2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaint Log

2003 PT CRUISER WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 03 AND SHORTLY AFTER HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION WORK DONE. NOW I HAVE FRONT END GROANING NOISES THAT, AFTER 5 VISITS TO THE DEALER, CANNOT BE FIXED. CAR SOUNDS LIKE AN ANTIQUE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. CAR ALSO DOES NOT HANDLE WELL AND FEELS UNSURE. GALEANA CHRYSLER IN COLUMBIA, SC HAS TRIED 5 TIMES (AS OF 9/8/04) TO FIX PROBLEM, HAS VERIFIED A PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT LOCATE IT. TO DATE, STRUTS, STRUT MOUNTS, TIE ROD ENDS, SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, AND GREASING HAS BEEN REPLACED OR TAKEN PLACE...ALL TO NO AVAIL.*AK

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. A PIECE OF THE CLUTCH BROKE OFF IN THE HOUSING. PER THE DEALER. *JB THE CONSUMER HAS NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM CHRYSLER AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE NEXT STEP HE NEEDS TO TAKE. *TC

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

CONSUMER NOTICED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL IN THE AIR FILTER BOX, AND AN OIL STAINED FILTER. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY, BACK SOOT ON THE TAIL PIPE, AND THERE WAS A DISTINGUISHED MECHANICAL KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AT IDLE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP 3 TIMES. ON THE THIRD TIME THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE KNOCKING NOISE AND EXCESSIVE OIL PROBLEM WAS STILL PRESENT. UPON INVESTIGATION OF THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER FOUND THAT AN IMPROPER MACHINE PART, THAT WAS RELATED TO THE VALVE TRAIN/CAMP SHAFT, CAUSED THE PROBLEM. BUT, MANUFACTURER DIDN'T HAVE A SOLUTION FOR IT. IF THIS PART FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE FOLLOWED BY RAPID DECELERATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL.*AK

THE LOCAL DEALER THOUGHT THAT THE SOUND FROM THE ENGINE WAS THAT THE TURBO WAS BLOWN. AFTER 2.5 WEEKS THEY THEN DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PUMP HAD GONE BAD ALONG WITH SOME SORT OF SENSORS. SO THEN FOR THE NEXT 2 WEEKS PLUS THEY WORKED ON THAT PROBLEM. FOUR DAYS LATERAFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK, THE FRONT AXLE FELL OFF THE CAR!!!!! IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY OR TRAVELING ON A SURFACE STREET, I OR POSSIBLY OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL ONLY REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY???!! I'VE NOW BEEN WAITING ANOTHER 2.4 WEEKS FOR THE CAR AND I TRY TELLING THEM THAT IT IS UNSAFE AND I'M AFRAID TO GET BACK INTO THE CAR. IT HAS 7,777 MILE ON A CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2003. IT HAS SPENT ALMOST 8 WEEKS OF IT'S SHORT LIFE IN REPAIR SHOP FOR ONE THING OR ANOTHER, AND NO ONE AT CHRYSLER WILL LISTEN OR HELP, THEY KEEP SAYING THE DM HAS MADE HIS DECISION, YEAH WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER COVERING UP FOR HIS MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADMITTED TO ME THAT HE OVER TIGHTEN THE BOLTS WHEN HE PUT MY FRONT END BACK TOGETHER, AND NEVER EVEN APOLOGIZED FOR THE OVERSIGHT!!! IF POSSIBLE, I KNOW THE RECORDS DON'T REALLY SHOW ALL THE WORK PERFORMED OR A LIST OF ANY PARTS REPLACED (AT LEAST NOT ON MY COPIES ANYWAY), BUT COULD SOMEONE HELP ME, PLEASE!!!??? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME PASTOR JIM JAROS PS I KEEP TELLING THEM (CHRYSLER IN AUBURN HILL, MI 800-992-1997) THAT THEIR NAME AND REPUTATION ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU HAVE, AND THEY TELL ME THAT I'LL HAVE TO SUE THROUGH THE LEMON LAW IN MY STATE. YEAH, I'M BELIEVIN' I'M GONNA STAY ALIVE TO TALK SEE THAT THROUGH, BUT I'M GOING TO BE PARKING THAT PT CRUISER IF AND WHEN IT'S READY!!! WOULD YOU PUT YOUR WIFE AND FAMILY IN THIS CAR? THE MECHANIC OR THE SERVICE UNDERWRITER JUST WALK AWAY AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STILL HAS NOT RETURNED MY PHONE CALLS, I'M FORCED TO CALL THROUGH CHRYSLER IN MI TO GET THE ANSWERS. I WILL ASK THEM TO SAVE THE PARTS IF POSSIBLE?*AK

