125 of the
3,420 complaints filed about the Chrysler PT Cruiser
are about the wheels —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
Answers and explanations to all of the above questions: My power steering assembly is leaking pretty bad and is only getting worse. I have a bad shoulder that I had surgery on and if it goes completely out I am afraid i wont be able to turn the steering wheel & cause an accident. The rims on the vehicle are cracked/cracking & I believe one has a hole or 2 & another 1 is forming one. It's also scratching & ruining the rotors. Its not the pads they are fine but I need at least 1 new rotor & can't because the rims are defective causing it to happen again which can easily damage the calipers locking up the wheel causing a crash plus sometimes theres a loud crunching noise not grinding like the pads are bad cause they are not. I know the difference. The trac off & airbag lights are on then they go off then come back on again.The dashboard is cracked and it caused the vent to break where anything can get in it.The clear coat is peeling and yet the paint under it is in great shape.I also believe that the instrument cluster is causing the lights to come on the dashboard.The vehicle can be picked up when ever you have a spot open for it. I would like 48 hours notice due to work. This is a safety issue if the power steering goes while driving I cant steer it because I didn't know it was leaking it went out and I was stuck blocking traffic and couldn't turn it the passenger had to do it for me, If the rims get worse or hole bigger it can crack or break in half while I am driving. The defrost vent is open to particles that can get in there that shouldn't. The airbag light on could be a defect or the air bags defective. Nothing has been inspected on it since I just found out when looking up this make, year and model a price on power steering to find out there's a recall on it as well as other issues. There were no warnings and the only code that came up was the high fan relay switch. Since then the trac off light goes on and off as well as airbag light and now is currently on.
NHTSA complaint #11441234 — 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.
A FOLLOW-UP TO COMPLAINT 11001939 ; WHERE THE WHEEL SENSOR/VALVE BLEW OUT OF THE RIM ; TOOK THE TIRE AND RIM TO "COSTCO TIRE" WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE TIRES ; THE CHRYSLER ALUMINUM SENSOR WAS STILL INSIDE THE TIRE ; THEY SAID THE ALUMINUM WAS SO CORRODED ; THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT ; NOW AS AN ENGINEER IN THE METALS INDUSTRY ; YOU N E V E R ; PUT ALUMINUM AND STEEL PARTS TOGETHER BECAUSE JUST THEM TOUCHING EACH OTHER ; CAUSES A GALVANIC REACTION WHICH DOES EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED HERE...............CORROSION AND SEPARATION. ANY TIME THE TWO METAL TOUCH YOU GET THIS REACTION; TO PUT THESE TOGETHER YOU SURROUND THE METAL WITH A SLEEVE CALLED A "JOCK" KIT TO KEEP THE SEPARATE; OBVIOUSLY TO PREVENT THIS. EVEN THOUGH I STOPPED THE VEHIHCLE AS SOON AS MY SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON I ALSO DESTROYED THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE (BFGOODRICH ADVANTAGE)........THE TIRE MANAGER ASKED HOW I KEPT THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING; I TOLD HIM I WAS AN EXPERIENCED RACE CAR DRIVER AND DIDN'T PANIC. NOW ; ALL CHRYSLER PT CRUISER TO MY AND COSTCO'S TIRE MANAGER HAVE SEEN HAVE THE SAME SET-UP FOR WHEEL SENSORS IN ALL THEIR MODELS ; I OWN 2 OF THEM ; LOVE THEM ; BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND WITH WATER ETC. ADDED TO THE FACTS, I'M SURE THEIR ARE OTHERS' WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND MAYBE NOT THE EXPERIENCE TO NOT MAKE THIS A "ROLLOVER" OR "OTHER LANE SWERVE " SITUATION. I LIVE IN PA. BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NEVER DRIVEN THE WINTER THRU SALTS FOR SNOW ; REALLY A CONCERN IN MY MIND HOW THESE ARE IN STEEL RIMS.............PROBABLY DOES NOT EFFECT THE ALUMINUM OPTIONAL WHEELS THEY OFFERED. THANKS
NHTSA complaint #11002096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEEL SENSOR /AIR VALVE BLEW OUT OF WHEEL ITSELF ON THE INTERSTATE 79 @ 70 MPH ; OBVIOUSLY LOST ALL AIR SUDDENLY ; HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM FROM ANOTHER PT CRUISE OWNER ; THESE ARE FACTORY INSTALLED WHEEL SENSOR/AIR VALVES................NO DAMAGE STOPPED WITH 10 SECONDS. I SEE REPORTS HERE AS FAR BACK AS 2011 ; SHOWN UNDER TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #11001939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REPEATED WHEEL FAILURES CAUSING TIRE SEALS TO LEAK AIR. MULTIPLE TIRE REPLACEMENTS (5), MULTIPLE SEAL FAILURES RESULTING IN AIR REPLACEMENT. I AM FORCED TO CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE EVERY TIME I USE MY VEHICLE SINCE I CANNOT TRUST THAT THE SEALS HAVE HELD OR FAILED AT ANY GIVEN TIME. EVERY AUTO REPAIR AND TIRE SPECIALIST I HAVE SPOKEN WITH IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. SO FAR I HAVE SPOKEN TO 3 DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SPECIALISTS AND 4 TIRE SPECIALISTS. THE "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN" OPTION BELOW ONLY AFFORDS ME 1 ENTRY, BUT, THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2013.
