2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaint Log

BOTH FRONT BEARINGS FAILING IN 2003 PT CRUISER...HAVE BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE PAST YEAR. *TR

03 PT CRUISER. SUDDEN LOSS HYDRAULIC PRESSURE AT SHIFTDOWN. WITHIN 7/70,000 POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO STAND BEHIND WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AT 71,000 MILES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON I TRIED TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL WITH THE HAND CONTROL. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS FROZEN IN PLACE AND WILL NOT MOVE WITH ANY AMOUNT OF FORCE. AFTER DISENGAGING AND RE-ENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE BRAKES BEGIN TO WORK AGAIN. *TR

I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT A GREAT DEAL OF OWNERS OF CHRYSLER PT CRUISERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO MINE. MY 2003 HAS ONLY 50,000 KM. (NOT MILES) AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THIS SEEMS MUCH TOO SOON TO REPLACE SUCH AN ITEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK ON HIS VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED. HIS WIFE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,234. UPDATED 03/13/08. *LJ THE STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED.

I PURCHASED A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER IN JULY 2008 IN OCT WE NOTICED LIGHTS FLICKERING HEADLIGHT SWITCH STARTED BURNING FOG LIGHTS CAME ON DIDN'T WORK BEFORE TOOK IT DODGE NEW SWITCH AND 22 PIN CONNECTOR . NEW PCM REPROGRAMMED IT STILL SAME PROBLEM LIGHTS FLICKER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE FIXED REAR QUARTER GLASS FLEW OFF THE WINDOW WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO SEE ABOUT ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY RECALLED 2005 / 2006 PT CRUISERS FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME SORRY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. WELL OF COURSE IT IS, BUT GOSH ARE WINDOW'S SUPPOSED TO FLY OFF THE CAR??? NO!!!!! JUST FIX IT. *TR

WHEN ADJUSTING THE STEERING COLUMN, OR TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT, THE RADIO AND HORN ARE DISABLED. PULLING OR PUSHING THE STEERING COLUMN WILL ENABLE THE RADIO AND HORN. THE DEALERSHIP WORKED ON THIS PROBLEM, AND AT ONE POINT THOUGHT IT WAS CORRECTED, HOWEVER, AFTER SECURING A LOOSE WIRE THAT CORRECTED THE HORN PROBLEM THE TECHNICIAN WANTED THE CAR TO REMAIN AT THE DEALERSHIP OVERNIGHT SO AS TO CONFIRM THE CORRECTION IN THE MORNING WITH A COLD START. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE CORRECTION FAILED, AND THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS CORRECTION IS AT THE COST OF THE OWNER. I WAS ADVISED THAT ON THE DAY THAT MY CAR WAS SERVICE ANOTHER PT OWNER BROUGHT HER CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE INDENTICAL PROBLEM. *TR

2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. CONSUMER STATES DEFECT INVOLVING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION *TGW IN AUGUST 2007 THE BUSHINGS HAD DETERIORATED AFTER ONLY 30,620 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THEM AT A COST OF $414.84 WHICH THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY. IN JUNE 2009, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EVEN THOUGH IT HAD ONLY BEEN 12,292 MILES SINCE THEY WERE INITIALLY REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HAD THEM REPLACED AGAIN. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE'S BUMPER IS DEFECTIVE. SHE NOTICED A WHITE, HAZY TAPE MARK ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. IN JULY OF 2007, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE FAILURE TO A SERVICE REPAIRMAN AND WAS INFORMED OF THE DEFECT AT THAT TIME. CHRYSLER PERFORMED THE REPAIR, BUT THE DEFECT IS STILL PRESENT. SHE WOULD LIKE THE BUMPER TO BE REPLACED FOR FREE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,977 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,977.