I HAVE TAKEN MY 2003 PT CRUISER GT BACK TO THE DEALER EIGHT TIMES TO HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM REPAIRED. THE FIRST VISIT TO THE DEALER OCCURED ON JULY 3, 2003 THE SECOND VISIT TO THE DEALER OCCURRED ON JULY 9-12, 2003 THE THIRD VISIT TO THE DEALER OCCURED ON AUGUST 15-18, 2003 THE FOURTH VISIT TO THE DEALER OCCURRED ON MAY 7-12, 2004 THE FIFTH VISIT TO THE DEALER OCCURRED ON MAY 26-27, 2004 THE SIXTH VISIT TO THE DEALER OCCURRED ON JUNE 9TH, 2004 THE SEVENTH VISIT TO THE DEALER OCCURRED ON JUNE 28TH., 2004 (REPLACE LEAK DETECTION PUMP) THE EIGHTH VISIT TO THE DEALER OCCURRED ON JULY 16TH., 2004 (CAR TOWED) GENERAL SYPTOMS LEADING TO THE LIGHT COMING ON WERE HARD STARTING SEVERAL DAYS OR WEEKS PRIOR TO LIGHT COMING ON, AS WELL AS HESITATION UNDER ACCELERATION (OCCURED TWICE), AND THE LATEST INCIDENT IN WHICH THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER WHILE ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN ONTO A MAIN ROAD. DURING THE COURSE OF MY MANY DEALERSHIP VISITS, THEY HAVE REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, REPLACED THE SOLENOID DUTY CYCLE PURGE, CONTACTED CHRYSLER'S STAR TECHNICAL CENTER AND REPLACED WHAT THEY CLAIMED TO BE A BAD LEAK DETECTION PUMP. UPON THE LAST FAILURE, THE CAR WAS DRIVEN BACK TO MY RESIDENCE AND THE DEALER CONTACTED TO TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

CONSUMER REQUEST ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION REGARDING DAIMLER CHRYSLER RECALLS. *MR *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE HOSES WERE REPAIRED THE FIRST THREE TIMES AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THE FOURTH TIME. DURING EACH FAILURE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM LOW TO SECOND GEAR AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE MECHANICS STATED THAT THE GEARS MALFUNCTIONED AND REPLACED EVERYTHING INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 61,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER HEARING THAT THE PT CRUISER WAS ON RECALL HE PHONED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED THE RECALL. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM HE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS NOT ON RECALL, BUT THAT HE SHOULD REPORT THE PROBLEM TO MANUFACTURER. WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. HE DID NOT FEEL VERY SECURE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND WAS URGED TO WAIT BEFORE BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN, AND TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO DRIFT OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

REPORTED ON 11/18/2003 TO SERVICE ADVISOR 15 TIMOTHY M COY SR OF NICK ABRAHAM CHRYSLER THAT PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THEY ADJUSTED BRAKE.IFE PARKED SUBJECT VEHICLE ON 4 GRADE PARKING LOT OR SLIGHT GRADE.*AK SHE SET PARKING BRAKE AND LEFT CAR PARKED, SHE RETURNED TO FIND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED 100 FT. DOWN THE HILL AND WAS SITTING AGAINST PARKING LOT GUARD RAIL. CAR WAS LOCKED AND PARKING BRAKE LEVER WAS IN SAME POSITION AS SHE HAD LEFT IT. AFTER LOOKING AT CAR'S DAMAGE I TRIED PARKING BRAKE AND I FOUND THAT IT WOULD NOT HOLD AS WELL, IN SAME LEVER POSITION

