NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
ROLLING DOWN THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW ON MY 2005 PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE 2-DR WHILE THE FRONT WINDOW IS UP CAUSES THE INSULATING STRIP BETWEEN THE WINDOWS TO SLIDE OFF THE BACK WINDOW AND STICK IN THE WINDOW MOUNT. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM, AND THEY SAID THE WINDOWS WERE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT WHICH CAUSED THE SEAL TO STICK, AND SUGGESTED IF I DIDN'T WANT TO PAY $500.00 TO FIX IT I COULD PUT ADHESIVE ON IT. I HAVE A FEAR IF MY CHILDREN SHUT THE DOOR HARD THE FRONT WINDOW WILL BREAK FROM SLAMMING AGAINST THE EXPOSED METAL ON THE SIDE OF THE BACK WINDOW. *JB
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN JUNE OF 2006, AND WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND HAD TO BRAKE WHETHER IT WAS A QUICK BRAKING OR NORMAL BRAKING ANYTHING ON THE FLOOR LIKE A CHEEZIT BOX OR WATER BOTTLE, OR ANY NYLON CLOTHING(GYM RUNNING PANT) WENT UNDER MY SEAT AND UNDER MY BRAKE PEDAL AND 2 OUT THE 3 TIMES I ALMOST WRECKED. I HAVE HAD THE LAST STRAW THIS WEEK WHEN I STOPPED AT A LIGHT NORMAL BRAKING AND MY RAIN JACKET ALONG WITH MY WATER BOTTLE ROLLED UNDER MY SEAT AND I COULD STOP MY CAR FOR ALL OF THE STUFF UNDER MY PEDAL AGAIN. PT CRUISERS NEED A RECALL A DRAWER OR SOMETHING SHOULD BE PUT UNDER THE SEAT TO STOP ARTICLES IN THE BACK SEAT FROM GOING TO THE FRONT. *JB
2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH SPEEDOMETER PROBLEMS**CC THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE DEEP INSET OF THE INSTRUMENT. *JB
2005 PT CRUISER (TURBO) WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION AND OIL CHANGE. INSPECTION WAS NOT GRANTED. VEHICLE WAS PRONOUNCED "UNSAFE TO DRIVE" AS THE BEARINGS ON THE SPINDLE (ON AXLE) WERE DESTROYED AND BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE WOBBLING. MECHANIC SAID ONE OR BOTH WHEELS COULD COME OFF. IN THE NEXT BAY WAS ANOTHER PT CRUISER (TURBO) WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE MECHANICS DISCUSSED WHETHER THE DESIGN WAS SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE POWER OF THE TURBO. UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVE (WE HAVE TO PAY THE $600+ FOR THEM) WE HAVE A RENTAL AT THE DEALERS SUGGESTION AND OUR COST. *JB
LEASED A 2005 PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE, DREAM CRUISER SERIES 4 IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. FIRST FAILURE OF THE TIRES WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE IN AUGUST 2006. I WAS PARKED SOMEWHERE WAITING FOR SOMEONE AND WHEN THEY WALKED BACK TO MY CAR THEY NOTICED THAT I HAD A BULGE IN THE TIRE DUE TO A CRACK IN THE SIDEWALL. HAD TO GET THE VERY EXPENSIVE TIRE (GOODYEAR - 205/50/17 RS-A) REPLACED, WITH ONLY APPROXIMATELY 13,000 MILES ON THE CAR. NEXT FAILURE WAS IN OCTOBER OF THE SAME YEAR. DRIVING AT 35 MPH AT THE END OF A LINE OF THREE CARS WHEN ALL THREE HIT THE SAME POTHOLE. THE FIRST TWO CARS DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM, MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT THE SIDEWALL AND I HAD TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY REPLACEMENT, THIS TIME WITH JUST UNDER 15,000 MILES ON THE CAR. BOTH TIRE DEALERSHIPS SEEMED TO CASUALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THEY HAD SEEN SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THESE PARTICULAR TIRES ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF CAR. DEALERSHIP DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THE PROBLEM EXCEPT TO GIVE ME A NUMBER FOR CHRYSLER. CHRYSLER DOESN'T DEAL WITH TIRES AND THEY DIRECTED ME TO GOODYEAR. GOODYEAR SAID IT WAS DUE TO ROAD HAZARDS AND THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THE COSTS AND COMPLETELY DENIED HAVING HEARD OF ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS TYPE OF TIRE. *NM
PT CRUISER 2005. HEARING THUMPING NOISES FROM RIGHT FRONT. SEP. 2006 DEALER REPLACES BEARING, (20118 MILES) JULY 07 MORE NOISE DEALER FINDS AXLE SPACERS MISSING (28009 MILES) JAN. 08 MORE NOISE DEALER FINDS BAD BEARINGS AGAIN, THIS TIME OUT OF WARRANTY ($630 31406 MILES). *TR