THE VEHICLE HAS OEM CHROME ALLOY WHEELS. DUE TO CORROSION THE TIRES WILL NOT PROPERLY SEAL AND THE TIRES CONSTANTLY LEAK AIR PRESSURE. DUE TO CORROSION THE NUTS AND LUGS DO NOT SCREW ON/OFF WITH NORMAL TORQUE. DUE TO CORROSION THE CENTER CAPS WILL NOT STAY SECURELY ON THE WHEEL.*AK

WE OWN A 2003 PT CRUISER. IT HAS MANIFESTED THREE SEPARATE PROBLEMS, ALL OF WHICH ARE SIMILAR TO COMPLAINTS I HAVE FOUND FROM OTHERS ON THE INTERNET: FIRST, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON. THE DEALER SAID WE NEEDED TO CLICK THE GAS CAP. WE DID THAT, BUT THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. SECOND, THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH FAILED SUCH SO THAT THE LIGHTS TURNED ON WITHOUT THE SWITCH BEING TOUCHED. WE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM ONLY AFTER THE BATTERY HAD BEEN DRAINED, STRANDING MY WIFE AT WORK. I "FIXED" THIS PROBLEM BY PULLING THE FUSE ON THE FOG LIGHTS. I HAVE READ COMPLAINTS IN WHICH THIS FAULTY SWITCH HAS ACTUALLY STARTED FIRES. THIRD, WE HAVE THE INFAMOUS INTERMITTENT STARTING"PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER AND THE BATTERY. I CHECKED ALTERNATOR FUNCTION AND INTEGRITY OF ALL CABLE CONNECTIONS TO THE STARTER. THEN I READ OTHERS' COMPLAINTS AND HAVE FOUND THERE IS NO AVAILABLE SOLUTION. THE PROBLEM BECAME MORE AND MORE FREQUENT, AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS DEAD IN THE DRIVEWAY. OUR VEHICLE HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES ON IT, AND WE BELIEVE WE SHOULD EXPECT MANY MORE MILES FROM IT. WE ARE AFRAID TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND HAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF FRUITLESS DIAGNOSTICS DONE ON IT. WE STILL OWE $1,800 TO CHRYSLER FINANCIAL FOR THE CAR. IT PAINS US TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT IS A LUMP IN OUR DRIVEWAY. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE, ASSUMING THE MANUFACTURER HAS FOUND A SOLUTION. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY, THE PROBLEM BEGAN TO OCCUR LONG BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION, BUT WE COULD NOT GET IT TO REPEAT FOR THE DEALER. IS THERE A "SECRET WARRANTY" FOR THIS ISSUE? WE CANNOT FIND A FULL-TEXT TSB TO FIND OUT. *AK

ON THE STREET ENGINE STOPPED, POWER STEERING INOPERATIVE, SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. TURNED THE KEY OFF. RAISED THE HOOD, HAD FIRE BENEATH THE BATTERY AREA. DEALER STATED THAT A MISROUTED CABLE BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND STARTER SHORTED OUT, CAUSING THE FIRE WHICH RUINED THE CABLING, BATTERY AND STARTER. CHRYSLER'S EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THIS DAMAGE BECAUSE THE BATTERY CABLE WAS NOT COVERED. *AK

AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR SHE NOTICED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST IN THE STEERING. SHE WAS ABLE TO DIRECT THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE, AND UPON EXITING ,NOTICED LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. SHE ASKED OTHERS TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED, THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. UPON REVIEW AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE TRAIL OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE ROAD BED FOR APPROXIMATELY 4-500 FEET BEFORE SHE CAME TO A STOP.*AK

I OWN A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE COVERS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BECOME TOTALLY YELLOW AND HAZY OR FOGGY MAKING THEM VERY, VERY DULL AT NIGHT. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER, WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED AND HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER PT OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. DUE TO THE COST OF THESE COVERS, I FEEL CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF SAME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHTS ACTIVATE BY THEMSELVES AND CAUSE HER TO JUMP START HER BATTERY OFTEN. SHE BELIEVES THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE IS THE SWITCH CONTROL DEVICE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO TAKE HER VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET GONE TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER, SHE CALLED THEM AND THEY TOLD HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THE POWERTRAIN AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