WHILE DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT REAR BRAKE WAS LEAKING. MECHANIC REPLACED NEW CYLINDER AND CLEANED THE SURFACE OF THE BRAKE PADS. ONE MONTH LATER, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

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

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

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME THAT VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

WE BOUGHT OUR 2003 PT GT CRUISER IN JAN.2004 WITH 600 MILES ON IT. AT 36,000 MILES THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED ( AT OUR EXPENSE) FOR THE FIRST TIME. DEALER ( PRESTON OF WARREN, OHIO ) SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WERE REPLACED AGAIN AT 45,000 MILES, AND 6 MORE TIMES SINCE THEN. THEY ARE AGAIN NEEDING REPLACED FOR THE NINTH TIME.I ALSO REPLACED TIERODS AND BUSHINGS ONCE, AND HUBS TWICE. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF ONLINE POSTS FROM OTHER PT OWNERS WITH STRIKINGLY SIMILAR STORIES WHICH PROMPTED ME TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

WHEN DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END. EACH TIME I MENTION THE NOISE TO THE DEALERSHIP DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON 12/30/04 AND1/7/04, I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES MADE NOISE ON THE PT CRUISERS. *AK ON 4/6/004 THE AUTO WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THE CHARGE WAS $527.47. AFTER THE ROTORS WERE REPLACE THE NOIS CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED A SECOND TIME FOR SERVICE ON 6/15/04.

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL SKIPPED. CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. *AK

2003 PT CRUISER GT TURBO, BOUGHT NEW IN 2004 WITH 400MILLS ON IT. TRANSMISSION WILL LAG WHEN DOWN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 1ST GEAR. ALSO, ALL LIGHTS WILL DIM WHEN BRAKING OR WINDOWS ARE BROUGHT DOWN. DEALER SAID. " THERES NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR THE DIMMING LIGHTS." FOR THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTING LAG, THE DEALER CORRECTED OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR CONNECTION. I'M STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM AND IN STOP AND GO TRAFIC I NOTICED WHEN THE VEHCILE WAS DOWN SHIFTING THE RADIO STOPED WORKING AND THE LIGHTS DIMMED FOR A SECOND. DEALER SAID TO WAIT TO SEE IF IT DOES IT AGAIN BEFORE REPAIR.*AK

2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 5 SPEED TURBO: ON 3 OCCASIONS, WITH THE CLUTCH IN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD UPON IGNITION. 1ST INCIDENT AROUND 12,000 MILES THEN AGAIN A FEW HUNDRED MILES LATER TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM & NOT TOO MOTIVATED TO FIX IT. WHAT DO I DO NOW? *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO RACK AND PINION. *AK

BUBBLE ON SIDE WALL RIGHT FRONT BLOW OUT ON FREEWAY JAN 2005 BUBBLE ON SIDE WALL LEFT FRONT STILL THERE JAN 23 2005 LEFT REAR BLOW OUT SUDDENLY ON RESIDENTIAL THROUGH FARE JAN 23 2005 6:00 PM CDT. *JB