ON THE INCIDENT DATE, I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 78 MILES AN HOUR (IDAHO FREEWAY SPEED LIMIT IS 75). THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED CAUSING THE TIRE TO COME COMPLETELY APART. IT WAS LITERALLY FILLED WITH ASH FROM THE RUBBER. THE TIRES ARE ON A 2005 PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE TOURING EDITION AND HAD ONLY 19000 MILES ON THEM. THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED WITH 36 OR MORE POUNDS OF AIR AND THE AIR PRESSURE HAS BEEN CHECKED MUCH MORE OFTEN THAN NORMAL DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY ALWAYS LOOKED LOW. I HAD JUST CHECKED THE AIR IN THEM TWO DAYS BEFORE. ABOUT 15 MILES PRIOR TO THE TIRE EXPLODING, THE CAR HAD A VERY DISTINCT PULL TO LEFT WHICH I ATTRIBUTED INITIALLY TO WIND LOAD FROM THE SIDE OF THE CAR, APPARENTLY IT WAS NOT WIND. THESE TIRES ARE A DEATH TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MOVING FROM A STOP SIGN AT 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, FIRE WAS NOTICED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED A SHORT CIRCUIT FROM THE BATTERY CABLE WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT TAKEN. THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE ENGINE STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PCM MODULE TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED FOUR SPARK PLUGS AND VARIOUS WIRING TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.
MY CHRYSLER 2005 PT CRUISER, BOUGHT IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, SUDDENLY LOSES ITS POWER WHILE I AM DRIVING (TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY). THIS LOSS OF POWER RESULTED IN MY NEARLY BEING IN A REAR END COLLISION FROM A TRUCK COMING UP BEHIND ME! IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO 2 CHRYSLER DEALERS ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY OR FIX THE PROBLEM ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAD TWO ADDITIONAL FAILURES DOCUMENTED BY THEM. THIS LAST TIME THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR OVER TWO WEEKS. IT HAS A SERIOUS DRIVEABILITY ISSUE. THEY HAVE ALREADY REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS INCLUDING THE ENTIRE ONBOARD COMPUTER PRIOR TO THIS MOST RECENT BREAKDOWN. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A NEW CAR AND CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE TOOK THE INFORMATION OVER A WEEK AGO HAS NOT GOTTEN BACK TO ME. *NM
O RINGS ON FUEL INJECTORS CAME OFF, CAUSING INJECTORS TO TAP. CHRYSLER WILL NOT TOUCH IT. THEY KEEP SAYING THE INJECTORS ARE SUPPOSED TO TAP! I WENT TO 4 CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS, AND 3 SAID IT`S NORMAL, AND ONE SAID THEY COULDN'T HEAR THE TAP. I WENT TO 3 OTHER MECHANICS ( NON CHRYSLER) AND THEY ALL SAID IT`S NOT NORMAL, AND TO GET IT FIXED RIGHT AWAY. BUT CHRYSLER WILL NOT ADMIT THERE`S ANYTHING WRONG, AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. BECAUSE OF THAT, I HAVE TO GET A DIFFERENT CAR! AFTER THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT, I WON`T BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM! I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND ANY CHRYSLER PRODUCT TO ANYONE! *JB
FUEL INJECTOR O RINGS COME LOOSE CAUSING INJECTORS TO TAP. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ORIGINAL TIRES OF THE VEHICLE HAD VERY THIN TREAD BELT AND A VERY SMALL NAIL CAUSED A PUNCTURE. THE TIRES ALSO WOULD NOT GRIPPED ON WET PAVEMENT AT ANY SPEED, CREATING SAFETY RISK DURING RAINY WEATHER. DUE TO THE POOR QUALITY OBSERVED ON THOSE TIRES BY THE CONTACT THE TIRES WERE ROTATED EVERY 3000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE ALL TIRES AT ONLY 19000 MILES. THE TIRES MANUFACTURER DID NOT WARRANTY IN RELATIONS TO MILEAGE. THE TIRES WARRANTY PROVIDED REFERRED ONLY TO PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING. GOODYEAR MANUFACTURED THE EAGLES SS. *AK