I BOUGHT MY 2003 PT CRUISER TURBO GT IN AUGUST 2005. IN JANUARY 2006, AUGUST 2006 AND MAY 2007 I HAVE BEEN STRANDED DUE TO THE BATTERY FAILING. MECHANICS ARE BEFUTTLED BECAUSE CHARGING/STARTING SYSTEM CHECKS OUT OKAY ON DIAGNOSTIC. *TR

THE LOWER CONTROL BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 46,197 MILES OVER 12 YEARS. THE LAST TIME CONTROL ARM AND BUSHING WERE REPLACED. FIRST TIME WAS 5-21-07 WITH 20,204 MILES ON THE CAR. SECOND TIME WAS 5-21-08, ONLY ONE YEAR LATER, 22,309 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, JUST OVER 2000 MILES FROM A YEAR AGO WHEN IT WAS DONE. THE DEALER COVERED IT BECAUSE IT WAS WARRANTY FROM A YEAR AGO. WONDER IF IT WAS EVER DONE THE FIRST OR SECOND TIME. WE JUST HAD THE CONTROL ARM AND BUSHINGS REPLACED 5-27-2015 AT 46,197 MILES. NOW THE DEALER ORIGINALLY TOLD MY WIFE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 80,000. WOW LOOKS LIKE A MAJOR ISSUE FOR THEM.

AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) COMPRESSOR FAILED AT 51,000 MILES. RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF COMPRESSOR, CONDENSER, LINE ORIFICE TUBE, MAP SENSOR, AND DRIER. TOTAL REPAIR $1,600. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RIM WAS ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRE. AS A RESULT, HE HAS PLACED AIR IN THE TIRE AT LEAST ONCE A DAY FOR THE PAST FOUR MONTHS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,655 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CONSUMER STATED NOW HAS A 2ND TIRE THAT HE HAS TO MAINTAIN AIR IN EVERY OTHER DAY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS THE CENTER HUB COVER BECAUSE IT SNAPS IN PLACE AND LEAVES SPACE FOR SAIL AND OTHER MATERIALS TO ENTER. UPDATED 10/23/07 *TR

THE FOG LIGHTS IN THE CHRYSLER PT CRUISER SUDDENLY CAME ON AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I BELIEVE THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCHES WERE DEFECTIVE IN PT CRUISERS AND NEED TO BE RECALLED. THE BATTERY COULD HAVE DIED IF I DID NOT PULL THE FUSE.*AK

NOT LONG AFTER I FIRST PURCHASED MY 2003 PT CRUISER ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, 2002, THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. EACH TIME, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND EACH TIME, IT WAS DETERMINED NOTHING WAS WRONG. AFTER THE FOURTH TIME, I WAS READY TO SEE ABOUT HAVING IT CLASSIFIED AS A LEMON IF IT HAPPENED ONE MORE TIME, BUT IT DIDN'T, UNTIL RECENTLY. IN JANUARY 2007, I BELIEVE, I TOOK IT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG. IN MARCH, I TOOK IT IN AND DEALER DETERMINED THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM WAS POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, WHICH WAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. BY THEN, ANOTHER SYMPTOM WAS THAT ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO INTERMITTENTLY, IT WOULD START, RUN FOR 5 SECONDS AND DIE. IF I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO RESET THE COMPUTER, IT WOULD START. ONE WEEK, I HAD IT TOWED IN BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T START. I DIDN'T RESET THE COMPUTER, BECAUSE I WANTED THEM TO SEE THE PROBLEM, BUT IT STARTED FOR THE DEALER, AND THEY DETERMINED NOTHING WAS WRONG. AFTER PROTESTING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED, DEALER AGREED TO TAKE IT IN TODAY, AND NOW THEY TELL ME THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, BUT THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE, AFTER IT'S INSTALLED, THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON YEARS AGO, AND DEVELOPED INTO THE ISSUE TODAY, WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED. ALSO, A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE ODOMETER THAT SAID "NO BUS." *JB

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 PT GT TURBO CRUISER AND HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE LIGHTS HAVE NEVER STOPPED FLICKERING SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CHRYSLER REPAIR FACILITIES WERE NICE TO DEAL WITH BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED CHRYSLER PRODUCTS AND THROUGHOUT THE YEARS HAVE PURCHASED QUITE A FEW, AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE THIS WILL BE MY LAST CHRYSLER PRODUCT.

