2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser: excessive oil consumption

Filed Sep 15, 2009 · Suspension · 75,000 miles · NJ

-steering wheel began shaking while driving car and steering became very loose. Pulled into a pep boys and was told that the front control arms and bearings needed to be replaced (the car had 75k miles). I was told that this was a very common defect with these cars and that a recall should have been warranted. $1200 repair and car started shaking again 50k miles later. -continuous oil consumption. I put a quart of oil every two weeks in the car. I have had the car completely tuned by a family member who is a certified mechanic, and it still eats oil. I mentioned this to the repair technician who did the controls arms and bearings, and he confirmed that this was also a common problem with these cars. Many of the websites I went on to research this have hundreds of the same comments for both issues.

Filed Jun 6, 2008 · Engine · 29,256 miles · NC

My 2001 chrysler pt cruiser consumes approximately 1 quart of oil every 1,000 miles. I reported this problem to the dealership that services my car and was told that this was normal and within acceptable specifications but I do not believe this to be true.

Filed Apr 20, 2008 · Engine · KS

I have not yet had a failure but was directed to this site by www.ptcruiserproblems.com to submit a complaint regarding high oil consumption of a quart every 1000 miles potentially leading to engine failure on pt cruisers. I'm not entirely sure this is the right agency, though. If not, please advise.

Filed Dec 16, 2002 · Engine · 8,770 miles · CA

Depending on driving conditions, vehicle burns oil at the rate of approximately one quart every ~600 to ~1000 miles. If the vehicle is driven mostly on expressways, the oil consumption is greater than if driven primarily on surface streets. I first brought this problem to the attention of the daimlerchrysler (dc) dealership at 9,770 miles, though I had noticed it earlier. At 9770 miles, I told the dealer that the car had consumed 1 quart of oil in 1,000 miles. On a subsequent trip to the dealer, the vehicle consumed 1 quart in just 616 miles. Under warranty and over several service visits, the dealership replaced the pc valve twice and replaced one valve stem and 3 valves, all vallve seals, machined the heads and replaced the warped exhaust manifolds. The last time the vehicle was in for this problem, the dealer had it 15 days. The vehicle still burns oil at the same rates as before. Dealer wants to replace the short block. Dc has offerred to repurchase vehicle but we cannot agree on the price. I am suing undr california's lemon law

Filed Jul 24, 2001 · Engine · GA

My pt used 1 quart of oil in the first 2700 miles and the another quart in the next 2000 miles and so on. Carmax first visit said normal for break in period and wanted to do consumption test. Brought back after 2k miles, quart low again. This time they said can't do anything since dc says allowable tolerance is 1 quart every 1k miles. I am calling dc tomorrow, dealer refused to call.

Filed Jul 3, 2001 · Engine · CO

Since purchase of vehicle engine has been burning oil internally. Dealer had been contacted to remedy problem. Dealer rebuilt engine at 2100 miles, but vehicle is experiencing same problem. Since engine has been rebuilt, when vehicle is started, a huge puff of smoke comes out from exhaust pipe . *ak consumer is very upset with dealership who vehicle was taken to first, she feels that they gave her the runaround and is concerned that the engine had to be rebuilt instead of given a new one.