I PURCHASED A 2003 PT CRUISER GT, AFTER TRADING IN MY 2002 PT CRUISER TOURING EDITION. MY '02 HAD A REAR STABILIZER BAR MY '03 DOES NOT. IT IS LISTED ON THE WINDOW STICKER, IT IS SHOWN IN THE 2003 FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL, IT IS SHOWN IN THE 2003 PARTS MANUAL. MY 2003 HAS A LOT MORE BODY ROLL THAN THE 2002 DID. CHRYSLER STATES THEY UPGRADED THE "TWIST BEAM" AND EXTERNAL BAR WAS NOT NEEDED, AND IF INSTALLED COULD BE DANGEROUS, AND VOID SUSPENSION WARRANTY, ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE AND GENERAL MANAGER OF ANTWERPEN MOTOR CARS IN MARYLAND. IF THIS IS TRUE WHY WOULD CHRYSLER OFFER PARTS FOR SALE? I AM CONCERNED OF OTHER SHORT-CUTS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO SAVE MONEY. A TOP HEAVY VEHICLE LIKE THE PT NEEDS TO CONTROL BODY ROLL FOR SAFETY AND COMFORT OF OCCUPANTS. LIKE I STATED, I OWNED A 2002 MODEL YEAR AND "UPGRADED" TO A 2003. THANKS. *LA

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK

VEHICLE TENDS TO MAKE NOISE AND RUMBLE FROM THE ENGINE LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL WHEN STARTED OR IS MOVING. DEALER CHANGED SPARK PLUGS 3 TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *NM

GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRE (P205/55R16) WITH UNDER 15,000 MILES MOUNTED ON A PT CRUISER AND DRIVEN ON AN INTERSTATE BLEW OUT THROUGH THE SIDEWALL. DRIVER HEARD A POP AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND DISCOVERED THE BLOWN TIRE.

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

PURCHASED 2003 PT CRUISER IN OCT 02. MARCH 03- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE IDLED VERY ROUGH. BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY SAID IT HAD A CRACKED SPARK PLUG. FIXED? NO... JUNE 03 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT IDLED VERY ROUGH. BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR. FIXED? NO. SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND IT IS IDLING VERY ROUGH. *LA

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE RIGHT REAR SEAT, IT BECAME STUCK THEN RELEASED SUDDENLY CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO FALL AND SEVERELY INJURE HIS RIGHT WRIST. *PH *MR

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE RANDOMLY BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND PARKED. *LA

VEHICLE MADE A RATTLING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. CONSUMER STATED GAS WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. *AK

WHEN COMING TO A STOP DRIVER WOULD PRESS ON THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE.*AK

ODOR OR SMELL IN A/C SYSTEM. DEALER TELLS US THAT IT IS MOLD AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. *AK

STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR GOING OVER 30 MILES PER HOUR. IT PUSHED US INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY HUSBAND AND SON GOT WHIP LASH. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH HEADLIGHTS WERE FLICKERING AND FINALLY BURNED OUT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EIGHT TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER HAS CHECKED EVERY COMPONENT, TRYING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, BUT TO NO AVAIL.*AK THE MANUFACTURER REPURCHASED THE VEHCILE FROM THE CONSUMER. *MJJ

