134 of the
3,420 complaints filed about the Chrysler PT Cruiser
are about the fuel system —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, she could smell fuel in the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who located a fuel leak on the fuel trail line. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V215000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #11535544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving the vehicle I could begin to smell a strong odor of gas them almost like the smell of plastic melting and the vehicle engine started running hot temperature so I immediately turned off the engine as I pulled over to the side of the road and as I stepped out of the car aflame began under the hood and ended up burning my entire engine. Fire department had to come and extinguish the car.
NHTSA complaint #11426744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL ODOR IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT INVESTIGATED AND FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS FOUND. THE LEAK IS AT THE CONNECTION FROM THE FUEL TANK TO THE FUEL RAIL CONNECTION. THE CONNECTION IS ON THE VEHICLE RIGHT/PASSENGER SIDE AND AGAINST THE FIRE WALL. IF NO RECALL, AT LEAST ALL REGISTERED DRIVERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. LEAK WAS DISCOVERED ON 1ST LOOK DUE TO GOOGLE SEARCH OF ISSUE. ISSUE IS NOTICED AT START UP AND DISAPPEARS (LEAK CONTINUES) WITH VEHICLE SPEED OR WITH AIR FLOW DILUTION. CUSTOMERS NEED TO FIX OR FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF A UNDER HOOD FIRE. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #11386711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I ACCELERATED TO GET UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE GAS PEDAL STUCK GOING 65MPH. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AT FULL PRESSURE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND BRAKED, THEN PULL THE E-BRAKE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. VERY DANGEROUS, SCARY MALFUNCTION - THE MECHANIC SAYS THE ACCELERATOR THROTTLE AND CABLE ARE BROKEN. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IN DIFFERENT YEARS AND MODELS OF PT CRUISERS.
NHTSA complaint #11292440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
QUICK CONNECT FITTING ON THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE AT FIREWALL LEAKS FUEL, WHICH IS A FIRE HAZARD. THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE FROM THERE TO THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO, BUT NOW IT LEAKS AGAIN. FROM WHAT I HEAR, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. THE O-RINGS CAN'T HANDLE THE CONSTANT ROTATIONAL MOTION BECAUSE OF THE ROCKING OF THE ENGINE BACK AND FORTH. CHRYSLER SHOULD ENGINEER A PROPER FIX.
NHTSA complaint #11243208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR 3 DAYS AGO. THE MAIN FUEL LINE STARTED TO LEAK TODAY NEAR THE REAR ENGINE FIREWALL, WHERE THERE IS A CONNECTION TO SOME KIND OF VALVE. VERY VISIBLE FUEL LEAK AT THE CONNECTOR. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD DUE TO THE FUEL LINE LEAK BEING DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EXHAUST. CHRYSLER WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND AS I HAVE SEEN ON MANY FORUMS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE TYPE AND THIS SAME ISSUE, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THE DEALER SHOULD MAKE RIGHT WITH THESE VEHICLES HAVING A "POTENTIAL FIRE ISSUE " AND RECALL THIS VEHICLE FOR THE FUEL ISSUE AND MOST IMPORTANT, IT'S POTENTIAL TO DESTROY THE VEHICLE AND CONTENTS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL CONNECTOR BEFORE SOMEONE BURNS UP IN THIS VEHICLE. I PLEAD WITH YOU TO HAVE THIS VEHICLE RECALLED DUE TO IT'S FUEL LEAKING ISSUE. THANK YOU. THGE FUEL LEAKS WHILE RESTING IN PLACE OR IN MOTION. THE AMOUNT THIS LEAK GIVES OUT IS MORE THAN ADEQUATE TO LEAK ONTO THE VEHICLES EXHAUST AND "BOOM", THERE GOES THE VEHICLE UP IN FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #11241376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL-THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. FUEL ODOR, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START FOR AN ADDITIONAL HOUR VEHICLE RESTARTED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED ALONG THE FIREWALL MANUFACTURER NOT CONTACTED, FIRE REPORT FILED, FIRE EXTINGUISHED BY FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT UPON START UP THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN RESTARTED ALMOST AN HOUR LATER. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE MARSHALL STATED THAT THE FIRE SEEMED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN A WIRING HARNESS INSTALLED BEHIND THE FUEL LINES FOR THE FUEL INJECTORS. THERE WAS NO INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE RESIDENCE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PIIR = Y. AH *DT
NHTSA complaint #11207986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE HAS SAME TIMP AND FAILED FUEL PUMP RELAY OF RECALL UNITS FROM MANUFACTURER AFFECTING 2007-2014, JEEP, DURANGO, AND TOWN AND COUNTRY. SEVERAL MECHANICS PREVIOUSLY COULD NOT FIND THE ISSUE WITH STALLING AND POOR ACCELERATION. THIS OCCURRED AND WORSENED OVER 6 MONTHS, BEFORE THE FUEL PUMP FINALLY FAILING.
