2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine 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 1, 2019 · Engine · 85 miles · PA

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.

Filed Aug 7, 2018 · Engine · 159,245 miles · PA

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.

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 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 Feb 24, 2016 · Engine, Suspension · 60,245 miles · MI

"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.

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 Dec 19, 2014 · Body, Engine · 180,000 miles · PA

I filed a claim with chrysler about the rusted out engine cradle and they refused to replace it.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · GA

I have had many problems with this car to include electrical, over heating (which was never fixed even after taking it to the dealership 3 times), and transmission. In 2013 as I was driving down a busy 4 lane hwy. I heard a sudden and loud booming noise and the car began shaking violently. Thinking that I had hit something in the road I began slowing down and making my way to the shoulder of the hwy. But before I could get to the shoulder of the hwy. The car made that loud booming noise a second time and shook violently again. It then lost all power to the front wheels leaving me stranded in the middle of the hwy. After removing and opening up the transmission I found that the drive shaft in the center of the transmission had sheared in half. Upon further inspection I believe that the slightly worn engine mounts cause a binding action on the drive shaft in the transmission thus causing the shaft which is made of a composite material to basically explode inside the transmission. This problem is so well known by us car buffs that jasper engines inc. (a well known company that remanufactures engines and transmissions) replaces this stock shaft with a stronger more robust one when they remanufacture these transmissions. The violent shaking of the car that happened when this transmission shaft failed almost cause me to loose control of the vehicle on a very busy hwy. Chrysler should recall all transmissions with this type of composite shaft.