50 of the
3,420 complaints filed about the Chrysler PT Cruiser
are about the seats —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2002.
The front passenger seat heating system experienced a catastrophic electrical malfunction. While the vehicle was started and parked in our driveway, the front passenger seat suddenly developed an extreme hot spot and became engulfed in flames even though the heated seat switch was in the OFF position and had not been activated. The failed heated seat component has been retained and is available for inspection. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer or service center because the incident occurred at our residence and the vehicle is currently undriveable due to burned electrical wiring. Attempting to start or operate the vehicle could result in an electrical short because of the exposed and damaged wiring caused by the fire. Both the local police department and fire department responded to the scene and inspected the vehicle. There were no warning lights, warning messages, unusual odors, or prior symptoms indicating a problem before the fire occurred. This incident represents a significant fire hazard because the heated seat ignited without being turned on. Had this occurred while the vehicle was being driven or while occupants were seated in the vehicle, it could have resulted in serious injury or death due to burns, smoke inhalation, or loss of vehicle control. Likewise, had the vehicle been parked inside an attached garage, the fire could have spread to the residence and placed lives at risk.
NHTSA complaint #11747003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the front driver's side seat erroneously rolled backwards, and the driver was unable to reach the brake pedal. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted regarding the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 87,000.
NHTSA complaint #11623583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Was warming my car up and drove 2 miles to my mom's house and turned it off. Came out about 30 minutes later and the car was full of smoke. Aired out the car and noticed a burnt hole in the middle of the passenger seat. The seat warmer had malfunction and started the seat on fire. Even with the vehicle turned off.
NHTSA complaint #11446547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side seat inadvertently moved forward toward the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic was able to adjust the front driver's seatback to its original position; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
NHTSA complaint #11445348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SLIDING RAIL BROKE ON DRIVERS SIDE. THE SEAT COMPLETELY MOVED OUT OF POSITION WHILE DRIVING. THE PART THAT IS NEEDED IS SAID TO BE DISCONTINUED. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT
NHTSA complaint #11003271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LET ME START BY SAYING I JUST BOUGHT THIS 2001 LIMITED EDITION PT CRUISER THREE DAYS AGO FROM A PRIVATE DEALER. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, HEADING HOME FROM WORK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, AND WANTED TO TRY THE CRUISE CONTROL. I TURNED IT ON AND SET IT FOR 67MPH TO SEE IF IT WORKED FIRST. THEN I WENT TO RESET IT TO MY ACTUAL DESIRED SPEED BY TAPPING MY BRAKES, THEN I TRIED THE SWITCH ON THE ARM OF MY STEERING WHEEL BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. I GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN TO 40MPH BEFORE MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I WAS FORCED TO RUN THE STOP SIGN AT THE END OF THE OFF RAMP. (THANK GOD IT WAS AT 3AM AND MY BABY WASN'T WITH ME!). I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER DOING 20MPH BEFORE THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AGAIN. I QUICKLY SHUT IT OFF, PUT IT IN PARK, AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO TURN IT BACK ON. BUT THE ENGINE JUST KEPT REVING, AS IF I WAS HOLDING MY FOOT ON THE GAS BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STILL ON! I TRIED RESETTING IT BY TURNING THE KEY BACK AND FORTH A FEW TIMES. I TRIED TO SEE IF IT WOULD THROW ME A CODE BUT ONLY "DONE" APPEARED ON MY DASH. EVERY TIME I STARTED THE CAR, THE LED FOR CRUISE CONTROL WOULD COME ON AND THEN SHUT OFF AFTER A FEW SECONDS. I WAS ABLE TO COAST HOME DOING 40MPH WITH ACCESS TO MY BRAKES AGAIN. NOT VERY WELL, BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE IT HOME, (WHEN I'D LET OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD TAKE OFF AGAIN). I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH SINCE I GOT BACK AND FOUND A FEW OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING, EXCEPT THEY WERE ALL ABLE TO STOP. FOR EXAMPLE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL OR SHUTTING THE CAR OFF. EVERY TIME I START THE [XXX] THING, THE CRUISE CONTROL IS STILL ON! HOW DO I SHUT IT OFF? PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10958583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SWITCH BEZEL FRACTURED AND RESULTED IN EXPOSED WIRING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE COMPONENT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10865311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10795126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE CHANGED THE DRIVERS SEAT TRIM PANEL MANY TIMES NOW WHERE IT IS HELD BY 4 CHEAPLY MADE PLASTIC TABS THEN ADD INSULT TO INJURY CHARGE OVER A $100 FOR A CHEAP PIECE OF PLASTIC THE SIZE OF A SMALL DINNER PLATE. WHEN THIS BREAKS THE SEAT ADJUSTER SWITCH IS EXPOSES THE ELECTRIC CONTACTS TO TOUCHING THE SEAT FRAME AND SHORTING DRAINS THE BATTERY OR WORSE CASE MAY START A FIRE, IF CHRYSLER IS GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO MAKE SUCH A POORLY ENGINEERED PART TO START THEY SHOULD AT LEAST OFFER A REASONABLY AFFORDABLE REPLACEMENT, THIS REPLACEMENT SHOULDN'T COST MORE THAN 20 BUCKS
NHTSA complaint #10789014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A SEAT CUSHION PLACED ON THE DRIVER SEAT AND, WHEN IT WAS REMOVED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,078.