THE CAR SITS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND. I AM A CAUTIOUS DRIVER, BUT THE BUMPER TOO EASILY SCRAPES WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS OR SLIGHTLY STEEP INCLINES/DECLINES, AS WELL AS WHEN PARKING, TOO EASILY TO SCRAPE OVER CURBS. THIS HAS CAUSED THE BUMPER TO CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE, OVER THE HEAD LIGHT, COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE CAR IN ALONG A 6 INCH LINE. THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX WITHOUT REPLACING THE WHOLE BUMPER/GRILL COVER. I AM IN CONSTANT FEAR OF THE BUMPER FALLING OFF AS I STRUGGLE TO SAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE. I TRULY REGRET PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE! *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER SIDE BACK TRIANGLE WINDOW BLEW OUT INCLUDING THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE DRIVING BEHIND MANEUVERED TO AVOID BEING HIT BY THE FLYING WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE MISSING WINDOW.
2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. *KB THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED TWO DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE OCCURRED. A PASSERBY EXTINGUISHED THE SMALL FIRE. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPING AFTER DRIVING 10 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT WITH BRAKE PRESSURE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR AND THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. MODERATE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A FAILURE OR DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 09/15/06. *JB UPDATED 9/20/2006 - *NM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN ONE OF THE TIRES BECAME FLAT. THE CONTACT COULD NOT RECALL WHICH EXACT TIRE WAS FLAT BECAUSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES AND EACH TIME, IT WAS A DIFFERENT TIRE THAT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE RIMS WERE CORRODED AND PITTED. THE RIMS WERE CLEANED BUT THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT AIR WOULD CONTINUE TO ESCAPE FROM THE RIM AND CAUSE THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
WHILE DRIVING MY TURN SIGNALS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING. TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BLOWN FUSE. THEY REPLACED THE FUSE AND AWAY WE WENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ALTOGETHER WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS, AND THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. WHAT ACTIONS DO I TAKE NEXT? THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN I HAVE TO TURN SIGNALS OR WIPERS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS RAINING. *JB
I BEGAN HEARING A POPPING NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AT APPROXIMATELY 25000 MILES. AT 27000 MILES, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD RACK & PINION UNIT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UNIT UNDER WARRANTY. AT 30000 MILES, THE NOISE RETURNED. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHO RE-DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE, A DRUMMING AND SQUEAKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED, YET THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 37,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
WHILE DRIVING IN CITY I NOTICED A KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. I PULLED OVER AND SAW OIL POURING OUT OF FRONT OF ENGINE. I SHUT ENGINE OFF. AT NO TIME DID OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT COME ON. CALLED AAA AND HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST CHRYSLER DEALER. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS BLOWN CAMSHAFT SEAL. REPLACED SEAL BUT WHEN RUNNING ENGINE STILL MADE KNOCKING SOUNDS. WAITED FOR ENGINE SPECIALIST TO COME BACK FROM VACATION. HE SAID ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND HE WOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER. CHRYSLER INSISTED ENGINE BE TORN DOWN TO IDENTIFY SOURCE OF PROBLEM. PROBLEM WAS CRANKSHAFT THRUST BEARING BROKEN IN HALF ALLOWING CRANKSHAFT TO MOVE LATERALLY FORCING OUT CRANKSHAFT SEAL, HENCE ALL THE OIL, AND MORE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. I REQUESTED A "CRATED" ENGINE BE INSTALLED. DEALER SAID NONE AVAILABLE. AT PRESENT WAITING FOR DELIVERY OF CYLINDER HEAD. CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 20 DAYS. MILEAGE AT TIME OF INCIDENT: 3,541 MILES. FORTUNATELY THIS FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHERE THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. *JB
