2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER Recalls, Complaints & Safety

See attached document for complaint.

The electrical system is malfunctioning the fans do not kick on at all,even after reaching temperature.Even when the "Air" condition is turned on full blast or the "Heater" it doesn't matter which one is used it still doesn't engage the "Fan".

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING..... STOPPED OR MOVING

WAS HIT IN REAR AS I WAS SLOWING AT STOP LIGHT

Crash

CAR HAS PROBLEM WITH OVERHEATING (ALSO FOUND OUT THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS MODEL AND MAKE). THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU CAN BREAK DOWN ON ROAD WHICH CAN EITHER CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR CAUSE ROAD BLOCKAGE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE, WAS TURNED AROUND 180 DEGREES AND THEN STRUCK AGAIN IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND SEVERAL BRUISES AND CONTUSIONS AND SORE RIBS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TOWING FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. *AS *TR

Crash 1 injured

ENGINE FAN DOES NOT TURN ON CAUSING CAR TO OVERHEAT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER OWNER THAT HAVE A PT CRUISER (DIFFERENT YEARS) AND THEY ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FAN. I CALLED THE CHRYSLER DEALER WHICH DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SO THEY ARE NOT ISSUING ANY RECALLS YET. I TOOK THIS CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS BUT HE DID NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO CHECK THE CAR COMPUTER. ANOTHER PLACE HAS THE EQUIPMENT BUT WANTS $200. TO SEE IF IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER. I FEEL THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD COVER THIS SINCE IT DOES NOT JUST EFFECT MY VEHICLE BUT MANY PT CRUISERS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, REPLACED ALL OF THE SENSORS ON THE VEHICLE, THE RELAYS, AND THE ELECTRICAL FUSES; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

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.

Fire

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.

Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY, TURN OFF THE ENGINE, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING WIRES, BUT THERE WERE NO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL FOR THE FOG LIGHTS ONLINE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY, TURN OFF THE ENGINE, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING WIRES, BUT THERE WERE NO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL FOR THE FOG LIGHTS ONLINE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Fire

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).

THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AND NOT RESTART FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND WHEN THE TESTER IS APPLIED NO CODE APPEARS AND NONE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TELL US WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I TOOK TO THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES BUT NO SOLUTION. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING, IT JUST STOPS. DO TO THE HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION WE ONLY TAKE IT ON THE STREET WHERE THE LIKELIHOOD OF COLLATERAL INJURIES CAN BE BETTER CONTROLLED. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ABOUT (6) MONTHS, THE LAST TIME WAS ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO

POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE WHERE IT IS ROUTED UNDER THE ENGINE CASING. THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN WARN THROUGH BY RUBBING AGAINST ONE OF THE CLAMPS WHICH SECURE THE HOSE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE CASING. POWER STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING WHINING NOISES. POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WAS CHECKED. DIPSTICK WAS DRY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A HEAVY LEAK FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THAT THE FLUID WAS POWER STEERING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,295.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A CRACKING SOUND. THE BRAKE PEDAL IMMEDIATELY STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD ON TOP OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TWO TREE TRUNKS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.

Crash 1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRSYLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V387000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 5 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,400.

"TAKATA RECALL " IN MY PT CRUISER THE ENGINE DROPPED DOWN IN THE CAR AND THE FRONT AXLE BAR AND FRAME WAS BROKEN AND THE WHEELS COULD NOT TURN OR CONTROL THE CAR I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET TRYING TO TURN INTO A ICE CREAM SHOP THE CAR IS STILL DOING A SUDDEN JERKING WHEN DRIVEN AND AFTER PAYING A LOT OF MONEY TO GET IT STARTED AND FIXED I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND NO MONEY TO GET ANOTHER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER DID NOT LOCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM A BRUISED CHEST, HANDS, SHOULDER PAIN, NECK PAIN, AND LEG PAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000. UPDATED 05/04/16*LJ *CN

Crash 1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER DID NOT LOCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM A BRUISED CHEST, HANDS, SHOULDER PAIN, NECK PAIN, AND LEG PAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000. UPDATED 05/04/16*LJ *CN

Crash 1 injured

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE RIGHT. WE WERE DRIVING SLOW IN TOWN, HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED A WRECK WOULD HAVE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE . GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND TOOK A LOOK AT IT . FOUND THE FRONT SUB FRAME (TO WHICH THE STEERING GEAR, LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND SUCH ARE BOLTED TO) HAD RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT CRACKED , ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE. THIS ALLOWED THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SHIFT BACKWARD CAUSING THE DEATH PULL TO THE RIGHT.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED AND SUDDENLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDERBODY PREMATURELY RUSTED AND COULD FRACTURE AT ANY MOMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CASING FOR THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID HAD TO BE CONSTANTLY ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,621.

