38 of the 291 complaints about the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser are about the engine — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 67,232 miles.
38
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
So I had been having issues with the car overheating well I'm almost home and my daughter says she smells smoke so pull over and rush to get my babies out of the car because under the hood it had caught on fire
NHTSA complaint #11738367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
IT STARTED WITH THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE MIDDLE STICK LIGHTS (P,D,R,N++) I CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT WHAT SPEED I'M GOING OR MY LEVELS OR ANYTHING BC THE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING, I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED I'VE HAD THE BATTERY CHANGED TWICE, I'VE HAD THE THERMOSTAT CHANGED TWICE BUT IT STILL OVER HEATS NOT TOO LONG AGO WITH BOTH OF MY TODDLERS IN THE CAR ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY LOCKED UP ON ME COULDN'T USE THE STEERING WHEEL OR BRAKES HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BREAK IT'S JUST BEEN REPETITIVE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM MY SISTER WHO'S GRANDMOTHER GOT TIRED OF PUTTING MONEY INTO IT IT STUTTERS SOMETIMES LIKE IT'S SLOW TO SHIFT INTO GEAR TO ACCELERATE IT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE. IT WAS MY FIRST CAR IT'S NEVER BEEN WRECKED, I NEVER THOUGHT TO CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS, I BOUGHT IT IN JULY OF 17. IT'S ONLY HAD A TOTAL OF 2 OWNERS. IT USED TO SHAKE REAL BAD I COULDN'T GO OVER 55MILES AN HOUR BUT EVEN 55 WAS IFFY. THE SCARIEST THING FOR ME WAS IT LOCKING UP ON A HIGHWAY WITH AN INTERSECTING LANE I HAD JUST HAD EVERYTHING REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME BEFORE IT STARTED SMOKING AND LOCKED UP AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN MY KIDS 3 & 1 WERE IN THE BACK ALL I COULD THINK TO DO WAS PULL MY EMERGENCY BREAK I DRIFTED AND SWERVED UNTIL THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP LUCKILY NOT WRECKING OR INJURING ANYONE, JUST FEAR OF DRIVING I REALLY TRUSTED THIS CAR. I HAD TO CALL THE POLICE TO GET AHOLD OF A STATE TROOPER WHO GAVE ME A COUPLE DAYS TO MOVE IT GIVEN MY CIRCUMSTANCE AND 45 MIN AWAY FROM HOME, A STRANGER STOPPED TO HELP AND OFFERED TO GIVE US A RIDE BACK TO IRONTON FROM THE WEST PORTSMOUTH HIGHWAY HE LIVED IN PORTSMOUTH OUT OF KINDNESS MOVED MY CAR TO HIS HOUSE THERE AFTER DROPPING US OFF THAT NIGHT TO KEEP FROM GETTING IT TOWED. OFFICER NOTED EVERYTHING. I DIDN'T THINK OF ANYTHING UNTIL I JUST RECENTLY GOT ANOTHER 2004 PT THAT STARTED FIRE IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND GOING THROUGH A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #11317422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST YEAR FROM A PRIVATE OWNER I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT HAD A OVER HEATING PROBLEM I REALLY HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING SO I THEN STARTED LOOKING IT UP AND FOUND OUT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ABOUT IT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD FIX MY PROBLEM SINCE THE PROBLEM REALLY COMES FROM THEM FROM IT WAS MADE
NHTSA complaint #11228609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE WILL SPUTTER AND DIE. WHEN PULLING UP TO A STOP LIGHT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE ENGINE WILL IMMEDIATELY DIE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY DIE.
