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEIR HANDS WERE TIED AND THEY COULD NOT HELP US OTHER THAN TO REPLACE WITH THE SAME PARTS. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, CHRYSLER IS VERY MUCH AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND PREMATURE WEAR, BUT THEY REFUSE TO TAKE ANY REMEDIAL STEPS. WE HAVE THE SAME TIRES THAT ORIGINALLY CAME ON THE CAR AND THEY ARE BARELY WORN INDICATING WE ARE NOT THE KIND OF DRIVERS WHO ARE HARD ON A CAR. THE SERVICE MANAGER APPEARS TO BE JUST A FRUSTRATED WITH CHRYSLER'S LACK OF ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM AS WE ARE. OUR ONLY REASONABLE AND INTELLIGIBLE RECOURSE IS TO HAVE THE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED WITH AFTER MARKET PRODUCTS. WE WILL NO

Suspension
Filed Sep 17, 2003OK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT THE STEERING WHEEL STILL VIBRATED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM

Wheels › Rim
Filed Sep 12, 2003MI

CHROME CORRODING AND FLAKING OFF ON ORIGINAL 16" TIRES. FIRST NOTICED IN 6/2003. DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REPLACE ONE RIM FOR A CO-PAY OF $100 DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF DAMAGE. BUT WILL NOT HELP WITH ONE SHOWING SLIGHTER DAMAGE. *PH

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Sep 11, 200330,000 milesCT

2001 PT CRUSIER WAS HEAD HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. $7,000.00 TO PT CRUISER AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CHRYSLER REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINT SAYING THAT THEY ARE NOT MADE TO GO OFF ON STOPPED VEHICLES. MY CAR WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFICE LIGHT WHEN HIT HEAD ON. INJURIES RESULTED

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsFire
Filed Aug 22, 200337,000 milesCA

2001 PT CRUISER -- KNOWN ISSUE INVOLVING FUEL LINE CHAFFING AGAINST METAL AC LINES. VEHICLE WAS SENT TO DEALER FOR RECALL, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE FUEL LINE LEAKS ANYWAY AND CAUSES MODERATE DAMAGE VIA ENGINE FIRE. FUEL EXPLOSION OCCURRED UPON SWITCHING OFF THE IGNITION AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Aug 13, 2003GA

VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED ON THEIR OWN. *MR THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOCK ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT ACTIVATION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SIX TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF THIRTEEN MONTHS BY THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER WOULD BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, ALL OF THE VEHICLE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK. THE DOORS WERE SUPPOSE TO AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED OVER 5 MPH AND RANDOMLY FAILED TO DO SO, AFTER ACTIVATING THE LOCK/SECURITY DEVICE AND LISTENING FOR THE BEEP IT DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY. THE PROBLEM HAD PROGRESSED RAPIDLY AND THE CORRECTION ATTEMPTS ONLY RESULTED IN PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION. *SCC *JB

Electrical System
Filed Aug 6, 2003300 milesFL

5 BATTERIES, RADIO, SPEAKERS, DOOR LOCKS, PAINT, SPEED SENSOR ON TRANSMISSION, FAN MOTOR ON ENGINE, OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR, T14 CIRCUIT ALL WITHIN 27 MONTHS. CAN'T FIND CAUSE OF ALL THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER IS NO HELP! CUSTOMER CARE HUNG UP ON ME. LEMON LAW RAN OUT 1 MONTH AGO. UPSIDE DOWN CAN'T EVEN TRADE IN. HELP!!!!!

