2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser complaints

DT THE BRAKE LINES COLLASPED AND HAS NOT ALLOWED THE BRAKE FLUID TO GO THROUGH. HAS TO GRIP STEERING WHEEL AND PULL OVER IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP SHAKING. STANDING NEXT TO THE BRAKES CONSUMER CAN FEEL THE HEAT COMING OFF THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED IN MAR 2005. TUFFY FIXED IT, THEY SAID HAD OTHER PT CRUISER'S IN FOR THE SAME DEFECT. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES IT SHOOK BADLY. IT WAS UNCONTROLABLE AT THAT POINT. *AK

DT THE BRAKE LINES COLLAPSED AND WERE NOT ALLOWING THE FLUID TO GO THROUGH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE TREMDOUSLY WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES, HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO QUIT SHAKING. HAD THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED AT BRAKE SHOP. THEY SAW S THIS MANY TIMES WITH THE PT CRUISER. HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS PUT ON. IF CONSUMER WOULD STAND BESIDE THE BRAKES SHE COULD FEEL THE HEAT COMING OUT OF THEM. THIS WAS ONGOING A COUPLE YEARS, AND MOSTLY RECENTLY HAPPENED ON MAY 30,2005.*AK

DT: THE CLUTCH CABLE ASSEMBLIES, THE BUSHINGS THAT ARE SUPPOSE TO BE AROUND THE CABLE WERE NEVER PUT ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT INTO GEAR . TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD BOTH CABLES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE ALL BUSHINGS WERE MISSING. THE PART THE MECHANIC RECEIVED FROM CHRYSLER HAD THE BUSHINGS ON IT. THE PROBLEM STARTED LAST YEAR, BUT SHE DID NOT KNOW THE BUSHINGS WERE MISSING UNTIL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT IN THE BEGINNING OF JUNE. AT THAT TIME, THE SENSOR LIGHT FOR THE ENGINE CHECK CAME ON. THAT WAS BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO A QUICK TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE THE TO DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH FRONT TIE ROD ENDS WERE WORN AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. IN ADDITION THE CONTROL ARM HAD LOST A BUSHING WHICH CREATED A KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED TIE ROD ENDS AS WELL AS THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING. DEALER NOTED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER AND THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DENIED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE PT CRUISER AND THAT ALL CARS HAVE GREASE FITTINGS CALLED "ZIRKS" SINCE REPAIRS NO PROBLEMS AS OF YET. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED 32,191 MILES. CHRYSLER DID SAY THEY WOULD REIMBURSE $150 FOR THE TIE RODS ENDS BUT THAT WAS ALL. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER ONLY 42000 MILES

DT: CONSUMER STATES 2001 PT CRUISER ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL AND THEN THE YELLOW WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY FIXED THE POWER STEERING, WHICH WAS PART OF NHTSA RECALL 04V268000. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE LIGHT WOULD STILL BE ON AND THE PROBLEM WOULD STILL OCCUR. TO FIND OUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENED CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE DIAGNOSTIC WORK DONE. THIS STARTED DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY, ON JULY 5, 2005. IT DID NOT MATTER WHAT SPEED THE VEHICLE WAS GOING.*AK

