2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser electrical problems

Filed Jul 13, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · KY

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".

Filed Sep 18, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 127,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Jun 2, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · FL · 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.

Filed Mar 4, 2017 · Acceleration, Electrical · 146,000 miles · MI

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).

Filed Jun 1, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · IL · 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.

Filed Feb 12, 2015 · Electrical · 136,000 miles · WI · fire

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

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 130,000 miles · OH

My car just shuts off leaving me no control to stop, turn, or get out of the way of traffic behind me..... @ 55mph to nothing is asking to be hit from behind. Or if turning across a divided highway, to be left stuck with 2 lanes of semi coming for me and my kids. Now it sometimes wont even do anything when I crank over the ignition (like there is no battery) or if it cranks and starts it will shut off right away. It wants to idle down at stops and stall. I have had it in the shop more than I like n spent more money to have to be told they can't find anything. I read of so many other owners with the same problems who end up junking these cuz they just stop starting....sad, we need our cars to run. Chrysler knows they r riddled with serious issues including the lights and transmissions.....these are a bad combination on the road. Someone needs to look @ some stats! Thanks.

Filed Mar 28, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 112,332 miles · OH

I bought a car from north coast auto mall and it had a lot of suspension problems. They ensured me that they would fix these issues if I bought the car. After buying the car, they have had me in and out of their shop 4 or 5 times to which they only lube the parts or lie to me claiming that the car has been fixed. I feel that this business practice is unsafe and misleading. They claimed to have replaced a control arm to which goodyear later (when I was buying tires) informed me that my control arms were bad. I was surprised to hear this. North coast should be investigated as they are selling unsafe cars, claiming to repair issues and then putting me in an unsafe car. 30 claims have been made about similar issues via the better business bureau, the federal trade commission and the ohio attorney general. I feel that they should be investigated for safety reasons.

Filed Feb 27, 2014 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that the radio and door locks would activate independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuse needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 90,000.

Filed May 31, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 79,000 miles · TX

Fog lights malfunction very frequently. For the past couple of months, vehicle's battery has been drained because the fog lights are on (which are never turned on or even used) and will not go off. Happens frequently and it's difficult to get the fog lights to go off, the lights control has to be jiggled just right to get them to go off so we know the battery won't be drained after a few hours. Lately, it has gotten harder and harder to get them to turn off and finally had to pull the fuse in order to make them go off.