2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaint Log

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003PT CRUIZER AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY WATER GAUGE WENT INTO RED ,HAD TO PULL OVER LATER ON CHANGED THERMOSTAT AND FLUSHED RADIATOR,RAN FINE FOR A DAY THEN OVERHEATING AGAIN FOLLOWING DAY SEEMS TO BE NOTHING WRONG NO LEAKING,JUST HAD TRANI.FIXED 2 MONTHS,HUSBAND DROVE CAR AGAIN AFTER ABOUT SEVEN MILES CAR STARTED OVERHEATING AGAIN,WENT TO RED HAD TO PULL OVER FOR CAR TO COOL DOWN,WHAT IS GOING ON,DOES CHRYSLER HAVE ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM? *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING ON THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING FUMES EMITTING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOSE AND MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

YEAR: 2003 MAKE: CHRYSLER MODEL: PT CRUISER ENGINE: 2.4L TURBOCHARGED COMPONENTS: POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE WAS RUBBING UP AGAINST THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THE RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE RUPTURED DUE TO CONTACT WITH THE HOT TRANSMISSION DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN THE FIRST INCIDENT SINCE THE OWNER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER PURCHASED NEW POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE AND HAD IT INSTALLED AT A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE SHOP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V076000 (POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY) AND WAS REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE CONTACT HAVING OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND THE SHIFTER CABLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

I AM HAVING OVERHEATING PROBLEMS. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER OWNERS OF PT CRUISER WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES. IT OVERHEATS AT IDLE AND WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE NOT FOUND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM YET. I HAVE HAD IT PRESSURE TESTED AND THE THERMOSTAT CHANGES AND IT IS STILL OVERHEATING TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG AND THE CHECK LIGHT ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

WHEN STARTING CAR IN MORNING, IT MADE A VERY UNFAMILIAR SOUND THEN THE SOUND DISAPPEARED. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE THE CAR WAS PARKED. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, WE HEARD TWO LOUD THUDS AS IF SOMETHING HAD FALLEN TO THE PAVEMENT. WE SAW NOTHING UNDER THE CAR, BUT AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD TWO MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY DISLODGED. MECHANIC TOLD US THIS WAS HIS THIRD REPAIR OF THIS TYPE BECAUSE THE MOTOR WAS TOO HEAVY FOR THE TYPE OF MOTOR MOUNTS CHRYSLER USED IN THE PT CRUISER. PLEASE CALL OWNERS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED BEFORE OFFICIAL RECALL DAMAGES CHRYSLERS IMAGE. *TR

VEHICLE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES AIR BAG IS DISABLED - DUE TO FAULTY CLOCK SPRING. UPDATED 08/18/15*JB

I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH MY 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH HAS WORN OUT AND IS CAUSING MY CAR BATTERY TO BE DRAINED DUE TO THE FOG LIGHT STAYING ON. I WAS GOING TO REPLACE THE PART. HOWEVER I WAS CHECKING ONLINE FOR QUOTES WHEN I STUMBLED UPON A FORUM FULL OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE OVER 600 COMMENTS REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH THE PT CRUISER, MOST OF THEM WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I HOPE THERE IS SOMETHING SOMEBODY CAN DO ABOUT THIS. I AM HOPING FOR A RECALL OF THE PART, I WILL BUY A NEW PART I JUST DON'T WANT THE SAME PART AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED DUE TO MY CAR BEING DRAINED OF BATTERY LIFE MORE THAN 5 TIMES. *TR

GAS FUMES INTERIOR OF CAR NO PHYSICAL GAS UNDER VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH, HE REMEMBERED CHANGING LANES AND THERE WAS SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OFF OF THE GROUND PER A WITNESS SINCE THE CONTACT DOESN'T RECALL THE DETAILS OF WHAT OCCURRED. HE DOES REMEMBER THAT THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD AND HIP INJURES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 02/02/11 *CN

THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES ON MY 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HAVE BECOME SO CLOUDY THEY ARE PRACTICALLY USELESS. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE SEEN OTHER PT CRUISERS AS WELL AS OTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AS I AM FEARFUL OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LOW VISIBILITY. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH ALOT OF DEER AND THIS LOW VISIBILITY CONCERNS ME. *TR

MY PT CRUISER 2003 HAS BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION BECAUSE OF THE CONTAMINATION MY BRAKES BRAKE PADS CALIBER ARE MESSED UP HAVEN'T GOT FIXED YET. *TR