NHTSA complaint #11142330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
JUST UNDER 78,000 MILES TURBO GOES OUT, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, REPLACED TURBO (TOOK 6 MOS) FINALLY RETURNED THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN 1 MONTH HEAD GASKET GOES OUT (BLOWING WHITE SMOKE), WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON A SIDE ROAD (DEALER SAYS KNOWN PROBLEM, WANTS ANOTHER $2000 FOR HEAD GASKET, LOCAL DEALER SAYS "THE HEAD GASKETS FOR THAT CAR ARE THE WEAK POINT, WHEN YOU RETURN THE COMP RATIO TO NEW/NORMAL WITH A NEW TURBO. IT WILL BLOW THE HEAD GASKET OUT") REPLACED MYSELF (CANT AFFORD DEALER) NEW HEAD GASKET (MULTI LAYERED POS), NEW BOLTS (REQUIRED), NEW TIMING BELT, NOW IT WONT START, TESTED ALL SENSORS, CAM, CRANK, O/P, WATER, THROTTLE POS, REPLACED COIL, REPLACED PCM, CHASED AND INSPECTED ALL WIRING, STILL NOTHING ENGINE CRANKS OVER, BUT-IT WILL NOT START. MECHANICS AND DEALERS ALIKE SAY ITS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA OR REASON FOR IT NOT STARTING, I KEEP BEING TOLD TO CHECK THIS SENSOR, REPLACE THAT $300 PART, LOOK HERE, LOOK THERE, REPLACE THAT (ANOTHER$300) AGAIN. CHRYSLER HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS PIECE OF CRAP AND HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THIS FOR 4 YEARS NOW CHRYSLER NEEDS TO REPAIR THIS AND REIMBURSE FOR ALL THE CRAP I'VE HAD TO REPLACE AND ALL THE B/S I'VE GONE THROUGH. THEY KNEW THE HEAD GASKET WOULD BLOW OUT AFTER A NEW TURBO WAS INSTALLED, AND DID NOTHING ABOUT IT, THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS NO START/NO CRANK ISSUE THESE CARS HAVE, BUT HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING TO ADDRESS OR FIX THE POOR CONDITION OF THEIR VEHICLES. NOW THERE'S A LINE THAT SAYS ITS POSSIBLY THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THEY SOLD THE PUBLIC A LEMON AND GOT AWAY WITH IT. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE MADE TO FIX THESE PIECES OF GARBAGE OR BUY THEM ALL BACK AT WHAT THEY SOLD FOR ORIGINALLY I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER AS LONG AS I LIVE. NOT WORTH EVEN USING AS A BOAT ANCHOR.
NHTSA complaint #11118829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING, THE CAR WILL JERK TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT WITHOUT PROBACATION. VECHILE ACCELERATES WITHOUT FOOT BEING ON THE PEDAL. ONE TIME I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE STARTING REVING. I HAD TO USE BOTH FEET WITH EXTREME FORCE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. FINALLY, I JUST THREW THE CAR INTO PARK; ONCE IN PARK, THE CAR KEPT REVING. THE PEDAL WAS NOT PRESSED.THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THIS MAKES FOR UNSAFE DRIVING, AND ONLY DUE TO MY GOOD DRIVING SKILLS DID I AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #11012275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, UP TO 4,000RPM WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN I STOMPED ON THE BRAKES CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AT 4,000RPM. TO SAVE MY LIFE AND OTHERS SHIFTED CAR INTO NEUTRAL, PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF IGNITION. AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO RESTARTED THE CAR AND SAME SYMPTOM WERE PRESENT, ENGINE REVIVING TO 4,000RPM, FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS A PRECAUTION. NOTE THAT WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED THE CAR WAS NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE, SIMPLY DRIVING AROUND TOWN RUNNING ERRANDS. THIS SITUATION IS SCARY BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHEN, HOW, IF IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN, TOTALLY UNPROVOKED AND NON-SENSICAL AS TO WHY IT IS HAPPENING, WHAT TRIGGERS THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS NOW OCCURRED TWICE RECENTLY AND BECAUSE OF THIS NIGHTMARE SCENARIO I AM HESITANT, VERY VERY HESITANT TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT IS A DANGER TO MY, MY WIFE'S LIFE AND OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WE MAY ACCIDENTALLY PLOW INTO IF THE CAR DECIDES TO GO INTO RUNAWAY MODE OF ITS OWN VOLITION. YOUR CONSIDERATION OF A RESPONSE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10909391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
CAR MAKING NOISES.