NHTSA complaint #11202663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE FUEL LEAK LOCATION ON THE INLET NOZZLE FUEL TANK. *SMD THE DEALER STATED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CRACKED TRIM AROUND A/C UNIT, TRUNK WILL NOT STAY OPEN, FRONT BRAKES NEED REPLACING, AND REAR SHOCK NEED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10919533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE OIL, WATER PUMP, AND FUEL PUMP LEAKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,385. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11075611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD GO HAYWIRE, GIVING FALSE READINGS. THE GAS TANK IS FULL, BUT THE FALSE ALARM SAYS EMPTY - AND THE CAR STALLS. I HAD TO PAY $1221 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ELECRONIC CLUSTER, LATER ON $660 FOR ANOTHER ELECTRONIC PART. THIS DIDN'T HELP AND THE CAR KEPT GIVING FALSE ALARMS. THE CAR WOULD STALL ON HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11074037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. WHEN THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, SHE NOTICED FUEL AROUND THE ENGINE AND THE AREA WHERE THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOCATED, WHICH CAUSED A FUEL ODOR TO EMIT THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL, WHICH CAME FROM THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,528.
NHTSA complaint #11064139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BLINKER WORKS AT TIMES AND NOT AT OTHERS. BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVUMG, GOT HOME NOW IT WON'T START, BATTERY HAS FULL CHARGE BUT THE STARTER IS NOT CRANKING.
NHTSA complaint #11019849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURGE CONTROL VALVE IS FAULTY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AFTER FUELING. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. THIS OCCURS BOTH AT THE PUMP IMMEDIATELY AFTER FUELING AS WELL AS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM THE FUEL STATION. THE LATTER HAS CAUSED SAFETY HAZARDS & NEAR-ACCIDENTS COUNTLESS TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #11019155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND RUSHED AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. IT WAS NOT INDICATED IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #11015403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2006 CONVERTIBLE PT CRUISER TURBO LITE (TURBO TUNED TO TAKE REGULAR GAS) - AND HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THIS GUY I QUOTED BELOW HAD/HAS. RAW GAS FUMES FILL THE CAR EVERY TIME I TURN A CORNER OR ACCELERATE THE CAR TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE. USUALLY THE SLOW VEHICLE IS GOING ABOUT 60 SO IT'S NOT LIKE I THINK I'M ON THE SPEED-LIMIT-FREE AUTOBAHN. THE GAS TANK IS ALWAYS LESS THAN 1/2 FULL SINCE I RARELY DRIVE OUT OF TOWN. QUOTE FROM FACEBOOK - WARNING: ALL PT CRUISER OWNERS. FIRE HAZARD.. I JUST SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA. THERE IS A SHORT JUMPER FUEL LINE (PLASTIC) THAT CONNECTS THE MAIN FUEL LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE TANK UP TO THE FIRE WALL WITH THE FUEL RAIL. THIS LINE LEAKS FUEL WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE MAIN LINE. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND CONTINUES TO LEAK. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THIS LINE IS ONLY A FEW INCHES FROM THE TURBO OR EXHAUST AND ON A RIGHT HAND TURN COULD DRIP ON TO THE TURBO OR EXHAUST AND IGNITE...THE SMELL OF FUEL ENTERS THE CABIN. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM A ASE CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN AND BESIDES OWNING A PT CRUISER HAVE WORKED ON SEVERAL OTHERS AND ALMOST EVERY SINGLE ONE HAS THIS PROBLEM WHETHER IT IS A TURBO ENGINE OR NOT...IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE EXPERIENCES AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM... WHAT REALLY BOTHERS ME THE MOST IS THAT IF YOU ASK ANY CHRYSLER DEALER (ASK THE TECH) THEY WILL TELL YOU THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SO THERE IS NO DOUBT CHRYSLER IS AWARE. I GUESS SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO DIE OR SUFFER SEVERE INJURY BEFORE CHRYSLER DOES ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. "
NHTSA complaint #11014784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING, CAR COMPLETELY STOPS AND YOU CAN'T GO FORWARD, HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND BACK IN DRIVE MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER TO EVEN BE ABLE TO DRIVE... CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD...
NHTSA complaint #10992738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CPU, SPARK PLUGS, AND FUEL CAP WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
NHTSA complaint #10949870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.