Driving down highway oil light came on and the car began to slow down, had to pull over. When checking under the hood there was oil on the cap. Just had an oil change a couple of days ago, car had been running fine.....before this incident my power steering fluid was leaking, took my car to the dealership because there was a recall dealing with the power steering and the hose, they said that it was something else. I took my car to another person he put my car on the lift and there it was fluid leaking from the hose something that should have been fixed by the dealer but wasn't.
2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 45, newest first, as owners wrote them.
10-18-2011 I just bought my car last month (09-26-2011) and my control arms and bushing have already went bad. Now 2 nights ago (10-16-2011) my headlights stopped working. I took it into the dealership to have everything checked and was told that the wiring under the dash is messed up. I see that there are a lot of recalls for that happening to the 2002 pt cruisers and now the dealer I bought the car from will not fix it (even though I'm still within my 30 day warranty) I do not understand why I should have to come out of pocket to fix this problem. Also, the dealer I bought it from would not give me a carfax on the vehicle. Also, sold me the car with a recall already on it that was issued way back in 2004. (power steering pressure hose) that I was told could cause a fire under the hood.
I have had to replace or repair the front and rear wheel bearings several times: front-april of 2005 at 64690 miles, front-april 2006 at 89223 miles, front-may 2006 at 91750 miles, front wheel bearing-july 2009 at 153048 miles, front wheel bearing-april 2011 at 182684 miles, rear wheel bearing-october 2011 at 191072 miles. I have replaced or repaired the suspension parts: front bushing control arm, ball joint lower control arm-march 2006 at 86643 miles, left inner tie rod had excessive play-january 2007 at 107087 miles, two outer tie rods replaced-january 2008 at 127121 miles.
You can remove the key from the ignition switch in any of the positions. Also, you can move the gear shift and the car will move. There is no incident date. It's been that way since I bought it new.
May of 2009, car would not start. No clicks, nothing. Then after several tries, turned over. Progressively got worse until had to have the car towed to shop. Mechanic advised it was the entire steering column and chrysler told them to look at a junk yard. Cost several hundred dollars to replace. Starting to have identical problem almost 1 year later. Low miles, one owner. Scared to go anywhere because car won't start.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving various speeds with the fog lamp light illuminated there was a burning rubber smell. The following day, while driving approximately 35 MPH she also smelled burning rubber; however, after she parked the vehicle smoke was coming from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and they stated that several pt cruisers exhibited the identical failure which was caused by a switch in the steering column. The manufacturer stated that their special investigation unit will contact her to see what caused the smoke. They also advised her not to have the vehicle repaired or towed. The failure and current mileages were 51,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chrysler pt cruiser. She noticed a loud rubbing noise in the steering wheel every time she drove the vehicle. The dealer stated that they could not find the cause or reason for the noise. She received recall notice (04v268000) for the power steering and the repair was performed according to that recall; however, she noticed that the recall repair did not remedy the issue. The dealer later stated that they could not hear the noise in the steering wheel and were unable to diagnose the failure. While driving away from the dealer, she smelled smoke, drove back to the dealer and smoke began to "bellow" from underneath the left front tire. The dealer provided assistance and replaced the hose, caliper, brake pad, rotor and the wheel cover. She was charged $406.60 for the repairs. The manufacturer was advised of the repair cost; however, they advised her to take the matter up with the dealer. The following year the failure recurred, the same dealer told that the caliper was leaking. They caliper was replaced according to the warranty. She asked the dealer why they had not replaced it the first time according to warranty and was told that the first time, it was a new issue. She went back to the dealer the following year for the identical failure and was billed $239 to replace the caliper since the warranty had expired. Recently, she smelled smoke and an authorized dealer stated that the caliper was warped because of intense heat and the brake line had soot in it and that the warped caliper was holding the wheel in place. She provided the dealer with a reference number from the manufacturer. The dealer tried to speak with the representative and was unsuccessful. The current mileage was approximately 37,900. The failure mileage was 21,181. Updated 12/7/09 *cn updated 12/08/09
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact noticed that the steering column was difficult to turn. When he arrived home, he placed power steering fluid in the vehicle. The steering column began working again, but a noise was heard while driving. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and they stated that the power steering cap was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later driven to a tire shop for new tires and the mechanic stated that the rack and pinion was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that they were not liable for the repairs. The current mileage was 105,164 and the failure mileage was unavailable. Updated 12/30/08 *cn the rack and pinion was leaking. Updated 12/30/08.
Was driving along and the transmission went out at about 35,598.00 miles . The brakes make a god awful noise I have had them checked they say nothing is wrong but I don't believe them the brain box went out the same time as the tranmission. The dashboard on top has cracked for no reason the car is garage kept it pulls to the right for no reason they say and it has started making rattling noises from the passenger side the trunk lid shocks are given out and the car just turned to 40,000.00 miles I think they make them to break at a certain tine and no one will do anything about theses problems I think my next car might be a toyota at least they don't fall apart so easy because I baby this car like its the only one I will ever own if chrysler wanted to do the right thing they would take this lemon back and give me a new one free of charge and I would do the chrysler adversement all over it for them as long as it looks good . Because I have no money for another new automobile have a family to take care of and im not allowed to work anymore this would be a great thin tanks for listening.
2002 chrysler pt cruiser had a safety recall. Consumer states the dealership charged a fee for a safety recall. *nj power steering fluid was leaking and there was no power steering assist. The power steering hose was loose at the rack and pinion. According to the work order, the recalled hose did not apply to the problem.