ON MARCH 14, 2005 MY VEHICLE WAS STALLING AND ACTUALLY HOPPING. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE FACILITY THAT I HAVE USED OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE WIRING HARNESS IN MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WAS DEFECTIVE AT 56000 MILES. HE NOTIFIED ME THAT THE WIRES INSIDE THE HARNESS WERE FRAYED AND SEVERAL BARE WIRES WERE ACTUALLY TOUCHING, CREATING A SEVERE SAFECTY HAZARD, I INSTRUCTED HIM TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. I DID NOT KNOW THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS A WARRANTY COVERED PART BECAUSE THE MANUAL SUPPLIED ME FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER DOES NOT CONTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE WIRING HARNESS. I SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND OUT IT WAS A WARRANTY COVERED ITEM UNDER THE CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS WARRANTY. CHRYLSER HAS REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR A PART THAT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE I HAD IT REPLACED AT AN A.S.E. CERTIFIED FACILITY BY A MASTER TECHNICIAN. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER REGARDING THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH ME. THE REPAIR FACILITY THAT I TOOK MY CAR TO HAS KEPT THE WIRING HARNESS BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. I WANT TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WIRING HARNESSES IN PT CRUISERS. THE WIRING HARNESS IS NOT A MOVING PART AND WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE INFLUENCES SUCH AS MOISTURE OR EXCESSIVE ENGINE MOVEMENT, WHICH I DID NOT HAVE, THE WIRING HARNESS SHOULD NEVER HAVE FRAYED AND BARE ELECTRICAL WIRES. PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH ANY INFORMATION THAT I CAN USE TO CONVINCE THE MANUFACT

I OWN A 2001 PT CRUISER. STARTING IN 2003 I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE LOSS OF AIR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I JUST RETURNED FROM THE GARAGE WHERE I HAVE THE CAR SERVICED. THE MECHANICS SHOWED ME THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WHICH HAS OXIDIZED. THEY ATTEMPTED TO SEAL THE BEAD WITH "GOOP," BUT ADVISE THAT I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WHEEL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THEY STATE FURTHER THAT THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM ON JEEPS AND OTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCTS AS WELL.

MY 2001 PT CRUISER HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A LEAK IN THE STEERING GEAR WHICH CAN ONLY BE OBSERVED BY CHECKING THE BOOT WHICH HOLDS THE STEERING FLUID. THIS VEHICLE HAS 41,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD. IT IS GARAGE HOUSED AND I DO NOT FEEL THIS PROBELM SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH THE MILES AND THE USE IT HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE PT CRUISER HAS HAD THIS COMPLAINT LODGED A NUMBER OF TIMES SO I FEEL IT MAY BE A DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY CHRYSLER CORP.

I WAS TRAVELLING EAST ON THE 91 FREEWAY IN LOS ANGELES AT ABOUT 5:10PM ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2005. I WAS IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL NOISE PRECEDING THE DISENGAGEMENT EXCEPT THAT THE ENGINE REVVED, OF COURSE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE APPROACHING THE BELLFLOWER OFFRAMP. THE CAR ROLLED TO A STOP NEAR THE END OF THE OFFRAMP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO DONAVEE CHRYSLER IN PLACENTIA, CA. WE TOOK DELIVERY OF THE CAR ON MAY 27, 2001 AND IT ONLY HAS 37,230 MILES ON IT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT IT WOULD COST $850 JUST TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN BEGIN TO DETERMINE WHAT WENT WRONG - PARTS AND REPAIRS WILL BE EXTRA.

DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE WALLS OF THE WHEEL ARE LOSING THE ALUMINUM. THIS IS CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOOSE THE SEAL AND GO FLAT. THE AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER.*AK

CONSUMER BOUGHT CAR THAT HAD NOT BEEN THOROUGHLY INSPECTED. AFTER TWO WEEKS A NOISE IN BOTH THE BACK AND FRONT OF THE CAR WAS HEARD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, PLACED A SUPPORT BECAUSE BRAKE PADS WERE GONE, METAL ON METAL. THE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE, NEEDED ROTORS/SPARK PLUGS, AND TUNE UP ALONG WITH A PVC VALVE. NEEDED TO BE FIXED, BUT DEALER REFUSED TO FIX ANYTHING.*AK

BELL CRANK CONNECTING WATTS LINKS. BUSHING WEARS OUT BEFORE 40K MILES CREATING LOUD CLUNKING NOISES AT REAR SUSPENSION. AND THIS SUSPENSION IS HIGHLIGHTED ON CHRYSLER WEB SITE AS A FEATURE, NOT A FAILURE. REPAIR IS $315.05, PART AVAILABLE. SHOULD AT LEAST BE UNDER WARRANTY. MANY FAILURES NOTED ON OWNER FORUMS. ALSO OWN SECOND PT AT 30K MILES AND IT IS SHOWING (HEARING) SYMPTOMS.

COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM IN MY CAR. AT THE TIME I ONLY HAD 39000 MILES ON IT. I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF YOU THINK MY MANUFACTURER WARRANTY FROM CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE COVERED THIS REPAIR. MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AT 36000 MILES, EVEN THOUGH I HAD ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR 2 1/2 YEARS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A RADIATOR REPLACEMENT ON A CAR WITH SO FEW MILES. I AM ASKING THIS QUESTION BECAUSE I HAVE HAD SEVERAL VERY EXPENSIVE AND UNUSUAL PARTS REPLACEMENT RECENTLY ON THIS CAR., IE THE MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND THE POWER CONTROL MODULE. I HAD ALREADY HAD THE POWERSTEERING UNIT REPLACED AND THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AS PART OF A DEALER RECALL. THIS SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF EXPENSIVE MAJOR REPAIRS FOR A CAR WITH LESS THAT IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD.

IN OCTOBER, 2004 THE FOG LIGHT INDICATOR WOULD STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE FOGS LIGHTS WERE NOT ON. THEN THE FOG LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. MAY, 2005, THE FOGS LIGHTS CAME BACK ON BY THEMSELVES, EVEN THOUGH NO LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. I HAD THE LIGHT STALK REPLACED BY THE DEALER ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY.

SEVERE CLUNKING NOISED UNDER THE FRONT END OF MY 2001 PT CRUISER AT 60K MILES. DEALER NOTIFIED THAT BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM (BUSHINGS) HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LUCKILY, I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO THE OUT OF POCKET COST WAS $100 DEDUCTIBLE AND $70 FRONT END ALIGNMENT. WHY SHOULD CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAIL SO EARLY? I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SINCE I FOUND MANY PT OWNERS ON THE WEB EXPERIENCING SIMILIAR SUSPENSION FAILURES, DAIMLER CHRYSLER SHOULD COVER ALL THE COST.

CHROME WHEEL CENTER CAPS CAME OFF THE 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WHILE DRIVING.*MR *NM

STEERING FLUID LEAKED IN MY CAR FOR ITS LIFE--NO DEALER EVER IDENTIFIED THIS AS THE PROBLEM WHEN COMPLAINING ABOUT ROUGH STEERING NOISE AND OTHER ISSUES. DISCOVERED THE LEVEL OF FLUID WAS DOWN WHEN AN EMPLOYEE ADDED FLUID AFTER HEARING THE NOISE ,AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY. THE CONSTANT LEAK HAS DAMAGED THE RACK AND PINION--I WAS TOLD THIS BY A SERVICE DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. CRYSLER WILL NOT REPLACE R&P. WHEN HAVING THE RECALL DONE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED (R&P)--JUST THE HOSE--DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE DONE RECALL WORK BUT A NEIGHBOR WHO IS A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND SAID THE WORK WAS NOT DONE---OLD HOSE STILL THERE--LEAK STILL ACTIVE. CRYSLER NOT RESPONSIVE TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWAY UNEXPECTEDLY. CONSUMER MANAGED TO STOP VEHICLE.*AK

GAS FUMES WERE COMING IN FROM THE VENTS WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY. THEN, IT STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS, I HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING WITH MY TIRES BEING FLAT WHEN I GOT UP IN THE MORNINGS. AFTER HAVING ALL OF THE TIRES CHECKED FOR FLATS, IT WOULD STILL DO THIS OFF AND ON DURING THE WINTER. FINALLY, I TOOK IT TO A FIRESTONE SHOP AND THEY SAID MY TIRES WERE FINE, BUT THE CHROME WAS PEELING OFF THE WHEELS CAUSING THE SLOW LEAKS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND MY 36K/3Y HAD EXPIRED (BY 1/2 YEAR, AS I ONLY HAVE 30K MILES) AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY WOULD DO, I'M GOING TO CALL CHRYSLER AND LODGE A FORMAL COMPLAINT, NOW THAT I SEE I"M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.*AK

THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT BACK TO NORMAL POSITION, AND IS NOT PROVIDING PROTECTION TO THE DRIVER IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.*AK

I OWN A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH 105K MILES. THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAIN ON WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING, ALSO THE HORN DOES NOT WORK OR THE CRUISE CONTROL. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND HAVE DETERMINED THE PROBLEM TO BE A DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED 1.2MILLION 1998 - 2000 MINIVANS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE PT CRUISER HAS NO RECALL BUT SHOULD SINCE IT IS CLASSIFIED AS A VAN. *JB

PER INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNER'S MANUAL, I TOOK MY 2001 PT CRUISER WITH 51,700 MILES INTO THE COURTESY CHRYSLER/JEEP DEALERSHIP IN ROCKVILLE, MD AFTER THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD PANEL BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY LIGHTING UP WHEN TAKING TURNS. AFTER 3 DAYS, THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT THE LIGHT WAS GOING ON BECAUSE THE AIRBAG HAD FAILED. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, NOR HAS IT BEEN MODIFIED. THE CHARGE TO REPLACE THE FAILED AIRBAG IS $1,300. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO FAIL IF WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDIENT AND HAD NOT BEEN MODIFIED. I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE DEALER. *AK

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SHIFTER PROBLEMS, THAT HAS MADE IT OCCASIONALLY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO OR IT WOULD DROP OUT OF REVERSE GEAR. WHILE DOING A BATTERY CHECK I NOTICED THE SHIFT LINKAGE APPEARED TO BE LYING ON TOP OF THE TRANSAXLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION AFTER REMOVING THE AIR BOX I NOTICED THAT INDEED LINKAGE WAS LYING THERE WITHOUT BEING SECURED IN POSITION. THERE APPEARS TO BE AN INDENTATION FOR RETAINER CLIP, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ONE HAD BEEN USED OR IF IT HAD IT CAME OFF EARLY ON. I REALIZE MORE AUTOMATIC PT?S WERE SOLD THAN MANUAL 5-SPEED UNITS. I ALSO REALIZE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT ONLY MY VEHICLE MAY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH I BELIEVE THAT TO BE UNLIKELY, THEREFORE I AM FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT, BASED ON THE INITIAL RESPONSE I RECEIVED FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE AND PARTS DEPARTMENT. I BELIEVE CONTINUED UNCONTROLLED WEAR COULD RESULT IN A MISHAP SHOULD THE LINKAGE COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAD THE RETAINER CLIP BEEN INSTALLED IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS TYPE WEAR WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE BELT WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. IT WILL NOT RELEASE OR ALLOW THE DRIVER TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO STATED THEY COULD CHECK FOR THE DEFECT IF THE OWNER WOULD PAY A FEE FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS TO DETERMINE WHY THE BELT WILL NOT OPERATE. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V268000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING HOSE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK NO NEW PARTS OR REPLACEMENTS WERE USED. *SC

A KNOCKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB *NM

THE CONSUMER STATES THE AIR CONTINUES TO SEEPS OUT OF THE FRONT TIRES. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

TIRE LOOSES AIR DUE TO DEFECT OF WHEELS. MANUFACTURER AGREED TO REPLACE BOTH REAR WHEELS. NOW SHE IS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM WITH BOTH FRONT WHEELS. WHEN CONTACTING MANUFACTURER, THEY WOULD NOT ACCOMMODATE TO REPLACE REAR WHEELS. THIS IS FOR A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. *NM......*AK