Wheels › Rim
Filed Aug 5, 2003NC

WHEEL RIMS OUT-OF-ROUND . *AK

TiresCrash
Filed Aug 3, 20038,000 milesSC

YOU CAN DIAL GOODYEAR AT 1-800.321.2136 PRESS 1 THEN, PRESS 3. ASK ABOUT GOODYEAR CASE # 559-496. IT INVOLVES MY PT CRUISERS, ITS ORIGINAL SETS OF TIRES AND CONTINUED PROBLEMS. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT HAVING FUTURE BLOW-OUTS. ITS A MATTER OF SAFETY. GOODYEAR REASONABLY, ADJUSTED THREE TIRES FOR ME AFTER I EXPLAINED MY BLOW OUTS SITUATION. I FOLLOWED UP AGAIN WITH GOODYEAR, AND TOYO (FILE # 035253), EXPLAINED THE 16 INCH WHEEL SAGA. HOW I SPENT A YEAR GOING FROM DEALERSHIP TO DEALERSHIP COMPLAINING ABOUT THE 16 INCH WHEELS AND THE TIRE BLOW-OUTS. THEY NEVER RECORDED MY RIM COMPLAINTS NO MATTER WHICH DC 5 STAR DEALERSHIP I WENT TOO. THEY WOULD RECORD THE CRUISERS MILEAGE, AND ANY WARRANTED ITEMS THEY COULD BILL DC FOR, BUT NEVER A WHEEL OR TIRE COMPLAINT. I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE MANAGERS AND THE MECHANICS AND THEY ALL REPEATED. NO ONE (WE KNOW OF) IS COMPLAINING ABOUT LOW MILEAGE UNEVEN TIRE WEAR, DIFFICULTY BALANCING OR PULLING TIRES, RIMS OUT OF ROUND, BENT, CORRODED, PEELING OR RUSTED RIMS. AND NO ONE IS REPORTING TIRE BLOW-OUTS ON THE PT CRUISER. DC HAS NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT THESE ISSUES. I REPORTED TO GOODYEAR AND TOYO COSTUMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AS A FOLLOW-UP. I REVIEWED THE FINDINGS FROM PRITZ DC S 5 STAR DEALERSHIP. AS IT GOES, ITS NOT THE TIRES--ITS THE RIMS. THESE ALLOY WHEELS ARE OUT OF ROUND, BENT, CORRODED, SOFT, RUSTED ON THE STREET FACE OF THE WHEELS WITH RUST AND PEELING CHROME AROUND LIPS RIM WHICH SEALS TO THE TIRE ON THE INSIDE WHICH YOU CANNO

Wheels › Rim
Filed Jul 30, 2003PA

CONSUMER STATES WHEN HITTING ANY TYPE OF BUMP IN THE ROAD TIRES BLOWOUT. ALL FOUR RIMS HAVE PITTED CRACKS IN THEM WHICH CAUSES THE BLOWOUTS. *AK

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jul 11, 2003AL

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT WORK. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND AGREED IT WAS NOT WORKING, HOWEVER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *AK *TS *JB

Air Bags
Filed Jul 11, 200347,000 milesAL

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK *PH. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *JB

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jun 18, 200342,000 milesTX

2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER - ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL LINE ABRADED IN TWO BY A/C VALVE CAP. *NLM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 11, 200342,000 milesAR

TRANSMISSION ON 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER W/ 42000 MILES LET GO AND REPAIR SHOP SAYS IT IS IN PIECES. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Jun 6, 200330,077 milesNH

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROX. TWO DAYS, STARTED VEHICHLE AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STAYED ON; BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT, SECURITY LIGHT, CRUSIE CONTROL, ETC. AS WELL AS WORDS "NO BUG" OVER THE ODEMETER/MILEAGE GAGE. THESE LGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER TO CONNECT TO COMPUTER. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › PumpCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 2, 200326,000 milesNC

STEERING PUMP FAILED 3 TIMES WITHIN A MONTH. THE LAST FAILURE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

Structure › Body › Door1 injured
Filed May 1, 2003FL

THE DESIGN OF THE "TOP PART" OF THE PASSENGER DOOR FRAME WAS VERY HIGH AND CURVED WHICH CAUSED THE FRAME TO HIT AND DAMAGE THE CONSUMERS EYE WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR. *NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 16, 200335,400 milesIL

THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE ENGAGED ITSELF WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

Steering › Rack and PinionCrash
Filed Apr 15, 2003DC

WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED INTO A HARD LEFT TURN, THE DRIVER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CONCRETE BASE OF A LIGHT POLE. THERE WAS OIL ON THE GROUND NEAR THE COLLISION. A FRONT END SUSPENSION SPECIALIST INDICATED THE RACK AND PINION BROKE, WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL/CRASH. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. IF IT WOULD BE DECIDED BY SOMEONE FROM NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT FURTHER, IT SHOULD BE DONE QUICKLY SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RELEASED BY THE FARMERS TEXAS COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY FOR AUCTION/SALE. BY CENTRAL TEXAS SALVAGE POOL AT 721 NORTH GENERAL BRUCE DRIVE, TEMPLE, TEXAS 76501, CONTACT 254-777-111. OWNER HAS ASKED INSURANCE COMPANY TO PUT A TEMPORARY HOLD ON SALE OF VEHICLE. INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS AGREED TO A TWO WEEK HOLD UNTIL FEBRUARY 7, 2003. UNLESS THERE WAS FURTHER ACTION BY NHTSA OR CHRYSLER TO INDICATE A FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOR SECURITY REASONS. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE ADDED TO ODI ID 770890. SEE 10009888 FOR VEHICLE OWNER'S INFORMATION. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Apr 9, 200328,138 milesNH

