2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHING WAS CRACKED. THERE WAS NOT A NOTICEABLE PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM. UPDATED 6/19/2006 - THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE RUBBER OF THE BUSHING POORLY BONDS TO THE STEEL OUTER RING CAUSING FAILURE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 3-5 ALSO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE HORN FAILED. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 06/05/2006. *AK *TS

THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCHES ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAVE BEEN BURNING UP. SOME HAVE STUCK ON AND MELTED THE SWITCHES. NOT ALLOWING THE HEAD LIGHTS TO WORK OR GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT AREAS WHERE THE POWER IS TRANSFERED TO THE FOG OR HEAD LIGHTS ARE TO SMALL OF A AREA. AND ARE BURNING UP OR MELTING. THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN REPLACING A LOT OF THEM. BUT EVEN SOME OF THE NEW ONES THEY HAVE INSTALLED ARE DEFECTIVE RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX AND DO NOT WORK. *NM

I HAVE HAD TWO BLOW OUTS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND I WAKE UP TO FLAT TIRES IN THE MORNING ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE HAD TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE IN MY CAR AT LEAST TWICE WEEKLY (AND MOST TIMES AT LEAST ONE TIRE WILL HAVE SHOCKINGLY LOW PRESSURE). I HAVE HAD ALL OF MY TIRES REPLACED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR OR SO WITH NO RELIEF TO MY PROBLEM. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE IT WAS ME UNTIL I READ ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS AND REALIZED THAT THIS WAS A PRODUCT PROBLEM. THIS IS TOTAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR ANYONE DRIVING A PT CRUISER WITH THESE RIMS. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FOR SOMEONE TO LISTEN AND RECALL THESE (POTENTIALLY) DEADLY RIMS? *JB

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BUMPER OF MY CAR AND ALSO THE DOOR PILLARS. FIRST OFF, ALL OF THE OLDER PTS THAT I HAVE SEEN HAVE PROBLEMS WITH BOTH OF THESE ITEMS. THE BUMPER HAS SOME SORT OF DISCOLORATION PROBLEM ON THE EDGES OF THE BUMPER. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOME TAPE (FROM THE FACTORY?) THAT HAS DISCOLORED THE BUMPERS ON THESE VEHICLES. ALSO, THE DOOR PILLAR THAT ARE FACTORY BLACK GET THIS TERRIBLE STAINING. IT LOOKS AS IF THEY ARE WATER SPOTTED, BUT IT IS JUST A DEFECT IN THE PAINT ON THE PILLARS. I SEE IT ON EVERY CRUISER I SEE. I HAS TO BUY CHROME COVERS TO MAKE MY CAR LOOK PRESENTABLE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL TO REPLACE THESE EYESORES (AND NOT ON MY DIME, LIKE I DID). *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FOG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND ONLY WENT OFF WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS MANIPULATED. ON MONDAY THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT NO FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WAS MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED REGULARLY.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE ROADWAY WAS WET AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED ,THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THE CONTACT'S SHIRT AND UNDERGARMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND HELPED EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MAJOR BURNS TO THE STOMACH, HANDS, ARMS AND LEFT THUMB. UPDATED 05/16/2006. *AK

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

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

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

DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A TOURIVA #22-130 WAL CONVERTIBLE CHILD SEAT MANUFACTURED BY COSCO JUVENILE ON JUNE 29, 2005. THE SHIELD ASSEMBLY DISLODGED FROM THE CHILD SEAT SHELL. THE SHIELD ASSEMBLY WAS LOOSE PRIOR TO THE COMPLETE DISLODGEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.

