2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES SQUEALED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING UP HILL THE VEHICLE LOST SPEED AND INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP STALLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CONSTANTLY FAILED TO REMAIN SECURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOT. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - THE TECH FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS HAD SLOWLY BEEN GRINDING AWAY, THROWING METAL SHAVINGS INTO THE CONVERTER AND THE PUMP. *NM

THE MULTI-FUNCTION LIGHT SWITCH ON BOTH THE PT CRUISER AND SRT-4 HAS BEEN KNOWN TO MELT AND/OR CATCH FIRE. DCX HAS KNOWN THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE PT CAME OUT AND NOW THE SRT-4 IS SUFFERING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM NOW AFRAID TO USE MY FOG LIGHTS ON MY SRT-4. *JB

2003 PT CRUISER CLUTCH DOES NOT DISENGAGE. *TS THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE JUMP BACKWARDS ABOUT 6 FEET IN THE CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY. THE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WERE RECALLED, RECALL 03V076000. THE CONSUMER CONTINUE TO HAVE CLUTCH PROBLEM AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKE TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN PULLED OUT OF THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES. *NM

ON 8-14-06 I EXITED US HWY 59 WEST OF BELTWAY 8 SW OF HOUSTON TX. NOTICED "WOBBLE" IN FRONT END OF CAR. ON TURNING SOUTH ON MURPHY RD I NOTICE WOBBLE GETTING WORSE AND APPEARED TO BE ON DRIVERS FRONT. I PULLED INTO CHEVRON STATION TO PUT AIR IN WHAT I SUSPECTED WAS A LOW AIR TIRE. NO LOW AIR PROBLEM EXISTED. I RAN MY HAND OVER TREAD OF DRIVERS FRONT TIRE AND DISCOVERED A LARGE BULGE ON INSIDE EDGE. THERE WAS A FIRE STONE STORE ABOUT A 1/2 BLOCK SOUTH ON MURPHY STREET WHERE I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE. NOT BEING A TIRE EXPERT I CAN ONLY TELL YOU IT APPEARS THAT ONCE AGAIN A GOODYEAR EAGLE LS FAILED ON MY 2003 PT CRUISER DUE TO A "SLIPPED BELT". MY PT CRUISER CAME WITH WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES. IT ALSO CAME WITH A "TIRES FOR LIFE OFFER" FROM THE DEALER, "GOODSON DODGE" IN SPRING, TX. ( THEY HAVE SINCE SOLD DEALERSHIP). THE FOLLOWING TIRES FAILED DUE TO "SLIPPED BELTS" ON ORIGINAL TIRES. TWO (2) EACH 195/65/R15 DOT#M6C6 BMAR 0403. THEY OCCURED AT SEPERATE TIMES AND REPLACED WITH OTHER TIRES AT "DISCOUNT TIRE STORE". SECOND TIME WHEN I VISITED STORE AND EXPLAINED PROBLEM AS I WALKED ACROSS PARKING LOT THE DISCOUNT TIRE STORE EMPLOYEE SAID SOMETHING LIKE, "OH, A PT CRUISER, LET ME GUESS THESE ARE GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES. I SAID YES WHY ? HE SAID "I DON'T KNOW IF ITS A TIRE DEFECT OR A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BUT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCASION. I SHOULD HAVE REPORTED THIS THEN. I DID REPORT IT THEN TO YALL BUT I DID TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM AND THEIR TIRES FOR LIF

2003 PT CRUSIER BOUGHT BRAND NEW. HEAD LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND DASH LIGHTS ALL FLICKER HARD TO PAY ATTENTION WHEN DRIVING. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SAYS NO FIX. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER AGAIN, POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. JUST WAITING FOR ALL LIGHTS TO FINALLY GO OUT. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 PT CRUISER THAT JUST WENT OUT OF POWER TRAIN WARRANTY 7K MILES AGO-WITH NO WARNING, NO HESITATION, LACK OF POWER, MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TAKING THE CONVERTER, PUMP AND TORQUE CONVERTER-LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION! I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE IN 1,2,3,D OR R-NOW I AM STUCK WITH A $2643.50 BILL. MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE CONSTANTLY VIBRATES, BEEN TO SHOP NUMEROUS TIME TO RESOLVE BUT NO BODY CAN FIND ANYTHING-TIRES ARE FINE, CV JOINT, NOTHING CAN BE FOUND. I AM ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE-MY SEAT BELT UNBUCKLES BY ITSELF, POSSIBLY LEAVING ME WITH NO RESTRAINT IN THE POSSIBILITY OF A WRECK. I AM FILING COMPLAINTS WITH CHRYSLER, BBB, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, NHTS, LEMON LAW AND ANYTHING ELSE I CAN FIND- *NM

