Nekoosa, WI
AIR BAGS
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11642120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser airbag problems
45 of the 799 complaints about the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser are about the airbag system — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 57,277 miles.
45
Complaints
20
Crashes
1
Fires
16
Injuries
Exactly what failed
AIR Bags
23
51.1%
Frontal
11
24.4%
Side/Window
6
13.3%
Sensor/Control Module
5
11.1%
Airbags across every Chrysler PT Cruiser year
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 130,000 miles
Sandston, VA
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING..... STOPPED OR MOVING
NHTSA complaint #11271661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 171,000 miles
Hawk RUN, PA
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE, WAS TURNED AROUND 180 DEGREES AND THEN STRUCK AGAIN IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND SEVERAL BRUISES AND CONTUSIONS AND SORE RIBS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TOWING FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. *AS
NHTSA complaint #11232217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 miles
Colvena, CA
Crash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10917975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 miles
Santa Rosa, CA
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER DID NOT LOCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM A BRUISED CHEST, HANDS, SHOULDER PAIN, NECK PAIN, AND LEG PAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000. UPDATED 05/04/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10822378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 miles
North Chesterfield, VA
AIR BAGS
CENTER OF STEERING WHEEL (WHERE AIRBAG IS LOCATED) BECAME SO HOT THAT IT COULD NOT BE TOUCHED WITH YOUR BARE HAND. PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. WAITED UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN TO NORMAL TEMPERATURE THEN GOT BACK IN AND RESTARTED VEHICLE AND MOVED SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK FROM THE STEERING WHEEL JUST IN CASE. THE HEATING PHENOMENON DID NOT RECUR IN THE SHORT DRIVE HOME (5-10 MINUTES). HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. SCHEDULING A VISIT TO LOCAL DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NOTHING FOUND ON CHRYSLER RECALL INFORMATION AND EMAIL TO CHRYSLER GOT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH PACKAGE 28G THAT INCLUDED SUPPLEMENTAL SIDE AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #10649477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 miles
LAS Vegas, NV
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE WALL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON HER LEFT FOREARM AND A BLACK EYE DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10626449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 miles
Hermosa Beach, CA
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. CODE INDICATE PASSENGER SIDE SQUIBB LINE OPEN. SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET.
NHTSA complaint #10347957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dracut, MA
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND GOES OFF. SOMETIMES WILL BEEP EVERY FEW MINUTES UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP TRIED 3 TIMES IN A ROW UNSUCCESSFULLY TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT IT WOULD NOT HINDER FROM PASSING INSPECTION, WHICH IT DIDN'T. HOWEVER I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY MAKING IT A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WILL NO LONGER PASS INSPECTION. THERE ARE QUITE A NUMBER OF REPORTS ONLINE OF PT CRUISER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10289913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 miles
Deltona, FL
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DRIVERS SIDE - SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ON CRASH TO DRIVERS SIDE OF 2001 PT CRUISER. PT CRUISER T-BONED OVER CAR SPEED APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10253023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 miles
SAN Antonio, TX
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN PROPERLY AND FORCED THE DRIVER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES AND THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE COLLISION CENTER AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 151,000.
NHTSA complaint #10250647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 miles
Whiting, NJ
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF AND THE WARNING CHIMES CONTINUE TO SOUND. SHE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO CHRYSLER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR BAG MODULE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AT A LOCAL GAS STATION AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPONENT, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURS. THE COST TO HAVE THE AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED WAS $300. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HEARD FROM THE MECHANIC SINCE THE REPLACEMENT WAS MADE. SHE STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GAS STATION TO BE SERVICED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
NHTSA complaint #10196446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 miles
Whiting, NJ
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATOR CHIMES IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON OR OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE, HOWEVER, THE INDICATOR CONTINUES TO CHIME. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY UNAWARE OF HOW TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB THE ARI BAG MODULE WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10195461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,500 miles
LOS Alamos, NM
Crash
AIR BAGS
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AT 35 MPH IT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AFTER THE CRASH THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS BLINKING, AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG ALARM. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE REASON THE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO BLINK, AND WERE UNABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 148500 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10184029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,277 miles
Houston, TX
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON ALL WINDOW & AIRCONDITION & REAR DEFROSTER STOP WORKING DEALER SAID UNDER DASH WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #10182433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,500 miles
Newville, PA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 3-5 ALSO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE HORN FAILED. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 06/05/2006. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10157005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 miles
Pace, FL
Crash
Fire
1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE ROADWAY WAS WET AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED ,THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THE CONTACT'S SHIRT AND UNDERGARMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND HELPED EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MAJOR BURNS TO THE STOMACH, HANDS, ARMS AND LEFT THUMB. UPDATED 05/16/2006.