MY 2001 PT CRUISER WHICH I PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2005 SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE ON DEEMBER 27, 2005 AND WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR SUDDEN ENGINE FIRES CAUSED BY LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, RESEDA DODGE IN RESEDA, CA, HAD RECORDS SHOWING THE RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE, BUT MY INSURANCE COMPANY, STATE FARM, FOUND THE THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. CHRYSLER DENIED MY CLAIM WITH NO REASON GIVEN. *NM

FOG LIGHTS CAME ON, EVEN WITH KEY TURNED OFF. FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. PUFF OF SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN AND FOG LIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION. *NM

2001- PT CRUISER -EMERGENCY BRAKE DISENGAGED WHILE RUNNING. WAS IN NEUTRAL (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) AND ON AN INCLINE. THE CAR DRIFTED BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVE AND INTO A UTILITY POLE ACROSS THE ROAD. ON OTHER INSTANCES THE BRAKE HANDLE WAS PULLED UPWARD AND IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGED (LIKE A BROKEN SPRING). WHEN PARKING BRAKE WAS REAPPLIED, IT WORKED PROPERLY? ALSO, THE CAR HAS DRIFTED BACKWARDS ON STEEPER INCLINES WHILE IN GEAR. AT THIS POINT THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS REPORTED, BUT NO ACTION WAS TAKEN THUS FAR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND BECAME HARD TO CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION THE CONTACT OBSERVED A LOSS OF PRESSURE TO THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE CAUSED BY CORROSION ON THE WHEEL RIM. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN AN AREA THAT TYPICALLY USES ROAD SALT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR FRONT BUSHING ON THE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A HUMMING SOUND WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. THE BUSHING FRACTURE WAS DISCOVERED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DURING NORMAL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER THEY HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THE PART FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE ENGINE OVER-HEATED AND THE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS BROKEN AND THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE; THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO OWNERS NEGLIGENCE. *JB

2001 PT CRUISER HAD BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR BECAUSE FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF, THUS KILLING THE BATTERY. SERVICE DEPT. REPORTED THAT CAR "OVERHEATED" DURING REPAIR AND THEY REPLACED FAN. THREE WEEKS LATER, CAR ENGINE OIL LIGHT SOUNDED SUDDENLY ON FREEWAY WITH NO PRIOR WARNING AND THEN THE ENGINE FAILED. DEALERSHIP REFUSING REPAIRS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO ALLEGED "SLUDGE" IN THE ENGINE THEY SAY WAS CAUSED BY POOR MAINTENANCE WHEN I KNOW THIS TO BE UNTRUE. *JB

ON MY 2001 PT CRUISER BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS PULLED LOOSE FROM THE ARM WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE REPAIR SHOP THEY BROUGHT ME OUT TO THE CAR AND SHOWED ME THE DAMAGE TO THE CONTROL ARMS. ODDLY ENOUGH THERE WAS ANOTHER PT CRUISER IN THE NEXT BAY THAT HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. THE OWNER OF THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME HE HAD PUT CONTROL ARMS ON AT LEAST 40 PT CRUISERS IN THE PAST YEAR. I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD NOTIFIED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HE SAID HE HAD CONTACTED THEM ON BEHALF OF HIS CUSTOMERS AND CHRYSLER INSISTED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. MY PT CRUISER HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND THE CAR THAT WAS NEXT TO MINE HAD 34,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION THE FRONT TIRES ON MY CAR WERE DESTROYED DUE TO VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT END. MY WIFE THOUGHT THE TIRES WERE FALLING OFF. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V268000 CONCERNING THE STEERING HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HOSES, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT THIS AFFECTED THE BRAKE FLUID LINES AS WELL. SHE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HER OWN EXPENSE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER. *AK

FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED IN FEB OF 2005 3 MONTHS THEY WERE REPLACED AGAIN AND NOW NOVEMBER THE NOISE THAT CAUSED THEM TO BE REPLACED IS PRESENT AGAIN. 2001 PT CRUISER TOURING 60,000 MILES. *JB

2001 PT CRUISER, 69000 MILES. ORIGINAL OWNER AND RIMS. RIMS, ACCORDING TO DEALER ARE RUSTED INSIDE AND WILL NO LONGER HOLD AIR. CHRYSLER DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK THIS IS ABNORMAL FOR A 4 YEAR OLD CAR AND WOULD DO NOTHING FOR ME. I THINK THEY ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AS I HAVE HEARD/READ ON THE WEB ABOUT OTHER PT CRUISERS HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *JB

