12 of the
203 complaints about the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser are about the
steering — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
50,000 miles.
THE HORN DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND IS DEFECTED. IT ONLY WORKS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS TO THE LEFT AND SOMETIMES IT GETS STUCK AND WON'T TURN OFF. WON'T WORK WHILE TRAVELING STRAIGHT OR TURNING RIGHT. THE HORN DID NOT ALLOW ME TO WARN A DRIVER THAT ALMOST BACKED INTO ME, THIS FORCED ME TO MOVE AWAY FROM HIM IN AN UNSAFE POSITION AND HE STILL DID NOT SEE ME AND KEPT ON BACKING OUT. HAD THE HORN WORKED IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS ISSUE THAT ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I DROVE HOME TO INSPECT THE HORN AS TO WHY IT WASN'T WORKING IS WHEN I LEARNED THAT IT ONLY WORKED WHILE SITTING STILL AND TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND AT TIMES IT STUCK AND WOULDN'T TURN OFF. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN LIKE THIS BECAUSE I DON'T USE IT VERY OFTEN, UNTIL THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAPPENED. ALSO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SHOWS TO BE OFF WITH AIR BAG LIGHT ON.
NHTSA complaint #11005994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesTitusville, FL
STEERING
WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE TURNS OFF AND ALL POWER IS LOST. THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT MOVE. ONCE THE CARE IS STOPPED, YOU HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON. WHEN PUT ON THE DEALER'S COMPUTER, THE COMPUTER ONLY SAYS "THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER." DEALER SUGGESTS PUTTING IN A NEW IGNITION BUT DOES NOT GUARANTEE THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR CAN NO LONGER BE TRUSTED ON THE HIGHWAY OR INTERSTATE. I CAN ONLY DRIVE IT IN TOWN AT SLOW SPEEDS SO I WON'T CAUSE A CRASH IF IT SUDDENLY DIES ON ME.
NHTSA complaint #10722559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesWisconsin Dells, WI
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (WHICH IT NEVER HAD BEFORE), AND WITHIN LESS THAN A MINUTE THE CAR CEASED UP, LOST POWER AND DIED. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AS IT STARTED PUTTERING BEFORE CEASING COMPLETELY. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST FOUR MORE TIMES SINCE ORIGINAL DATE. I HAD THE MOTOR TESTED AT THE AUTO BODY SHOP AND THE SAID THE CAM SENSOR NEEDS CHECKED BUT THE ENGINE IS BURNING MY OIL UP AND SINCE THIS HAPPENED AND HAS HAD TO HAVE OIL PUT IN 3 TIMES SINCE THEN IN ORDER TO MAKE IT RUN WHEN IT STOPS. JUST LAST MONTH I SPENT OVER 500.00 REPLACING THE RADIATOR AND POWER STEERING LINES WHICH I WAS INFORMED WAS PART OF A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BUT WAS NOT COVERED SINCE IT DIDN'T APPLY TO MY VIN #. I AM SCARED BECAUSE I HAVE CHILDREN I DRIVE WITH AND BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP REPAIRING THIS VEHICLE, WHICH IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. THE VEHICLE WAS PAID FOR IN CASH IN FULL AND HAS NO RECOURSE FROM THE DEALER OR SO I WAS TOLD.
NHTSA complaint #10704223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boyle, MS
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED WITH THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THREE TIMES. THE FIRST VISIT THE STEERING BELT AND HOSE WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A POWER STEERING FLUID FLUSH WAS PERFORMED. ON THE SECOND AND THIRD VISITS, THE STEERING BELTS WERE DETACHED AND RECONNECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10535376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,836 milesGilbert, AZ
STEERING
I HAD MY 2007 PT CRUISER FOR 6 MONTHS AND THE HORN WOULD STICK AND NOT TURN OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL AND AIRBAG WERE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED. MY FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10513518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesDetroit, MI
STEERING
I PURCHASED MY 2007 PT CRUISER USED IN 2007/8 I HAVE DRIVEN IT AND IT IS IN NEED OF BUSHINGS, TIE RODS AND OTHER THINGS UNDER THE CAR. THE MOTOR IS FINE. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON THIMG FOR THE PT CRUISERS. I THINK IT IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.
NHTSA complaint #10443304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesSussex, NJ
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER.THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, HE HEARD A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10442627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,052 milesJacksonville, ARCrash2 injured
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH AND EXITING THE HIGHWAY FROM AN OFF RAMP. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, BUT THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE REMAINED STRAIGHT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CONTINUE TRAVELING STRAIGHT UNTIL CRASHING INTO A LIGHT POST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY FOR INSPECTION. TWO PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND IT HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AS TO WHY THE WHEELS DID NOT TURN. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,052.
NHTSA complaint #10441611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesWaldorf, MD
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL MOVES BY ITSELF IN A JERKING MOTION, WHILE DRIVING AND AT TIMES WILL LOCKS IN PLACE. IT'S LIKE WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR IS MAKING MOVES AND SHARP TURNS ON ITS OWN. ALSO WHEN I TURN LOUD NOISES ARE COMING FROM THE MOTOR. MY CRUISER IS A 2007, I'VE OWNED IT FROM BRAND NEW, STILL MAKING PAYMENTS!!!
NHTSA complaint #10373486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesFairfax, VACrash2 injured
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO MOVE INTO THE LEFT LANE. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BROKEN BONES AND THE DRIVER RECEIVED BRUISES TO HER SHOULDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. RICHMOND POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER 467202500. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/30/09.
NHTSA complaint #10276741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,500 milesBrigham City, UT
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CAR TYPE: 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER(TOURING). PROBLEM: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. ONE MONTH AFTER MY 36-MONTH WARRANTY EXPIRED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT ENOUGH TO CAUSE CONSIDERABLE NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED DURING DRIVING. CHRYSLER DEALER INVESTIGATED THIS AND FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RACK-AND-PINION GEARBOX. ESTIMATED COST TO OWNER FOR REPAIR: $600.00 PLUS LABOR.
NHTSA complaint #10183889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,500 milesBrigham City, UT
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
CAR TYPE: 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER(TOURING). PROBLEM: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. ONE MONTH AFTER MY 36-MONTH WARRANTY EXPIRED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT ENOUGH TO CAUSE CONSIDERABLE NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED DURING DRIVING. CHRYSLER DEALER INVESTIGATED THIS AND FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RACK-AND-PINION GEARBOX. ESTIMATED COST TO OWNER FOR REPAIR: $600.00 PLUS LABOR.
NHTSA complaint #10183889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.