2003 TURBO PT CRUISER ISSUE WITH ENGINE OVER HEATING LIGHT COMING ON ENGINE WAS NOT OVER HEATING. A WEEK LATER RUNNING LIGHTS AND FOGLAMPS STARTED COMING ON WHILE CAR IS OFF AND SITTING. CHECKED A SITE THAT SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM IN THE TURBO 2003 AND 2004 TURBO CRUISERS AND THE ISSUE WILL GET WORSE. MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

CAR IS MANUAL TRANS, MY WIFE DRIVES IT AND HAS COMPLAINED FOR QUITE A WHILE OF CAR JUMPING I TOLD HER IT WAS HER, THE CAR NEVER DID IT FOR ME DURING TEST DRIVES. IN JANUARY SWITCHED CARS WITH HER IT TOOK 2 WEEKS FOR IT TO HAPPEN. COMING TO A STOP CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. HAS ALSO TRIED TO ENGAGE ON ITS OWN AT LIGHTS. WENT TO DEALER THEY SAID NO RECALLS ARE OPEN ON CAR AND RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM WAS ALREADY DONE SO YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. SEEMS LIKE NEWER OF THE SAME PART WAS INSTALLED. CAR IS OFF THE ROAD AND I HAVE SAID MY SORRIES TO MY WIFE. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *TR

LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE BAD AT 60,000 MILES AND THE CAR IS WANDERING ON THE ROAD. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS KNOWN ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED. *TR

2003 P T CRUISER WITH 44000 MILES AM TOLD IT NEEDS FRONT BEARINGS ON THE FRONT. *TR

AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES THE FOG LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ON EVEN IN THE OFF POSITION. PLACING THE TURN SIGNAL IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE WOULD REMEDY SITUATION, FURTHER FIXED BY PULLING THE FOG LIGHT FUSE. LATTER ON AT 80,000 MILES THE LOW BEAMS FAILED AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. HIGH BEAMS WOULD WORK OR THE FOG LIGHTS WOULD WORK (AFTER PUTTING THE FUSE BACK IN). THE DANGER WAS FURTHER ENHANCED BY WHEN YOU WOULD USE THE TURN SIGNAL THE FOG LAMPS WOULD SHUT OFF. THIS WAS FIXED BY REMOVING THE MULTI-STICK FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW COMPONENT. ALL ISSUE WERE RESOLVED BY THIS FIX. *TR

OEM 17" CHROME WHEELS ON 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER GT CORRODE, FLAKE OFF, AND TIRES LOSE PRESSURE OVERNIGHT. LOW TIRE PRESSURE CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL OR SKID. THE CONSUMER IS FORCED TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE TWICE A DAY. FORGETTING TO DO THIS, EVEN ONCE, CAN LEAD TO AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. *TR

WITH 59,000 FREEWAY MILES, AT 65 MPH VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED ABRUPTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. VEHICLE WOULD ONLY LURCH ALONG AT A SLOW SPEED AND UNABLE TO GO INTO REVERSE. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL REQUIRED COSTING OVER $2,000 TO REPAIR. *TR

I SAW A STORY ON ABC NEWS CONCERNING DECELERATION ON BMW VEHICLES AND I HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE IN A CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. I WAS TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEED AND EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN DECELERATION OF MY VEHICLE. IF SOMEONE WAS BEHIND ME I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE EXHIBITED HESITATION WITH A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER. THE FAILURE WAS SPORADIC. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SIX TIMES FOR DIAGNOSIS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. A MOBILE COMPUTER WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE TO POSSIBLY DETECT FUTURE FAILURE OCCURRENCES. WHEN THE ENGINE FAILURE RECURRED, THE MOBILE COMPUTER WAS UNABLE TO PROJECT AN ACCURATE READING. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THE OXYGEN SENOR BE REPLACED HOWEVER HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE REPAIR WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 01/14/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 02/23/11

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING EAST BOUND WHEN HE WAS HIT T BONE AND EVENTUALLY LANDED HEAD ON INTO A TREE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA 629139 EXTERIOR LIGHTING HEADLIGHTS, MOISTURE INSIDE VENTED HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. HEADLIGHTS HAVE HARD WATER DEPOSITS ON INSIDE OF LAMP,WITH SUN EXPOSURE HAVE BECOME SO CORRODED THEY ARE NOT USABLE HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THIRTY SECONDS AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SIX SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM), FOUR FUEL INJECTERS , SPARK PLUGS, AND BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS. WERE REPLACED. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