(1) NORMAL DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. (2) TIMING BELT FAILURE AT 89,400 MILES WHERE SCHEDULE "B" MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE LISTS THE PART TO BE REPLACED AT 120,000 MILES AND EARLY FAILURE IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. LEAVING MY WIFE AND STEPSON STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO SHOULDER TO SAFELY REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. (3) DEFECTIVE PART IS TO BE REPLACED.*JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHROME PLATED WHEELS CORRODED, CAUSING THE TIRES TO GO FLAT. THE SEAL BROKE AND CAUSED THE AIR TO LEAK OUT INSTANTLY. THE WHEELS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, AND THE RIMS HAVE BEEN RESEALED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE THESE CHROME PLATED WHEELS UNDER WARRANTY.*AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE LOSING AIR PRESSURE. THE FLUCTUATION IN THE CHANGE OF WEATHER DETERMINED WHICH TIRE WAS AFFECTED. A LOCAL TIRE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE DESIGN OF THE WHEELS. THE WHEELS WERE CHROME OVER ALUMINUM. THE WHEEL BUILD UP WITH CORROSION AND PREVENTED THE SEALING OF THE TIRE. THE SERVICE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL HARD TO THE LEFT. SHE THEN DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE FOR AN INSPECTION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS INCIDENTS. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAILED. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT SHE SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS SINCE THE REPLACEMENT. *AK (11/23/05) *SC

(1) NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS; (2) CAR BEGAN TO BUCK AND THEN WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS; TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *JB

(1) NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. (2) ELECTRIC LOCKS BEGAN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THEMSELVES. NEXT MORNING CAME OUT AND CAR HAD UNLOCKED ITSELF. CANNOT TRUST THE CAR TO REMAIN LOCKED. (3) HAD AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. WAS ABLE TO TRACE THE PROBLEM TO A $100.00 PART THAT CHRYSLER WILL NOT GIVE TO INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANICS. WENT TO CHRYSLER DEALER, SAID IT WOULD COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE PART. *JB

AUGUST 2005 MY SELF AND MY FAMILY WERE TAKING A SHORT TRIP OUT OF TOWN ABOUT 200 MILES. AT THE HALF WAY POINT WE PULLED IN TO A GAS STATION FOR SOME REFRESHMENTS I WAITED IN THE CAR WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN UP THROUGH THE FLASHER BUTTON. WE REALIZED IT WAS THE WIRING FROM MY FOG LAMPS ONLY BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT NO LONGER WORK. THE LAMPS WERE NOT IN USE AT THE TIME. NOT REALLY SURE WHY THE WIRING CAUGHT FIRE. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 PT CRUISER WITH CHROME RIMS AND LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. THESE CAME ON THE CAR WHEN I PURCHASED IT. THE RIMS ARE PEELING WHICH IS LEADING TO AIR BEING LOST IN THE TIRES. MY TIRE DEALER TELLS ME THIS IS COMMON WITH THESE RIMS AND MANY CHRYSLER DEALERS ARE REPLACING THE RIMS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. CHRYSLER KNOWS THIS IS HAPPENING AND IT IS A HAZARD. IT IS UNREASONABLE OF CHRYSLER TO EXPECT THE CONSUMER TO HAVE TO REPLACE RIMS ON A CAR THAT WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. *JB

MY FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND COULD TURN ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING. MY CAR BATTERY DRAINED A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND I HAD TO OBTAIN A JUMP TO START MY CAR. CALLED CAR DEALER, AND THEY PULLED THE FUSE TO THE FOG LIGHTS AND SAID THERE IS A SHORT IN THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. CALLED CHRYSLER, AND I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WILL OFFER NO ASSISTANCE UNLESS THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I SEE THERE IS A PRIOR COMPLAINT DATED AUGUST 2, 2005 FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THREE OTHER PT CRUISERS AND MY CAR DEALER STATES THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SWITCH ON SEVERAL PT CRUISERS. I HAVE ALSO READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON SOME ONLINE FORUMS. I WILL KEEP MY SERVICE RECORDS IN CASE OF RECALL PER CHRYSLER. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS 2001 PT CRUISER. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. IT WAS IMPACTED ON THE CENTER OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND WAS BROAD SIDED. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL/SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WERE NOT BE INTERESTED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, BUT THERE WERE CUTS AND BRUISES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PICTURES WERE AVAILABLE, BUT NO INSURANCE REPORT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *AK *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. HE INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THE HORN DID NOT WORK. HE NOTICED THIS ON 9-5-05 AS HE WAS BACKING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE, AND THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON .HE HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER YET. THERE WERE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM FILED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE CONTACT INDICATED VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND. THERE WAS RECALL 04V480000 ON CERTAIN 1998 DODGE VEHICLES PERTAINING TO THE CLOCKSPRING THAT THE CONSUMER THOUGHT MAY RELATE TO HIS PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE PART OR LABOR. *NM

