2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser suspension problems

Filed Aug 8, 2016 · Suspension · 100,000 miles · SD

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrsyler pt cruiser. While driving at any speed, the front end of the vehicle made a loud noise. The contact stated that the cross member frame had rusted out. The VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v387000 (suspension). The dealer was notified, but the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

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 Jan 12, 2016 · Suspension · 42,000 miles · IN

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.

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 Mar 28, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 112,332 miles · OH

I bought a car from north coast auto mall and it had a lot of suspension problems. They ensured me that they would fix these issues if I bought the car. After buying the car, they have had me in and out of their shop 4 or 5 times to which they only lube the parts or lie to me claiming that the car has been fixed. I feel that this business practice is unsafe and misleading. They claimed to have replaced a control arm to which goodyear later (when I was buying tires) informed me that my control arms were bad. I was surprised to hear this. North coast should be investigated as they are selling unsafe cars, claiming to repair issues and then putting me in an unsafe car. 30 claims have been made about similar issues via the better business bureau, the federal trade commission and the ohio attorney general. I feel that they should be investigated for safety reasons.

Filed Mar 4, 2014 · Suspension · 56,000 miles · MA

While slowing down to stop for a red light my car suddenly veered to the right. I had to turn the steering wheel to the left to keep the car straight while I stopped. I had the car towed to a garage and upon inspection they found the crossmembers under the engine were completely rusted and broken. I bought the car new and although the car is 13 years old it only has 56,000 miles and has always been stored in a garage.

Filed Nov 12, 2013 · Suspension · 62,000 miles · MN

While driving at 30 miles an hour, the front suspension cross-member broke as a result of severe rust. This caused the right front wheel to steer towards the ditch creating a significant safety hazard. The rust was caused by water draining from the air conditioner onto the passenger's side of the cross-member. I have attempted to order a replacement part from chrysler but so far the outlook for delivery has changed four times and is currently estimated for 12/25/2013 (2.5 months after the car became inoperable). Not only does chrysler ignore the numerous reports of this commonly reported design flaw, they are proving to be incapable at providing replacement parts. This is evident as I am one of 28 car owners who are waiting for this part from chrysler, and there is high demand for this part from junkyards.

Filed Oct 19, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 75,000 miles · ME

Upon inspection during a repair for another problem it was discovered that the front suspension crossmember known as the k-frame is severely corroded and will likely not pass another safety inspection. The rest of the underneath of this car is relatively rust-free and this is a low mileage vehicle for its age. If this part fails going down the highway the engine, transmission, etc. Will all drop and cause the vehicle to lose control.

Filed Sep 3, 2013 · Body, Engine · 59,700 miles · NY · crash

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.

Filed Aug 14, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 76,000 miles · ME

The front suspension cross-member is severely rusted and will require replacement before the car will pass inspection. The car was in for routine service when my mechanic pointed out that the only rusted part on the vehicle was the front suspension cross-member and that it was bordering on unsafe. This car has relatively low miles at 76k and is in excellent condition otherwise. This rusted part could fail with no indication that danger was imminent and cause loss of steering and ultimately a vehicle crash at any speed.