NHTSA complaint #10785098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SEAT STARTED MOVING UP AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT WAS AT THE HIGHEST POINT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE DUE TO REACHING THE PEDALS AND LEGS JAMMED UP AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #10538536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT CONTROL BECAME FRACTURED, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE AROUND INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO ORDERED AND REPLACED THE CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE NEW CONTROL PANEL WOULD NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE DUE TO THE WAY THE CONTROL PANEL WAS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 10/17/13
NHTSA complaint #10536915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EVENTUALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE 02 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTROLS THAT ADJUSTED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD FRACTURE CONTINUOUSLY AND WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 01/18/13*LJ UPDATED 1/28/2013
NHTSA complaint #10488999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC COVERING OF THE ELECTRONIC DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTER DETACHED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROL MOTOR, WIRES, AND CLIP TO BE EXPOSED AND LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,581.
NHTSA complaint #10456603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS ONLY 39,000 MILES ON IT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AS A RENTAL RETURN WITH ONLY 389 MILES ON IT. SEEMS THAT THE BUSHINGS SHOULDN'T BE GOING OUT WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON A VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE AND NEW TIRES - I BABY THIS CAR. ALSO, PANEL WITH CONTROLS ON LEFT SIDE OF DRIVERS SEAT HAS DETACHED. I HAVE TRIED TO REATTACH MANY TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. I WILL NEED TO BRING TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX. UNFORTUNATELY BOTH OF THESE ITEMS HAPPENED JUST AFTER MY 36/36 WARRANTY WAS UP AND IS NOT COVERED BY MY LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. HAVE BEEN QUOTED NEARLY $1000 TO FIX BOTH.
NHTSA complaint #10436795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED AUTOMOBILE 12/07/2010...REPAIRS CONDUCTED ON 1/21/11 (1) REPLACEMENT DRIVERS (OUTER) L PANEL DRIVER SEAT SWITCH BEZEL BROKEN *SAME EXISTS PANEL CONTINUALLY "BREAKS" DOWN AFTER SITTING ON DRIVERS SEAT (2) POWER LOCK SYSTEM L/R DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK/OR/UNLOCK * ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH "LATE" AUTOMATIC LOCKING OF AUTOMOBILE DOORS ON 11/14/11 DURING OIL-CHANGE (MECHANIC) DISCOVERED (1) BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS (UPPER/LOWER) RF ENGINE (2) SHOCK LEAKING...MECHANIC STATED IN 20 PLUS YRS OF WORK AS A MECHANIC HE HAS "REPLACED" MANY PT CRUISER-BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS...MYSELF, I DOCUMENTED ALL ABOVE IN AN EMAIL TO CHRYSLER 11/14/2011. SUGGESTING "LEMON" AUTOMOBILE & REQUESTED TOTAL COMPENSATION OR (NEW AUTOMOBILE) REPLACEMENT FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #10435634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEAT CONTROL BROKE AND AS A RESULT SHE COULD NOT ADJUST THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED FOUR TIMES THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,080 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,708.
NHTSA complaint #10429494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.