2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, ORIGINAL OWNER, 36,633 MILES. DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON HWY 280 EAST IN BIRMINGHAM, AL APRIL 28, 2005 WHEN TRANSMISSION FROZE UP. WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO SHOULDER TO AVOID ACCIDENT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD GONE OUT - VEHICLE WAS ONE YEAR AND 633 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. REPAIR COSTS - $575. CHRYSLER CORPORATION REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY WARRANTY ASSISTANCE. DRIVING ON HWY 280 EAST IN BIRMINGHAM, AL ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 WHEN TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN. MILEAGE AT THIS OCCURRANCE 40,827. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD GONE OUT - AGAIN. PART WAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE BUT HAD TO PAY LABOR CHARGES PLUS COST OF RENTAL VEHICLE FOR 1 WEEK. TOTAL COST THIS ROUND - $500 INCLUDING RENTAL CAR.

FOG LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF UNLESS BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. CAR INDICATED OVERHEATING. SMOKE COMING FROM HAZARD BUTTON. AFTER REMOVING MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, FOUND THAT WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR ON LEFT SIDE WAS MELTED. BATTERY WAS DEAD, BOUGHT NEW BATTERY. AFTER STARTING CAR WITH MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH DISCONNECTED, NO OVERHEATING, NO SMOKE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED $3000 TO REPAIR THE WIRING HARNESS AND BOUGHT NEW MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FOR $80. FOUND OVER 100 SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON DIFFERENT WEBSITES. PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. WEBSITES: PTDOITYOURSELF.NET/TL/TL-INDEX2.HTML POSTINGS: 191,288,725,862,465,589,824,878,1042,1068,1302,1278,1238,1212. EDMUNDS.COM/INSIDELINE/DO/FORUMSLANDING POSTINGS: 249,250,241,229,232,233,234,235,237,219,220,222,225,227,228,210,211,213,218,202,206,191,198 NHTSA.DOT.GOV COMPLAINT: 10130928,10130890,10131743,8018628,10106442,10127101. *NM

LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED REPLACEMENT ALREADY AT 29000 MILES, ON 2001 PT CRUISER. THIS PREMATURE FAILURE IS A SAFETY RISK AND APPEARS TO BE COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE (ADMITTED BY DEALER), YET IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL NOTICE AND FREE REPAIR.

DEALERSHIP FOUND CAUSE OF NOISE IN STEERING. PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS BEING BROKEN (NOT WORN). FURTHER FAILURE COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *JB

DT: 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONSUMER STATES HER 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WENT TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND KNOCKED IT OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED INTO THE STREET. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED IN. THE VEHICLE RAN INTO A HOUSE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER LIVED ON A HILL, AND WHILE IT WAS ROLLING , THE CHILD PUT IT BACK IN PARK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL. THERE WERE NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THERE I A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, CASE #05-029614, DEPUTY BOELTZ WITH YAZAPI COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT.*AK