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

I BOUGHT MY 2003 PT CRUISER TURBO OCT 13TH 2002, IN FEB 2003 I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE I HAD NOTICED RED FLUID LEAKING . I WAS ALARMED 2 C ATF LEAKING FROM A CAR WITH LESS THAN 9,000 MILES ON IT. ANYWAY I TOOK IT IN & THEY REPLACED THE SEAL & BEARING ON THE LEFT SIDE. ON MAY 28TH I TOOK IT TO A BODYSHOP 2 GET GHOST FLAMES PAINTED ON IT. JUNE 12TH CAME ALONG AND THEY CALLED ME TO COME SEE THE CAR FINISHED. IT TOOK MY BREATH AWAY. I PROUDLY APPROVED OF THE WORK THEY COULD THEN BUFF AND DETAILED IT. ON JUNE 14TH AFTER BEING BUFFED OUT THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN TO THE DETAIL SHOP ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FRONT LEFT TIRE SEIZED UP AND THREW THE CAR ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND INTO AN EMBANKMENT WHERE IT CAME TO REST.THE DRIVER GOT OUT OF THE CAR AFTER COLLECTING HIMSELF. THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WAS BROKEN OFF, FLUID EVERYWHERE. UTAH HIGHWAY PATROL IMPOUNDED THE CAR UNTIL I COULD BE NOTIFIED. I GOT THE CALL FROM THE BODYSHOP OWNER, HE TOOK FULL RESPONSABILITY AND WAS WILLING TO DO WHATEVER TO MAKE MY CAR NEW "AGAIN". UPON INVESTIGATING THE DAMAGE HE NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FRONT AXLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. HE LITTRIALLY HAD TO TAKE THE RIGHT SIDE APART AND USE A BAR TO POUND OUT THE LEFT SIDE. HE GOT 2 SECOND OPINIONS BEFORE CALLING ME 2 TELL ME THAT THE AXIL HAD SEIZED 2 THE BEARING INSIDE OF THE TRANNY. HE SUGGESTED THAT I CALL THE DEALER. FINIALLY ON THE 23RD OF JUNE THE DEALER CAME AND GOT MY CAR WHERE IT IS STILL SITTING UP TILL THIS CURRENT DAY. THEY FOUND $5500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION/AXLE AND SUCH. THEY CALLED A ACCIDENT INVESTAGATOR THAT SHOWED UP JULY 2ND. I TOOK HIM TO THE ACCIDENT SITE WHERE AFTER 3 WEEKS YOU COULD STILL SEE THE SKID MARKS. THE INVESTIGATOR GATHERED ALL HIS INFORMATION AND WENT BACK TO CHRYSLER. I HAVE CALL NEARLY EVERYDAY. I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT THAT MY FILE IS IN THEIR "LEGAL" DEPARTMENT. NO ONE IS TALKING. NOW 2 WAIT AND SEE WHAT CHRYSLER IS GOING TO DO. *AK

HEATED SEATS WENT ON BY THEMSELVES AND POOR/DANGEROUS LOCATION OF ON/OFF SWITCH (ON SEAT BASE BETWEEN SEAT AND DOOR) IS UNSAFE. *LA

NHTSA#03-V-076-000:ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODELS ONLY, A WELDED PIN INTERNAL TO THE DUAL-MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) ASSEMBLY CAN UNSEAT AND BECOME LODGED BETWEEN THE FLYWHEEL AND THE CLUTCH DISC. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON MAY 23/2003 AND ON MAY 25/2003 THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED. *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, ALSO THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER PROPERLY. *JB

WHILE DRIVING POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED ON THEIR OWN.. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM. *AK

THE FRONT END OF MY 2003 PT CRUISER IS SET TOO LOW. EVEN WITH CARE, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRONT BUMPER SNAGS ON PARKING BUMPERS. IT HAS NOW CAUSED THE ENTIRE FRONT SECTION (FROM THE HEADLIGHTS FORWARD) TO CRACK IN THE SIDE AREA AND IS NOW FLOPPING BACK AND FORTH. IS THIS A DESIGN FLAW OR, OR IS THIS SUPPOSED TO BE AN AN ACCEPTABLE HEIGHT ON THIS FRONT END. *AK

I SMELL STRONG FUEL WHILE DRIVING. AS FAR AS I CAN RECALL, THE SMELL OCCURS WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. SINCE I LIVE IN TEXAS, MY AIR CONDITIONING IS ALMOST ALWAYS ON, SO THE FUEL SMELL IS A CONSTANT REMINDER. I CHECKD IF MY AIR CIRCULATION KNOB IS TURNED TO INTERIOR ONLY. THAT DIDN'T MATTER. THE SMELL OF FUEL IS THERE WHETHER AIR CIRCULATION IS EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO FUEL/GASOLINE DELIVERY PROBLEMS FOR MAKE : CHRYSLER MODEL : PT CRUISER YEAR : 2002 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V215000 RECALL DATE : AUG 07, 2002 COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY I DON'T KNOW IF MY PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS 2002 MODEL RECALLS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ADVISE. I COULDN'T TELL IF THIS LEADS TO FIRE OR INJURY TO MYSELF AND FAMILY. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! *AK

