2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems

Filed Mar 31, 2022 · Steering · CA

On the way home from work my vehicle began smoking. The next exit off the freeway I80 was taken. As I exited my vehicle became hard to steer. I was able to get it to the closest auto repair shop which was Firestone. The power steering hose had a leak which caused the smoke and my vehicle being hard to steer. After 3 attempts with Firestone and them consulting with Chyrsler Service Department in Fairflied, California I had my vehicle towed to my mechanic. He also had trouble getting the new hose to fit on my vehicle. My mechanic also consulted with the Chrysler Service Department in Antioch, California. They assured him that was the correct replacement hose that Chrysler had replaced because the original hose had been recalled and they no longer carried the orignal hose. The only problem is my mechanic nor the Firestone mechanics could get it to fit. I have contacted Chrysler several times with them not taking reponsibility for the non fitting hose as the claim my VIN is not one of the vehicles affected. Attached you will find the original recall notice sent to me in 2011, the letter I sent to the address on the recall notice and all the receipts of attempts to fix my vehicle. The letter I sent to the address on the recall notice was returned as "unable to forward". I'm hoping other PTs with VIN not listed had the same problem as I and can cause Chrysler to repair and reimburse such vehicles.

Filed Mar 4, 2019 · Lights, Steering · FL

My exterior front lights are very dull and aren't bright when turn them on.

Filed Jan 4, 2019 · Steering · 170,000 miles · TX

Vehicle is leaking power steering fluid. Found recall notice for my year model but chrysler says my VIN is not included in the recall. Added fluid about 3 months ago and steering was fine until a week ago. Since then, fluid only lasts a day before it has to be refilled.

Filed Mar 16, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 155,000 miles · IA

I had purchesed a used 2003 pt cruiser and on the hwy home short time later I heard clunking sound three times first when merging onto hwy from car dealership. Futhermore, about 10 min into my hwy drive home I became frightend when my car ended up having a mind if its own and stared going to the left so I tried to turn stearing wheel towards right and I was unable to correct it for few seconds and ended on the otheride of white line just about off hwy and into gravel but at that point I seened to regain control of my car stearing and proceeding back beteeen yellow and white line on the hwy, following was another incident was when I came to complete stop following with left turn (started to make a clunking sound even louder).durning my route I made a right turn the sound again. I ended up taking it to a dealership to take a look at . The mechanic said he knew at one point they had a safty recall on the suspension for pt crusiers because they could cause injury with motor vehicle accidents due to loss of control as a result of lower contol arm /sway bar / and bad ball joints which I personally prob expericend on my way home following my purchese of the car. The mechanic I spoke to checked my VIN number and it did not have a recall on it however there was recalls for a set amount and that mine wasnt one of them but shoukd have been and that I should inform " the federal safety agency "about my situation because there could be others experiencing same situation due to malfunctioning parts because a malfuction can happen to even after market parts can lead to deadly accidents even death because of loss of control. I strongly agree with mechanic that the recall should be updated even on the after market parts for the suspenion such as control arm and called for every 2003 pt crusier gt because of loss of control that almost caused me to be in accident even could of been fatal. Thank you

Filed Oct 19, 2016 · Steering · 110,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and turning, the steering wheel failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering hose and auto belt transmitter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired twice for power steering failure. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v268000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Feb 8, 2016 · Steering · 118,000 miles · ID

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that power steering fluid was observed leaking from the front of the vehicle. The contact used two quarts of power steering fluid. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering pressure hose failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The viin was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v268000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Filed Jun 10, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 85,000 miles · CA · fire

Car stopped at red light. Engine died and smoke began to rise from engine compartment, then flames shot out. Driver could not get door open at first then after short time locks released and driver was able to escape. Fire department extinguished flames and said fire appeared to be started by fluid leakage. This model had been subject to recall due to fires. Car had recall fix on 9/23/04. It now appears the recall fixes were not permanent and the original problem can recur. It is potentially life threatening. Attempts to discuss the problem with chrysler were unsuccessful. Chrysler stone walled and falsely rigged their response procedure so as to avoid any responsibility. Chrysler refused to allow me to speak with any person in a position of authority. The clerks I spoke with stated that someone would be in touch with me. Finally after three attempts to speak with someone at chrysler, and after more than one month from original contact, a letter dated may 13, 2015 was received from chrysler stating they had tried numerous times to contact us and the claim would be dropped if we did not respond in 10 days. This quite simply is a lie! No attempt was ever made to contact us, even after we contacted chrysler on three occasions asking to speak with someone. The letter instructed us to contact dekra automotive to arrange an inspection. We did and gave them all the information once again. We offered to send photos of the damage but dekra was not interested. On may 27 we received a letter stating they were unable to inspect the car since it had been sold (salvaged) and were closing the file. Thus, chrysler had created circumstances through obfuscation and manipulating the response time which they felt relieved them of any responsibility, even the need to discuss the issue with us. This fire hazard still exists.

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 Jan 9, 2015 · Steering · 166,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. In addition, there was fluid leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering return line hose had a hole. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2014 · Steering · 134,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while reversing from a parking space, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed as power steering fluid leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v268000( steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle experienced the same defect as listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 134,000.