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY FASTENED IT COMES LOSE AND HITS ME IN THE FACE OR HEAD AS IT RETRACTS THE FAILURE OF IT TO LOCK IN IN THIS TYPE OF CIRCUMSTANCE IS DANGEROUS AND THE SEAT BELT IS INEFFECTIVE AND MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE

FRONT SUB FRAME (CROSS MEMBER) BROKE APART AT WELD.

AFTER REGULAR ROAD DRIVEING FOR A MONTH HAD FRONT TIRES WEAR DOWN TO STEEL BELT, PURCHASED TIRES AT WALMART SO TOOK CAR BACK IN TO HAVE TIRES LOOKED AT WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE CASE BECAUSE CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED AND ALIGNMENT CHECKED THE SAME DAY TIRE WERE PUT ON CAR. THE WEAR OUT IS ON THE INSIDES OF BOTH FRONT TIRES, AND MINOR WEAR ON THE INSIDES OF THE REAR TIRES AS WELL AS MAJORITY OF THE TREAD IS WORN OFF AS WELL ON ALL 4 TIRES. THIS WEAR DOWN CAUSED ME TO GO INTO DITCH IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, WHILE DRIVEING AT SAFE SPEEDS.

Crash

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE GOING 55 MPH AND DASHBOARD FAULTS OUT WITH INCOHERENT READINGS AND TRANSAXLE SHIFTS SELF INTO NEUTRAL. I SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO DRIVE. DASHBOARD READINGS GO BACK TO NORMAL AND TRANSAXLE GOES BACK INTO DRIVE. 15 SECONDS LATER BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. CONTINUE DRIVING TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK. AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS ENGINE STALLS OUT. SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND TRY TO RESTART VEHICLE BUT IT WON'T START. COAST TO A STOP AND OPEN HOOD. NOTICE AN ODD SMELL. OPEN HOOD AND ALTERNATOR IS ON FIRE. CLOSE HOOD AND GRAB PERSONAL BELONGINGS (EXCEPT FOR PHONE CHARGER) OUT OF VEHICLE. CALL 911 AS VEHICLE BURNS UP. FIRE AND POLICE ARRIVE AND EXTINGUISH FIRE BUT VEHICLE BADLY DESTROYED BY BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

Fire

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE GOING 55 MPH AND DASHBOARD FAULTS OUT WITH INCOHERENT READINGS AND TRANSAXLE SHIFTS SELF INTO NEUTRAL. I SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO DRIVE. DASHBOARD READINGS GO BACK TO NORMAL AND TRANSAXLE GOES BACK INTO DRIVE. 15 SECONDS LATER BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. CONTINUE DRIVING TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK. AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS ENGINE STALLS OUT. SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND TRY TO RESTART VEHICLE BUT IT WON'T START. COAST TO A STOP AND OPEN HOOD. NOTICE AN ODD SMELL. OPEN HOOD AND ALTERNATOR IS ON FIRE. CLOSE HOOD AND GRAB PERSONAL BELONGINGS (EXCEPT FOR PHONE CHARGER) OUT OF VEHICLE. CALL 911 AS VEHICLE BURNS UP. FIRE AND POLICE ARRIVE AND EXTINGUISH FIRE BUT VEHICLE BADLY DESTROYED BY BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

Fire

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE GOING 55 MPH AND DASHBOARD FAULTS OUT WITH INCOHERENT READINGS AND TRANSAXLE SHIFTS SELF INTO NEUTRAL. I SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO DRIVE. DASHBOARD READINGS GO BACK TO NORMAL AND TRANSAXLE GOES BACK INTO DRIVE. 15 SECONDS LATER BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. CONTINUE DRIVING TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK. AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS ENGINE STALLS OUT. SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND TRY TO RESTART VEHICLE BUT IT WON'T START. COAST TO A STOP AND OPEN HOOD. NOTICE AN ODD SMELL. OPEN HOOD AND ALTERNATOR IS ON FIRE. CLOSE HOOD AND GRAB PERSONAL BELONGINGS (EXCEPT FOR PHONE CHARGER) OUT OF VEHICLE. CALL 911 AS VEHICLE BURNS UP. FIRE AND POLICE ARRIVE AND EXTINGUISH FIRE BUT VEHICLE BADLY DESTROYED BY BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

Fire

DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING AND CONTINUED TO CRACK FROM WINDSHIELD AREA ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BOTTOM,THEN ANOTHER CRACK STARTED AND DID THE SAME.THESE DASHBOARDS ARENT MADE PROPERLY AND BOTH CRACKS ARE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.IM AFRAID THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY SOMEDAY.MY WIFE HAS A CHRYSLER 300M 1999 AND SHE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER DASHBOARD.