Leaking steering rack and solenoid pack. Possible leak in steering pump also. Safety of tie rod ends, bushings, sway bars, control arms noted in inspection of front end both by a chrysler dealer and by an auto-repair chain. Both recommended replacement of parts (in shop right now) to eliminate a safety risk. In speaking to another owner of this same year and model of car with low mileage, I learned that he has experienced the same problems.
1) heard occasional "clicking" noise in steering. Did not experience steering problems. 2) on saturday, may 26th, the tie rod broke while turning a corner, stopping the vehicle instantly. Fortunately, the catastrophic failure occurred at low speed. 3) the car was towed by aaa to a nearby car maintenance center.
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving the 2002 chrysler pt cruiser at45 MPH she smelled smoke. After driving two miles more there were flames and ashes coming from under the hood. The contact stated she pulled off the road, exited the vehicle, and removed her personal belongings. Atc approximately 15 seconds later the vehicle was completed engulfed in flames. The roads were clear. The contact stated there was a fire department report available. The fire marshall was unable to inspect the vehicle to determine to the cause of the fire. The vehicle was declared a total loss by the insurance company. She received a recall notice for the fuel pump module secondary seal on august 30 2004 and had it replaced at 8900 miles. Talso, he contact stated she received a recall for power steering pressure hose on august 11th 2005 at 14000 miles. The contact was unsure if the power steering pressure hose was replaced, adjusted or inspected. The vehicle had 20000 miles at the time of the fire.
Dt*: the contact stated a leak was detected in the power steering hose. A the federal safety agency recall, 04v268000 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the power steering hose, however the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair without charge under the recall.
Dt: the contact states there is a the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v268000 concerning the steering power assist hose piping and connections. The consumer is experiencing the same symptoms as indicated in the recall but the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall. No repairs have been made at this time due to the expense.
Consumer letter regarding recall on power steering hose. *ts the consumer had difficulty getting her vehicle inspected, she was always getting the run around from the dealer. Recall #04v268000.
Both front lower control arm bushings were worn and pushed out of control arm. Replacement required to pass ny state inspection, therefore this is a safety item. Vehicle has only 16383 miles.
Dt: the consumer took the vehicle to a service dealer for recall campaign 04v268000 repair work for the power steering hose on 6/7/05. She received another recall letter yesterday with the same information, and when she called the dealer she discovered that the recall work was not completed. The dealer picked the vehicle up at the owner's business for service because the dealer was located more the 47 miles from the vehicle owner. The owner's concern was that the recall work was not completed in the first place. The only thing the owner noticed was that there was a noise in the front of the vehicle before the recall notice was received. When the owner had the vehicle inspected by her mechanic, she was told that the bearings were out. This is what LED the owner to take the vehicle to a service dealer for the recall work in the first place. This LED to the chain of events listed above with the incomplete recall work. *ak
Recall campaign 04v268000 concerning power steering hose assembly. After the vehicle been at the dealer for days he told consumer to pick up the vehicle, and that the recall repairs were not done because it was not mentoned on the work order.
While driving at 35 MPH driver swerved to the left to avoid hitting another vehicle. The rear right wheel came off at the spindle when the steering wheel was turned back to the right. This resulted in the driver losing control of the vehicle and driving into a ditch. Several mechanics inspected the vehicle, and indicated that the 4 spindle bolts were stripped which caused the wheel to separate.
The vehicle power steering pressure hose failed prior to recall notification. The consumer requested reimbursement. *nm
While the vehicle was parked, the consumer noticed fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection numerous times. The mechanic can not duplicate the problem. Please provide further details.
Pt cruiser ball joints prematurely failing. Impending failure identified during routine snow tire installation . Problem sounds very much like the durango problem. Service technician says this is a common problem with the pt cruiser. Our vehicle is just out of warranty. This is an accident waiting to happen!
Consumer received recall 02v268000 concerning power steering hose. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. Mechanic took the key, went to the vehicle, came back and gave the consumer the keys. The hood was never lifted.
No power steering after vehicle was repaired. *bf upon backing into a parking space the consumer noticed a grinding sound when she turned the steering wheel. When the consumer turned off the ignition she noticed a cloud of smoke. The consumer was told that her power steering column was broken and in need of repair. The vehicle was repaired, soon after the consumer heard a squealing sound and discovered the power steering had failed again. The consumer was then told a fitting was not properly installed when the previous work was done. *tc
Complaint sent via e-mail." I first started having a serious problems with my car power steering. While driving, smoke started coming out of the hood, and I thought the engine was on fire. I then called daimler chrysler and told them, and they just said that they would make a report. But I heard nothing from them at all. However, I took my car to chrysler dealership and they temporarily fixed it, but a month later the steering wheel started making a whining sound when turning. I took my car back to the dealer, and they said that they put a new power steering to fix it. Three weeks later oct 8th 2004, I started hearing the loud whining noise again and the steering wheel was hard to turn. I am concerned that my car will caught on fire and that I or my passengers will be seriously injured.
Steering wheel vibrated while driving . Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer. Mechanic determined that steering pitman bar needed to be replaced.
While driving, the consumer smelled smoke. The power steering unit caught on fire. The consumer was going approximately 15 to 20 MPH when the fire occurred. Provide further details.
While pulling into a parking space vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, who was waiting on the manufacturer to send out an inspector to investigate the fire.*ak the chrysler inspector and insurance inspector both reported that the fire was caused by the power steering hose failure. The hose leaked onto the hot exhaust pipe which caused the fire. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company. The vehicle was still covered under it's original warranty but the manufacturer refused to be financially responsible.
While driving 35 MPH steering wheel vibrated. Driver drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic replaced the pitman arm due to a worn out part.
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