THERE IS NO ONE SPECIFIC INCIDENT DATE. (SEE RELATED CORRESPONDENCE 10161568.) DATE UNKNOWN: REMEDY FOR RECALL 03V-076 PROVIDED BY GOEKE DODGE. NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS NOTICED PRIOR TO THIS DATE. 07/20/05: CLUTCH FAILED TO DISENGAGE DURING UNRELATED WARRANTY WORK AT GOEKE DODGE. RECALL REMEDY PROVIDED FOR THE SECOND TIME, AT NO COST TO OWNER. 05/01/06: CLUTCH INTERMITTENTLY FAILING TO DISENGAGE. CLUTCH FLUID FOUND LEAKING AT IMPROPERLY CONNECTED QUICK DISCONNECT BY KAHLO CHRYSLER, FLUID AND LABOR $91.98. 06/07/06: CLUTCH INTERMITTENTLY FAILING TO DISENGAGE. CLUTCH KIT AND INPUT SHAFT REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED PT WARRANTY BY CHAMPION CHRYSLER. DATE UNKNOWN: CLUTCH FAILING TO DISENGAGE. CLUTCH LINE SLAVE CYLINDER REPLACED BY CHAMPION CHRYSLER. *JB

PT CRUISER 2003 FOG LIGHTS COME ON WITHOUT WARNING, BATTERY RUNS DEAD, DEFECTIVE PARTS ETC. $75.75 NEW BATTERY, LABOR $110.05 $76.14 NEW SWITCH, AND $129.98 A SECOND TIME LABOR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. CHRYSLER MECHANICS ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND CLEARLY ARE ENJOYING THE PROFITS. IN A ONE (1) WEEK PERIOD. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE PROPERLY. THE BULBS INTERMITTENTLY BURNED OUT . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE BULBS WERE CHANGED 4 TIMES. THE FIFTH TIME THE BULBS FAILED, THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE LIGHT FIXTURE WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 7/25/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPRING INSIDE THE HOOD LATCH FRACTURED CAUSING THE HOOD LATCH TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE SPRING WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN THE HOOD LATCH.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A KNOCKING SOUND IS HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO REVERSE, OR WHEN A STOP, AND THEN PLACED INTO PARK. THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLS AFTER EACH START AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE SKIM MODEL IN THE COMPUTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/05/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, WITH PRIOR BRAKING, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE MADE IMPACT WITH AN SUV. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND HAS BEEN DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOTICED THE COVERING OF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE CLOUDY. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED THE HEADLIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

MY 2003 PT CRUISER, STILL UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY, HAS HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH OIL LEAKS. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE WAS ONE YEAR AGO. NOW, WITHIN THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, I HAVE HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR OIL AND/OR BRAKE FLUID LEAKS THREE TIMES. I AM TAKING IT IN FOR A FOURTH TIME TOMORROW. I AM SIMPLY LOOKING FOR ANY AND ALL AVENUES WITH WHICH TO FORMALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LACK OF QUALITY IN THE VEHICLE AND THE LACK OF QUALITY SERVICE AT THE "FIVE STAR" DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. I HAVE NOTIFIED CHRYSLER OF THE PROBLEMS AND THE CAVALIER RESPONSE WAS EXTREMELY DISCONCERTING. IT IS QUITE CLEAR TO ME CHRYSLER DOES NOT CARE ABOUT QUALITY OR ITS CUSTOMERS. *JB

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

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

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

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

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.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 2/28/2006 - *NM

REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES, CAUSING SLOP IN CONTROL ARM, WHEEL CAMBER TO VARY DURING OPERATION AND AUTO TO TEND TO WANDER ON ROAD (ALONG WITH THE SOUND OF METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT IN THE SUSPENSION). DC DEALER REFUSED TO COVER REPLACEMENTS AS A DEFECTIVE BUSHING (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND ADVISED ME ON 1/20/06 THAT THE PART IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE - ON BACK ORDER - 7,500 UNITS ON ORDER FROM SUPPLIER. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY WIDE-SPREAD FAILURE OF THIS BUSHING WITH THE RESULTANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO CAMBER CHANGES DURING OPERATION. - I HAVE ALSO BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS FAILURE CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE WATTS LINKAGE IN THE DRIVE TRAIN, AND EXCESSIVE WEAR OF TIRES.*AK

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2003 TURBO CHARGED CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. CLUTCH WHEN DEPRESSED TO START THE VEHICLE IT FEELS LIKE IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY PRESSURE AND DROPS TO THE FLOORBOARD. *TS THE MECHANIC REPLACED PORTIONS OF THE CLUTCH. *JB *NM

REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES, CAUSING SLOP IN CONTROL ARM, WHEEL CAMBER TO VARY DURING OPERATION AND AUTO TO TEND TO WANDER ON ROAD (ALONG WITH THE SOUND OF METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT IN THE SUSPENSION). THE BUSHING WAS REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. AT 64,000 MILES 1/10/06) THE REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED CAUSING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I THEN INSPECTED THE REAR BUSHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE THAT WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES AND DETERMINED THAT IT IS SHOWING INDICATIONS OF BEGINNINGS OF ANOTHER FAILURE. DC DEALER REFUSED TO COVER LEFT SIDE AS A DEFECTIVE BUSHING (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND ADVISED ME ON 1/16/06 THAT THE PART IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE - ON BACK ORDER - 7,500 UNITS ON ORDER FROM SUPPLIER. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY WIDE-SPREAD FAILURE OF THIS BUSHING WITH THE RESULTANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO CAMBER CHANGES DURING OPERATION. *JB

BRAKE LIGHT MECHANISM FELL OUT FROM POSITION UNDER DASHBOARD WHICH MADE THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON CONSTANTLY, RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY AND A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS BEING CONSTANTLY ON. *JB

DT: CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, IT MADE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB

MY 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, GT MODEL, HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE HAD IT. FIRST, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY REPLACED A HOSE, THEN IT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT. IT DID, AT 28,000 MILES, IT WAS THE TURBO CHARGER. SECONDLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT, TOOK THREE TIMES TO GET THE RIGHT SEAT. THIRD, NOW, I WOULD PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, AND IT JUST SIT THERE, THEN JERKS INTO GEAR. SOMETIMES IF YOU GIVE IT GAS IT WOULD JUST REV UP. THEY SAID IT WAS THE PUMP IN THE TRANSMISSION, THEY TOOK 4 PLUS DAYS TO REPLACE IT. WHEN I PICKED IT UP I HEARD A NOISE AND SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. WHEN I TOOK IT OUT THERE THEY DIDN'T HEAR OR SMELL ANYTHING SO I WAS SENT ON MY WAY. THEN IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING IT DID WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. I TOOK IT IN, HE SAID IT NEEDED A BATTERY. I PUT A DIEHARD BATTERY IN IT, BUT SEARS SAID THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THEN THE CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEY SAID IT WAS THE EVAC PUMP. THEY FIXED THAT. THEY CLAIMED THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY I HAD WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN TWO WEEKS BEFORE. NOW, I HEAR A GRINDING WHEN I START THE CAR UP, SOMEONE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE THE FLYWHEEL AND THEY DIDN'T ASSEMBLE THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY, AND THAT WAS PROBABLY WHERE THE BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM. I AM TAKING IT IN TO THE SHOP TODAY FOR THIS. *NM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, CAR IDLES AT LOW RPM, AND STALLS AT ANYTHING NEAR 1000 RPM, WHICH IS ITS NORMAL IDLE SPEED, AT LEAST 25 STALLS IN THE PAST 2-3 MONTHS. SO FAR CHRYSLER KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT CAN'T FIND IT, SO THEY KEEP GIVING IT BACK TO ME. *JB

