2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Jun 21, 2011 · Tires · 1,500 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser with cooper dominator all season 55 tires, line size (p205/55/r16). The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle exhibited a loud noise as the contact lost control of the vehicle. The sidewalls of the front driver side tire separated, causing the wires to protrude from the tire. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the failure was confirmed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The tires were replaced. The failure and current mileage was 15,000. Updated 07/20/11*lj the tire was replaced at the consumers expense. Updated 08/29/11

Filed Dec 22, 2010 · Wheels · IN

2001 chrysler pt cruiser original equipment 5-spoke chrome-plated wheels endemic corrosion problems. Corrosion causes tires to leak and go flat. Due to oem-equivalent size tires being low profile, difficult to visually see when tires are low or deflated. Have had multiple tire failures due to this problem. Tires with low pressures or flat at highway speeds create dangerous driving conditions.

Filed Apr 23, 2007 · Tires, Wheels · OH

I own a 2001 pt cruiser. I tried to have a flat tire fixed on this car, the tire service person informed me that the rim had a crack that was more then an inch long and they would not allow a new tire to be mounted on the rim. I had to get a friend to pick me and my children up and go without my car until I was able to locate a replacement rim used from a rim dealer in dayton ohio. All the original rims belonging to this car are pitted, peeling, some won't hold air or are split. The rims I'm told are the cause of tire failure and premature wear and frequent flats. I find these issues to create unsafe driving conditions.

Filed Feb 23, 2007 · Suspension · 41,361 miles · NY

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.

Filed Sep 12, 2006 · Wheels · 32,000 miles · NY

I currently own a 2001 pt cruiser with 50,000 miles on it. To date, I have had three different mechanics tell me that the wheels/rims are deteriorating/peeling and should be replaced under warranty. As a result, I am also constantly putting air in some of the tires. My greatest worry, is having a "tire blow out" while traveling at higher speeds. I have also noticed that many other pt cruiser owners are experiencing the same problem. If the manufacturer of this vehicle is not willing to compensate me for the replacement of all four wheels, I have no other choice but to turn this over to the attorney general's office and/or media. This is clearly a safety issue and should be addressed accordingly.

Filed Apr 27, 2006 · Wheels · 50,000 miles · OH

I have had two blow outs within the last year and I wake up to flat tires in the morning on a regular basis. I have had to check the tire pressure in my car at least twice weekly (and most times at least one tire will have shockingly low pressure). I have had all of my tires replaced within the last year or so with no relief to my problem. I thought that maybe it was me until I read all the other complaints and realized that this was a product problem. This is total safety hazard for anyone driving a pt cruiser with these rims. Does someone have to die for someone to listen and recall these (potentially) deadly rims?

Filed Aug 16, 2005 · Wheels · 42,176 miles · IN

On saturday aug 13, 2005 my wife and I had a flat on our 2001 pt cruiser on the right front. On monday aug 15, 2005 I took the tire and had it fixed. The problem was that the chrome on the inside of the rim was peeling and the tire was not adhering to the rim. On tuesday aug 16th I took the car into the chrysler dealer and had them look at the problem. They confirmed what the tire dealer said. I talked with the garage advisor and he stated that I was not the first person with this problem. The solution was to buy new rims. I called the chrysler hot line number 1‑800‑992‑1997 and spoke with customer service reps crystal and carol and finally carol said that the 3 year warranty was up. My problem with this is that the rims are starting to peel on the early additions of the make of car and that it has taken 5 years or so for this to be noticed. My flat tire came on I-465 in indianapolis at 60 MPH. There was no accident, but if this has happened on more than one car in indianapolis, what about the nation. I have a problem with a rim that doesn't last for more than 5 years and its impossible to detect until it happens. I asked carol, at chrysler, on what it took to start a recall or have someone look into it and all she said was that she would put it on file. Mike, at my dealers, said that all my rims were starting to do this. There is something wrong with these rims. My car has 42,000 miles on it. Most of these type of cars are owned by older people and they might not be able to handled a blow out.

Filed Dec 26, 2004 · Tires · 27,119 miles · AZ

On 12-17-04 my tires were rotated and balanced at discount tire co. This resulted in vibration at low speeds in my steering wheel. Discount rechecked the balancing, but found nothing wrong. Several days later I moved the l/f tire to the rear to see if the wheel might be the problem - the vibration stopped! On 12-23-04 I stopped by the local goodyear dealer to discuss the problem with them. It was made clear that all I wanted was a tire safety inspection at no expense to me. They said they would be happy to inspect the tire at no cost and the next morning I dropped the car off at 7am (12-24-04). A couple of hours later goodyear called and said the l/r tire was bad (tread separation) , that they had replaced it with a new tire, and it was ready to be picked up. No mention was made of any cost involved, and I assumed it was a free replacement (27k miles). Went to pick up the car and was told there was a pro-rated charge of almost $80 for the replacement tire (goodyear eagle ls p205/55r16). I told them there was to be no expense to me for the tire inspection - that if they found the tire bad I was going to have a complete set put on at pepboys. They put my old tire back on and agreed there was no charge for anything.

Filed Aug 25, 2004 · Wheels · VA

Deterioration was found around and underneath the driver's wheels on all four tires. Driver's tire blew out due to the wheel corrosion. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic told consumer that this problem could not be duplicated. Consumer informed mechanic that this problem occurred more than once, and had not been resolved.

Filed Jul 27, 2004 · Tires · 41,000 miles · MI

2001 chrysler pt cruiser. Alloy wheels corrosion around valve stem hole, results in loss of tire pressure. On an extended trip this may go unnotice and lead to tire failure. 3 of 4 wheels on the car exhibit this problem. Dealer aknowledges the problem. Other owners have noted this problem in internet forums. Chrysler "field rep" offered to pay half of retail cost for new wheels, ie. I pay for wheels at no cost or possible profit by chrysler depending on markup. Wheels are available for examination.

Filed Aug 3, 2003 · Tires · 8,000 miles · SC · crash

You can dial goodyear at 1-800.321.2136 press 1 then, press 3. Ask about goodyear case # 559-496. It involves my pt cruisers, its original sets of tires and continued problems. I was worried about having future blow-outs. Its a matter of safety. Goodyear reasonably, adjusted three tires for me after I explained my blow outs situation. I followed up again with goodyear, and toyo (file # 035253), explained the 16 inch wheel saga. How I spent a year going from dealership to dealership complaining about the 16 inch wheels and the tire blow-outs. They never recorded my rim complaints no matter which dc 5 star dealership I went too. They would record the cruisers mileage, and any warranted items they could bill dc for, but never a wheel or tire complaint. I questioned the service managers and the mechanics and they all repeated. No one (we know of) is complaining about low mileage uneven tire wear, difficulty balancing or pulling tires, rims out of round, bent, corroded, peeling or rusted rims. And no one is reporting tire blow-outs on the pt cruiser. Dc has no technical service bulletins about these issues. I reported to goodyear and toyo costumer service department as a follow-up. I reviewed the findings from pritz dc s 5 star dealership. As it goes, its not the tires--its the rims. These alloy wheels are out of round, bent, corroded, soft, rusted on the street face of the wheels with rust and peeling chrome around lips rim which seals to the tire on the inside which you cannot see. Other pt owners are also having similar problems with these 16 in wheels which theyve also reported to goodyear. They deserve to be notified. The paint and body damage on our pt cruiser is from riding blown-out tires off the side of the road. Thank god we are still alive.

Filed Jul 30, 2003 · Tires, Wheels · PA

Consumer states when hitting any type of bump in the road tires blowout. All four rims have pitted cracks in them which causes the blowouts.