2001 PT CRUISER HAS AIRBAG LIGHT THAT KEEPS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THE ASSOCIATED "DING" SOUND COMES ON AT THE SAME TIME. DEALER CHARGED $90 TO TELL ME THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG HAD "FAILED". (NOTE: THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND ONLY HAS 34000 MILES ON IT.) DEALER WANTS $500 TO REPAIR THE "FAILED AIRBAG". COINCIDENCE THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ON LATE 90'S GRAND CARAVANS. SOUNDS LIKE I HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM THEY HAD - BUT NO RECALL TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. HELP! *NM

FOR WEEKS (OR MONTHS) PRIOR TO FAILURE, I EXPERIENCED OCCASIONAL INSTANCES OF FOG LIGHTS ACTIVATING UPON ENGAGING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL. FOG LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AFTER COMPLETING TURN AND SIGNAL AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGED. IT IS NOTED THAT I VIRTUALLY NEVER MAKE USE OF THE FOG LIGHTS. ON DAY OF FAILURE, THERE WAS A PRONOUNCED ODOR ABOUT 1 HOUR INTO A LONG TRIP (LIKE NYLON ROPE BURNING). FOG LIGHTS ACTIVATED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF REGARDLESS OF CONTROLLER SETTING FOR OTHER LIGHTS. FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF EVEN AFTER CAR WAS SHUT DOWN AND KEY REMOVED. AFTER BRIEF REST STOP (DURING WHICH MANUAL WAS RESEARCHED TO LEARN WHAT FUSE MUST BE PULLED TO AVOID DRAINING BATTERY), RETURNED TO CAR TO FIND THAT LIGHTS HAD GONE OFF ON THEIR OWN. NEITHER FOG LIGHTS NOR HIGH BEAMS WORKED ANY LONGER, ONCE CAR WAS STARTED. THE NEXT DAY, UPON DISASSEMBLY OF STEERING COLUMN HOUSING AND REMOVAL OF MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, I DISCOVERED THAT AN INTERNAL, SPRING-LOADED CONTACT ON THE BACK OF THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, LOCATED NEAR THE STEERING COLUMN, HAD MELTED/FUSED. DEALER ADVISED THAT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH MUST BE REPLACED (AT COST OF ~$103 FOR PART). SELF-REPAIRED, WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS (YET). OLD PART HAS BEEN SAVED. THANKFUL THAT PLASTIC SWITCH DID NOT ACTUALLY CATCH FIRE, AND THAT MAIN LIGHTS (LOW BEAMS ONLY) REMAINED OPERATIONAL DURING REMAINDER OF LONG, NIGHT-TIME TRIP. *NM

CD PLAYER READ ERROR 1 MONTH AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS UP, DEALER SAID IT WAS DEAD AND IT WOULD COST $300 TO REPLACE COMBINATION STEREO/CD. EXCUSE ME BUT A CD PLAYER SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 3 YEARS. AN AMERICAN MOTOR DEALERS WONDER WHY WE DO NOT WANT TO BUY THEIR PRODUCTS. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. *AK

MIDDLE REAR SAFTEY BELT FAILED. THE RIGT REAR SEAT WAS FOLDED FORWARD. THE SEAT BELT JAMMED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE SEAT TO BE RAISED. THE SEAT HAD TO BE DISASSEMBLED AND A NEW SEAT BELT INSTALLED. THIS SAFETY DEVICE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

THE REAR BUSHING ON BOTH SIDES WERE SEPARATED WHERE THE RUBBER BUSHING WERE TORN APART COMPLETELY CAUSING THE STEERING TO DRIFT SIDE TO SIDE. *BF *SC *JB

I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-84 AT 65 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, LOSING ALL GEARS EXCEPT 1ST. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY AND THE CAR TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. I MANAGED TO GET TO THE OFF-RAMP WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CAR NOW NEEDS THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT WITH ONLY 69,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE RUBBER. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RATTLES, SEVERE FRONT END VIBRATION. SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL PT CRUISER CLUB HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR AS LOW AS 5000 MILES. CURRENTLY MY PT HAS 75.000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING. I AM A 25 YEAR EMPLOYEE OF THE AUTO INDUSTRY. AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT THESE TYPE OF BUSHINGS SHOULD BE HAVING THIS SEPARATION PROBLEM. A RECALL AND MANDITORY REPAIR IS IN ORDER, BEFORE A OWNER HAS A VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO THE VEHICLE LOOSING STEERING CONTROL.*AK