I HAVE TAKEN MY PT CRUISER INTO DEALER 10-12 TIMES FOR PROBLEMS THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO CORRECT. THERE HAVE BEEN PARTS LOOSE THAT NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED, SUCH AS BELTS, HOSES, CONNECTIONS AND INTERIOR PARTS THAT HAVE FALLEN OFF THE CAR AND DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO MANUFACTURER AND APPLIED FOR LEMON LAW, BUT CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT LISTEN AND TOOK DEALER SIDE. THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE NOISES, BUT I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THE SHOP SUPERVISOR WHO HAS BEEN CHECKING OUT MY CAR FOR THE NOISES HAS A SEVERE HEARING LOSS AND A CLAIM AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANY FOR HEARING PROBLEMS. THERE ARE HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISES, SQUEALS AND LOUD SCREECHING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR LOSES POWER AND SEEMS TO HESITATE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS ALSO A NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A TRAIN WHISTLE IN THE DISTANCE. I HAVE HEARD POPPING SOUNDS IN THE FRONT END AND SQUEALING AND SCREECHING SOUNDS FROM THE BRAKES AND UNDER HOOD IS CONSTANT. THERE IS ALSO A NOISE THAT IS HEARD SOMETIMES IN STEERING AND TURNING. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WOULD REPLACE THE POWER STEERING UNIT TO SEE IF IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEMS AND ORDERED THE PART. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE SERVICE, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE AGAIN AND DID NOT DO ANYTHING. WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES THE NOISE IS SO LOUD IT CAN BE HEARD FOR A LONG DISTANCE. IT SOUNDS LIKE CARS BEING CRUSHED. THE NOISE IS ALSO PRESENT IN TURNING CORNERS AND DRIVING, BUT WORSE IN STEPPING O

DT: THE WHEELS ARE CAST ALUMINUM WITH A METAL CHROME PLATE PUT ON IT, ALLOWING AIR LEAKAGE AROUND THE RIMS. THERE WAS CORROSION BETWEEN THE WHEELS AND AXLE. A MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT HE HAD SEEN OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS A HIGH CHANCE THAT THE WHEEL AND AXLE WILL SEPARATE. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED ON DECEMBER OF 2004. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS AS OF YET. *AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE BREAK AWAY DESIGN OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSED A FATAL INJURY. THE POLICE RULED THAT THE FATALITY OCCURRED AS OVERCORRECTING. THE CONTACT STATED HE KNEW OF ANOTHER CASE WITHIN A TEN MILE RADIUS WHERE THE SAME TYPE OF FATALITY HAPPENED. *AK

THE AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING. THE CAR, A 2003 PT CRUISER WITH APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILES, WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF THE HOT SUMMER, AND INSTEAD OF TAKING THE CAR ACROSS TOWN TO A DEALER, I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE LOW SPEED ON THE FAN RELAY HAD GONE BAD. HE TOLD ME THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER, AND THEY WERE REPLACING ABOUT 300 PER WEEK. THIS IS A HIGH NUMBER, PLUS THIS PART SHOULDN'T FAIL WITH THIS MANY MILES IN MY OPINION. I SPEND $500 TOTAL TO REPLACE IT (LABOR, DIAGNOSTICS, AND PART). I CONTACTED CHRYSLER, WHO WAS SYMPATHETIC, BUT AFTER SENDING THEM THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE INVOICE, THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T PAY FOR IT SINCE IT WASN'T DONE AT THEIR DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE A RECALL IS IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER CONSUMERS. *JB