I AM WRITING TO ASK HAS THERE HAVE BEEN ANY REPORTS OF THE 2002 PT CRUISER HAVING AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM? ON 11/30/2005 AS I WAS MAKING A U-TURN WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THAT CAUSED ME TO HIT A CURB AND BLEW OUT MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE, IT ALSO LEFT ME IN A DISORIENTED STATE OF MIND. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THAT CAR UNTIL IT HIT THE CURB. PLEASE AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE CAN YOU LET ME KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THIS. *JB
CAR HAD SHAKE IN FRONT THROUGH STEERING WHEEL AND RT. FLOORBOARD. CHANGE TIRES AND WHEELS. CHANGES TIRES TWICE. REPLACED LEFT FRONT AXLE WITH SINGLE AXLE. REPLACED SAME AXLE WITH TWO PIECE AXLE. STILL HAS SHAKE IN IT. FACTORY TECH SAID LIVE WITH IT. *NM
I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE AIR CONDITIONER IN MY 2005 PT CRUISER TOURING EDITION. WHEN I USE THE AIR OR THE HEAT OR DEFROST I CAN SMELL SOUR SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY CHECKED IT AND TOLD ME THE AIR CONDITIONER HAD MOISTURE BUILT UP IN IT. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO CLEAN AND DEODORIZE IT BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE CLEANER AND DEODORIZER AND THE EQUIPMENT TO FIX IT. I CALLED THEM BACK THE FOLLOWING WEEK THEY SAID THEY HAD EVERYTHING TO FIX IT, BUT WHEN I RETURNED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2005 THEY STILL DID NOT HAVE ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT TO FIX IT. *JB
I HAVE A CHRYSLER 2005 PT CRUISER. IT HAS BEEN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME THING. ON NOV. 5, 2005 THE BRAKES FAILED, THE CAR ACTED LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN GEAR. IT WENT TO THE SHOP BY WRECKER. I GOT THE CAR BACK ON NOV 9, 2005 NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE CAR, WAS TOLD IT RUNS BEAUTIFUL. ON NOV. 30, 2005 GOING HOME STOPPING IN TRAFFIC THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN, ALMOST HIT A TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. IT IS RIGHT NOT SETTING AT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THEY CALLED ME THIS MORNING AND SAID THE CAR IS RUNNING FINE AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE RODE AROUND FOR A WEEK WITH A CO-PILOT IN IT AND NOTHING SHOW UP ON THAT. I HAVE LOST OVER 100 MILES PER TANK IN GAS MILEAGE. NO CHRYSLER DEALER CAN SEEM TO FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR. WHAT CAN I DO. *JB
VIBRATION IN REAR END OF VEHICLE; VEHICLE DRIFTS TO RIGHT; EXCESSIVE/UNEVEN TIRE WEAR SINCE NEW. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT 50-55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TURBO AND IT WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS FLOODED BY HURRICANE WILMA AND WAS TOTALED. *AK
THE DEFECTS IN MY VEHICLE ARE PRIMARILY RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILING RESULTING IN THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. ALL OF THE POWER GOES OUT; THE ENGINE DIES AND COMES BACK ON AFTER EITHER A FEW MOMENTS OR A FEW MINUTES. DURING THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO BRAKE. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE AT SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE. TO DATE (1/16/2006) THIS HAS OCCURRED 18 TIMES ON MY VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT THEY ARE NOT CONFIDENT ON WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN WITNESSED BY OTHERS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN APRIL 2005. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT AT AROUND 12000 MILES IN SEPTEMBER 2005. THIS PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT AND DC DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT. THEY OFFERED A SIMILAR 2005 PT BUT REFUSED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND SO FAR, THERE HAVE BEEN 9 SIMILAR OCCURRENCES OF THIS AND NONE HAVE BEEN SOLVED. THEREBY, I REFUSED TO TAKE ANOTHER 2005 PT CRUISER. I DO NOT HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE IN THE CAR SO IT SITS PARKED WHILE I MUST CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS WHILE THIS MATTER GOES THROUGH THE COURTS. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE ONLY ATTEMPTING WHAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER DIRECTED THEM TO DO. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH NO SUCCESS ON FOUR OCCASIONS (10/06-10/07, 10/20-10/24, 10/24-10/28, 11/07-11/17). THE DEALERSHIP PROMISED TO MAKE NECESSARY PART REPLACEMENTS AND THEN DRIVE IT ONE TO TWO HUNDRED MILES AFTER. THEY DID NOT DO EITHER. THEY SAID THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE MANPOWER TO HAVE SOMEONE DRIVE IT SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MOST TIMES THE CAR IS ON THE HIGHWAY FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE IT DIES. I HAVE GIVEN THE DEALERSHIP PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE FOR BOTH ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. *JB
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT SEPTEMBER 11TH AT 10:5 0AM. I WAS SITTING ON THE 15 FREEWAY IN SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA WAITING FOR ON-COMING TRAFFIC WHEN I WAS HIT AT ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR FROM BEHIND. I WAS PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. MY SISTER CALLED CHRYSLER SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 AND ASKED WHY MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO INVESTIGATE. CHRYSLER WAS GIVEN ALL THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO START AN INVESTIGATION. I CALLED AGAIN, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 AT 2:40 PM AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CASE WAS SENT TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT, BUT COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT DEPARTMENT. THEN WHEN ASKED"HOW CAN YOU TELL ME IT WAS TRANSFERRED TO SOMEONE AND YOU CAN'T GIVE ME A NAME I WAS TOLD THAT'S ALL THEY COULD DO. I CALLED AGAIN SEPTEMBER 20, 2005 AT 8:53 AM AND SPOKE WITH CHRIS WHO TOLD ME THAT THE INVESTIGATION WAS STILL PENDING. I ASKED HIM TO TRANSFER ME TO SOMEONE WHO COULD TELL ME THE STATUS OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND I WAS TRANSFERRED TO LARRY (NO LAST NAME). I WAS TOLD THEY HAD A WEEK TO COMPLETE THE INVESTIGATION AND I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 5,2005. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION AS TO WHY CHRYSLER GIVES THEIR CUSTOMERS THE RUN AROUND WHEN SOMETHING THIS SERIOUS HAPPENS. I AM OUT OF WORK UNTIL OCOTBER 31, 2005 (SO FAR). I HIT MY HEAD ON SOMETHING BECAUSE MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT I HIT MY HEAD ON. OF COURSE AS OF NOW THE BRUISES HAVE HEALED, BUT MY SISTER DID GET PICUTRES OF ME FROM THIS ACCIDENT. IF THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE I CAN DO PLEASE ADVISE ME IN WHICH DIRECTION I CAN TAKE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE SHERRY BOURBON. *JB
2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. SEVERAL REPAIRS WERE MADE, BUT THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. *JB
WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES MY 2005 PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE BASE MODEL EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE MANUAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 100 MILES OF OPEN HIGHWAY AND WAS ENTERING A MORE URBAN SETTING WITH FREQUENT STOPS AND STARTS DUE TO TRAFFIC LIGHTS. AFTER ABOUT THE 5TH OR 6TH LIGHT MY GEAR SHIFT LEVER WOULD MOVE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. LUCKILY I HAD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN SAVANNAH GA. IT TOOK 3 DAYS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND HOUSING HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH A MANUAL CLUTCH IS CLASSED AS A "CONSUMABLE" PART CHRYSLER AGREED TO SHARING HALF THE REPLACEMENT COST FOR THE PARTS DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE. I DROVE MY FIRST PT CRUISER ( AN EARLY PRODUCTION 2001 MODEL ) OVER 86,000 MILES AND NEVER HAD A CLUTCH PROBLEM. I AM NOW 18,000 MILES INTO THE LIFE OF THE REPLACEMENT CLUTCH WITH NO SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS. *JB
