67 of the 799 complaints about the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser are about the body and structure — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 75,000 miles.
67
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
WAS HIT IN REAR AS I WAS SLOWING AT STOP LIGHT
NHTSA complaint #11271009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED AND SUDDENLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDERBODY PREMATURELY RUSTED AND COULD FRACTURE AT ANY MOMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CASING FOR THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID HAD TO BE CONSTANTLY ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,621.
NHTSA complaint #10762585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
I FILED A CLAIM WITH CHRYSLER ABOUT THE RUSTED OUT ENGINE CRADLE AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10667333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING THE DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE ENTIRE REAR QUARTER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INCLUDING THE FRAME AND THE GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF MY VEHICLE AND WENT INTO THE ROADWAY. THIS IS ALREADY A RECALL ISSUE FOR THE 2005 AND 2006 MODELS OF THE PT CRUISER, BUT SINCE IT IS NOT AN EXISTING RECALL ISSUE WITH THE 2001 MODELS CHRYSLER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WINDOW THAT FELL OUT OR THE REMAINING REAR QUARTER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY DO THE SAME THING AT SOME POINT. FORTUNATELY, THE WINDOW THAT FELL OFF MY CAR DIDN'T INJURE ANYONE, BUT IT CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10627524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
UPON INSPECTION DURING A REPAIR FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER KNOWN AS THE K-FRAME IS SEVERELY CORRODED AND WILL LIKELY NOT PASS ANOTHER SAFETY INSPECTION. THE REST OF THE UNDERNEATH OF THIS CAR IS RELATIVELY RUST-FREE AND THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE FOR ITS AGE. IF THIS PART FAILS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, ETC. WILL ALL DROP AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10548509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A MAIN ROAD ONTO A SIDE STREET. WHILE THE CAR WAS TURNING, I HEARD A CLUNK AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS JERKED FROM MY HANDS. THE CAR PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE CURB. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE SERVICE TECH SHOWED ME THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE K FRAME WAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THRU. IT'S TO RUSTED TO BE WELDED AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISER AND DODGE NEON, SINCE THEY USE THE SAME FRAME. THE TECH ALSO TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T MOVING AT HIGH SPEED OR THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, THEY ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF REPLACEMENT PARTS, AND THEY BASICALLY IGNORE ANY COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10541698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
I WAS NOT INITIALLY GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT UNTIL I SEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DASH CRACKED INTO MANY PIECES. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THAT MY WIFE HAD DONE SOMETHING TO CRACK THE DASH, AND SHE THOUGHT THAT I HAD. THE PART REMAINED BASICALLY INTACT UNTIL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER HAD TO REMOVE THE DASH FOR OTHER REPAIRS. AT THAT TIME WE HAD TO PAY FOR ANOTHER DASH BECAUSE IT FELL COMPLETELY APART AND COULD NOT BE RE-ASSEMBLED. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS EXACTLY A HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY CONCERN, BUT ONLY BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT, NOR AN INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10536997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS-MEMBER IS SEVERELY RUSTED AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT BEFORE THE CAR WILL PASS INSPECTION. THE CAR WAS IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN MY MECHANIC POINTED OUT THAT THE ONLY RUSTED PART ON THE VEHICLE WAS THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS-MEMBER AND THAT IT WAS BORDERING ON UNSAFE. THIS CAR HAS RELATIVELY LOW MILES AT 76K AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE. THIS RUSTED PART COULD FAIL WITH NO INDICATION THAT DANGER WAS IMMINENT AND CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING AND ULTIMATELY A VEHICLE CRASH AT ANY SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10535272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE TOP OF DASH HAS CRACKED AND BROKEN IN MULTIPLE PIECES.
NHTSA complaint #10486317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
DASH BOARD HAS 2 SPLIT/CRACKS FROM WINDSHIELD TO RADIO.
NHTSA complaint #10460076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO THE DEALER, ADHESIVE TAPE WAS AFFIXED TO THE REAR BUMPER TO SECURE THE COVERING DURING DELIVERY AND THEN REMOVED. HOWEVER, OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE TAPE RESIDUE CAUSED THE PAINT COLOR TO FADE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
NHTSA complaint #10434985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING FROM THE CENTER DEFROST VENT TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE AREA. THE CRACK IS APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES IN LENGTH. THE CRACK CONTINUES TO GROW DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, ROAD VIBRATIONS CAUSE THE CRACKS TO OPEN AND WIDEN. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THE CRACKS COULD CAUSE THE DASH TO CAVE IN WHICH COULD HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE AIR BAG OR WIRING, WHICH COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER'S ASSISTANCE HOTLINE AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10353437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
FRONT CRADLE FOUND TO BE ROTTEN ON A CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10347299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THE DASHBOARD OF MY CHRYSLER PT CRUISER STARTED TO CRACK SOON AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND CONTINUED TO GET WORSE, CHRYSLER DENIED RESPONSIBILITY, WHAT TO DO, I STILL OWN THE CAR AND ONLY HAVE 30,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10289983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
2001 PT CRUISER THE DASH IS CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10278148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE CHROME (ON ALL FOUR DOORS) FLAKING OFF AND CAUSING A DEEP CUT ON THE HAND UPON ENTRY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONCE TO MY YOUNG DAUGHTER, MY WIFE, MYSELF, AND SEVERAL OTHERS ON THIS SAME VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10274828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD CRACKED IN HALF IN 2001 PT CRUISER. THE DASHBOARD IS NO LONGER STABLE NEAR THE WINDSHIELD AND PIECES ARE STARTING TO BREAK OFF FROM THE CRACKED AREA. IF THIS CONTINUES IT COULD POTENTIALLY EXPOSE WIRING AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. THIS COULD ALSO POSE ADDITIONAL DANGERS IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION WITH OR WITHOUT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10269513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
MY 2001 PT CRUISER'S DASH HAS FAILED, THERE IS A CRACK FROM THE WINDSHIELD ALMOST ALL THROUGH TO THE FRONT. I'VE READ IT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WHEN IT FINISHES BREAKING, WHICH FROM APPEARANCES IT WILL SOON DO.