FUEL LINE ABRASION AND LEAKAGE ON FUEL LINE FROM FIREWALL TO FUEL RAIL. 2003 MPT CRUISER WITH 5 SPEED AND 146,000 MILES FUEL ABRADED THRU FIRE WALL INSULATION AND RUBBED WHILE THRU PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AND FUEL LINE FUEL LINE SPRAYED FUEL ALL OVER ENGINE, CONVERTER AND FIREWALL DRIVER NOTICED FUEL SMELL AND STOPPED CAR. *TR

HIGH BEAMS COMING ON WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON, AT FIRST ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK THEN EVERYDAY IT WOULD HAPPEN THEN EVERYTIME USING THE VEHICLE, THE HIGH BEAMS CAME ON AFTER I TURNED THEM OFF WHEN GETTING OUT OF MY CAR UPON RETURNING TO MY CAR WOULD NOT CRANK, THE HIGH BEAMS WHERE STILL ON, HAD TO GET MY CAR JUMPED STARTED, REMOVED THE FUSE AND HAVEN'T HAD THE HIGH BEAMS TO COME ON AGAIN, BUT I NEED MY HIGH BEAMS ESP. FOR LONG DISTANCE DRIVING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, THERE'S A SHORTAGE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE FUSE AND HIGH BEAMS LIGHTS. *TR

2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FACTORY CHROME RIMS 17" CORRODING AND FLAKE OFF CAUSING THE AIR PRESSURE TO DROP OVERNIGHT. CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION RESULTING IN LOSE OF CONTROL AND UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR. *TR

REPEATED OVERHEATING DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM. ANTIFREEZE IS PROPERLY MIXED AND THE RESERVOIR IS FULL. ENGINE OVERHEATS AFTER ONLY A FEW MINUTES OF OPERATION. THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP HAVE BEEN REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. WHEN ENGINE IS SHUT OFF, GURGLING NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM INSIDE THE CAR. RADIATOR WAS PRESSURE TESTED AND FOUND NO LEAKS. ANTIFREEZE SEEMS TO EVAPORATE CONSTANTLY CAUSING THE OVERHEATING ISSUE TO OCCUR AGAIN AFTER ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS OF ANTIFREEZE HAS BEEN ADDED. *TR

1. I GENERALLY DRIVE OUR 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON DURING THE DAY, AND THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. THIS MEANS I WAS TURNING THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH ON THE TURN SIGNAL UNIT SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. 2. BEGINNING EARLY IN 2009 I EXPERIENCED TIMES WHEN THE FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF WITH THE SWITCH WITHOUT A LOT OF CYCLING, OR THE FOG LIGHTS WOULD TURN THEMSELVES ON WHEN THE DOOR CLOSED. THE VIBRATION OF THE VEHICLE MADE THAT HAPPEN. THEN, WHEN TRYING TO GET THE FOG LIGHTS TO TURN OFF, THE SWITCH BEGAN TO SMOKE. TURNING OFF THE CAR CLEARED THAT, SO I STOPPED USING THE FOG LIGHTS. THE TURN SIGNALS AND HEADLIGHT PORTION OF THE SWITCH WORKED FINE. 3. I CONTACTED THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE OUT OF THE SWITCH. I THEN CONTACTED A LOCAL AUTO MAINTENANCE COMPANY I HAVE USED IN THE PAST AND TRUST. THEY QUOTED ME A BETTER SERVICE PRICE, AND THAT THE SWITCH WAS BACKORDERED. THERE WERE OVER 5000 SWITCHES ON BACKORDER AND IT WAS SIX MONTHS AFTER THE ORDER WAS PLACED BEFORE WE RECEIVED THE SWITCH AND HAD IT INSTALLED. MY CONCERN IS TWO FOLD: 1. THE 5000 MAY WELL HAVE BEEN THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG IN TERMS OF FAILURES, AND 2. IF I HAD NOT BEEN SITTING THERE, WOULD THE LIGHTS, AFTER COMING ON BY THEMSELVES HAVE CAUSE THE SWITCH TO ACTUALLY CATCH THE VEHICLE ON FIRE? I THOUGHT THAT THE BRIEF TIME I WAS SMOKE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO BLOW THE FUSE, BUT IT DIDN'T. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME, CONTROL ARMS HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON MY CAR. MAY 2007, MILEAGE 40,054, BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WORN OUT/CONTROL ARM HOLE OBLONG: BOTH REPLACED. AGAIN TODAY, APRIL 2009, MILEAGE 55,000, CAR IS IN SHOP FOR SAME SERVICE. ALSO, APRIL 2008, MILEAGE 46,856 FRONT LEFT HUB BEARING FAILED, HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TWO PT CRUISERS, 02-03, BOTH NEEDING TIE RODS, CONTROL ARMS, WATTS LINKAGE, WHEEL BEARINGS AT AROUND OR LESS THEN 50,000 MILES. BASICALLY THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS UNHEARD OF. *TR