AT FIRST THE ENGINE SURGES AFTER CAR STOPS AT INTERSECTION. SLIGHTLY AT FIRST AND THEN OCCURRENCE INCREASES AT SUBSEQUENT STOPS WITH GREATER SURGE. THEN ENGINE SURGES AND DIES AT STOPS UNTIL ENGINE DIES AND WILL NOT RESTART. THE LAST TIME THE ENGINE DIED AT 45 MPH AND WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL THE FOLLOWING MORNING. TOOK CAR TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND DEALER CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS, AS YOU CAN NEVER TELL WHERE OR WHEN THE CAR IS GOING TO QUIT RUNNING.*JB
GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA P215/50/R17 TIRES SPLITTING AT INNER SIDEWALL WITH ONLY 11,000 MILES ON THEM. DEALER NOR GOODYEAR WILL REPLACE. *NM
THE 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HAS METALLIC-SILVER DASH INSERTS AROUND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND COVERING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE SUN IS HIGH IN THE SKY THE GLARE FROM THE METALLIC-SILVER INSTRUMENT PANEL IS BLINDING. THE GLARE IS SO BRIGHT IT LEAVES SPOTS IN YOUR EYES. THE MOLDED CURVES ABOVE THE INSTRUMENTS SEEM TO CONCENTRATE THE SUN??S ENERGY. MY WIFE IS SHORTER AND IS ABLE TO ADJUST THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO BLOCK THE REFLECTION. I AM UNABLE TO DO THIS AND STILL HANDLE THE STEERING WHEEL COMFORTABLY. I PLACED ELECTRICAL TAPE ON THE PANEL JUST ABOVE THE CENTER INSTRUMENT TO BLOCK THE GLARE. *NM
I PURCHASED NEW,2005 PT CRUISER IN EL PASO, TX. RETURNED CAR FOR SERVICE AT 3 WEEKS WITH ENGINE PROBLEMS- MISSING, MISFIRE. DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG & RESET COMPUTER. RETURNED CAR FOLLOWING WEEK- ENGINE USED 1/2 QT OIL IN ONE WEEK. COULD SMELL GAS WHILE DRIVING CAR. DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG. I SPOKE WITH SALES MANAGER AND TRIED TO RETURN CAR. THEY SAID NO, THIS WAS NORMAL. THEY SAID CARS COULD USE OIL IN FIRST MONTH OF USAGE. THEY SAID THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I WAS BEING TRANSFERRED TO DALLAS FOLLOWING WEEK, THEY SAID NO PROBLEM, IF ANYTHING WAS WRONG GO TO DEALER IN DALLAS. SEPT- CAR USED 1/2 QT OIL AGAIN, GAS/OIL SMELL GETTING STRONGER WHILE DRIVING- EFFECTING MY ASTHMA. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER FOR SERVICE- SERVICE SAID OIL USAGE NORMAL FOR UP TO ONE YEAR. SERVICE SAID THAT CHRYSLER WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT ISSUE UNTIL CAR WAS USING 1 QT OIL EVERY 500 MILES. SERVICE DID OIL CHANGE. SERVICE STARTED OIL USAGE REPORT ON CAR AND SAID TO BRING CAR IN EVERY 500 MILES FOR CHECK. I DROVE CAR 500 MILES AND CHECKED OIL. SERVICE HAS OVERFILLED OIL LEVEL AND IS 1/4 INCH OVER THE FILL LINE. RETURNED TO SERVICE AND THEY REFUSED TO CHECK OIL AND SAID THAT I NEEDED APPOINTMENT AND WOULD NEED TO LEAVE CAR AGAIN. CAR TO GO TO SERVICE FOR FOURTH TIME ON MONDAY, OCT 10. *NM
FOG LAMPS REMAIN ON WHEN SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSSITION. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN MANY "PT" FORUMS ON THE INTERNET. THE SOLUTION IS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT CONTROLS ALL THE LIGHTS.*NM
THE SUBJECT TIRE WERE ON A CHRYSLER 2003 PT CRUSIER . THE FIRST TIME THE CAR HAS APPX 12000 MILES AROUND JAN 2005 ON AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES DEVELOPED BUBBLES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR NOW HAS 20000 MILES (JUN 2005) AND AGAIN THE TWO FROM TIRE HAVE BUBBLE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER SAID THE BUBBLES WERE CAUSED BY GOEING THRU POT HOLES WHICH I THOUGH LOGICA; AT THE TIME. BUT IN LESS THEN SIX MONTHS BOTH FRONT TIRE HAVE BUBBLES AND NEED TO BE REPLACE. IS DOES SEEM ODD THAT IT ALWAY BOTH TIRE. IT SEEM TO ME THAT THE TIRE ARE DEFECTIVE, THE CAR HAS A DESIGN FLAW OR THE TIRES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR THIS CAR. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND A IT IS JUST A MATER OF TIME BEFORE ONE OF THESE TIRE BLOWOUT AT HIGH SPPED AND KILLS SOMEONE.