ON JULY 30, 2005, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN I SUDDENLY HEARD A HORRIBLE SCREECHING/GRINDING NOISE. I MANAGED TO GET MY CAR TO THE NEAREST CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO REAR BRAKE PADS LEFT AND THAT THERE WERE GROOVES IN THE ROTOR (METAL ON METAL). I RECENTLY HAD MY FRONT BRAKES REPLACED IN MAY 2005 AND THE REAR BRAKES WERE IN GOOD CONDITION WITH 1/2 BRAKE PADS LEFT ON BOTH SIDES. I PRIMARILY DO HIGHWAY DRIVING SO MY BRAKES TEND TO LAST LONG. I WAS INFORMED THAT CHRYSLER USES METALLIC BRAKE PADS ON THE PT CRUISERS WHICH MOST MANUFACTURERS DO NOT USE AS IT CAUSES MUCH HEAT AND FRICTION WHEN STOPPING AND PREMATURELY WEARS OUT THE BRAKES. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE LOW, THERE WERE NO NOISES, SQUEAKING, ETC. THE ONLY NOISES I HEARD WERE WHEN THE BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY GONE AND THE CALIPER WAS DIGGING INTO THE ROTORS EVERY TIME I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I LATER LEARNED THAT CHRYSLER USES WEAR INDICATORS ONLY ON THE TWO FRONT BRAKES, NOT THE REAR. THERE ARE NO WEAR INDICATORS ON THE REAR BRAKES SO CUSTOMERS WILL NEVER KNOW THAT THE REAR BRAKES ARE GETTING LOW UNTIL THEY HAVE NO MORE BRAKE PADS LEFT AND THE CALIPER STARTS EATING UP THE ROTOR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I ROUTINELY HAVE MY CAR INSPECTED (EVERY MONTH). THE REAR BRAKE PADS SHOULD HAVE NEVER WORN SO PREMATURELY IN THE SPAN OF 3 MONTHS, CONSIDERING 95% OF MY DRIVING IS ON THE HIGHWAY. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT HAVING WEAR INDICATORS ON A

GOODYEAR 205 50R/17 EAGLE RS/A TIRES FROM FACTORY ARE POOR QUALITY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 22,000 MILES. PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT, BALANCING PROBLEMS WERE PRESENT. REPLACED TIRES WITH OTHER THAN GOODYEAR; DISCOVERED THAT FACTORY RIMS WERE NOT BALANCED! DISAPPOINTED IN CHRYSLER'S QC. *JB

DT: THE SPARE TIRE DID NOT FIT ON THE RIM OF THE FRONT TIRES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED ALSO AND THEY WERE NOT ANY HELP EITHER. THE OWNER HAS TRIED TO PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON THE FRONT WHEN SHE HAD A FLAT, BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. THE SPARE ALSO DOESN'T FIT THE FRONT. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 2004, WHEN THE OWNER NOTICED IT. THE OWNER WENT AND BOUGHT BRAND NEW TIRES, BUT DID NOT BUY A 5TH TIRE TO MAKE A NEW SPARE. IT IS THE RIM THAT IS THE PROBLEM, NOT THE TIRE ITSELF. *NM

TIRES ARE FIRESTONE EAGLE P205/55/16. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH A FRONT SHIMMY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND HAD RE-BALANCING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT TO NO AVAIL. THE REASON I SUSPECT THE TIRES IS THAT I HAD SOME FIRESTONE TIRES IN THE PAST DO EXACTLY WHAT I AM EXPEREINCING.I PURCHASED THE CAR USED WITH 15000 MILES ON IT.THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS EXPEREINCINGTHE SAME SHIMMY. THE CAR AT SLOWER SPEEDS BEGINS TO ROCK FROM SIDE TO SIDE.I WAS TOLD THE LAST TIME THAT I HAD IT LOOKED AT, THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES.

CRACKS APPEARED ON ALL FOUR TIRES. CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. GOODYEAR, EAGLE, 205/50R17. *AK WHEN CONSUMER CALLED DEALER, CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO CONTACT GOODYEAR. CONSUMER REPORTED INCIDENT TO GOODYEAR AND THEY ACTED AS IF IT WEREN'T THERE CONCERN. CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO KAUFFMAN TIRE. AT THIS TIME ONLY TWO FRONT TIRES HAVE SPLITS IN THEM AND WERE REPLACED. 6 TO 8 MONTHS LATER THE OTHER TWO DEVELOPED SPLITS AND WERE REPLACED BY MCNABB TIRE IN ROCKMART, GEORGIA. CONSUMER FEELS GOODYEAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND DONE SOMETHING ABOUT IT, BECAUSE BY THE TIRES FIRST SPLITTING IN THE FRONT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.*SB