2001 PT CRUISER, CALIPER FREEZING TO ROTOR CAUSING BRAKE PADS TO WEAR DOWN TO MEDAL AND ROTOR TO TURN BLUE, ONLY ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE. THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER FROZE AND CAUSED THE SAME PROBLEM AT APPROXIMATELY. 20,316 MI. BUT THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AT A DIFFERENT DEALER. ALSO, CAUSING SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END.*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Apr 9, 200328,138 milesNH

2001 PT CRUISER, CALIPER FREEZING TO ROTOR CAUSING BRAKE PADS TO WEAR DOWN TO MEDAL AND ROTOR TO TURN BLUE, ONLY ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE THE BRAKE PADS FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE PADS FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOOK LIKE NEW. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH DAIMLER CHRYSLER OVER THE WARRANTY ON THE CALIPER AND CONTEMPORARY CHRYSLER DODGER SAID IT WAS "NORMAL WEAR" AND "BRAKE DUST AND DIRT PARTICLES" THAT CAUSE THE CALIPER TO STICK? I BELIEVE IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR ONE SIDE TO BE WORN DOWN TO THE MEDAL? THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER FROZE AND CAUSED THE SAME PROBLEM AT APPROXIMATELY. 20,316 MI. BUT THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AT A DIFFERENT DEALER. ALSO, CAUSING SHIMMY IN THE FRONT END. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Apr 8, 2003CO

THE VEHICLES FUEL PUMP RECALL WAS NOT PERFORMED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *AK *NLM

Suspension › Rear
Filed Mar 25, 200359,000 milesMA

REAR SUSPENSION PART BROKE. BELL CRANK BROKE CAUSING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. DEALER SAID THAT FUTHER DRIVING COULD HAVE RESULTED IN BACK SUSPENSION FALLING OF OF CAR IN A CATASTOPHIC FAILURE.

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 25, 200336,000 milesCA

THE CONSUMER HIT A CEMENT DIVIDER HEAD ON, ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE STEERING AND WHEEL TRACTION HAD GONE OUT, ALSO THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. REFER ODI #770588, 1006108 SCC

Steering › Rack and PinionCrash
Filed Mar 24, 200330,806 milesTX

WHEN A MODERATE LEFT TURN WAS MADE, THERE WAS A RUBBING NOISE HEARD. LATER, AS THE VEHICLE MADE ANOTHER LEFT TURN, THERE WAS A LOUD POP/BANG HEARD, AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED SHARPLY INTO A HARD LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE BASE. A FRONT END SPECIALIST STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PINION HAD BROKEN. SCC *JB. SEE 10014911 FOR MORE DETAILS. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Mar 20, 2003CA

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD. THE AIR BAG SWTICH HAS BEEN CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED. *NLM THE CODE ON THE LEFT SIDE SEAT SQUIB OPEN WAS FOUND, WHICH WAS TAKEN APART AND REINSTALLED. THE STEREO WAS DEFECTIVE. SCC

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 19, 2003TX

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED TWO SAFETY RECALLS THAT COULD NOT BE CORRECTED DUE TO PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE IN WHICH THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY'LL CALL WHEN THEY WERE. MR *SCC

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Mar 18, 2003CO

2001 PT CRUISER ...FAILURE OF DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND MEDVED CHRYSLER IN CASTLE ROCK CO. TO TIMELY AND PROPERLY ADVISE US OF THE NATURE OF THE DEFECT AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS IN A TIMELY MANNER. I SENT A DETAILED LETTER ON 3/18/03 TO NHSTA, ODI WITH THE EXACT SEQUENCE OF EVENTS. PLEASE PROVIDE AN EMAIL ADDRESS AND I WILL BE GLAD TO EMAIL IT TO YOU. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 10, 2003CA

THE VEHICLE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE FAILED.*DT *JB

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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