Hello. I tried copying and pasting my letter into this box however, my letter is too long. Therefore, I am completing this online form and then will mail in my entire letter, documentation and the like to your mailing address along with a copy of this online form. The complaint is regarding my 2002 chrysler pt cruiser, VIN# [xxx] and it is relating to the fact chrysler refuses to repair my vehicle under the current and active the federal safety agency recall # 01v288000 (instrument cluster problem). Today, 8/5/05 I will mail my letter detailing the entire problem but I am submitting this portion online to get the process started. Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely, [xxx] . *nm the vehicle was in motion when a pop noise was heard caused by a spark within the dash above the speedometer. White smoke had come billowing out of the instrument cluster. The overhead lights in the headliner did not work properly. The circuit board was burned. Other problems: transmission fluid leaked and squeaks were coming from the rear suspension. The sway bushings had worn out and were replaced. *sc information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser electrical complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 97 of 97, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The instrument cluster, radio, door locks and other items have failed multiple times while driving or idling. We have had the vehicle in 5+ times for repair and the dealer claims they are unable to find anything. We found a recall for this type of problem and the dealer claimed our car was not included. Now, the car does not start even though the dealer has replaced the battery etc.
Came out to car after work to go home. The car wouldn't start, the ignition would turn on, but the engine wouldn't turn over. I turned the ignition on-off-on to get any trouble codes and when I took the key out afterwards the "key in ignition chime" sounded when I opened the door after I had already removed the key. I put the key back in the ignition and tried to start the car again, but the ignition wouldn't even turn on, there was no discernble click as I turned the key in the ignition at all. I had the car towed to the dealership and they told me I need to have the entire steering column replaced and that it wasn't covered under the daimler chrysler service contract I had purchased when I got the car new.
My ignition would not turn after putting in the key. It was as if the solenoid was frozen.
The instrument cluster on my 2002 pt cruiser stopped working. The dome light and the warning signals for leaving the headlights on or the keys in the ignition are also not working. Although some 2002 cruisers were recalled for an instrument panel failure, the dealer (fitzgerald automall in gaithersburg, md) told me that my car is not covered. The dealer said there was a failure somewhere in the instrument cluster that it would not repair and offered to replace the entire cluster. I believe that this type of defect should be the subject of a recall or repaired by chrysler at its expense.
I own a 2002 pt cruiser, which was subject to a recall concerning the dash cluster gauges. Gauges failed on me causing me to run out of fuel on I-285 in atlanta. Took vehcile in for recall reprograming of the dash clusters when the vehicle had 4000 miles on the odometer. This failure occurred at 24000 miles. I have been waiting over two weeks for the dealer to obtain the part needed to fix the problem. Today I was told that the part has to be "burned" into the dash order to fix the problem. Moreover, the service manager wayne hammond (770‑216‑9300) stated that he had a number of consurmers with the same problem. I have been riding around with a gas can in my vehicle for fear of running out; without dash or interior lights or gauges.
The federal safety agency recall 01v288000. Daimler/chrysler issued an instrument cluster recall. This vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN although it was experiencing the same problem as mentioned in the recall.
Your campaign number the federal safety agency 01v288000. On october 31st the cluster panel in my 2002 pt cruiser failed - air bag, brake and engine light lit up on panel and won't go off. Called chrysler, they deny there is a recall. Car is in shop and they want to charge me $692.00 to fix.
01 v 288 000/instrument cluster: consumer has a concern that the dealer requesting authorization from the consumer for an 11/2 hours for diagnostic check at consumer cost. Recall notice mention nothing concerning a charge to the consumer. Please provide any further information.
