I first sent this complaint on mar 7, 2014 and received an email reply acknowledging it, but since haven't heard anything. Is my complaint being taken seriously? It is a serious complaint as follows: on feb 5, 2014, my 2001 pt cruiser shut down while it was being driven down a busy street. It didn't make a sputter or a sound, it just died. Luckily, it coasted long enough for me to pull off onto a quieter street and up against a curb. We had it towed to the automotive shop the explanation for the motor shutting down was alarming. The automotive tech reported the crankshaft position sensor needed replacing. As I understand, when this sensor goes bad, the engine automatically shuts down. With no warning. I had gas in my pt. I don't think people know about this; the tech said most cars that are 'newer' (as far back as 2002, at least) have this sensor. This is a serious safety concern and appears to be widespread. I looked through every page of my 2001 pt cruiser owner's manual and didn't find any indication that there would be a problem like this or that the crankshaft position sensor should be tested regularly, if it could be tested, that is. The federal safety agency would be doing the public a lifesaving service to look into the danger of this failed design, not to just replace them in all cars with a new one, but with one that is not designed to fail at the risk of the drive and anyone else in the vicinity when a moving car decides to just shut down. With no warning. There is not a time frame for this part to fail, but cars that are around my cruisers may be ready to give out. Please look into this dangerous situation. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 74, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.
I was making a right hand turn from a main road onto a side street. While the car was turning, I heard a clunk and the steering wheel was jerked from my hands. The car pulled hard to the right and crashed into the curb. The car was towed to the repair shop and the service tech showed me the engine cradle was completely rusted out and the k frame was cracked all the way thru. It's to rusted to be welded and I was told this is a common problem with the cruiser and dodge neon, since they use the same frame. The tech also told me I was lucky that I wasn't moving at high speed or the results could have been fatal. He also told me that chrysler is aware of this problem, they are completely out of replacement parts, and they basically ignore any complaints.
Car suddenly began overheating without warning. Very scary situation,evidently this is common with pt cruisers. Why have there been no recalls?
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while braking to a traffic stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 240,000 and the current mileage was 245,000.
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.
Over heats done evrything to this car since I bought it and still over heating issues, been in the shop or undrivable more than I have driven it. This is a bad image for chrysler, as I see hundreds of complaints for this same issue, with no results when people have changed almost everything to be changed in these motors, cars are junk now im stuck with a lemon I owe on. Grrrrr.
Purchased the car with 69,591 miles. Car has always consumed more oil that normal. Took a 200 mile road trip, upon return there was a rattling at the timing chain cover. Tensioner pulley was bad. Taken to mechanic shop with 93,643 miles at time of incident. While disassembling the car two broken motor mounts, busted lower control arm bushing, a bad water pump, busted radiator seal, and a bad tensioner pulley was discovered. The car never overheated or showed signs of any of these problems. After the car was put back together it idles high, cuts off, and overheats. Timing has been checked and rechecked, it is in time. Car runs well at higher speeds but cannot stay on at lower rpms. I am now replacing the fan, pcv valve and piping, and possibly going to perform a coolant flush. I haven't passed 100,000 miles and I'm already having this kind of trouble.
2001 pt cruiser overheating problems. Have spent over $2,000 dollars in repairs,from a new radiator,new hoses,fans, belts,flushes,etc. And it still overheats. People need to be warned of this problem about these cars,they overheat no matter what you have had repaired on them. I hate them they need to be banned from being purchased anywhere where cars are sold!!!!!!!
Engine light on/225+k miles, car mechanically sound, code p0601, runs good. Bought in 2003 off daewoo lot. Used. With 12+k miles. Changed: valve cover,3 pcv's,egr tube,intake. Normally change synthic oil sae 5/30 oil every 14k miles. With two oil filter changes every 7k miles., spark plugs every 6mos,with wires. Mechanic takes off light, goes back on after the engine is turned back on.
Just completely angry and frustrated with chrysler for producing an automobile that's constantly causing overheating problems that no one seems to be able to correct. Just a lot of money being spent.who need this when the economy is at its lowest ever? Please help the many owners of pt cruisers. Thank you
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. While the vehicle was being examined, the contact was informed that the engine mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 59,000. Updated 9/1/09 *cn the radiator was leaking, the thermostat housing was leaking
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. Whenever the contact drove the vehicle at various speeds, she would hear a clunking sound coming from the front end. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the lower control arms and the bushings needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 59,000. Updated 08/28/09. *lj the radiator needed to be replaced. The fog light would come on with no warning. A neew multi-function switch was needed. Updated 09/02/09.
Vacuum line came off engine causing a loss of braking performance. There was not a clamp on the line and you could almost blow the line off with your mouth it was so loose!
Engine noise followed by exhaust fume smell in passenger compartment. Took to dealer and they said there was a hole in the "flex" part of the exhaust pipe before the catalytic converter. They said the whole flex part and catalytic converter was one part and needed to be replaced (cost about $1400). The car would not pass inspection until the exhaust system was repaired. Took vehicle for a second opinion and the mechanic said this was a common problem with the pt and that chrysler should recall the cars. I had the part replaced so that the car would past inspection and be legal to drive.