NHTSA complaint #10903742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED AND NOW THE ROCKER ARMS ARE SHOT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAD TWO MOUNTS REPAIRED-STILL SHAKES. TOOK IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE-THEY SAID THE ROCKER ARMS ARE SHOT. GETTING AN ESTIMATE TODAY. I AM MOVING APRIL 18 FROM CALIFORNIA TO TEXAS AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. IT HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10853938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE KEEPING AIR IN THE TIRE OF THIS CAR. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER OWNERS AND THEY TO HAVE HAD TROUBLE. IT IS THE CHROME WHEELS THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT I'M SURE SOME ONE HAS. IT ALSO HAPPENED IN MY DAUGHTERS STRATUS RT , CHROME WHEELS. I TALKED TO GM PEOPLE THAT HAD CHROME WHEEL FROM THAT ERA AND THEY TO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CHROME WHEELS. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU HAVE HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE. I STILL HAVE THE CAR BUT MY DAUGHTER GOT RID OF HERS. WE HAD TO PUT ANOTHER TIRE ON THE CAR THIS WEEK BECAUSE THE TIRES KEEP LOSING AIR. I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP YEARS BACK AND THEY SAID THERE WAS KNOW PROBLEM. I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS YEARS AGO BUT NEVER DID.
NHTSA complaint #10818823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT TIRES KEEP GOING FLAT AND I AM TOLD BECAUSE CAR HEAVY IN FRONT. I AIR THEM ONCE EVERY 2-4 WEEKS. FRONT LAMPS ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH AND HARD SEEING AT NIGHT. CAR PURCHASED FROM BELLEVUE, WA FORD WHICH JUST BURNED DOWN FEW WEEKS AGO AS A USED CAR AND WAS NOT INFORMED OF THIS
NHTSA complaint #10717802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE RIMS WERE CAUSING THE TIRES TO LEAK AIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED AS OF 8/18/2004 THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY CRASHES OR INJURIES. THE TIRE PRESSURE IS MAINTAINED ON A DAILY BASIS. UPDATED 09/15/2014
NHTSA complaint #10607543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE PULLED OUT OF BUSINESS COMPLEX TURN IN LEFT ABOUT A CAR LENGTHS AWAY FROM ME WHEN HE PULLED OUT..ATTEMPTED TO STOP BUT VEHICLE WAS TOO CLOSE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10606984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CHROME RIMS LEAK AIR BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN LEECHING (PEELING) SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 6 YEARS (I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 68,000 MILES) AND HAVE AVERAGED 8700 MILES PER YEAR. I HAVE HAD THE RIMS SEALED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BUT THE SEALS ONLY LAST FOR SHORT PERIODS DUE TO THE CONSTANT PEELING. CURRENTLY, I HAVE TO FILL THE TIRES WITH AT LEAST 20 POUNDS OF AIR EVERY 2-3 DAYS. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS THAT THEY WILL FAIL WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10566127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TO DEFLATE. THE SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,997.
NHTSA complaint #10514102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APPROXIMATELY 10-12 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, ALL FOUR TIRES BEGAN TO GET FLAT. THIS HAS OCCURRED EVERY TWO WEEKS SINCE THAT TIME. EVERY TIME I FILL THE CAR WITH FUEL, I HAVE TO PUT AIR IN ALL FOUR TIRES. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER ONLINE IN EARLY FEBRUARY 2012 AND RECEIVED A RATHER FLIP RESPONSE... THANKING ME FOR TELLING THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT OFFERING NO FIX TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS MY SECOND PT CRUISER.. AND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY FIRST CRUISER. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THE ALUMINUM WHEELS CAUSING AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRES. I ENJOY MY PT CRUISER, BUT FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, OTHER THAN BUYING EXPENSIVE NEW WHEELS; ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IT NOT ONLY GIVES ME BAD GAS MILEAGE, BUT ALSO IS A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10505165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 10/17/12
NHTSA complaint #10473777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TPMS FAILURES. 3 OUT OF HAVE FAILED SO FAR. THE FIRST OCCURED WHEN I FILLED THE THE TIRE WITH AIR.THE VALVE STEM HAD BROKEN OFF . THE SECOND AND THIRD HAVE APPEARED BEFORE DOING FRONT BRAKES THIS PAST WEEKEND. BOTH VALVE STEMS ARE ABOUT TO FAIL.THEY HAVE MULTIPLE CRACKS AND NEED REPLACING.
NHTSA complaint #10463240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN ONE OF THE TIRES BECAME FLAT. THE CONTACT COULD NOT RECALL WHICH EXACT TIRE WAS FLAT BECAUSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES AND EACH TIME, IT WAS A DIFFERENT TIRE THAT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE RIMS WERE CORRODED AND PITTED. THE RIMS WERE CLEANED BUT THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT AIR WOULD CONTINUE TO ESCAPE FROM THE RIM AND CAUSE THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #10435141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.