NHTSA complaint #10594130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN ALL THE ENGINE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIGHT UP, FLICKER, THEN GO DEAD. THEN THE CAR LOSES POWER, INCLUDING STEERING AND BRAKES AND CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. IT WILL START AGAIN LATER AND WILL BE OK FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS WHEN THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURS. NEITHER AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOR CHRYSLER CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY SPEED AND CIRCUMSTANCE. I MANAGED TO GET VIDEO DURING ONE SUCH EPISODE ON SURFACE STREETS. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM GM IS HAVING AND SHOULD LEAD TO A RECALL BEFORE ANYONE IS KILLED. I CAN'T IN GOOD CONSCIENCE SELL THE CAR, AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BUT HAVE NO CHOICE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS AND CHRYSLER HAS TURNED A DEAF EAR TO THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10585666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
ROUGH IDLE AT STOPPED INTERSECTIONS, LUNGES AND STALLS. STALLS A APPROXIMATELY 15-25 MPH WHILE MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND STARTING THE ENGINE AGAIN. THE FOG LIGHTS TURN ON BY ITSELF AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF DRAINING THE BATTERY. HAD TO DISCONNECT THE FUSE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. TO THIS DATE NON-FUNCTIONAL FOG LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NOT FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING TO RADIO AND CLIMATE CONTROL NOT WORKING UNTIL YOU STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT OFF. THEN START THE VEHICLE AGAIN THEN IT WORKS PROPERLY FOR ANOTHER FEW DAYS. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. WHEEL BEARING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE TOO AND CURRENTLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10576869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS MISFIRING. CAR SHUT OFF AT AROUND 60MPH. DRIFTED OFF ROAD AND RESTARTED AND WENT A MILE OR SO AND IT SHUT OFF AGAIN WE KEPT DOING THAT UNTIL WE GOT HOME. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC IT RAN FINE ON THE WAY THERE, AROUND 15 MILES. HE PUT IT ON HIS COMPUTER, IT READ BAD INJECTORS SO HE REPLACED THEM. THEN HE TOOK IT FOR A RIDE AND IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS MISFIRING AGAIN HE PUT IT BACK ON HIS COMPUTER AND IT READ BAD COIL SO HE REPLACED THE COIL PACK,PLUGS AND PLUG WIRES. IT RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS . UNTIL NOW 10/30/2012. . TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC, HE REPLACED O2 SENSORS. RAN FOR 2WKS. SAME THING AGAIN! ONCE AGAIN TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC . HE PUT IT ON HIS COMPUTER ONCE AGAIN AND IT READ FINE. HE SAID WE SHOULD TAKE IT TO OUR CHRYSLER CENTER. ALTHOUGH WE COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER RUNNING CAR (WHEN IT IS RUNNING RIGHT) ,THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROAD SHUTTING OFF IN TRAFFIC. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE TO REPLACE IT. PLEASE FINE ANSWER TO PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10482846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE WILL SPUTTER AND DIE. WHEN PULLING UP TO A STOP LIGHT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE ENGINE WILL IMMEDIATELY DIE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY DIE. SOMETIMES IT WILL START UP AGAIN RIGHT AWAY, BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO START BACK UP, WHILE PEOPLE ARE HONKING AND HAVING TO GO AROUND MY CAR. MOST OF THE TIME THE CAR WILL RUN ROUGH AFTER RE-START, BUT WILL RUN NORMALLY AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT, UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT DIES. MANY OTHER PT OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY! FOUR MECHANICS HAVE TRIED TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. NO LUCK. HAVE REPLACED THE ECM AND JUST ABOUT EVERY SENSOR AND REPLACEABLE ENGINE PART. NO LUCK. THIS IS OCCURRING IN OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLES, TOO. IT SEEMS LIKE NO ONE HAS FOUND AN ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND CHRYSLER SHOULD FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AND PROVIDE A FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10479917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
CONSUME TOO MUCH OIL SINCE GOT THE NEW CAR. LOST ABOUT 1 QT EVERY 3K. NOW AT 65K, LOST 1 QT ABOUT EVERY 1K MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10471380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
MY CAR STARTED OVERHEATING, SO WE HAVE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, FAN FUSES, AND IT IS STILL OVERHEATING. MY COUSIN HAS THE SAME CAR ONLY A 2002 WHICH IT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE HEAD TO BLOW. THERE ARE MANY MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE HOWEVER I AM NOT SEEING VERY MANY PEOPLE WITH THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. JUST DOING A SEARCH ON LINE FOR PT CRUISER OVERHEATING PROBLEMS THERE ARE TONS OF THEM. WHY WOULD THERE NOT BE A RECALL ON SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN ISSUE? I HAVE A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN THAT HAS NEVER HAD ANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS, WITH 200,000 MILES ON IT. THIS CAR HAS 90K ON IT AND THERE IS A LIST OF THINGS THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD REPAIRED, LIKE DOUBLE WHAT THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED FOR I HAVE ABOUT $10,000.00 WORTH OF REPAIR BILLS, THAT'S A LITTLE LIKE A LEMON CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10469267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
REPLACED THE "LEAK DETECTION PUMP" ON MARCH 20, 2010 AND AGAIN ON OCTOBER 26, 2011
NHTSA complaint #10432966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING OIL FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SEAL FAILED AND WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSUME ONE AND A HALF QUART OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
NHTSA complaint #10432751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER USES EXCESSIVE OIL.