2003 PT CRUISER SWAY ARM LINK BAR BROKE.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS 2231 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THIS FAILURE LIKELY OCCURRED DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. *NM

ALL FOUR TIRES CONTAINED BULGES IN THEM, AND CRACKS. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. GOODYEAR, EAGLE RSA, 205/50 R17.*AK THE 5TH TIRE HAD A BULGE AFTER 7 DAYS. *BF *NM

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING OUR BRAND NEW 2003 PT CRUISER, WE NOTICED THE DASH LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS WOULD OCCASIONALLY FLICKER FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AT FIRST, IT WAS VERY INTERMITTENT AND WE DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO IT. HOWEVER, SINCE ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER OF 2004, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. NOW WHENEVER THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE DASH LIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER VERY NOTICEABLY, AND THE FREQUENCY OF THE FLICKERING FOR NO REASON HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. ON NOVEMBER 18, 2004, WE TOOK THE CRUISER INTO SPOKANE CHRYSLER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM (INVOICE 147545). SPOKANE CHRYSLER WAS VERY COURTEOUS AND TRIED DILIGENTLY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE GENERATOR, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, AND EVEN TRIED A NEW BATTERY -- UNFORTUNATELY, NONE OF THEIR EFFORTS FIXED THE PROBLEM. SPOKANE CHRYSLER DID DISCOVER THAT THIS FLICKERING LIGHTS DEFECT WAS NOT UNIQUE TO OUR CRUISER. THE TECHNICIAN TESTED SEVERAL 2002, 2004, AND EVEN BRAND NEW 2005 PT CRUISERS AND FOUND THAT IN EACH OF THESE MODELS, WHILE NOT ALL, BUT SOME OF THEM HAD THE SAME DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM IS PARTICULARLY DISTURBING CONSIDERING THE NATURE OF MANY OF THE PT CRUISERS CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE PT IS IN MANY RESPECTS A FLY-BY-WIRE TYPE OF VEHICLE. EVERYTHING FROM THROTTLE CONTROL, AIR/FUEL MIX, SPEED CONTROL, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING, TRACTION CONTROL, TO ABS BRAKE CONTROL IS GOVERNED BY ELECTRONICS. THE FLICKERING LIGHTS ARE A DEFECT THAT CAN CLEARLY BE SEEN, BUT WHAT

DT: BRAKES FAILED. WAS STOPPING AT STOP LIGHT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CAR DID NOT STOP. THERE WAS A CRASH. VEHICLE HIT A SUV . THERE WERE INJURIES. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO THE BRAKES AND CRASH. NO INQUIRES ABOUT RECALLS, BUT WOULD LIKE TO SEARCH FOR RECALLS AFTER COMPLAINT.*AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AFTER 42,000 MILES, MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES.

THREE OF THE TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED BUBBLES ON THE SIDE WALL. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE BUBBLES WERE CAUSED BY THE VEHICLE IMPACTING POT HOLES. THE TREAD DEPTH ON THE FRONT TIRES ARE 632, THE REAR TIRES 832. *JB *BF *NM

HESITATION IN VEHICLE IN ALL SPEEDS (5 SPEED), TOOK TO CHRYSLER AT LEAST 5 TIMES (4 DIFFERENT DEALERS) TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.....THE FOLLOWING WAS PERFORMED... 1) RE-FLASHING OF PCM 2) CHANGING OF SPARK PLUGS 3) CHECK OF SPARK PLUG WIRES 4) FUEL INJECTORS CHECKED FOR CLOGGING 3 TIMES DEALERS REPLACED ONE (OR MORE) OR ALL SPARK PLUGS (WITHIN ONE YEAR) 1 TIME PCM WAS RE-FLASHED 2 TIMES DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE HESITATION WAS 'NORMAL' 2 TIMES DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE HESITATION WAS NOT FOUND, WHEN EACH TIME IT WAS INSISTED THAT THE TECHNICIAN OR SERVICE MANAGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO CONFIRM THE HESITATION. GATHERING ALL INVOICES FOR CORRECT DATES...