My 2001 chrysler pt cruiser has burned a quart of oil approximately every 900 miles of driving since it was new. It currently has 96,000 miles on it and still only gets 900 miles to a quart. The service manager at chrysler told me that it would burn less as I drove it. It never did. As a retired mechanic, I can say I have never previously experienced this problem either directly or vicariously with a customers car that was purchased new. Thousands of other pt owners have had this exact same oil burning problem.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact received a recall notice pertaining to the fuel system. After the recall repairs were performed, the instrument panel failed. The engine and all the electrical components shut off while idle as well as driving various speeds. While driving less than 70 MPH, the failure recurred and caused an 18-wheel vehicle to swerve over the median to avoid crashing into her vehicle. The dealer reprogrammed the transmission controller module. On july 10, 2007, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the same failures. The etax relay and the controller software was updated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on august 30, 2007. The flash controller was replaced and the air bag sensor was reprogrammed; however, the repairs did not remedy the failures. On december 28, 2007, the vehicle was taken to the dealer due to transmission hesitation. The modular engine controller was reprogrammed. The failure mileage was 51,780 and current mileage was less than 62,000. Updated 10/16/08
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact received a recall notice pertaining to the fuel system. After the recall repairs were performed, the instrument panel failed. The engine and all the electrical components shut off while idle as well as driving various speeds. While driving less than 70 MPH, the failure recurred and caused an 18-wheel vehicle to swerve over the median to avoid crashing into her vehicle. The dealer reprogrammed the transmission controller module. On july 10, 2007, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the same failures. The etax relay and the controller software was updated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on august 30, 2007. The flash controller was replaced and the air bag sensor was reprogrammed; however, the repairs did not remedy the failures. On december 28, 2007, the vehicle was taken to the dealer due to transmission hesitation. The modular engine controller was reprogrammed. The failure mileage was 51,780 and current mileage was less than 62,000. Updated 10/16/08. *lj updated 10/17/08.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact purchased the vehicle in november of 2007 and the wiring harness was replaced due to electrical failures. In april of 2008, while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they replaced the brake pads and calipers. Recently, the engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer's diagnostic indicated that the transmission solenoid switch needed to be replaced, along with the power steering pump. The dealer stated that the warranty does not cover the parts. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls that applied to her VIN. The failure mileage was 68,000 and current mileage was 75,551.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. Whenever the contact approaches a stop or begins to decelerate, the vehicle shuts off completely. Prior to the failure, he noticed that the vehicle idled roughly while at a stop. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the timing belt tensioner was manufactured incorrectly. The vehicle is currently being diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 134,000. Updated 07/31/08. *lj the consumer also stated the power steering failed. Updated 08/05/08
There is a chronic problem with 2001 to 2003 chrysler pt cruisers overheating to the point of disabling the car, and sometimes damaging the car beyond repair. There appears to be no solution to the problem. The following discussion thread has over 250 people complaining about this problem, and only a small fraction of them have had satisfactory solutions. Http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/chrysler-pt-cruiser/t3qtlfa0vl7r6is09 the above link is one thread out of many dozens of similar discussions on many dozens of web sites out there. And then there are all of the people who have not turned to the web for help and advice... This is a serious and ongoing problem that chrysler needs to address. People's cars are being completely ruined with no chance of repair, and chrysler will not even acknowledge a problem.
The air conditioner failed and a foul pungent odor was coming out of the blower. Since it was the end of summer and the cost to fix it was so much, we waited until this year to repair it. The blower was used during the winter with the same foul odor blowing out of it. The cause of the smell was investigated and nothing was found. The fan was replaced but that did nothing. They (the dealer replaced the fan again but nothing. We had to spray disinfectant in the car on a daily basis to eliminate the odor. As a consequence, I got a severe upper respiratory infection. Finally, the dealer said we needed an evaporator which they replaced. The car had less then 50,000 miles. We realized after this was replaced that the odor went away and the air was so cold that I do not believe that the air conditioner worked well from the first day that we had it. When we complained about it not throwing out cold air (when it was new), we were told that it is because it is a 4 cyl. Car. Now I find that I am leaking antifreeze. They said it was the thermostat housing, so it was replaced. Still leaking........now they want to try the water pump. What's next?
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.
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.
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.
Owner noticed a slight "puddle" (size of a silver dollar) on garage floor. Owner jacked up car to inspect and identify where leak was originating. Noted a misplaced bushing on the bracket holding the power steering hose in place under the engine. One end of the bushing had broken allowing the hose to chafe against the bracket and leak fluid. Owner immediately took car into the dealer to have repaired. Upon examination, dealer informed owner that the motor mounts (2) had broken allowing the engine to sit lower on the frame and that is what caused the bushing to fail. Owner paid over $1,000 to replace motor mounts (2) and replace bushing and power steering hose. Owner feels that motor mount failure was premature as the car only has 38,000 miles on it and has never been driven hard and has been garaged its entire lifetime. Owner has in his possession the defective motor mounts. Although there were no injuries or deaths, there certainly could have been if the owner had not been so observant and vigilant about maintaining the car. Loss of power steering function or engine detachment would be catastrophic on the road, particularly at freeway speeds.
Strong exhaust odor in car with AC on fresh air. After doing a little testing I found the manifold to exhaust slip joint leaking heavily. We have had this problem for a longe time and are just getting tired of choaking levels of exhaust every time we come to a stop.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving between 10-20 MPH, the contact heard a rattling noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the rear lower control arms. When the contact left the dealer, she heard a noise coming from the front end when the vehicle came to a stop. The dealer stated that the motor mount needed to be replaced. There were no warning indicators. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 116,280. Updated 12/13/07
My pt cruiser overheated and I realized that the fan was not coming on. I took it in for repair and the mechanic said the sensors and fuses were fine and that the fan assembly needed replacing. Which cost $700. 2 weeks later, the car overheated, again and once again a couple of days after that. This time it stalled and would not start back up.
Overheating, steam rolling out from under hood and stalling. Repaired 9/2006 at the cost of $379.38. Problem has started again, 10 months later.
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