ON SATURDAY AUG 13, 2005 MY WIFE AND I HAD A FLAT ON OUR 2001 PT CRUISER ON THE RIGHT FRONT. ON MONDAY AUG 15, 2005 I TOOK THE TIRE AND HAD IT FIXED. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CHROME ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIM WAS PEELING AND THE TIRE WAS NOT ADHERING TO THE RIM. ON TUESDAY AUG 16TH I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE CHRYSLER DEALER AND HAD THEM LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. THEY CONFIRMED WHAT THE TIRE DEALER SAID. I TALKED WITH THE GARAGE ADVISOR AND HE STATED THAT I WAS NOT THE FIRST PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE SOLUTION WAS TO BUY NEW RIMS. I CALLED THE CHRYSLER HOT LINE NUMBER 1-800-992-1997 AND SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS CRYSTAL AND CAROL AND FINALLY CAROL SAID THAT THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY WAS UP. MY PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT THE RIMS ARE STARTING TO PEEL ON THE EARLY ADDITIONS OF THE MAKE OF CAR AND THAT IT HAS TAKEN 5 YEARS OR SO FOR THIS TO BE NOTICED. MY FLAT TIRE CAME ON I-465 IN INDIANAPOLIS AT 60 MPH. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, BUT IF THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE CAR IN INDIANAPOLIS, WHAT ABOUT THE NATION. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A RIM THAT DOESN'T LAST FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS AND ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETECT UNTIL IT HAPPENS. I ASKED CAROL, AT CHRYSLER, ON WHAT IT TOOK TO START A RECALL OR HAVE SOMEONE LOOK INTO IT AND ALL SHE SAID WAS THAT SHE WOULD PUT IT ON FILE. MIKE, AT MY DEALERS, SAID THAT ALL MY RIMS WERE STARTING TO DO THIS. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE RIMS. MY CAR HAS 42,000 MILES ON IT. MOST OF THESE TYPE OF CARS ARE OWNED BY OLDER PEOPLE AND THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO

DT: CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. WAS IN A SMALL ACCIDENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY REFERRED HIM TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT THE BUSHING HAS BEEN FORCED OUT OF THE CONTROL ARM. PREVIOUSLY, THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIED AND RATTLED BACK AND FORTH. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ACCIDENT REPAIR WORK DONE. BUT NOT THE BUSHING AND THE CONTROL ARM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. *AK

DT: CONSUMER OWNED THREE 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISERS. EACH OF THE VEHICLES HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FOG LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH , WHICH WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WHEN ONE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE FOG LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE SECOND AND THIRD CRUISERS FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF, CONSUME R REMOVED THE FUSE. THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE PT CRUISERS HEADLIGHT SWITCH, WHICH WOULD RUN DOWN THE BATTERY. THE SWITCH SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. ALSO, THERE SHOULD A BE A REDESIGNED SWITCH, AND A FULL RECALL/REPLACEMENT AFTER THE SWITCH WAS REDESIGNED. IN ORDER TO HAVE TWO PT CRUISERS PASS VA STATE INSPECTION CONSUMER REMOVED FOG LIGHTS BULBS, SOCKET AND WIRING. *AK

ALL 4 CHROME RIMS LEAK AIR. HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR BUT STILL NO LUCK. TOLD BY TIRE DEALER THE RIMS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE JUNK. DEALER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND PRODUCT. *JB

CONSUMER STATES: 1ST TIME HEARD A CRUSHING NOISE WHEN HE WOULD TURN THE WHEEL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN, THEN IN JULY 2003 HEARD A NOISE SOUND LIKE RUBBER ON RUBBER. THE STEERING RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. IN JULY 2004 THE NOISE WAS BACK AND THE STEERING RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED AGAIN. NOW, THE NOISE IS BACK AND THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION AGAIN. *AK *JB

DT: THE MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SWITCH LEVER ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE LIGHTS WILL SUDDENLY GO OUT. THE FIRST TWO TIMES, ONE COULD JIGGLE THE LEVER AND THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON. THE LAST TIME THE LIGHTS WENT OFF ON A ROAD WITH NO SHOULDERS, AND CONSUMER PULLED UP ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS SO SHE WOULD NOT GET HIT. THIS WAS ON A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THIS OCCURRED DUE TO A SHORT IN A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND BROKEN THREE TIMES.*AK UPDATED 2/21/2006 - *NM