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHILE CHANGING MY FRONT ROTORS & PADS (AT 27K MILES), AND WITH THE SUSPENSION HANGING, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR BUSHING ON EACH CONTROL ARM HAD SEPARATION. I FIRST NOTICED THIS AT 23K000MILES (2-18-04) WHEN I WAS INSPECTING THE FRONT BRAKES, BUT THOUGHT IT MUST BE DESIGNED LIKE THAT SINCE THERE WERE SO FEW MILES ON THE CAR (I AM A RETIRED HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC). RESEARCHING NOW THE PT CRUISER SITES ON THE INTERNET I FIND THAT THIS IS, AND HAS BEEN, A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OWNERS.*AK

ON 12-17-04 MY TIRES WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED AT DISCOUNT TIRE CO. THIS RESULTED IN VIBRATION AT LOW SPEEDS IN MY STEERING WHEEL. DISCOUNT RECHECKED THE BALANCING, BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. SEVERAL DAYS LATER I MOVED THE L/F TIRE TO THE REAR TO SEE IF THE WHEEL MIGHT BE THE PROBLEM - THE VIBRATION STOPPED! ON 12-23-04 I STOPPED BY THE LOCAL GOODYEAR DEALER TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH THEM. IT WAS MADE CLEAR THAT ALL I WANTED WAS A TIRE SAFETY INSPECTION AT NO EXPENSE TO ME. THEY SAID THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO INSPECT THE TIRE AT NO COST AND THE NEXT MORNING I DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT 7AM (12-24-04). A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER GOODYEAR CALLED AND SAID THE L/R TIRE WAS BAD (TREAD SEPARATION) , THAT THEY HAD REPLACED IT WITH A NEW TIRE, AND IT WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. NO MENTION WAS MADE OF ANY COST INVOLVED, AND I ASSUMED IT WAS A FREE REPLACEMENT (27K MILES). WENT TO PICK UP THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PRO-RATED CHARGE OF ALMOST $80 FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRE (GOODYEAR EAGLE LS P205/55R16). I TOLD THEM THERE WAS TO BE NO EXPENSE TO ME FOR THE TIRE INSPECTION - THAT IF THEY FOUND THE TIRE BAD I WAS GOING TO HAVE A COMPLETE SET PUT ON AT PEPBOYS. THEY PUT MY OLD TIRE BACK ON AND AGREED THERE WAS NO CHARGE FOR ANYTHING.*AK

THE CHROME ON 3 OF THE WHEEL RIMS PEELED, CHRYSLER REPLACED ALL 3 RIMS. THE 4TH RIM STARTED TO PEEL AT THE STEM OF THE TIRE WHICH MADE THE TIRE LEAK AIR. *TC *NM

FACTORY INSTALLED SUN ROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING LARGE CHUNKS OF GLASS TO ENTER THE VEHICLE (POSSIBLY FAULTY SAFETY GLASS) AND CAUSED SCRATCHES TO 3 INDIVIDUALS INCLUDING A 20 MONTH OLD BOY. *AK