NHTSA complaint #10262652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER: DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS - CRACKS RADIATING OUT FORM DEFROSTER VENT. DEFROSTER VENT GRILL HAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED INTO SMALL PIECES.
NHTSA complaint #10259531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
HATCH BACK WILL NOT STAY UP IF THE TEMPERATURE GETS BELOW 60IN TEMP. THE HYDRAULICS SLIP AND THE HATCH COMES DOWN ON PERSON WITHOUT WARNING. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIRS 250.00 - 600.00.
NHTSA complaint #10253872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD OF MY PT CRUISER IS SUFFERING FROM MULTIPLE CRACKS THAT SEEM TO CONTINUALLY GROW AND INCREASE IN NUMBERS. THE CRACKS HAVE SHARP EDGES AND SEEM TO PRESENT THE POTENTIAL OF AN EVENTUAL DASHBOARD FAILURE OF THIS PADDED SURFACE. THE CRACK ALSO PRESENT SHARP EDGES. THE PROTECTIVE ASPECT OF THIS DASHBOARD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IS SUSPECT.
NHTSA complaint #10245121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HAS DISCOLORATIONS (WHITE STRIPES) ON THE DARK GRAY FRONT AND BACK BUMPERS BECAUSE THE AUTO MAKER PUT PLASTIC AND TAPE ON THEM TO PROTECT THEM IN DELIVERY. THE ADHESIVE IN THE TAPE HAS DESTROYED THE FINISH ON THE GRAY PLASTIC. THIS STARTED TO SHOW UP AFTER 6 YEARS OF OWNING IT WHEN IT SAT IN THE SUN. MOST OF THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE IT WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE. FOR THE PAST YEAR IT HAS BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE. THIS WAS WHEN THE STRIPES STARTED TO SHOW UP. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SAYS THEY HAVE A "TSB" ON IT BUT SAYS THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX IT AND THAT I (THE CONSUMER) HAVE TO GO BUY PRODUCTS TO FIX IT MYSELF, WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN MAKE SUN BLEACHING AND FADING GO AWAY, IT'S PERMANENTLY DAMAGED. THEY STATED THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL THIS BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE DRIVEN AROUND TO SEE IF OTHER PT'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND EVERY PT CRUISER I HAVE SEEN WITH A GRAY PLASTIC BUMPER HAS THE SAME DEFECT. I HAVE TAKEN PHOTOS OF 5 DIFFERENT ONES JUST TODAY. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE FOR CHRYSLER TO DENY THEY ARE AT FAULT WHEN CLEARLY THEY CAUSED THE PROBLEM BY PUTTING TAPE ON OUR BUMPERS. IF MY CAR HAD BEEN IN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAD PLACED TAPE ON THE BUMPERS THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND LIABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. I AM FRUSTRATED THAT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THESE DISCOLORATIONS ARE A PERMANENT PROBLEM AND ARE SUN BLEACHED, THEY WON'T JUST GO AWAY. I WOULD LIKE MY BUMPERS EITHER REPLACED OR PAINTED TO MATCH THE REST OF THE CAR. I AM ALSO SPREADING THE WORD TO OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS, IN HOPES THAT CHRYSLER WILL SEE THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY ON ITS OWN. THIS WILL CAUSE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON MY FAMILY TO REPAIR THIS OURSELVES.
NHTSA complaint #10243252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
2001 PT CRUISER: MULTIPLE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE FRONT CONSOLE RUNNING THROUGH THE CENTER VENT.
NHTSA complaint #10242805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
MY 2001 PT CRUISER HAVE 3 HUGE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. HAVE ALWAYS USED PROTECTION AGAINST THE SUN AND STILL GOT THEM. I FEAR THAT IF EVER HAVE AN IMPACT THE PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD WILL BE DANGEROUS DEBRIS IF AIRBAGS OPEN (IF THEY DO OPEN AND DOESN'T GET STUCK).
NHTSA complaint #10242817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
DASH CRACK DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH. ENTIRE DASH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10240554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
CRACKED DASHBOARD ON 2001 PT CRUISER.
NHTSA complaint #10238111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 PT CRUISER IS CRACKED AND SINKING IN.
NHTSA complaint #10236826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 2001 PT CRUISER AND THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING LIKE A POTATO CHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10236328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING ALL OVER. IT IS VERY WEAK IN THE CENTER.
NHTSA complaint #10235574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
DASHBOARD CRACKS - 3 TOTAL. FIRST ONE APPEARED LATE 2007 ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CENTER VENT. THEN, SHORTLY AFTER ANOTHER ONE POPPED UP FROM THE BACK OF THE CENTER VENT. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER A 3RD ON (THE LARGEST ONE) APPEARED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VENT STRAIGHT TO THE FRONT EDGE OF THE DASH BOARD. PART OF THE CENTER VENT SPOKES ARE BREAKING NOW AND WHEN I PUT THE ARMOURALL ON THE DASH I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON IT AS I'M WIPING IT ON.
NHTSA complaint #10234388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.