PT CRUISER 2003 FOG LIGHTS CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING, BATTERY RAN DEAD, COST OVER $200 TO REPLACES THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. CHRYSLER MECHANICS WERE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND CLEARLY WERE ENJOYING THE PROFITS. THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY WAY. I SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION TO CHRYSLER, WHICH THEY REJECTED BECAUSE THE CAR HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. REFERENCE NUMBER: 16043282, EMAIL CASE NUMBER: 1688956. OBVIOUSLY, THE NUMBER OF MILES ON THE CAR HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TURN SIGNAL STALK WEARING OUT! THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A POORLY-DESIGNED PART, JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. WHILE I APPRECIATED THAT MY WARRANTY WAS UP, PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE SHOULD RECEIVE ACTIVE CONSIDERATION FOR COMPENSATION. THIS WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE OR BREAK CHRYSLER, ALTHOUGH IT HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON ME. I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HAVING ME TELL PEOPLE HOW IMPRESSED I AM WITH YOUR SUPPORT FOR SUCH A SITUATION, RATHER THAN TELL THEM THEY SHOULD AVOID CHRYSLER PRODUCTS BECAUSE THEY COULD EASILY FIND THEMSELVES IN MY SITUATION. I PLAN TO MAKE GOOD ON MY STATEMENT TO PURSUE OTHER AVENUES OF SATISFACTION. WAS THERE ANYTHING YOU COULD DO TO HELP? *AK

WHILE LETTING MY CAR WARM UP, WITH THE HEATED SEATS ON LOW, THE DRIVERS SEAT STARTED SMOLDERING, AND FILLED THE CAR WITH SMOKE. I PHONED 911 FOR THE FIRE TRUCK. THE CUSHION UNDER THE LEATHER UPHOLSTERY DISINTEGRATED UNDER THE HEAT. THE CAR IS A 2003 PT CRUISER GT TURBO, WITH ONLY 23000 KM. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED MY DEALER, YET. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE TOW TRUCK MECHANIC JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. DURING DIAGNOSIS THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND THE VEHICLE TO BE OPERATING WITH OUR ERRORS. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE CONTACT HAD TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY, AND WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER IN TRAFFIC. THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE HEAD GASKET AND DISCOVERED THE MOTOR WAS BURNED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,747. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A DEFLATED TIRE WAS NOTICED ON THE VEHICLE. AFTER INFLATING THE TIRE, IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED OXIDATION ON THE RIMS CAUSED SLOW LEAKS IN ALL FOUR TIRES AND SUGGESTED REPLACING THE RIMS.

I HAVE A 2003 PT CRUISER WITH 82000 MILES ON IT. IN MARCH OF 2005 WITH 47765 MILES ON IT, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CHRYSLER DEALER TO REPAIR A VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. THE CHRYSLER DEALER NOTED THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND STATED THE COMPRESSOR WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE FRONT FRAME DUE TO SOME KIND OF COLLISION AND STATED THERE WAS A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO ADDRESS THIS DIAGNOSIS SINCE THIS WAS A NEW VEHICLE WHEN WE PURCHASED IT. THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY FOUND NO BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS, NO SIGNS OF ACCIDENT AND DID NOT EVEN ADDRESS THE TRANSMISSION NOISE. ON 11/17/2006 I WAS TRAVELING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AT NIGHT, AND WITHOUT WARNING,NOISE, HESITATION, OR LACK OF POWER, MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE IN ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY TOLD ME IT HAS MAJOR TRANSMISSION DAMAGE AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT IS $2715.00 AND THE DEALER WILL NOT COVER ANY OF THE COST. *JB

