2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaint Log

2001 PT CRUISER DASHBOARD CRACKING AND BREAKING UP. *AK

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 PT CRUISER WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. TO DATE, I HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS TELL ME THAT THE WHEELS/RIMS ARE DETERIORATING/PEELING AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AS A RESULT, I AM ALSO CONSTANTLY PUTTING AIR IN SOME OF THE TIRES. MY GREATEST WORRY, IS HAVING A "TIRE BLOW OUT" WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT MANY OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IF THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS VEHICLE IS NOT WILLING TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR WHEELS, I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO TURN THIS OVER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND/OR MEDIA. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ACCORDINGLY. *NM

OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD 50 PLUS TIMES WHERE I HAVE FOUND MY BATTERY DEAD AND THE FOG LAMPS ON. OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD FEWER , BUT , REGULAR TIMES WHEN THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED. I CHECK TO SEE THAT THEY ARE OFF AS I EXIT THE VEHICLE , AND RETURN TO FIND THEM ON AND THE BATTERY DEAD. THE SWITCH ON THE END OF THE LIGHT CONTROL STICK IS NOT A GOOD ARRANGEMENT. IT WEARS OUT THE STOP AND THEN ( AS MINE IS NOW ) YOU CAN NOT TURN THE FOG LAMPS OFF. ANY LITTLE BUMP WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THEY COME ON. I HAVE HAD TO UNPLUG THESE LAMPS ( RATHER THAN PAY THE RIDICULOUS DEALER REPLACEMENT FEE ) TO KEEP MY CURRENT ( 3RD THIS LAST 2 YEARS ) BATTERY FROM DYING. I GOT THE FIRST RETAIL PT DELIVERY IN WI ON APRIL 12 2000 AND AM SURE IN TIME ALL OWNERS WILL FIND THIS PROBLEM. *NM

THE CONNECTOR PLUG FOR THE FOG LIGHTS SHORTED OUT CAUSING IT TO SMOLDER AND THE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON EVEN THOUGH THE KEY WAS REMOVED. THERE WAS FIRE BUT NO FLAME. THE PLUG MELTED AND CRACKED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RECHARGING THE BATTERY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A SEAM FAILURE IN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL MODULE. THE FAILED PARTS WERE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. UPDATED 09/05/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING TRANSMISSION OIL WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH UPHILL ON A HOT DAY AND ON DRY ROADS. SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, SO THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. THE FRONT HOOD WAS RAISED AND THE TRANSMISSION'S LEFT DRIVER SIDE, EXHAUST, AND REAR TIRES WERE OBSERVED TO BE COVERED IN TRANSMISSION OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE CLAMPS WERE NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE HOSE CLAMPS WITH STAINLESS STEEL WORMGEAR CLAMPS, AND FILLED THE VEHICLE UP WITH TRANSMISSION OIL. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE OPERATING TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE WAS HOT. THE VEHICLE IS A CHRYSLER PT CRUISER.*AK

FOG LIGHTS DIFFICULT TO SHUT OFF EVEN WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION, CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH TO AVOID FIRE/WIRING MELTDOWN. UPON REMOVAL OF SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY OF COMPONENT PLASTIC ARM WORN OUT ALLOWED SPRING LOADED CONTACT TO MAKE LIGHT AND CONSTANT CONTACT PRODUCING A SHORT CIRCUIT. ONCE PLASTIC FAILS NO WAY TO TURN FOGS OFF. *JB

2001 PT CRUISER WITH UNDER 40,000 MILES. DEALER CHECKED RATTLING NOISE IN REAR AND REPORTS REAR AXLE IS SHOT. REPAIR COSTS ABOUT $2,000.00. CHRYSLER OFFERED TO PROVIDE PARTS. DEALER LABOR IS ABOUT $600.00. *JB

HELLO, I BELIEVE THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL ON THE FRONT WINDOWS OF THE 2001 PT CRUISER. I BELIEVE I MAY HAVE SAW A TRICKLE OF SMOKE ONCE COME OUT OF THE WINDOW CONTROLS. PLUS, THE WINDOW MAKES A "SCREECHING" SOUND WHEN IT GOES DOWN. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD BEGAN CRACKING APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO. THE DASHBOARD IS EXPOSED TO THE SUN AND A WINDSHIELD SCREEN IS NOT USED DURING THE DAY. THE CRACK HAS NOW SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD, SEPARATING IT INTO TWO PIECES. THE CRACK EXTENDS FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE CENTER CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 104,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AROUND THE VENT LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

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

2001 PT CRUISER - CHROME IS PEELING FROM RIMS WHICH CAUSES AIR TO LEAK FROM TIRES. SECOND SET OF TIRES IS NOW INSTALLED BUT RIMS HAD TO BE RE-SEALED AFTER ABOUT 10K MILES. RIMS WERE RESEALED ONCE BEFORE. CHRYSLER WAS CONTACTED WITH NO RESOLUTION. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM ON THEIR PART. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. IN THE MIDDLE OF 2006, THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HER TO GLUE THE DASHBOARD BACK TOGETHER. THE CONTACT COMPLIED, BUT THE DASHBOARD IS STILL CRACKING AND THE GLUE IS BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. THE VEHICLE WAS GARAGE KEPT, THEREFORE THE SUN WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 56,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 06/14/07. *JB