The consumer stated that since the vehicle was purchased, the brakes were defective and performed poorly when applied. The consumer suspects that the dealership did not work on the brakes at all. *ak there was a screeching noise and the brakes would sometimes go almost to the bottom of the floor. The driver's seat belt did not always lock, the brakes would rub and hesitate to stop, the A/C did not get cold on high settings, the entire dashboard electronic system was off, the fuel, MPH and the RPM lights had come on, at the inside top of all four doors, the lining was buldging in and out, the driver's side seat belt needed several attempts before locking, the right signal had to be manually stopped, and the left signal light did not hold. There was also an issue with the odometer reading. (the consumer felt that it did not display the proper mileage)
Two major complaints: 1. I have been stranded on 3 occasions in deserted parking spots - with my car just not starting - the ignition will not work and there was a complete electrical failure / discharge. Road side assistance we called on each occasion and only on charging the battery would the car start. The first instance happened when the car was only 3 months old (its a 2002 chrysler pt cruiser, 4 cyl non turbo , automatic - bought in march 2003) - the second similar instance was 3 months later and the last one was a few weeks back. I have taken the car repeatedly to the dealership and they cannot find anything wrong with the battery or electrical system but they keep saying that maybe something is drawing extra power. They refuse to replace the vehicle or take any further action. 2. I read about the recall notice released in june 2004. I took my car to the dealership and they refused to rectify the problem saying that they had not received any confirmation from chrysler headquarters. I called up chrysler and I was told that I would receive a letter in the mail authorizing the recall. Its been a month and the letter has not been received - the chrysler company does not return calls and on listening to my problems says I will receive a letter in the mail. The dealership will not touch my car unless I have a letter - what does chrysler want us to do -they sell us inferior products and now do they want us to burn !! Please help and take action against this company before any more lives are lost.
Upon starting the vehicle consumer noticed that gas gauge was on empty. Consumer then took the vehicle to a gas station and filled the gas tank but the gas gauge still was on empty when the vehicle was restarted. Vehicle was then taken to a repair shop. Mechanic indicated that when the vehicle got hot from the sun the dashboard components become inoperative. When this occurred the driver was unable to determine the speed he was driving, and how much fuel was in the gas tank.
Just paid for an issue with a vehicle that was addressed by the federal safety agency recall # 01v288000, back in 9/01. (the vehicle was returned to the selling dealer at that time, for the recall. Now, the exact problem explained in the recall happened to the car, and the dealer charged for the repair, claiming a hard wiring issue that he refused to show me.
Consumer complained about a problem with electrical failures in the dashboard, including the speedometer. When driving at speeds in excess of 50 MPH speedometer dropped to 0 and the rpms did likewise. Every light and warning signal came on at once.
My 2002 pt cruiser caught fire and the dealer and the manufacturer say too bad.the car had two recalls one which was fixed and one which they never notified me of.
The safety recall for the instrument cluster failure was completed in november 2002. On 11 january 2004, the instrument cluster failed again. Dealer reprogrammed the controller (again), leaving me to wonder if this is permanent 'fix' or is it one that I will need to constantly be worrying about? Chrysler recall center provides no assurance. Dealer says, 'if it fails, bring it in again.' - not much assurance. * cb
While driving consumer noticed black smoke coming from the engine. Consumer pulled the vehicle over, opened the hood, and noticed that the engine was on fire. Driver called the fire department to put the fire out.
While driving at 20 MPH and turning right into a parking lot underhood began smoking and then caught on fire. *ak pe04028_cat
While backing out of the garage and without prior warning, the vehicle caught on fire, which originated from the ignition wiring. *ak consumer cut the vehicle off and evacuated. The vehicle was consumed by the fire before the fire dept. Arrived. *ph
When driving and suddenly stopping is needed, and the horn is necessary to be used, horn only bleats out a sputtering noise.
Consumer states that when ever there is a critical or emergency situation while driving and brakes and horn are pressed at the same time horn does not honk but spatters.
The rear and hatch back doors locked and unlock without warning. Consumer noticed a burning rubber smell when the locks engaged.
Vehicle has been to two separate dealers for poor fuel mileage. Vehicle is getting less than 15 miles per gallon, when the advertised mpg is between 19 and 27. Vehicle has a foul odor. Both dealers claimed that the computer did not store any codes and that it was running within specifications.
Consumer heard a noise and saw smoke coming from under the hood. Turned off engine. Vehicle was towed to chrysler, and chrysler stated consumer ran over some powder in the road that caused vehicle to overheat. Please provide any further information.
Optima battery in newer vehicle year is leaking acid, and one can smell toxic fumes.
The federal safety agency recll#01v28800/ manufacturer's recall 994. Got recall, and took vehicle into dealer be repaired. Dealer indicated recall could not be done because program has not been installed on computer.
While driving vehicle will stall when going around a curve, when the vehicle was restarted the gauges did not work on dash, the brakes and power steering still work but the steering was hard, the dealer was contacted and they replaced the computer. *ak since the computer was replaced the vehicle has not stalled but it continues to run rough, stumble, and misfire at speeds above 40 MPH and not accelerating hard.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history