2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 15, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 107,000 miles · MA · 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.

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 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 Jan 28, 2015 · Engine · 71,250 miles · PA

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.

Filed Nov 1, 2012 · Brakes · 46,200 miles · NJ · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated while traveling 50 MPH he smelled something burning. The contact merged to the side of the road to assess the situation. Upon inspection it was found that the driver front brakes were smoking. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnose that the brake tube had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware that there was a recall that might be related to the failure similar to the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v481000 (service brakes, hydraulic: antilock). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 46,200.

Filed Sep 7, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 143,000 miles · PA

Vehicle was used to drive to local store at night. Fog lights were not turned on at any time. I parked in department store parking lot and came out after shopping for about 45 minutes and noticed a burning smell coming from pt cruiser. Opened the drivers door and odor became more apparent. Noticed smoke rolling out of steering column. Also noticed fog lamp indicator on dashboard was on. However, all lights and switches were off. I had to pull out several fuses until I found the one related to the fog lamps. That was the only way to quickly power off the fog lamps and stop the smoldering. This is a potential fire hazard!

Filed May 9, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 40,000 miles · CA

Web site topix will confirm the incredible # of folks that have had fog lamps turn on after car is shut down causing battery drain. 100's have paid for replacement part multi-function switch. This controls fog, head, accessory, & dash lighting. To prevent the fog lamps from coming on by themselves, most have removed fuse # 8 to remove the fog lamps from the circuit. People report smoke coming from turn signal lever, & the complete loss of all lighting is quite common. I personally have replaced the multi-function switch 3 times on my wife's 2001 p.t. Cruiser with only 50,000 total miles & she being original owner. By parking her car minus fuse # 8, not using dome lighting, & always parking with the signal lever in the down or left turn position has prevented the mystery fog lamp issue, & kept her battery functioning. This "temp" solution has allowed her about 6 or 8 months of driving w/o the problems other pt owners struggle with. Sooner or later someone will lose lighting or a fire will occur inside the steering wheel which will cause serious injury, loss of vehicle & possibly death. Chrysler denies any knowledge, but wants more than $1,000.000 to analyze & repair. Through the topix p.t forum I was able to learn how to do the work myself for far less than $100. Many are getting ripped off for hundreds while chrysler knows full well of the issue. No less than an investigation, perhaps started with the topix forum will demonstrate the incredible number of failures that still plague the p.t. On later models such as 2001 thru 06 or 08. Also need 3rd. Brake job, & the rims do not seal causing low tires that hurt mpg. Driving comfort, & safety. Dealer & I have tried michelin tires hoping the problem was with the factory installed goodyears. I still hear every 100 miles or so that my wife's p.t needs additional air pressure.

Filed Apr 10, 2012 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ · fire

The engine starting making a ticking sound while I was driving uphill about 40 MPH. I stopped to check oil which was about 1/2 quart down. I proceeded to continue driving I went about another mile and the car started losing power. Unknown to me but the car was already on fire. Someone behind me alerted me and within a minute or two the pt cruiser was engulfed in flames.

Filed Aug 25, 2009 · Steering · 98,000 miles · CT

In 2004 chrysler recalled pt cruisers with automatic transmissions for a fault with the power steering hose which caused fires in a few cars. They did not however cover 2001 pt cruisers with manual transmissions. *tr last week (8-20-09) my wife drove to the post office (2 miles from home) and smelled burning rubber, she drove the car directly back home. I examined the car that night and could find nothing wrong with the drive belts, tires, and there didn't seem to be any leaks. I took it for a quick test drive and everything seemed fine. The following day (8-21-09) my wife again drove the car to the post office, this time it started making grinding noises and was difficult to steer. She drove the car straight home again. There still didn't seem to be any leaks but when I test drove it I could tell the power steering was non functional. I opened the fill cap for the power steering fluid to check its level and the remaining fluid in the system drained onto my driveway. It seems like there had been a leak in the power steering hose that was being burnt off on the engine. We were fortunate that we were only using the car for local trips as it would have been much more dangerous if the hose had let go while we were driving on the highway. Recall 04v268000, the federal safety agency action number pe04028, should be extended to the pt cruisers with manual transmissions as well before someone gets hurt.

Filed Dec 1, 2008 · Electrical · 83,000 miles · WI

I started driving my 2001 pt cruiser and noticed the fog lamp indicator was on. The lights were not turned on, I checked all the switches. A couple miles down the road I noticed smoke coming from the column through the hazard button. I pulled over and pulled the fuse for the fog lamps which stopped the smoking before a fire started. The fuse was very hot. I see this is a very common problem via the internet on the pt. Why has this not been recalled if its a safety issue with possible fires.

Filed Mar 3, 2008 · Acceleration, Electrical · 65,000 miles · WI · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. The vehicle speed control was previously disconnected. While driving 25 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the steering column. The dealer stated that the failure was electrical and related to the vehicle speed control. The high and low beam switch was also burned. The manufacturer stated that there was no existing recall. The contact allowed the vehicle to cool down and was able to drive home. A mechanic will repair the vehicle since the manufacturer stated that they were unable to offer any assistance. She is unable to drive the vehicle due to the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 65,100.

Filed Feb 8, 2008 · Engine · 145,000 miles · NY

I recently purchased a used 2001 pt cruiser. After watching a pt cruiser catch on fire in my work parking lot, I noticed that I had no heat. I added coolant and everything seemed fine until I drove it for over 20 minutes. It started to overheat and smoke started coming out from under the hood (in the dead of winter). After letting it cool I was able to get it home. I added coolant and checked for leaks and found none. Then I checked the internet to help troubleshoot the issue... And ran across several website with my exact same problem with many people stating that they had spent thousands of dollars without any results, and with no help from chrysler resolving the issue.