2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaint Log

MULTI-SWITCH FAILS CAUSING THE FOG LIGHTS TO COME ON WHEN CAR IS OFF OR RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING. PLASTIC PART INSIDE SWITCH MECHANISM HOLDING METAL CONTACT FROM CONNECTING TWO TERMINALS OVERHEATS AND MELTS THUS BECOMES SHORTER AND CANNOT KEEP THE CONTACT AWAY FROM THE TERMINALS. DEALER TOLD ME WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT I SHOULD NOT USE THE FOG LIGHTS UNLESS NEEDED AND I DID AS TOLD. AFTER TWO BATTERIES AND MANY ATTEMPTS TO GET CHRYSLER TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY ADMITTED WAS HAPPENING ON ALL PT CRUISERS SOLD BY MY DEALER, I HAD TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL A NEW MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL AN CAN SEND IF WISHED. *TR

REAR BRAKES HAVE NOT WORKED CORRECTLY SINCE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2002 (PT CRUISER). REAR BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS MADE A GRINDING NOISE FOR FIRST OR SECOND USE AND THEN THE GRINDING NOISE GOES AWAY. CAR HAS 69,600 MILES ON IT AND I BOUGHT IT NEW. I RECENTLY PULLED THE REAR WHEELS AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE NOT WORN (FOR BOTH REAR WHEELS) AND THE DRUMS HAD RUST STREAKS ON THEM. ALSO, RUST DUST WAS COVERING EVERYTHING. IT APPEARS THAT THE BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND I PLAN ON REPLACING THE CALIPERS. *JB

2002 PT CRUISER, AT 59000 MILES BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. A YEAR LATER AT 75000 MILES BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE GONE AGAIN AND BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE NOW WORN DUE TO THIS FAILURE, DEALER REFUSES TO COVER ANY OF THE FAILURES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN OUT. UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB

DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED. *AK

2002 LIMITED EDITION PT CRUISER - WHEELS DEFECTIVE. THE ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS HAVE COMPLETELY DETERIORATED (PEELING AND FLAKING) UNDERNEATH THE CHROME PLATING (INSIDE AND OUT), CAUSING THE WHEELS TO CONTINUALLY LEAK AIR AND WEAKEN THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE WHEEL, MAKING THE VEHICLES UNSAFE. THE BEAD LIP DETERIORATED TO THE POINT OF BREAKING THE RIM. TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE WHEELS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 39,000 MILES. THIS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I AM REPORTING THIS TO PREVENT INJURIES AND CRASHES. *NM

I PURCHASED MY 2002 PT CRUISER WITH ONLY 34,000 MILES ON ODOMETER IN JANUARY OF 2006. WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. I PAID $1,000.00 TO HAVE THE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND ONCE AGAIN WITHIN SIX MONTHS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS TOLD THIS TIME THAT IT WAS THE AIRBAG SENSORS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

FAILURE OF THE FOG LIGHTS TO TURN OFF. *NM

THE FOG LIGHTS ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER COME ON BY THEMSELVES. THEY HAVE COME ON DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THIS HAS CAUSED MY BATTERY TO GO DEAD. I HAD TO PULL THE FUSE TO MAKE THEM STOP COMING ON. *JB

2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *KB BOTH OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MULTIPLE STRAINS AND BRUISES. *NM

VEHICLE: 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 1) NO SIGNIFICANT EVENTS. NO ACCIDENTS. NO UNUSUAL USAGE. 2) THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT, ABOVE THE DRIVER'S LEFT SHOULDER, FELL OUT WHEN I WAS BUCKLING MY SEAT BELT. THE BOLT QUITE EASILY FELL OUT, WITH ALMOST NO APPLIED PRESSURE. 3) CHRYSLER DEALER REATTACHED THE BOLT WITH A NEW NUT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE IS A CHEMICAL SMELL WHICH GAVE CONTACT HEADACHES AND AN OCCASIONAL SORE THROAT. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NOT A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE WHEN THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP. THE SPEAKERS MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE REAR SEAT BACKING WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 07/25/06. *JB

TIRES FAIL TO HOLD/MAINTAIN AIR PRESSURE..CHROME RIMS PEELING ,LOSE AIR PRESSURE FROM 35 LBS DOWN TO 15 LBS IN A WEEK PERIOD OF TIME. DEALER AGREES THERE IS A PROBLEM, RETAIL TIRE DEALERS HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEM RIMS. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS UNSAFE.. CAN CAUSE ROLL OVER..BLOW OUTS. *JB