I WENT TO HAVE MY BRAKES CHECKED AND WAS TOLD MY RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE BROKEN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (TOWED IN BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT) AND THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAS VERY SELDOM SEEN BUSHINGS IN THE SUSPENSION BREAK WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON THE CAR. MY CAR IS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. I COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION BUT WAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED UNTIL THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE. I AM QUITE HAPPY THAT THE MECHANIC WHO DOES MY BRAKES NOTICED THE CONTROL ARMS. I ASKED CHRYSLER TO CHECK THEM WHILE MY TRANSMISSION WAS BEING REPAIRED, IF NOT, THEY WOULD NEVER HAVE CHECKED. THE SUSPENSION IS OF COURSE, NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY ANY LONGER. REPAIR COSTS WERE NEARLY $600. *NM

PT CRUISER LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS SHOT WITH ONLY 32000 MILES. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. A DEFECT IN THE BUSHING MATERIAL IS SUSPECT AND FAILURE CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL. *NM

2003 PT CRUISER GT 2.4L 96K MILES STARTED TO NOTICE TIRE TREAD PROBLEMS AT 40K. THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD ALIGNMENT FROM NTB AND THEY DID ANOTHER ALIGNMENT FOR NOW CHARGE. 10K LATER AND I AM HAVING TIRES REPLACED AGAIN! ALSO HEAR ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS AND KNOCKING COMING FROM THE FRONT END. TOOK IT IN AND SERVICE TECH RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE BEARING BE REPLACED. HE ADD THE BUSHINGS ON THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS GOING BAD BUT NOT NECESSARY FOR IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. I HAD THE FRONT BEARING REPLACED AND ALIGNMENT DONE. FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BEARING WENT BAD AGAIN BUT ON BOTH SIDES IN THE FRONT AT 88K. NOW I AM BEING TOLD FROM THE CHRYLSER DEALER THAT HUB AND BEARING IN THE FRONT ON BOTH SIDES NEED TO BE REPLACED. 600 BUCKS. JUST SPENT 500 ON NEW TIRES AND I STILL HEAR KNOCKING ON CONTROL ARM. LONG STORY SHORT....THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACE ON BOTH SIDES (FRONT), FOLLOWED BY HUB AND BEARING ON BOTH SIDES (FRONT), FOLLOWED BY AN ALIGNMENT OF THE VEHICLE. DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS DEALING WITH THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND/OR BEARINGS GOING BAD AT 15,000 MILES AND UP ON THE 03 GT PT CRUISER 2.4L. CHRYSLER DOES NOTHING FOR THE CONSUMER IN EVERY CASE HENCE THE COMPLAINTS TO FORUMS AND NHTSA.GOV. TO SAY THE LEAST, THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND FIXED BY THEIR EXPENSE. *TR

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2003 PT CRUISER GT TURBO. WE REALLY LOVE IT. HOWEVER, THERE IS AN ISSUE WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT. THE LIGHTING FLICKERS WHEN YOU START THE CAR. IT IS INTERMITTENT. AFTER RUNNING AWHILE IT DECREASES. USUALLY WHEN FIRST STARTING THE CAR IT IS REALLY BAD. WE DIDN'T NOTICE A DIFFERENCE WHEN WE USED MORE OR LESS POWER IN THE CAR, LIKE TURNING ON THE RADIO AND A/C. THE POWER FLUCTUATION MAKES ALL THE LIGHTS FLICKER INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, AS WELL AS THE PANEL LIGHTS AND RADIO. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS ENGAGED AT ANY SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR EFFECTIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY HAD COME APART. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL# 03V076000, WHICH PERTAINED TO THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

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.