1) OUR FOG LIGHTS HAD BEEN GOING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. 2) MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL STREET COMING HOME WHEN SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN, FILLING THE CAR WITH SMOKE. SHE HAPPENED TO BE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (IT'S ON THE WAY HOME FROM HER WORK) AND PULLED IN THEIR PARKING LOT. THE CAR WAS LEFT AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS BEING A SHORTED FOG LIGHT SWITCH. INSTEAD OF A FUSE BLOWING THE WIRE HARNESS ACTED AS A FUSIBLE LINK AND BEGAN MELTING DOWN. WE ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A $2500.00 WIRE HARNESS. I ASKED THE SERVICE WRITER WHY A FUSE HAD NOT BLOWN AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE CIRCUIT IS PROTECTED BY A FORTY (40) AMP FUSE. BEING AN ELECTRICIAN I KNOW THAT A FORTY AMP FUSE OR BREAKER PROTECTS AN ELECTRIC RANGE OVEN AND IS ON 8 AWG WIRE. TO REPAIR THE FAULT, WE HAVE TO BUY THE HARNESS WHICH CHRYSLER WILL CUT OFF THE CONNECTOR THAT MELTED DOWN AND WILL SPLICE ON THE NEW ONE. ALL OF THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING COLUMN PASS THROUGH THIS HARNESS WHICH MELTED DOWN AND THE WIRES ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT PROTECTED BY FUSES. IF THEY WERE A FUSE SHOULD BLOW WITH A SHORT. OUR VEHICLE HAS HAD 4 WARRANTIES AND 3 RECALLS SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT. THE CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED AFTER A WEEK AND A HALF. *NM

WHEELS ON CAR ARE SPLITTING. PHYSICALLY SEPARATING. TIRES CONSISTENTLY LOSE AIR. PEOPLE AT DEALERSHIP HAVE TOLD US THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED ON OTHER CARS. SERVICE MGR STATED THAT " HE WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON WHEELS. THE CONDITION HAS CAUSED PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND FLATS. I AM CONCERNED REGARDING WHEELS ACTUALLY SEPARATING TOTALLY WHILE ON ROAD AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. CHRYSLER AND DEALER BOTH SAY THEY WILL NOT REPLACE. *JB

I WAS DRIVING AND THE FRONT PART OF THE CAR BROKE DOWN I COULDN'T KEEP ON THE SHIFT COULDN'T MOVE TO PARK, DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK THE PART AN AXEL. I PAID A MECANIC. BUT THE BUSHINGS ARE ALSO MESSED UP THEY ARE TOO EXPENSIVE HERE IN PUERTO RICO IT COSTS ME MORE THATN 1,000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING LIKE THAT SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE DEALER TOLD THAT THE IT DIDN'T HAVE GARANTEEN. KNOW ANOTHER PROBLEM THERE IS IN FEBREUARY I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECANIC BECAUSE THE CARGOT HOT THEY CHANGE THE WATER BOMB, AND IT CONTINUE TO RISE THE TEMPERATURE, THEN THE TEMOSTAT AND THEY EVEN FLUSHED THE RADIATOR,AND THEY PUT A COMPUTER IF IT CAN DITECT WHERE IS THE PROBLEM.THEY JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE ONE OF THE BEST RADIATOR MECANICS IN BAYAMON PUERTO RICO. WHE N I DRIVE AROUND THERES NO PROBLEM AS LONG I I AM NOT IN A TRAFFIC JAM FOR MORE THAN HALF AN HOUR AND WHEN I GO VISIT MY PARENTS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE GOING UP THE HILLS THAT AFTER TEN MINUTES ON THE HILL THE TEMPERARURE STARTS TO RISE BOTH TIMES THAT I HAVE VISITED MY PARENTS FOR THE PAST FIVE MONTHS AGO I CAN'T GO. THE MECANICS CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY SUGGETIONS E-MAIL ME BACK AND I CAN GIVE IT TO THE MECANICS . ABOUT THE BUSHINGS I'VE ASKED A PERSON ON THE STREETS THAT HAVE A 2003 PT CRUISER AND SHE SAID THAT THESE CARS HAVE THAT PROBLEM.

2001 PT CRUISER DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHERE IT STALLED IN TRAFFIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.*MR THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE. THE CONSUMER WANTED THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF RECALL RELATED ISSUE WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL, HOWEVER THE DEALER WANTED MORE MONEY. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUSIER THE GAS TANK IS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED AND IS KEPT IN A GARAGE EXCEPT WHEN I USE.