DASHBOARD CRACKING IN 2002 PT CRUISER. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 95,848 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

I OWN A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. I WAS AWARE CHRYSLER ONLY OFFERED A 3 YEAR WARRANTY ON MY CAR WHEN PURCHASED, SO I OPTED AND PAID EXTRA FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER AN ADDITIONAL 2 YEARS. BASICALLY LAST MAY 2006, I NOTICED A CRACK APPEARED ON THE TOP DASHBOARD NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD AND THE GRILL ON THE TOP DASH ALSO HAD A CRACK. I CALLED THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST ME. I EXPLAINED I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THEY THEN SAID THAT THIS WAS CONSIDERED MORE OF A COSMETIC ISSUE NOT ANYTHING THAT IS COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY POLICY. WE THEN CALLED THE MAIN CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS OFFICE THEY CLAIMED THE SAME THING. SO TO THIS DAY I STILL HAVE THE CRACK ON THE TOP PART OF DASHBOARD WHICH NOW IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS VERTICALLY (DASH IS SPLIT IN HALF) BECAUSE NO ONE AT CHRYSLER CONSIDERED THIS A DEFECT ISSUE FOR SOME ODD REASON AND LACK THE CUSTOMER SERVICE ALL COMPANIES NEED TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS. I VOWED SINCE THEN TO NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CHRYSLER. *AK

2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER BRAKES FAILED. *KB WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT REDUCE SPEED. EVENTUALLY, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A MANAGEABLE SPEED UNTIL SHE REACHED THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT REDUCE SPEED BELOW 2000 RPM. *JB

FILLING TIRES WITH AIR EVERY OTHER DAY . TIRE SERVICE DEALER SAID HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL OTHER PT CRUISER WITH SAME PROBLEM. WHAT CAN BE DONE . I HAVE BOUGHT 2 1/2 SETS OF NEW TIRES SINCE 5/2/06. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK DIRECTLY DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE CRACK BEGAN AT THE VERY EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN A HORIZONTAL LINE ALL THE WAY ACROSS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT FOR FREE. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE HE FEELS THAT IT IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. UPDATED 7/5/2006 - *NM

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT UNDER 34,000 MILES. ALTHOUGH I WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I WAS CHARGED $100 FOR SOMETHING THAT I DO REMEMBER BEING A DEFECT THAT I HAD TO BRING INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO REPAIR WITHIN THE FIRST 2 MONTHS I HAD THE VEHICLE. WHY THEN MUST I PAY FOR A KNOWN DEFECT? *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TIRES CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO INTENSE HEAT IN THE WHEELS. THE BRAKE CALIPER ALSO LOCKED WHICH CAUSED THE LEFT WHEEL TO LOCK AND MELT THE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY CORRECTED THE FAILURE IN APRIL OF 2006. A DIFFERENT DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS NEVER REPLACED OR REPAIRED WHICH IS WHY THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,800.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A LEAK WAS DETECTED IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE. A NHTSA RECALL, 04V268000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE POWER STEERING HOSE, HOWEVER THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL.

TRANSMISSION OF 2002 PT CRUISER FAILED @ 56,000 MILES NEEDING COMPLETE REBUILD. FLUID PUMP DISINTEGRATED SPREADING METAL SHARDS THROUGHOUT TRANSAXLE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES SQUEAKED AND BRAKE DUST WAS OBSERVED ON THE HUBCAPS. THE BRAKES PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED FREQUENTLY AT EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE ALL OVER THE ROAD. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE. THREE DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE ADMITTED THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT BUT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE FUNCTIONING OF THE BRAKES THEY ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO ISSUE A RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE CONTACT THIS FAILURE DOES AFFECT THE FUNCTION OF THE BRAKES.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND FELT AS IF IT WAS DRAGGING. THERE WAS ALSO A SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE WAS STICKING. THE CALIPER WAS REPLACED AND BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED. ONE WEEK LATER, THE SAME THING OCCURRED. THIS TIME THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE CALIPER WITH THE ORIGINAL AND SUGGESTED A VISIT TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER FLUSHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND DURING A TEST DRIVE THE FRONT LEFT AND THE REAR RIGHT BRAKES CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED THE ROTORS AND PADS AND ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

I WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE ADVISOR JAMES QUINN AT BRUNSWICK AUTO MALL IN BRUNSWICK, OHIO (330-273-3300) THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM(RUBBER BUSHINGS ON MY 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WERE WORN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 44,971 MILES. I DID A WEB SEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS PT CRUISER USER FORUMS AND FOUND REFERENCES TO CHRYSLER CHANGING THE SUPPLIER OF THE BUSHINGS SOMETIME AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT. CHRYSLER CHANGED THE BUSHINGS SUPPLIER DUE TO VERY EARLY FAILURE AND ALSO UPGRADED THE QUALITY OF THE BUSHINGS. MY BUSHINGS FAILED DUE TO HAVING THE OLDER STYLE BUSHINGS. 45K MILES IS VERY EARLY FOR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS TO WEAR OUT. I CONTACTED CHRYLSER WARRANTY AT 800-992-1997 TO COMPLAIN AND WAS ASSIGNED REFERENCE NUMBER 14736996. AFTER EXPLAINING THE SITUATION, THE CHRYLSER REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT CHRYSLER WOULD OFFER NO CUSTOMER GOOD-WILL ASSISTANCE WITH PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE I WAS 1 YEAR AND 4 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CHRYSLER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE CHRYSLER EXTENDED WARRANTY IN ANTICIPATION OF UNANTICIPATED VEHICLE REPAIR PROBLEMS LIKE MY BUSHINGS. THE "UNANTICIPATED" EARLY FAILURE OF REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON OLDER MODEL PT CRUISER BUSHINGS IS A SEVERE SAFETY THREAT TO CONSUMERS WHO EXPECT QUALITY PARTS IN THEIR VEHICLES THAT SHOULD NORMALLY LAST AT LEAST 100,000 MILES. THE UNANTICIPATED FAILURE OF THE PT CRUISER BUSHING CAN EASILY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, ACCIDENTS, OR MUCH WORSE. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY COMPLAINT. BEST REGARDS. *JB

LARGE CRACK IN DASHBOARD, FROM WINDOW TO BOTTOM OF DASHBOARD THROUGH AIR VENT. ANOTHER CRACK WAS STARTING NEAR PASSENGER SIDE. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTIES WITH THE STEERING. UPON INSPECTION, THE TIRES APPEARED FLAT. THIS BECAME PRESENT AFTER THE RENEWAL OF ALL FOUR TIRES AT A TIRE SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO BALANCED THE TIRES AND PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT. THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AND THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY ABOUT THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DECLARED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON VEHICLE'S OPERATED IN SNOW BELT STATES BUT PROVIDED NO SOLUTION.

DT*: AT 45,000 MILES THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND LINK FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

FEB 2006 - JUNE 2006: INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY, APPEARS TO INDICATE A HEADLAMP FAILURE, BUT NO BURNT-OUT BULB IS APPARENT. JUNE 8, 2006: INDICATOR LAMP WILL ONLY GO OUT WHEN HIGH BEAM OR TURN SIGNALS ARE ON. JUNE 8, 2006: BATTERY DEAD AFTER CAR PARKED FOR 5 HOURS. JUMP START SUCCESSFUL. JUNE 8, 2006: READ MANUAL. DISCOVERED THAT CAR HAD FOG LIGHTS, AND THAT THE INDICATOR LIGHT MEANT THAT THE FOG LIGHTS WERE ON. ONLY THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH WAS OFF. AND TURNING THE SWITCH ON AND OFF DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. JUNE 9, 2006: PULLED RELEVANT FUSE. HOPE NOTHING CRITICAL IS ON THE SAME CIRCUIT. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH BECOMES STUCK AND RUNS DOWN HIS BATTERY. THE FAILURE HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER IN THE BATTERY. THE SHOP IS CHARGING $300 FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51,000. UPDATED 02/01/08

I HAVE A 2002 PT CRUISER AND TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY SAID: BUSHINGS (BOTH LOWER-FRONT) REMOVE & REPLACE CONTROL ARM SHAFT AND BUSHINGS, LOWER BOTH CONTROL ARM. BEARING & SEALS. FROM WHAT I AM READING IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PT CRUISERS. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN SIX SPOTS. THE CRACKS HAVE SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE IS OFTEN PARKED IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX HOURS PER DAY. THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN COVERED WITH ARMOR ALL PROTECTANT AND A WINDSHIELD REFLECTOR WAS USED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