PT CRUISER 2001 (CAR) WILL CONTINUE TO RUN WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION. SAFETY ISSUE: CAR CANNOT BE STOPPED OCCURRENCES: HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 6+ TIMES SINCE PROBLEM INITIALLY BROUGHT TO DEALERS ATTENTION IN 2002 CHRYSLER SUPPORT: ESSENTIALLY NOT RESPONDING WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS OVER THE LAST 24 MONTHS TO LOCAL DEALER WHO CANNOT RESOLVE THIS DEFECT DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS ON 3 OCCASIONS WITH DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS - HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR DEALER GAVE ME SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS THAT IF CAR DID THIS AGAIN, I COULD STOP IT BY REMOVING FUSE #11 - AFTER A SET OF RECENT SEQUENTIAL FAILURES ON 12/4/04 WHERE I USED THIS TECHNIQUE UNTIL I COULD CONTACT THE DEALER ON MONDAY MORNING; VEHICLE BATTERY DIED AND NEEDED TO BE RE-STARTED; RESPONDING MECHANIC ADVISE ME THE PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING FUSE #11 WAS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE ARCING IN THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND POSSIBLY A FIRE AND COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE ONBOARD COMPUTER. MOST RECENT EVENT OCCURRED ON 12/4/04 WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION, CAR STILL RUNNING.- UTILIZED DEALER TECHNIQUE OF REMOVING FUSE #11, BATTERY DIED. *JB

THE RIMS ARE LOSING AIR. THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES BY TIRE MANUFACTURER FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE INSIDE OF THE CRONE WHEELS, WHERE THE TREAD BEADS SIT ON THE RIM, HAVE PITS AND BLISTERS IN THE CRONE. DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO PUT A SEALER IN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE WHEELS.*AK *TC

THE BRAKE PADS FAILED AT 10,000 MILES. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES LATER AFTER HAVING THEM CHECKED THERE WAS A LOUD MOANING NOISE. FOUND THAT THE PADS HAD CUT INTO THE ROTORS, AND THE ROTOR DISHED WAS BENT VERY BADLY. NOW AT 15000 MILES THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS.*AK

THE BUSHINGS WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE FASTENED TO THE CROSSMEMBER MINE, METAL ON METAL CONCERNING STEERING/SUSPENSION. *BF THE CONSUMERS LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *AK

AT 24,226 MILES, I NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS AGAIN HAS HAPPENED 4 MORE TIMES SINCE DEC 11, 2002. EACH TIME THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED, TWO RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLIES, AND ALL OF THE HOSES. THE LAST TWO TIMES, MY EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE HAS HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AS CHRYSLER TELLS ME THAT SINCE I HAVE THE WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT EXCEPT RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AGAIN SINCE 24,000 MILES. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE FACT THAT CHRYSLER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. THESE 5 FAILURES HAVE ALL HAPPENED IN LESS THAN 31,000 MILES. I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW AS I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO CATCH THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILS COMPLETELY.*AK

MY 2001 PT CRUISER HAS A PROBLEM WITH CHROME PEELING FROM THE RIMS. ON 5/24/04 CHRYSLER REPLACED 3 OF THE RIMS BECAUSE THEY TOLD US THE CHROME WAS PEELING BECAUSE THEIR CHROME WAS TO BLAME. WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE 4TH RIM BUT NOW THE CHROME IS PEELING AROUND THE STEM WHICH INTURN IS MAKING THE AIR LEAK AND NOW CHRYSLER HAS SAID THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE NOW IT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE. ON 11/22/04 WHILE DRIVING I LOST AIR PRESSURE AND THE CAR PULLED FROM ME, I HAD CONTROL BECAUSE I WAS ONLY GOING 20 MPH. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND CHRYSLER HAS REPLACED SOME RIMS AND NOT OTHERS, THERE IS A WHOLE WEB SITE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND CHRYSLER DOESN'T WANT TO HELP OR HEAR ANYTHING MORE. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD BECOME A HUGE PROBLEM. *JB

OVER THE LAST YEAR I HAVE HAD TO SPEND OVER $900 IN CORROSION RELATED REPAIRS TO MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. I SPENT $124 TO REPLACE WHEEL HUB COVERS, $150 TO REPLACE A CORRODED BELL HOUSING, AND $650 TO REPLACE BUSHINGS WHICH ARE COMING OUT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. ALL OF THESE ITEMS ARE RELATED TO DESIGN DEFECTS IN THE PT CRUISER.*AK