I SLOWED DOWNED FOR A RAIL ROAD CROSSING AND AFTER I CROSSED IT THE FRONT END DROPPED DOWN . I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR . THE CAR VEERED RIGHT . I GOT STOPPED BEFORE I GOT TO THE DITCH . WE COULDN'T MOVE THE CAR . HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE . AFTER INSPECTION THEY TOLD ME THE FRAME THAT HOLDS THE SUSPENSION TOGETHER RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE IN HALF . IT PUSHED THE SUSPENSION UP AND AGAINST THE ENGINE . IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING ANY FASTER COULD HAVE VEERED LEFT TO A HEAD ON CRASH OR HIT THE DITCH AND FLIPPED THE CAR . DEFINITELY THINK THIS IS DESIGN FLAW , WHEN YOUR FRAME FAILS AND YOU LOOSE CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE . A POT HOLE COULD AT 55 MPH COULD HAVE DONE THE SAME THING ONLY WITH MORE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES. *TR

FUEL LINE WAS CHAFING AGAINST THE AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE PORT CAUSING A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE. FUEL WAS SPRAYING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. EXTREME FIRE HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND DISCOVERED A PLUG MELTED AND THAT THE FOG LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE NAME OF THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. UPDATED 04/07/15*LJ UPDATED 9/21/2017*CN

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I PURCHASED A USED 2001 PT CRUISER ON THE WAY HOME WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT, IT SOUNDED LIKE WATER RAPIDLY BOILING WITH SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE LOOK UP THIS PROBLEM AND SAW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FROM 2001 TO 2008 PT CRUISERS, NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, IT WENT FROM A RADIATOR CAP TO THE BLADES COMING OFF OF THE FAN. I DON'T KNOW HOW SO MANY VEHICLES CAN HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM WITHOUT THERE BEING A RECALL TO FIX THIS. TO LOWER THE ENGINE HEAT I HAVE TO PUT THE HEAT OR AC UP TO THE HIGHEST SETTING. I HAVE HAD THE THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR CAP REPLACED. HOW CAN THIS SAME PROBLEM GO UNFIXED FROM YEAR TO YEAR? I HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS TILL I EXHAUSTED ALL AVENUES TO LOOK, EVERYONE SAYS THE SAME THING, FROM YEAR TO YEAR, WATER BOILING SOUND, CAR OVERHEATING ALMOST EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD REPLACED AND STILL THIS SAME PROBLEM EXIST. I AM SHOCKED THAT I DID NOT SEE THIS PROBLEM LISTED ON YOUR SITE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE IT. YOU WILL BE SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM YEAR AFTER YEAR, YET IT GOES UNFIXED. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT. I AM AFRAID THAT MY CAR IS GOING TO JUST STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE SOMEONE SLAM INTO THE BACK OF ME WHERE MY TWO GRANDCHILDREN SIT. THE LIGHT TO SHOW IT IS OVERHEATING NEVER LIGHTS UP. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS! NO BELLS OR WHISTLES GOING OFF. JUST SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE CAR WITH LIQUID SHOOTING OUT ALL OVER. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL CAUSE MY ENGINE TO CATCH ON FIRE!! IF THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE THEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS! SINCERELY, PT CRUISER OWNER. *TR

I FILED A CLAIM WITH CHRYSLER ABOUT THE RUSTED OUT ENGINE CRADLE AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE IT. *TR

CENTER OF STEERING WHEEL (WHERE AIRBAG IS LOCATED) BECAME SO HOT THAT IT COULD NOT BE TOUCHED WITH YOUR BARE HAND. PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. WAITED UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN TO NORMAL TEMPERATURE THEN GOT BACK IN AND RESTARTED VEHICLE AND MOVED SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK FROM THE STEERING WHEEL JUST IN CASE. THE HEATING PHENOMENON DID NOT RECUR IN THE SHORT DRIVE HOME (5-10 MINUTES). HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. SCHEDULING A VISIT TO LOCAL DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NOTHING FOUND ON CHRYSLER RECALL INFORMATION AND EMAIL TO CHRYSLER GOT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH PACKAGE 28G THAT INCLUDED SUPPLEMENTAL SIDE AIRBAGS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE ENTIRE REAR QUARTER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INCLUDING THE FRAME AND THE GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF MY VEHICLE AND WENT INTO THE ROADWAY. THIS IS ALREADY A RECALL ISSUE FOR THE 2005 AND 2006 MODELS OF THE PT CRUISER, BUT SINCE IT IS NOT AN EXISTING RECALL ISSUE WITH THE 2001 MODELS CHRYSLER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WINDOW THAT FELL OUT OR THE REMAINING REAR QUARTER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY DO THE SAME THING AT SOME POINT. FORTUNATELY, THE WINDOW THAT FELL OFF MY CAR DIDN'T INJURE ANYONE, BUT IT CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD. *TR