I HAD A VERY ALARMING INCIDENT ON JANUARY 23, 2006. AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK AND TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES I SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED TO BE SURE THE FUEL CAP WAS IN PLACE. IT WAS SO I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE ENGINE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE STARTED BUT RAN QUITE ROUGHLY. I AGAIN STOPPED THE ENGINE TO CHECK THE SOURCE OF THE GASOLINE ODOR. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE GASOLINE WAS RUNNING OVER THE EDGE OF THE FUEL TANK SHIELD. I DECIDED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE STARTED AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERS SERVICE CENTER. I WAS TOLD THE FUEL LINE WAS BROKEN. I ASKED THAT THE FUEL LINE BE SAVED FOR ME. I HAVE IT AND IT IS BROKEN ON THE END.*JB

AT 24,000 MILES TRANSMISSION WENT OUR COMPLETELY. NOW AT 65,000 MILES TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AND NEEDS A TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK REPLACED. ENGINE COMPARTMENT SMOKES AND SMELLS HOT. FOUND TSB#0801505 AND NHTSA #10013731 ON FILE BUT DEALER CAN NOT TELL ME ANYTHING. FOUND SEVERAL WEB SITE LISTING THIS SAME COMPLAINT SOME WITH CATASTROPHIC FAILURES ON THE ROAD. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMALL CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. NOW, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED. CHRYSLER ISSUED HER A WORK ORDER, BUT WILL NOT REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

MY 2002 PT CRUISER HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY, INCLUDING OIL CHANGES, FOR THE ENTIRE TIME THAT I HAVE OWNED IT. IN SPITE OF THIS, IT HAS DEVELOPED ENGINE PROBLEMS THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE FORMING OF SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE OIL CONSUMPTION ON THE CAR HAS BEEN APPROXIMATELY A QUART PER 1000 MILES EVER SINCE THE 36000 MILE SERVICE. I FEEL THAT THERE IS SOME INHERENT DESIGN PROBLEM THAT HAS LED TO THE PREMATURE WEARING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THE LOSS OF POWER IN THIS AUTOMOBILE. I THINK THAT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE, IN THE SPACE OF 4 YEARS TIME. *NM

SUBJECT: 2002 PT CRUISER BRAKES / TRANSMISSION I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU ARE THE PROPER PERSON TO BRING UP SOME SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE CHRYSLER PT CRUISER BUT IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT MAYBE YOU COULD DIRECT THIS TO SOMEONE WHO CAN. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, I HAD MY BRAKES SERVICES AT A LOCAL SHOP THAT I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR 10 YEARS. WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I USED TO DO MUCH OF THE WORK TO CARS MYSELF, AND ONCE IN A WHILE I DO AN AUDIT OF THE WORK HE DOES. AS ALWAYS, HE DOES A GREAT JOB. RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM LAKE TAHOE ON I80. THIS IS MOSTLY FULL OF MOUNTAINS WITH VERY STEEP GRADES AND A LOT OF SHEER CLIFFS. I HAD A FULL CAR LOAD OF HUMAN AND PERSONAL PROPERTY SO I WOULD CONCEDER IT TO BE CLOSE TO THE MAX WEIGHT OF THE CAR. I PLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FROM OVER-DRIVE TO THE NEXT LOWEST GEAR DURING THE STEEP GRADES. WE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL! I DISCOVERED TO MY HORROR THAT THE NEXT LOWEST TRANSMISSION SPEED WAS THIRD. SO I DROPPED IT DOWN AGAIN TO THE NEXT LOWER GEAR AND IT WAS FIRST GEAR. SINCE OUR SPEED WAS 55 MILES PER HOUR, IT DID NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. THANK GOODNESS IT DID NOT. SO I APPLIED THE ABS FRONT DISCS AND REAR DRUMS. BY THE TIME WE GOT DOWN FROM THIS AREA, I TOTALLY BURNED OUT THE BRAKES. I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER CARS FROM CALIFORNIA TO TEXAS TO FLORIDA WITH SIMILAR LOADS, BUT NEVER WITH A TRANSMISSION WITH NO SECOND GEAR. I HAVE NEVER BURNED NEW BRAKES UP IN A SIMILAR FISSION AND REQUIRED ONE NEW DISC. I DO NOT THINK THAT THEY ??CHRYSLER?? DID ENOUGH ENGINEERING IN STOPPING THIS CAR WITH STEEP HIGHWAY GRADES WITH A FULL LOAD, AND THE POPULATION IS AT RISK FOR RUN-AWAY CARS IN THOSE AREAS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR VALUABLE TIME. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V268000 CONCERNING THE STEERING POWER ASSIST HOSE PIPING AND CONNECTIONS. THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *JB