FOG LIGHTS CONTINUE TO FLASH WITHOUT MY TURNING THEM ON. THIS IS MY THIRD DEAD BATTERY? IS THERE A RECALL? *TR

I HAVE A 2003 PT CRUISER, I HAVE 53,000 MILES ON THIS CAR, AND THE CONTROL ARMS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE GONE TO THE CHYRSLER FORUMS, AND THERE IS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS BY ALOT OF OWNERS OF CHRYSLER HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. SOME WITH LESS MILES THAN MINE. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND RECALL THIS PART. THANKS, DARLENE SMITH *TR

I OWN TWO PT CRUISERS, BOTH HAVE HAD CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILURES AT 45K MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO CHRYSLER, ALL OVER INTERNET, FAILURES AT EARLIER MILEAGE AS WELL. THEY DO NOTHING. $650/CAR TO REPLACE CONTROL ARM. *TR

LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WENT BAD AT 38,000 MILES. 2 WATER PUMPS WENT BAD ON THE CAR AND CAR ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT. CAMSHAFT SENSOR WENT BAD WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES ON IT. OIL PAN ON ENGINE STARTED LEAKING WHEN CAR HAD 17,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

POWER FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE STEERING PUMP IN OCTOBER 2008 AND THE STEERING HOSE IN APRIL OF 2009; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR WAS THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE COST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE HOUSE, THE FOG LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON EVEN THOUGH THE HEADLIGHTS THEMSELVES WERE OFF. PRESSURE ON THE END OF THE STALK TURNED THE INDICATOR OFF BUT IT CAME BACK ON WHEN PRESSURE WAS RELEASED. AFTER PARKING AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, THE INDICATOR (AND THE FOG LIGHTS THEMSELVES) REMAINED ON. REMOVING THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION HAD NO EFFECT. THE ONLY THING THAT TURNED THE FOG LIGHTS OFF WAS SETTING THE TURN INDICATOR IN THE 'LEFT TURN' (DOWN) POSITION. FURTHER TESTING FOUND THAT THE ONLY OTHER WAY TO TURN OFF THE FOG LIGHTS WAS TO REMOVE THE APPROPRIATE FUSE FROM THE INTERIOR FUSE PANEL. RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE TURNED UP SEVERAL MESSAGE BOARDS WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF DRIVERS REPORTING THIS EXACT PROBLEM GOING BACK AT LEAST THREE YEARS, WHICH TURNS OUT TO BE CAUSED BY A FAILING MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. (ONE SUCH FORUM: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER/TF81KHBDLDVT92AH2/ ). *TR

APPROACHED VEHICLE AFTER VISIT AND NOTICED STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM 20 FT. AWAY. OPENED CAR DOOR, FUMES EVEN STRONGER. FELT DIZZY & DISORIENTED. CALLED SERVICE TO HAVE IT TOWED (DID NOT WANT TO START CAR WITH STRONG FUMES). WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FUEL LINE (RECALL) AND THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. NEARLY 1 YEAR LATER, SAME PROBLEM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. 1/2 TANK OF GAS LEAKED IN ONE DAY. NO OBVIOUS SOURCE OF LEAK FROM EXTERIOR. LINGERING GAS SMELL IN INTERIOR. WAS TOLD NVLD PUMP WAS REPLACED. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY, POSSIBLE ADVERSE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES, LIKELIHOOD OF FIRE. CAR HAS HAD MANY OTHER ISSUES AS WELL, INCLUDING SMELL FROM AC SYSTEM (ORIGINALLY NON-FUNCTIONAL) WHICH SMELLS LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE/BURNING PLASTIC. DEALERSHIP IS DISMISSIVE. POSSIBLE LEMON. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD "GET AWAY FROM HER" WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE TIRE, BUT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND TIE ROD END REPAIRS WERE COMMON. THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THE COST OF MORE THAN $600. THEY ALSO STATED THAT A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WOULD BE NEEDED FOLLOWING THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 11/17/08 *CN UPDATED 11/24/08. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 PT CRUISER BOUGHT IT USED AND SINCE THEN HAVE KEPT UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE . WHILE COMING HOME FROM AUSTIN TO SAN ANTONIO AT 9:30 PM THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY WENT OUT THAT INCLUDED THE FOG LIGHTS. I HAD NO BLINKERS NO LIGHTS AND HAD MY WIFE AND CHILD WITH ME. PROCEEDED TO EXIT AND HAD A RELATIVE MEET ME UP IN SAN MARCOS TEXAS I FOLLOWED HIM ALL THE WAY TO SAN ANTONIO WHERE I MADE IT HOME USING MY RELATIVES CAR LIGHTS AS HELP. THE NEXT MORNING WENT OUT TO BUY THE PART THAT I NEED IT 70.25 AT THE LOCAL DEALER SHIP HERE IN SAN ANTONIO SINCE THIS HAPPEN I HAVE NO HAZARD LIGHTS AND NO TURN SIGNALS. I HAVE LOOKED AT THE CAR AND HAD TROUBLE SHOOT THE CAR WITH NO AVAIL I HAVE REPLACE THE PART AND TOOK THE ONE FROM MY DODGE INTREPID AND HAVE HAD NO LUCK TO GET BLINKER BACK ON CHRYSLER SURE ONE HELL OF A CAR ONE THAT CAN GET YOU KILL. *TR

