While driving the vehicle pulled the steering wheel hard to the right. We were driving slow in town, had this happened at highway speed a wreck would have been unavoidable . Got the vehicle towed home and took a look at it . Found the front sub frame (to which the steering gear, lower control arms and such are bolted to) had rusted to the point that it cracked , on the right hand side. This allowed the right lower control arm to shift backward causing the death pull to the right.
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser: pulls to one side
8 of the 618 complaints about the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser describe pulls to one side.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 42,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 7 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Pulls to one side by model year
- 20091
- 20081
- 20061
- 20052
- 20033
- 20024
- 20018
What owners say
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.
Tl* - the contact stated that he had goodyear eagle tires, 205/55 r16 eagle ls. At 31,000 miles the car was pulling to the left, and he took it to a dealer and found that the belts on the tire separated, causing the tread to shift. The contact stated that at 41,000 miles the back of the car began swaying sideways to the left and right, and it was determined that the belts on the tire separated again. The contact stated that the tread was fine, the belt in the tire was faulty. *ak the vehicle had a slight oil leak. The dealer replaced transmission solenoid pack. Updated 03/19/07.
Dt: the consumer's wife was driving when the vehicle began to pull hard to the left. She then decided to take the vehicle to a garage for an inspection. This happened without any previous incidents. The mechanic discovered that both lower control arms failed. The mechanic suggested that she should not drive the vehicle until it was repaired. The mechanic noted that this was a common problem in these vehicles. The mechanic replaced both lower control arms. There have been no further problems since the replacement. *ak (11/23/05)
2001 chrysler pt cruiser: the battery light keeps coming on. I've taken to dealer four time now for that problem. Had the battery replaced twice. Had the regulator in the computer replaced. I am still having problems. The transmission had to be replaced. It is a manual transmission. Had the clutch replaced. All of this due to faulty parts! The vehicle keeps pulling to the right. Had it fixed once and it still pulls. The date entered is when everything started.
While driving the vehicle pulled to the right and the steering wheel vibrated. The dealer attempted to repair the vehicle but the steering wheel still vibrated. Please provide further details.
Car pulls to the right and vibration. Dealer has switched tires from front to back, side to side, and have replaced 4 original tires and 7 additional tires. Dealer still claims it is a tire problem instead of something is wrong with vehicle. Vehicle still has a pull and vibration. Steering column squeaks. Steering column replace, lubed and still have a squeak. *ts *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***763033
Vehicle would pull to the right when accelerating, vehicle has been to the dealer on four occasions, and unable to locate the problem. *ak
Service bulletins that may apply
- Revised power steering system bleeding procedures
- Steering column click sound
- Steering column click sound
- Subject regarding steering column click sound
- Experiencing steering column click sound when the steering wheel is turned
- Subject regarding steering column click sound
- Advance service information regarding steering wheel foam pad installation
Related recalls
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.4l non-turbocharged engines and automatic transaxles, the power steering pressure hose may contact the automatic transaxle differential cover, potentially damaging the hose.
- Risk
- Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and relocate, or replace as necessary, the power steering hose and confirm torque of the hose fastener at the steering gear end. The recall began on september 20, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 04V268000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser pulling
Is pulls to one side a common problem on the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
8 of 618 owner complaints about the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser (1%) mention pulls to one side. The model year with the most reports is 2001.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
There is 1 recall and 7 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Ball joint 40Headlights 23Stalling 21Airbag light 18No deployment 18Fire or smoke 17Overheating 15Tire blowout 13Battery drain 12Fuel leak 11Grinding brakes 10Check engine light 10Power steering loss 9Door locks 8Harsh shifting 8Transmission failure 8Fuel pump 6Oil consumption 6Seat belt 6Knocking 5Loss of power 5Steering noise 5Won't start 5
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