2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser transmission problems

Filed Jun 1, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · IL · fire

Was driving vehicle going 55 MPH and dashboard faults out with incoherent readings and transaxle shifts self into neutral. I shift gear selector into neutral and back into drive. Dashboard readings go back to normal and transaxle goes back into drive. 15 seconds later battery light comes on. Continue driving to find a place to park. After about 10 seconds engine stalls out. Shift gear selector into neutral and try to restart vehicle but it won't start. Coast to a stop and open hood. Notice an odd smell. Open hood and alternator is on fire. Close hood and grab personal belongings (except for phone charger) out of vehicle. Call 911 as vehicle burns up. Fire and police arrive and extinguish fire but vehicle badly destroyed by being engulfed in flames.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · GA

I have had many problems with this car to include electrical, over heating (which was never fixed even after taking it to the dealership 3 times), and transmission. In 2013 as I was driving down a busy 4 lane hwy. I heard a sudden and loud booming noise and the car began shaking violently. Thinking that I had hit something in the road I began slowing down and making my way to the shoulder of the hwy. But before I could get to the shoulder of the hwy. The car made that loud booming noise a second time and shook violently again. It then lost all power to the front wheels leaving me stranded in the middle of the hwy. After removing and opening up the transmission I found that the drive shaft in the center of the transmission had sheared in half. Upon further inspection I believe that the slightly worn engine mounts cause a binding action on the drive shaft in the transmission thus causing the shaft which is made of a composite material to basically explode inside the transmission. This problem is so well known by us car buffs that jasper engines inc. (a well known company that remanufactures engines and transmissions) replaces this stock shaft with a stronger more robust one when they remanufacture these transmissions. The violent shaking of the car that happened when this transmission shaft failed almost cause me to loose control of the vehicle on a very busy hwy. Chrysler should recall all transmissions with this type of composite shaft.

Filed Apr 16, 2014 · Transmission · 185,000 miles · NH

Pulled into work shut car off noted leakage part on ground was told pressure switch.

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 Nov 29, 2010 · Transmission · 91,500 miles · OK

I have a 2001 pt cruiser. I noticed in your the federal safety agency id #10010478 you state that the front hub/half shaft click/pop sound. My car starting making such a sound immediately before all of the wheel studs where sheared off and the front right wheel separated from the automobile while going 60 miles an hour. I have all five studs that have been removed that can be inspected. I also have one of the lug nuts with part of the stud. The studs where sheared off even with the face of the rotor. There was no warning that there was a major problem with the vehicle before the wheel separated from the vehicle.

Filed Jun 1, 2009 · Seats, Transmission · 28,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. When attempting to shift gears, the gear shifter became loose and temporarily inoperative. The contact took the vehicle to a transmission expert and a technician stated that the gear box bushings and thrust washers were missing. He took the vehicle to a dealer and they replaced the clutch cables at the cost of $300. In addition, the seat cables to the rear passenger seat failed. He called the manufacturer and left a message. The failure and current mileages were 28,000.

Filed Nov 1, 2008 · Transmission · 51,200 miles · NC

During routine oil change the mechanic found that the threads welded into the oil pan had come loose. Car needed a new oil pan. I was told that this is a "fairly common problem" because the pan is aluminum and the threaded piece is steel and since the two metals have different expansion and contraction temperatures that over time the weld is broken and the thread "breaks loose" from the pan. Seems to me this should be a recall as it is a poor design.

Filed Sep 24, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 51,780 miles · CA

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

Filed Sep 24, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · 51,780 miles · MS

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.

Filed Jul 30, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 68,000 miles · WI

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.