FOG LIGHTS ARE TURNING ON BY THEMSELVES EVEN WHEN LIGHT SWITCH IS NOT ON AND WHEN CAR IS NOT RUNNING CAUSING BATTERY TO DRAIN AND MANY HEADACHES! THIS HAPPENS 3 OR 4 TIMES A DAY! *TR

FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS UNDER 60000 MILES.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT ROUGHNESS AND VIBRATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT END CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,330.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING FAILED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SWITCHED BACK TO MANUAL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE HOSE WAS REPLACED ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE MOST RECENT TIME BEING ON MAY 28,2008. ON JUNE 2, 2008, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

PT CRUISER LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED REPLACING AT 60K MILES. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE, ADDED WEAR TO BRAKES AND TIRES, SCRAPING OF FRONT END OF CAR ON PAVEMENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT AND CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONER TO FAIL. THE UNIT WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,583. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V268000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, IN WHICH SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, THE THROTTLE BODY, THE RADIATOR, AND VARIOUS COMPONENTS IN THE POWERTRAIN AND STEERING UNIT. THE REPAIRS COST $4,000. TYPICALLY, THE FAILURES IMMEDIATELY RECUR AFTER THE REPAIRS ARE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER GAVE HER A SMALL REIMBURSEMENT OF $878. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,208 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,500.

WE OWNED A 2003 PT CRUISER AND I HAD A WRECK ON APRIL 18, 2008 AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THE SHOULDER STRAP DID NOT CATCH TO HOLD ME FROM BEING THROWN FORWARD. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND A CAR REAR ENDED ME AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. IT THREW ME FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND I INJURED MY LEFT SHOULDER WHERE I HAD MY HAD RESTING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD TO HAVE SURGERY AND I FEEL THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF THE SHOULDER STRAP HAD CAUGHT WHEN THE COLLISION HAPPENED. WE BOUGHT ANOTHER PT CRUISER, A 2007 AND MY HUSBAND AND HIS FRIEND WHO WAS DRIVING HAD AN ACCIDENT ON JANUARY 21, 2009. THEY SWERVED TO KEEP FROM HITTING A DOG AND HIT A GUARD RAIL ALMOST HEAD ON AND AGAIN THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SHOULDER STRAPS DID NOT CATCH. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A BAD PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISERS. HAVE YOU HAD ANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS SORT OF PROBLEM? *TR

I JUST FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT HUB BEARINGS ON MY 2003 PT CRUISER. THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING ME $600 TO DO THE JOB. I HAVE 69K MILES ON THE CAR AND CHRYSLER SAYS IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 7/70K WARRANTY....SO I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND OUT I AM NOT THE ONLY PT CRUISER OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM....I SEARCHED FOR FRONT HUB BEARINGS FOR A PT CRUISER AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE BEARINGS....THE BEARINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A SEALED BEARING AND NEVER REQUIRE MAINTENANCE....THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY CHRYSLER BY ISSUING A RECALL AND PAY TO FIXED THE PROBLEM...AND REPAY THE CUSTOMERS WHO HAD TO HAVE THE BEARINGS REPLACED.... THE DEALERSHIP EVEN STATED TO ME THAT IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT....WITH ONLY 69K MILES ON THE CAR AND OTHERS WITH FEWER MILES THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A NEW CAR...MYSELF AND MY FAMILY WAS NOT INJURED BY AN ACCIDENT , BUT I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED FROM THIS DEFECT???....ANY HELP WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED....THANK YOU MICHAEL G KELLY *TR