9/1/06 AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED . AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS TO CHRYSLER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION, THERE WAS NO REPLY. ON 9/29/06, MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AS WELL AS MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING 50 MILES AN HOUR. THAT DAY I CALLED CHRYSLER AGAIN AND AN INVESTIGATION WAS CREATED. AFTER THE INVESTIGATION CHRYSLER FOUND NO RESPONSIBILITY ON THEIR PART. I SUBMITTED A CLAIM INTO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THEY FOUND THE DEFECT TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, AND WILL NOT COVER THE DEPLOYED AIR BAGS OR LOCKED SEAT BELT. AT THIS TIME THERE HAS BEEN NO REPARATION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. THERE WAS BRAKING PRIOR TO THE IMPACT HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS OF BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP AND THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH 56,414 MILES ON IT BEGAN LURCHING WHEN ACCELERATING OR SLOWING DOWN ON INTERSTATE. PROBLEM STARTED WITH NO PRIOR WARNING OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. VEHICLE LATER DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A SIDE STREET. COULD NOT GET VEHICLE TO MOVE IN ANY GEAR, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. FINALLY GOT VEHICLE TO LIMP AROUND THE CORNER IN DRIVE, THEN VEHICLE DIED. NO TRANSMISSION FLUID FOUND IN RESERVOIR. FLUID NOTED ON GROUND UNDER VEHICLE. HAD TO TOW VEHICLE 30 MILES TO DEALERSHIP, WHO COULD NOT REPAIR IT AFTER THREE DAYS OF WAITING, DUE TO LACK OF TRANSMISSION SERVICE TECHNICIAN. VEHICLE WAS ULTIMATELY REPAIRED AT AAMCO TRANSMISSION, REQUIRING ANOTHER 20 MILE TOW. VEHICLE HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS WAS $2222.73 BETWEEN CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND AAMCO TRANSMISSION - NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY WHICH RAN OUT AT 36000 MILES. *JB

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 LIFE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER DEFECTS. ONLY TREAD WEAROUT. 2 OF ORIGINAL 4 TIRES ON MY PT CRUISER WERE REPLACED AT TIRE TREAD WEAR OUT. IT WAS ONE OF THOSE TIRES THAT FAILED YESTERDAY. DOT#M6C6BMAR1205. I STILL HAVE ALL 3 FAILED TIRES. RECAP: VEHICLE-2003 PT CRUISER PURCHASED AUGUST 15, 2003 ABOUT 90,000 MILES DRIVEN. DEFECTIVE TIES: GOODYEAR EAGLE LS M+S 195/65/R15 TIRES ROTAED EVERY 6000 MILES, 6 EACH TIRES OWNED 3 FAILED. 50% FAILURE RATE. THANKS, BOB SMITH. *NM

PROBLEM_COMPLAINT: TIRE SHREDDING PROBLEM_DESCRIPTION: GOODYEAR EAGLE RS A TIRE PROBLEM AND GOODYEAR DOESN'T CARE, THIS IS THE SECOND SET THAT HAVE DONE THIS. SUBMIT_BUTTON: SEND TO HEY HOWARD PERSONAL INFORMATION REMOVED. *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

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

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 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 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

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

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.

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES WOULD BE REPLACED BEFORE SHE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE SHE WAS INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE BRAKES WERE STILL SQUEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE TWO TO THREE DAYS BEFORE THE BRAKES WOULD STOP SQUEAKING. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER THE TIRES WERE REMOVED AND ORANGE DUST WAS FOUND ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALER CLEANED THE BRAKES, BUT NEVER REPLACED THEM. THREE WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BLOW COOL AIR. IN AUGUST 2006 THE VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING HOT AND FAILED WHILE DRIVING 58 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AGAIN. IN SEPTEMBER 2006 THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. ON APRIL 19, 2007, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BECAUSE STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE THAT WAS INSTALLED IN SEPTEMBER 2006 FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT PROVIDE AN ACCURATE VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,400, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,326. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED AND THEY WERE RUDE AND REFUSED TO HELP HER. LATER, THE DEALERSHIP ASKED FOR INFORMATION TO RENT THE CONSUMER A CAR AND THE RENTAL PLACE REFUSED TO RENT HER A CAR IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FIXED BY SMITH CHRYSLER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER SOLD HER A CAR THEN CHANGED THE NAME ON HER PAPERWORK, REFUSED TO GIVE HER THE TAGS TO THE CAR UNLESS PAYMENT WAS PROVIDED AND TOLD HER SHE HAD THE WRONG VIN NUMBER FOR THE CAR. THE CONSUMER STATED WANTS HER MONEY BACK FOR THE CAR AND THE DEALER TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. UPDATED 07/06/07 *TR

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.