VEHICLE IS A NEW 2003 PT-TURBO GT W/AUTO STICK, AIR, ETC. VEHICLE IS THE VERY FIRST NEW VEHICLE THAT MY WIFE HAS EVER OWNED. I BOUGHT IT FOR HER AS A XMAS GIFT IN DEC., 2002. SINCE FEBRUARY 2003, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT. IT HAS HAD NUMEROUS PARTS REPLACED FROM THEROMSTAT/COOLING FAN AND ITS THEROMSTAT SWITCH, TRANS-COOLER (TURBO), WATER PUMP, ETC. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST 11 WEEKS. BOTH THE ZONE AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY DEALERSHIP, AND THEY RESPONDED ON PREVIOUS TRIPS INTO THE SERVICE BAY. MY WIFE ACTUALLY WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT FOR ALMOST 5 1/2 WEEKS AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM DEALERSHIP. THEN, ON SUNDAY, 20 JULY 2003, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AGAIN!! MY WIFE DROVE IT TO VICTORVILLE MOTORS (LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER, VICTORVILLE, CA) ON MONDAY, 21 JULY AND THERE IT HAS BEEN SINCE. WE UNDERSTOOD THAT IT WAS THE WATER PUMP AGAIN AND THE DEALER WAS WAITING FOR THE ZONE AND/OR MFG TO CONTACT THEM TO SEE WHAT ELSE COULD BE DONE TO RECTIFY THIS ANOMALOUS CONDITION. EITHER IN DESIGN AND JUST A BAD ENGINE. BLOCK IS IRON, WATER PUMP AND HEADS ARE ALUMINUM. ENGINE HAS OVERHEATED INTO THE RED LINE SO MANY TIMES, THE BLOCK AND OTHER COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN SEVERLY HEAT STRESSED. MY WIFE RECENTLY (JAN 2003) DISCOVERED SHE HAD RENAL ESRD (TOTAL KIDNEY FAILURE) AND IS CURRENTLY DOING DIALYSIS. WE LIVE IN VICTORVILLE, CA AND SHE MUST DRIVE TO FONTANNA, CA KAISER HOSPITAL FOR HER TREATMENTS. APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES EACH WAY CLIMBING THROUGH A DESERT MOUNTAIN PASS, ELEVATION 4340 FT. SHE REQUIRES A RELIABLE VEHICLE AND AT THIS POINT IN TIME, SHE DOES NOT HAVE ONE. MY WIFE COULD BE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A DESERT MOUNTAIN PASS WITH THIS PROBLEM VEHICLE. ALL WE HAVE ASKED FOR IS CHRYSLER REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE....MY WIFE HAS WANTED THIS DREAM CAR. FOR OVER 2-YEARS. IT..."..THANK YOU........RON & GWEN REPASS. *AK

THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN. THE RECALLED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. *NLM *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY UNREADABLE IN SUNLIGHT AND/OR "RAINY" WEATHER. PH

THE GASKET ON THE THIRD BREAK LIGHT DOES NOT FIT UP TO THE REAR WINDSHIELD. THERE IS ABOUT A 1/4 INCH GAP. A NEW ONE WAS INSTALLED BUT IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. IT MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW. *LA

WHEN CONSUMER BRAKES, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. THIS CAUSES A DISTRACTION AT NIGHT TIME. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH THIS ALSO OCCURED WHEN WINDOW SWITCH AND AUTO DOOR LOCKS WERE ENGAGED. DEALER CHECKED WIRING TO PCM, ALLG ROUNDS AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. NOTHING FOUND. *TT

LOCKING MECHANISM BROKE DURING THE INSTILLATION OF A CHILD SEAT. IF THIS CAN BREAK THIS PART I FEEL THAT IT WOULD NOT HOLD UP IN AN ACCIDENT. DT