2001 PT CRUISER, TIRES WERE ALWAYS DEFLATING AND I HAD TO KEEP ADDING AIR TO KEEP THEM AT PROPER INFLATION. I WENT TO A TIRE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE CHROME RIMS. THEY WERE BASICALLY FALLING APART. I HAD TO BUY NEW RIMS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SHIFTER FELT SLUGGISH AND WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OFF THE ROAD WHERE A TEMPORARY REPAIR WAS MADE BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BY THE CONTACT. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. *AK

DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES. REMOTES AND INTERIOR LOCK SWITCHES ARE NON-FUNCTIONAL. PRODUCES THE RISK OF LOCKING OCCUPANTS OUT OF THE CAR, OR UNLOCKING AT NIGHT AND POSES HIGHER RISK OF THEFT. *TR

MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CONSUMES APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT SERVICES MY CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND WITHIN ACCEPTABLE SPECIFICATIONS BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS TO BE TRUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE END OF THE DASHBOARD OVER A TWO WEEK PERIOD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 20,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

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

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

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 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.

THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN HALF FROM THE CENTER OF THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD, THROUGH THE OVAL DEFROSTER GRATING, AND ALL THE WAY BACK TO WHERE THE DASH MEETS THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE DEFROSTER GRATING HAS ACTUALLY FALLEN INTO THE DASH, AND OTHER SMALLER CRACKS ARE FORMING OFF OF THE MAIN ONE. I DIDN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN IT HAPPENED UNTIL I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT OTHER OWNERS WERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN MOST UNHELPFUL AND HAS HAS DENIED ANY CULPABILITY. *TR

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

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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD OF HER VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS. THE FAILURE BEGAN OVER A YEAR AGO. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 59,040 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS DIMMED AND OCCASIONALLY THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF. CURRENTLY, THE FOG LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED AND CAUSE THE BATTERY TO FAIL. HE ALSO STATED THAT BY RETAPPING THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS WOULD MAKE THE OTHER LIGHTS BRIGHTER. HE HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY. HE WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO AND DOOR LOCKS WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

THE DASHBOARD OF MY PT CRUISER 2001 IS CRACKING! *TR

CRACKED DASHBOARD

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 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.

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

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

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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD CRACKED IN HALF. NO WIRES ARE EXPOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD EXCEED $900. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER BOARD IS FAILING AND READING INACCURATELY. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT AND THE WATER PUMP ARE FAILING, WHICH IS RARE DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN ON A DAILY BASIS. THE CONTACT HAS PHOTOS AND INVOICES AVAILABLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 58,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

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

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

OVER APPROXIMATELY THE PAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THELEN AUTO GROUP IN BAY CITY, MICHIGAN REGARDING DEFECTIVE RIMS ON MY 2001 PT CRUISER. I AM CONSTANTLY REPLACING AIR IN FAIRLY NEW TIRES DUE TO THIS. AFTER SPEAKING TO THELEN SEVERAL TIMES CHRYLSER WAS CALLED IN DECEMBER OF 2005 (DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATE). AFTER THE DEALER SCRAPED AND SPRAYED THE RIMS TO STOP THE PEELING A COUPLE OF TIMES THELEN'S MECHANIC (PAT) STATED THAT THIS JUST WOULDN'T WORK. PAT ALSO WENT ON TO ADD (IN THE PRESENCE OF MY FATHER) THAT HE NEVER SAW SUCH A THING. THIS WAS ON A JUNE 2006 VISIT TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR. AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS CHRYSLER NOW STATES THAT THE DEALER TOLD THEM IT WAS JUST SALT EROSION AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE RIMS. CHRYSLER ALSO STATES THAT THIS INFO WAS GIVEN TO THEM FROM MIKE THELEN AND HIS MECHANIC. MR. THELEN STATES HE DID NOT SAYS THIS. WHEN ASKED IF HE WOULD REPLACE THE RIMS FROM HIS DEALER NO MATTER WHAT CHRYSLER SAID; HE REFUSED. OBVIOUSLY SOMEONE IS LYING AND I AM AT A STALEMATE. CHRYSLER WON'T CHANGE IT'S MIND-BECAUSE OF THEIR PHONE CALLS WITH MIKE THELEN-THE OWNER- AND HIS MECHANIC. ON 07-17-06 I WAS TOLD BY DAPHNEY (PHONE FOR CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS 248-576-5741) THAT ONCE A DECISION WAS MADE IT WOULD NOT BE CHANGED. SHE ALSO REFUSED TO LET ME SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR OR GIVE ADDITIONAL INFO FOR THE PRESIDENTS HEADQUARTERS-SHE STATED HER OFFICE HAS NO IDEA HOW TO CONTACT THEM. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILED. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND SWAYING ACROSS THE ROAD, WHICH CAUSED GREAT STEERING DIFFICULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING. THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

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

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

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