NHTSA complaint #10373939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND UPON RESTART DROVE AS NORMAL BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DIRECTLY TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THIS DRIVE. HE WAS UNSURE IF THE AUTHORIZED DEALER PERFORMED ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR AND THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE PMC WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAS NOT RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 11/23/10
NHTSA complaint #10352718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY, MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER LOST ALL THE OIL OUT OF MY ENGINE. THIS CAUSED MY ENGINE OIL LIGHT IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY. AFTER PUTTING 2 PINTS OF OIL INTO THE ENGINE, I DROVE HOME ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT AGAIN MY ENGINE HAD NO OIL IN IT AFTER ROUGHLY 50 MILES OF DRIVING. I PUT 3 PINTS OF OIL IN A DAY LATER AND TURNED OVER THE ENGINE AND FOUND THAT MY OIL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE ENGINE GASKET SEAL. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER, AND THE INFORMED ME THAT ENGINE GASKET REPAIRS ARE NOT COVERED FOR VEHICLES OVER 120,000 MILES. LEAKING OIL IN THIS MANNER IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD, AND I'M LUCKY THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH FIRE WHILE DRIVING HOME. I NOTICED ONLINE, THAT MANY OTHER PT OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THESE TYPES OF ENGINE FAILURES CONSISTENTLY. I CANNOT PAY THE 2800 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR, THE CAR WILL SIT UNTIL CHRYSLER LOSES THIS LAWSUIT.
NHTSA complaint #10295864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I TOOK MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER IN TO HAVE THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED AT 55,000 MILES, WHICH IS ONE OF MY COMPLAINTS, THE SHODY CONSTRUCTION OF THESE MOUNTS IS INSANE. WHEN INVESTIGATING THE MOUNTS MY MECHANIC SPOTTED A COOLANT LEAK WHICH HE TRACED TO A CRACK IN THE ENGINE BLOCK ITSELF. THE LEVEL OF CORROSION FROM THE LEAK INDICATED THE CRACK HAD BEEN THERE FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PERIOD OF TIME. DEALER DENIED ANY WARRANTY SERVICE FOR THE DEFECT. AT 32,000 MILES THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CHEAP MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION, THE ROTOR WERE ACTUALLY BOWING DUE TO THE CHEAP METAL USED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THESE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED WARRANTY SERVICE FOR THIS AS WELL. OVERALL THE 3 MAJOR COMPLAINTS I HAVE ARE FOR SHODY MOTOR MOUNTS, INFERIOR FRONT ROTOR CONSTRUCTION, AND DEFECTS IN ENGINE COMPONENTS LEADING TO A CRACKED BLOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10252280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN SMOKING. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE RPM'S INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 6,000. WHEN THE CONTACT EASED UP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STOPPED SMOKING AND THE RPM'S RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TURBO WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT RELATED TO ANY RECALLS; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,950.
NHTSA complaint #10249158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
STALLING AT STOP, RUNNING ROUGH AT LOW SPEEDS AND IDLE, MISSING AT HIGH SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #10200089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
STALLING AT STOP, RUNNING ROUGH AT LOW SPEEDS AND IDLE, MISSING AT HIGH SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #10200089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 17 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN COMING TO A STOP. HE STATED THAT IT WOULD ROUGH IDLE AS IF IT WAS GOING TO CUT-OFF. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,400 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
NHTSA complaint #10198441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CUSTOMER WANTS TO KNOW IF A RECALL BE OPENED**CC THE CONSUMER STATED HER VEHICLE STALLS WHILE SHE IS DRIVING AND HAS A ROUGH IDLE.
