2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser: ball joint or control arm failure

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 Aug 6, 2014 · Steering · 130,000 miles · SD

Made a right hand turn and heard a metal clunk noise, proceeded another block - from a stop made a left hand turn onto a highway - at that time a very loud metal noise, no brakes, no steering, no control of veh at all. Somehow managed to get to side of road without rolling veh, wheels turned opposite directions, had veh towed to shop. Engine cradle was rusted out on right side and gave way, which disconnected steering control arm and axel from the wheels, mechanic - stated dripping from air conditioner had rusted the parts on that side only - rest of under veh was in good shape - stated had seen this in pt's often - a known chrysler issue with the pt cruisers and the neons also - which have the same platform. If had been going at highway speeds - would have been a very bad, possibly fatal accident. Own two of these vehs - took the second veh to have inspected (only has 50,000 miles) - has the exact same issue. Researched the pt cruiser forums and found many complaints on the same issue. Chrysler is non responsive - this should be recalled as is a deadly problem. Vehicle is unrepairable.

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 Feb 7, 2014 · Steering · OH

I have 2001 pt cruiser, I had the control bushings and tie rod replaced after I had them replace it took only one year for them to go out again. I will never buy or suggest purchasing a pt cruiser. Thank you for having this page/site to list complaints.

Filed Mar 20, 2011 · Engine · 93,643 miles · VA

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.

Filed Nov 23, 2010 · Suspension · 103,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. The lower control arms were replaced at mileage 86,795 and then at mileage 103,000. While driving 35 MPH the drivers front wheel did not feel secure and the vehicle was taken in to a mechanic shop who indicated that they had to replace the lower control arm bushings sway bar link for $1200. The dealer nor the manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 103,000 and the current mileage was 105,000.

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 Jul 24, 2009 · Engine, Lights · 59,000 miles · MO

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.

Filed Jun 10, 2008 · Steering, Suspension · 36,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving over a bump at approximately 20 MPH, the control arm bushing failed. The contact heard a loud clunking noise prior to the failure. The vehicle began jerking and swaying across the road, which caused great steering difficulty. The vehicle was driven to an authorized dealer. The mechanic stated that the failure was related to the control arm bushing. The control arm bushing was replaced. The failure has occurred a total of 4 times. The contact was very concerned of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 36,000 and current mileage was 50,000.

Filed May 14, 2008 · Suspension · 37,000 miles · MD

Control arm bushings worn out at 37000 miles. Excessive tire wear and difficult steering.

Filed Mar 31, 2008 · Body, Suspension · 114,250 miles · MI

I have had to replace the entire front "engine cradle", also known as the "k-frame" or "front sub-assembly". It is the structural steel framework bolted to the underbody that the lower control arms attach to. The steering rack is bolted to the top of it. The lower engine torsion connector is mounted to it. The reason? Total rust out! The right wheel hub and lower control arm broke away from the k-frame because of rust. The car was being driven slowly at the time, and that was a good thing, because the car could barely be driven after. No accident occurred.

Filed Nov 30, 2007 · Engine, Suspension · 116,280 miles · TX

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