BATTERY FAILURE BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRATION. REPLACEMENT FAILURE AFTER WARRANTY & NO MONETARY PAYMENT BY COMPANY. *JB

THE CAR BEGAN REPEATEDLY OVERHEATING REQUIRING AC TO BE TURNED OFF. THE COOLING FAN HAS CEASED WORKING AND AN ENTIRE ASSEMBLE NEEDED TO BE PURCHASED. IN DISCUSSING THIS WITH TWO SEPARATE GARAGES, THEY INDICATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY SEE FREQUENTLY AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SUBJECT OF RECALL. *NM

DT: 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAG. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER'S WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 30,2005. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT AND RIGHT SIDE OF BUMPER. THE VEHICLE HAD SIDE, FRONT AND SEAT AIR BAGS. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD CONSUMER THAT IF SHE WAS TRAPPED BY THE DOORS THEN SHE WAS GOING FAST ENOUGH FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WENT TO WEBSITE AND PRINTED A FORM THAT ASKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, MAILED THE FORM BACK TO CHRYSLER AND HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE BACK. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD DAMAGE OF MORE THAN $5000. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AIR BAGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN WHICH SHOWED THAT ACCIDENT WAS NOT THE CONSUMER'S FAULT. THE CONSUMER WANTED ATTENTION TO GET THIS MATTER RESOLVED. THE CONSUMER DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER ENOUGH. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REASON WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS HIT TO THE RIGHT OF THE SENSOR AND NOT IN THE CENTER. *JB *SC

BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE WORN AND PUSHED OUT OF CONTROL ARM. REPLACEMENT REQUIRED TO PASS NY STATE INSPECTION, THEREFORE THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 16383 MILES.

2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER DEVELOPED A NOISE IN WHICH THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE REPAIRED. PARTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED BUT THE NOISE REMAINS.*MR *JB

FAIKURE OF ABS

I OWN THE 2002 CHYSLER PT CRUISER LIMITED. HOLD IN THE TRIP ODOMETER RESET BUTTON WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO RUN WILL START A SELF-TEST, WITH A READOUT ON THE ODOMETER. IT WILL ALSO ACTIVATE THE INSTRUMENT PANELS, ONE AT A TIME. THE TEST WILL RUN FOR APPROXIMATELY 60 SECONDS, THEN AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN. IF THE TEST SENSES A FAULT, THE ODOMETER WILL SHOW THE P-CODE NUMBER FOR THE CORRESPONDING (DTC) DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE. THE SELF DIAGNOSTIC THAT IS ON THE ODOMETER IS GIVING FALSE READING. FL0008, EE08, BL01, AND 5 OF 4.7. I CHECKED SEVERAL WEBSITE AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL PT CRUISER THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME FALSE READINGS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO USE THE "SELF DIAGNOSTIC TEST" THAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE A STANDARD ON THIS MODEL.

DT: THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V268000 REPAIR WORK FOR THE POWER STEERING HOSE ON 6/7/05. SHE RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL LETTER YESTERDAY WITH THE SAME INFORMATION, AND WHEN SHE CALLED THE DEALER SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS NOT COMPLETED. THE DEALER PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AT THE OWNER'S BUSINESS FOR SERVICE BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS LOCATED MORE THE 47 MILES FROM THE VEHICLE OWNER. THE OWNER'S CONCERN WAS THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS NOT COMPLETED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE ONLY THING THE OWNER NOTICED WAS THAT THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED. WHEN THE OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY HER MECHANIC, SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE BEARINGS WERE OUT. THIS IS WHAT LED THE OWNER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER FOR THE RECALL WORK IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS LED TO THE CHAIN OF EVENTS LISTED ABOVE WITH THE INCOMPLETE RECALL WORK. *AK *SC

BATTERY FAILURE WHEN FOG LIGHTS GO ON DUE TO FAULTY SWITCH

MULTIFUNCTION LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE, CAUSING LIGHTS TO COME ON WHEN CAR NOT OPERATING. SHORT IN WIRING CAUSED SPARKS AND SMOKE.