2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jan 22, 2018 · Fuel system · 138,528 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk and stalled without warning while in traffic. The contact restarted the vehicle and was able to resume driving. The failure recurred twice. When the contact looked under the hood, she noticed fuel around the engine and the area where the power steering fluid was located, which caused a fuel odor to emit through the air conditioner blower. The contact also noticed that the rear of the vehicle was leaking fuel, which came from the fuel line. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 138,528.

Filed Dec 31, 2015 · Engine · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. After placing the vehicle into drive, the engine stalled and was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 12, 2015 · Engine · 60,341 miles · FL

Engine runs rough at idle and shuts off while driving. Cannot restart. Replaced cam sensor, air intake, plugs, etc. Has happened 8-10 times in the 3 months we have owned the car.

Filed Mar 4, 2015 · Electrical · 201,561 miles · MO · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and then caught fire without warning. The contact did not disclose if a police report was filed or not. The details of who extinguished the fire were unknown. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 201,561.

Filed Jan 18, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 47,897 miles · OH

I purchased the car and right from the start I've had to replace the wheel bearings , I have had to do so 3 times already within the short amount of time I have had the car , there has been no unusual stress on the bearings to make them wear out , now in my experience I have never had to replace a wheel bearing on a car with anything less than 100k mi on it , let alone 3 times , I don't know what to make of it, also im having stalling/rough idle problems that no one can seem to figure out it has stalled 5 times already and regularly idles rough, these problems are not normal and cannot be figured our ,I've replaces several parts including the erg valve pvc valve spark plugs and wires the iac cleaned the throttle body and the carb and im still having these issues.

Filed Sep 27, 2010 · Engine · 70,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact was driving approximately 45 MPH when the engine exhibited hesitation with a slight loss of power. The failure was sporadic. On a separate occasion, the engine completely stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer six times for diagnosis pertaining to the failure. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure. A mobile computer was installed in the vehicle to possibly detect future failure occurrences. When the engine failure recurred, the mobile computer was unable to project an accurate reading. The technician recommended the oxygen senor be replaced however he could not guarantee that the repair would correct the problem. The contact planned to take the vehicle back to the dealer to have the oxygen sensor replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Updated 01/14/11 *bf the consumer stated both oxygen sensors were replaced and the vehicle is operating as designed. Updated 02/23/11

Filed Dec 18, 2009 · Engine · 112,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. Thirty seconds after starting the ignition, the engine stalled without warning. The "check engine" warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. He was able to restart the engine and resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on three separate occasions. The technician was unable to locate cause of the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer on six separate occasions for the identical failures. The engine control module (ECM), four fuel injecters , spark plugs, and both oxygen sensors. Were replaced. None of the repairs have remedied the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000. The current mileage was 113,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2009 · Engine, Fuel system · 55,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving less than 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and was taken to the dealer. The failure could not be duplicated; however, an independent mechanic performed a fuel injector flush, cleaned the battery, installed fuel system cleaner in the tank, and also cleaned the throttle body. The repairs did not correct the failure and the vehicle continued to stall repeatedly. The contact heard a thumping noise and the vehicle went from 55 to 15 MPH before stalling. In addition, the check engine warning indicator has remained illuminated on the instrument panel since the vehicle was purchased. The failure mileage was 55,000 and current mileage was 150,000.

Filed Sep 12, 2006 · Seat belts, Transmission · 77,566 miles · TN

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 MPH on a highway on-ramp, the transmission seized up stalling the vehicle. The vehicle had to be towed to a repair facility. Also, the seat belt buckle constantly failed to remain secure. The vehicle was towed to an independent transmission shop for service. The manufacturer was notified, but the service dealer was not. Updated 10/25/2006 - the tech found that the transmission gears had slowly been grinding away, throwing metal shavings into the converter and the pump.

Filed Jun 7, 2006 · Electrical, Suspension · 51,523 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated a knocking sound is heard when the vehicle is placed into reverse, or when a stop, and then placed into park. The sound is coming from the driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle stalls after each start and has to be restarted. The dealership determined the lower control arms and the skim model in the computer was defective and needs to be replaced. Updated 07/05/06.

Filed Apr 3, 2006 · Engine · 49,000 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated while braking, at any speed, the vehicle stalls without warning. When this occurs, the steering wheel locks up. The vehicle immediately restarts. The vehicle has been to the dealership 15 times and multiple components including the fuel pump have been replaced. These repairs have not repaired the stalling problem. Updated 6/12/2006 -

Filed Oct 12, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · WA

Check engine light comes on, car idles at low RPM, and stalls at anything near 1000 RPM, which is its normal idle speed, at least 25 stalls in the past 2-3 months. So far chrysler knows there is a problem but can't find it, so they keep giving it back to me.