NHTSA complaint #10189025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE OIL GAUGE READS EMPTY AND NEEDED TO REFILLED EVERY TWO WEEKS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HEATED UP VERY QUICKLY AND THE ENGINE GOT VERY HOT.
NHTSA complaint #10179322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WIFE, DRIVING INTO REGULAR PARKING SPOT @ WORK. SPEED 10 -15 MPH. APPLIED BRAKE AND THE VECHILE "LUNGED"FORWARD. STRIKING THE CURB. DAMAGE APPEARED MINIMAL. BUT WAS QUITE EXTENSIVE UNDERNEATH. BUT THERE WAS QUITE A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE SUBFRAME AND UNDERSIDE OF FRONT, NOT VISABLE EXTERNALLY. CAUSE....WE THINK. A BABY BOTTLE ROLLED FROM THE BACK SEAT AND LODGED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN THE PT CRUISER, THERE IS A CLEAR PASSAGE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. WE ARE SURE THAT THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF OUR INCIDENT. I HAVE INSTALLED A HARDBOARD "STOP" UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT TO PREVENT A REOCCURANCE. PASSENGER SIDE HAS A STORAGE DRAWER AND THUS IS NOT A PROBLEM. HAS THERE BEEN OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE THE CAUSE COULD BE AN OBJECT ROLLING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER AREA AND GETTING JAMED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL?
NHTSA complaint #10174822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2004 PT CRUISER BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGH, SOMETIMES SHAKING THE WHOLE VEHICLE. IT SEEMED LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL, BUT NEVER DID. IT WAS ALWAYS WORSE AFTER A CAR WASH OR DURING DAMP, OR HUMID WEATHER. I USED CARBON CLEANERS IN THE GAS, TOOK IT ON THE TURNPIKE, AS SUGGESTED BY THE DEALER, BUT IT CONTINUED. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT IN. THEY SAID CARBON HAD BUILT UP IN THE ENGINE AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY THE GASOLINE. I HAVE ALWAYS USED 87 OCTANE (AS SUGGESTED IN THE MANUAL) AND MOST OF THE TIME USED 2 GAS STATIONS. WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALER AS THEY WERE REPAIRING IT, HE SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER. I ONLY HAVE 23,000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT IS PARKED EVERY NIGHT IN A HEATED/COOLED /DRY GARAGE. I HAVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND FOLLOW THE MAINTENANCE B SCHEDULE FAITHFULLY.
NHTSA complaint #10163025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SINCE SEPT. 22, 2005, I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES AND AND THE CAR SPUTTERS AND STALLS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 3 TIMES AND IT HAS BEEN TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER 3 TIMES AND IS THERE RIGHT NOT SINCE MONDAY OCTOBER 3, 2005. I BOUGHT IT IN FEBRUARY 2004 AND IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE "CAM SENSOR" HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, I WAS TOLD IT HAD A SHORT THAT WAS FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENED. THIS LAST TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE "CRANKSHAFT" WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED! IT'S LIKE THEY ARE REBUILDING MY CAR BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I FEEL THIS CAR IS TOO NEW TO BE GOING THROUGH THIS. I HAVE MISSED WORK BECAUSE OF IT. BEEN STRANDED ON THE STREET AND FREEWAY (VERY DANGEROUS). HAVE LOST SLEEP AND AM VERY DEPRESSED AND STRESSED ABOUT IT. I FEEL THIS IS A CASE FOR THE LEMON LAW IF THERE EVER WAS ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10138986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT 10 MONTHS OLD, PT CRUISER GT ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER REPLACED PLUGS AND WIRES. 2 WEEKS LATER LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK DEALER 2 WEEKS TO ORDER HEAD GASKET. DEALER LAPPED THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES AND REPLACED HEAD GASKET. NEXT DAY, ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. DEALER REPLACED THE WASTE GATE SOLENOID. DEALER CALLED AND SAID CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. BEFORE I GOT THERE, DEALER CALLED ME BACK TO TELL ME THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. DEALER THEN DETERMINED THAT A VACUUM HOSE HAD SLIPPED OFF CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO GO ON. PRIOR TO 12 MONTHS, CAR WAS OUT OF SERVICE 15 DAYS, OFFICIALLY AT THE DEALER 5 TIMES. ALL FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. DEALER IS SUPPOSEDLY WORKING WITH CHRYSLER TO GET THE CAR BOUGHT BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10129312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.