NHTSA complaint #10154968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,500 miles
Sammamish, WA
AIR BAGS
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. HE INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THE HORN DID NOT WORK. HE NOTICED THIS ON 9-5-05 AS HE WAS BACKING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE, AND THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON .HE HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER YET. THERE WERE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM FILED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE CONTACT INDICATED VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND. THERE WAS RECALL 04V480000 ON CERTAIN 1998 DODGE VEHICLES PERTAINING TO THE CLOCKSPRING THAT THE CONSUMER THOUGHT MAY RELATE TO HIS PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE PART OR LABOR.
NHTSA complaint #10135394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,394 miles
Middleboro, MA
Crash
2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS 2001 PT CRUISER. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. IT WAS IMPACTED ON THE CENTER OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND WAS BROAD SIDED. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL/SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WERE NOT BE INTERESTED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, BUT THERE WERE CUTS AND BRUISES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PICTURES WERE AVAILABLE, BUT NO INSURANCE REPORT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10133022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,394 miles
Middleboro, MA
Crash
2 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS 2001 PT CRUISER. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. IT WAS IMPACTED ON THE CENTER OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND WAS BROAD SIDED. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL/SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WERE NOT BE INTERESTED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, BUT THERE WERE CUTS AND BRUISES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PICTURES WERE AVAILABLE, BUT NO INSURANCE REPORT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10133022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,900 miles
Plymouth, MA
AIR BAGS
I OWN A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH 105K MILES. THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAIN ON WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING, ALSO THE HORN DOES NOT WORK OR THE CRUISE CONTROL. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND HAVE DETERMINED THE PROBLEM TO BE A DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED 1.2MILLION 1998 - 2000 MINIVANS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE PT CRUISER HAS NO RECALL BUT SHOULD SINCE IT IS CLASSIFIED AS A VAN.
NHTSA complaint #10109842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chevy Chase, MD
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
PER INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNER'S MANUAL, I TOOK MY 2001 PT CRUISER WITH 51,700 MILES INTO THE COURTESY CHRYSLER/JEEP DEALERSHIP IN ROCKVILLE, MD AFTER THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD PANEL BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY LIGHTING UP WHEN TAKING TURNS. AFTER 3 DAYS, THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT THE LIGHT WAS GOING ON BECAUSE THE AIRBAG HAD FAILED. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, NOR HAS IT BEEN MODIFIED. THE CHARGE TO REPLACE THE FAILED AIRBAG IS $1,300. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO FAIL IF WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDIENT AND HAD NOT BEEN MODIFIED. I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10108314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,500 miles
SAN Diego, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2001 PT CRUISER HAS AIRBAG LIGHT THAT KEEPS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THE ASSOCIATED "DING" SOUND COMES ON AT THE SAME TIME. DEALER CHARGED $90 TO TELL ME THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG HAD "FAILED". (NOTE: THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND ONLY HAS 34000 MILES ON IT.) DEALER WANTS $500 TO REPAIR THE "FAILED AIRBAG". COINCIDENCE THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ON LATE 90'S GRAND CARAVANS. SOUNDS LIKE I HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM THEY HAD - BUT NO RECALL TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10107514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,954 miles
Hammond, LA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THE DEALER SAYS I NEED THE ENTIRE MODULE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR BUMP OF ANY KIND. THE MODULE IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. WHY MUST THE ENTIRE MODULE BE REPLACED. ISN'T THERE A REPAIR?
NHTSA complaint #10082265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,500 miles
Round Rock, TX
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AFTER STARTING MY ENGINE, MY AIRBAG LITE CAME ON AND NEVER WENT OFF. EVERYTIME I HAVE STARTED MY CAR SINCE, THE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10072520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bennington, VT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
WHILE DRIVING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10057787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richland Center, WI
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD, HIT A DITCH, AND ROLLED OVER. FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED BRAIN DAMAGE/A BROKEN CLAVICLE, AND FRACTURED BACK. COULD NOT BE DRIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #10040293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richland Center, WI
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD, HIT A DITCH, AND ROLLED OVER. FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED BRAIN DAMAGE/A BROKEN CLAVICLE, AND FRACTURED BACK. COULD NOT BE DRIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #10040293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 miles
West Hartford, CT
Crash
2 injured
AIR BAGS
2001 PT CRUSIER WAS HEAD HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. $7,000.00 TO PT CRUISER AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CHRYSLER REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINT SAYING THAT THEY ARE NOT MADE TO GO OFF ON STOPPED VEHICLES. MY CAR WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFICE LIGHT WHEN HIT HEAD ON. INJURIES RESULTED
NHTSA complaint #10038683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mobile, AL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT WORK. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND AGREED IT WAS NOT WORKING, HOWEVER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *AK *TS
NHTSA complaint #10022854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.