CAR BOUGHT WITH 180 MILES ON IT. AT A STOP, WHILE IN IDLE, THE CAR SHUTTERS AND SHAKES. NOW THE CAR HAS 1700 MILES ON IT AND IT STILL SHUTTERS IN IDLE. ENGINE SEEMS TO BE CONSISTANTLY MISFIRING.
MY CAR HAS ONLY ABOUT 1,500 MILES ON IT, AND IT USUALLY DRIVES BEAUTIFULLY, BUT TODAY I SLOWED DOWN (FROM ABOUT 35 MPH) TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT A LIGHT AND THE BRAKES SEEMED SOFT SOMEHOW, THEN I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A FOUR-WAY STOP ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FURTHER ALONG AND IT WAS HARD TO STOP AND I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE RACING. IN FACT THE CAR JUMPED OUT INTO THE INTERSECTION A LITTLE WAYS AFTER IT STOPPED. I LOOKED THIS UP AND READ ABOUT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND I CAN SAY THAT I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR (IF I HAD, THE CAR OBVIOUSLY WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED -- IT JUMPED FORWARD AFTER I'D HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR, AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING MADLY EVEN AFTER I LOOKED TO SEE IF FOR SOME REASON THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK AND SHIFTED OUT OF DESPERATION INTO PARK). I BELIEVE THAT THE THROTTLE MALFUNCTIONED FOR SOME REASON AND I WILL TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW.
DT: THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON JUNE 8, 2005 WHEN HE HEARD A PING SOUND COME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THEN THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. WHEN HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WAS A PUNCTURED MARK ON THE TIRE. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE TIRE. THE TIRE IS A GOODYEAR, SIZE I 205/50R17XL. THE CONTACT DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE PUNCTURE MARK DID NOT CAUSE THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. *AK UPDATED 11/16/2005 - THE TIRE WAS A GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A. ON OCT 7,2005 THE CONSUMER HEARD THE SAME PING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AN FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT. IT WAS THE SAME BRAND AND MODEL TIRE AS THE FIRST FAULTY TIRE WITH THE SAME DOT NUMBER. *NM
AFTER REFUELING GAGUE STILL READS EMPTY ,NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE,DEALER HAD CAR FOR SEVEN DAYS TO RUN TESTS COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM SO THEY CHANGED INSTREMENT CLUSTER THIS ONLY LASTED 4 ON&OFF CYCLES AND BACK TO SAME PROBLEM
WHILE STOPPING AT A LIGHT THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THEN, PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST AND RIB INJURIES. *AK
MY SON, WHO LIVES THE ORLANDO AREA, WAS SLOWLY TURNING RIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION IN HIS 2004 PT CRUISER WHEN HE SUSTAINED CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. THE AIR INTAKE FOR THE ENGINE IS LOCATED BEHIND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. HE SLOWLY WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER ONLY A COUPLE OF INCHES DEEP WHILE HAVING THE WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT. A FEW DROPS OF WATER OFF OF THE WHEEL GOT INTO THE AIR INTAKE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO IMMEDIATELY SEIZE. $5000 REPAIR JOB.*AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTREME VIBRATION DURING ACCELERATION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT WHILE ON THE ROAD. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND GOODYEAR DEALER WERE CONTACTED HOWEVER WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP. *TT
HEADLIGHTS ARE SO CLOUDY, LOOKS TO BE UNSAFE. HAVE TRIED 3 DIFFERENT PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET TO CORRECT THIS BUT SO FAR NOTHING HAS HELPED. SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE OUT IN THE WEATHER LIKE A HEADLIGHT COULD BE MADE FROM SOMETHING BETTER THAN THEY ARE. *TR