I BOUGHT MY 2003--NEVER TITLED--PT CRUISER LAST MAY. I NOTICED SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THAT WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS AND PANEL LIGHTS FLICKERED CONTINUOUSLY. AFRAID OF A SHORT AND CAUSING A FIRE I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. I HAD THE CAR BACK 5-6 TIMES AND THEY TRIED EVERYTHING FROM CHECKING FOR SHORTS, TO REPLACING A SWITCH, TO INSTALLING A NEW PANEL CLUSTER, AND NOTHING FIXED THE PROBLEM. AT ONE TIME THEY HAD MY CAR FOR OVER A WEEK WORKING BY PHONE WITH THE TECHNICIANS FROM CHRYSLER TO TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND IT STILL EXISTS. I HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENT THEM, BUT MY PATIENCE HAS WORN OUT. ON ONE OCCASION 50 MILES FROM HOME THE LIGHTS FLICKERED SO BAD THEY WENT OUT TEMPORARY AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

2003 PT CRUISER GT PURCHASED BRAND NEW APRIL 29, 2003. CLUTCH HAS FAILED 3 TIMES OVER 10 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS. MARCH 8, 2004 MILEAGE ? 19,842: DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT ENTERED ONTO THE 60 FWY EAST THE CLUTCH GOES OUT ON THE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC! HAVE TRUCK TOWED TO JAMMIN DODGE CHRYSLER THAT NIGHT. THE CAR IS ALMOST 12 MONTHS OLD! MARCH 12, 2004 REMOVED AND REPLACED CLUTCH MODULE ASSEMBLY. CAR PICKED UP. DECEMBER 17, 2004 MILEAGE ? 35,930: THIS IS JUST 9 MONTHS AFTER THE CLUTCH WAS FIRST REPAIRED! CLUTCH GOES OUT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR; IT LAUNCHED FORWARD BECAUSE IT WAS IN FIRST GEAR. IT MISSES THE CONCRETE WALKWAY TO MY OFFICE BUILDING BY LESS THAN A INCH. DECEMBER 21, 2004 STAR CHRYSLER REPAIRS CLUTCH JANUARY 22, 2005. MILEAGE ? 37,275: JUST ONE MONTH SINCE LAST REPAIR TO CLUTCH! I AM DRIVING TO BANK IN MORNING. I COME TO STOP AT THE END OF MY STREET AT THE STOP LIGHT. MY CAR CLUTCH IS MALFUNCTIONING. I STOP THE CAR. I TRY TURNING IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE CAR LAUNCHES FORWARD HITTING THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. THE MAN GETS OUT OF THE TRUCK. HE LOOKS AND THERE IS NOT DAMAGE TO HIS TRUCK. HE ASKS ME DID I SEE HIM? I TOLD HIM THAT MY CLUTCH WENT OUT AND HE CAME OVER AND SAW HOW THE CLUTCH JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS WISHED ME LUCK AND TOOK OFF. MY GRILL IN THE FRONT IS BULGING. MY LICENSE PLATE FRAME CRACKS. AND THE TOP OF MY BUMPER IS SCRATCHED. I CALL AAA. HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO JAMMIN DODGE IN POMONA. I REQUEST NO WORK TO BE DONE.

WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL AND GOING UP HILL I HAVE TO STEP ON THE BRAKES AND THEY WOULD NOT RELEASE. I HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES WITH INCREASING FORCE UNTIL THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAUGED. I HAVE DONE THISTIME ON MY DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AND IT REQUIRES MUCH MORE FORCE GOING UPHILL THEN ON LEVEL GROUND. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THERE WAS ALMOST AN ACCIDENT BUT I HAD THE ADDITIONAL TIME TO STEP ON THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIME TO GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO TURN-OFF.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND HAD SEVERAL ADJUSTMENTS MADE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERS, AND PROBLEM DID NOT DUPLICATE ITSELF. HOWEVER, THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. *AK....*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE OVER 60 MPH. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIME. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.