05 PT CRUISER HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE FEB 05 (BOUGHT NEW.) THE FIRST TIME I FILLED UP, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. REFERRING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, I RESTARTED THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. AT THE FIRST OIL CHANGE, I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE GAS CAP WAS PROBABLY LOOSE. OK -- MAYBE. THEY RE-SET THE COMPUTER AND DOWNLOADED A SOFTWARE UPDATE FROM CHRYSLER. WITHIN 3 DAYS, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK IT IN & RESET AND WAS TOLD AGAIN IT WAS PROBABLY THE CAP. NOT -- I MADE SURE THE CAP WAS TIGHT AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. OVER THE NEXT YEAR, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME ON AT LEAST ONCE BETWEEN EACH OIL CHANGE. SOME TIMES IT STAYS ON THE ENTIRE TIME, SOMETIMES IT COMES ON AND GOES OFF TWO OR THREE TIMES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS (2 DIFFERENT DEALERS) CAN FIND NO STORED CODE, NOR CAN THEY REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY -SET THE COMPUTER EACH TIME. I'VE ALSO HAD BOTH THE REAR WINDOWS OPEN WITHOUT NOTICE SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. ONCE, THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR WINDOW STAYED OPEN FOR NEARLY 40 MIN BEFORE CLOSING ON ITS OWN. USUALLY HAPPENS UPON FIRST STARTING THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE RACK & PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE OF A FAILED SENSOR EARLIER THIS YEAR. 3 MONTHS AGO, THE CAR STARTED STALLING WITHIN 5 MILES OF STARTING. SOMETIMES, THE ENTIRE MOTOR SHUTS DOWN; SOMETIMES I JUST LOOSE 1000-1500 RPMS. AFTER POPPING THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE IS FINE FOR HOWEVER LONG I WANT TO DRIVE. AGAIN, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS MONTH (10-07) A 3RD DEALER REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR AND A NEW FACTORY SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD, AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A WEEK. THE CAR SEEMED TO RUN MUCH BETTER FOR 10 DAYS, THEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. SO FAR, IT HASN'T STALLED AGAIN. I'LL TAKE IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE & HAVE THE COMPUTER RE-SET THIS WEEK. DO I HAVE A LEMON? *JB
SINCE NEW, FEB. 2005, MY 2005 PT CRUISER SHAKES AND STUMBLES AT IDLE. AT 180 MILES, THE ENGINE STOPPED IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED, BUT IT RAN EXTREMELY ROUGH. THE DEALER REPLACED A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE ENGINE HASN'T DIED SINCE, BUT I STILL EXPERIENCE ROUGH IDLE AND STUMBLE ON ACCELERATION. THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY CAN DO NO MORE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB
VEHICLE FRONT END AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE AT ABOUT 10-15 MPH ACCELERATION FROM A STOPPED OR SLOWED POSITION. ONCE ACCELERATED BEYOND THAT SPEED, VIBRATIONS REMAIN, BUT LESS INTENSE. VEHICLE WILL PULL UPON APPLYING BRAKES, MAKING IT HARDER TO CONTROL. FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE FRONT END AND TIRES ARE "GRINDING INTO THE PAVEMENT", THIS AT STREET SPEEDS OF 35-40 MPH. HAD TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED ON ALL FOUR TIRES AND PRESSURE WAS AS SUGGESTED BY MANUFACTURER. HAD BRAKES CHECKED AT DEALER AND THEY STATED THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES, "THE BRAKES ARE FINE." THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 15,000 MILES. IF CHRYSLER/FIAT DEALERS CANNOT PINPOINT THE CAUSES OF THESE DEFECTS/PROBLEMS AND FIX THEM (AT NO COST THEIR CUSTOMER) ONCE AND FOR ALL, THEN WHO? THESE PROBLEMS POSE SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS, AND RECALLS SHOULD BE ISSUED. WITH THESE PROBLEMS UNRESOLVED, THERE IS LITTLE ENJOYMENT IN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN VEHICLE HYDRO PLANED, CRASHING INTO A BUS. WHEN EXPLAINING TO MANUFACTURER WHAT HAPPENED, SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD INCORRECT TIRES FOR THE RAIN.*AK
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026