Fortunately at a parking lot intersection, the rf tie rod end suffered a catastrophic failure causing no injury, death or accident. The bolted end which fits into the socket pulled out from the socket. There was no indication ahead of time the tie rod end was near failure. I had previously replaced the lf tire rod end. In doing so, I was appalled at the poor design of the part. Chrysler's objective to produce a low price just barely adequate part was obvious. Typically, this part is made from a forging, chrysler chose to produce the part from stamped sheet metal. I replaced the part with a forged, after market part from moog. It is my opinion this is an unsafe design. It was very fortunate this failure occurred where it did otherwise, my wife could have killed or severely injured.
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 29 of 29, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated the power steering hose was leaking on the engine. The contact also heard a loud noise and the smell of burning fumes emitting into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the hose and motor mount needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance since her vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 37,000 and the current mileage was 42,000.
Year: 2003 make: chrysler model: pt cruiser engine: 2.4l turbocharged components: power steering high pressure hose the power steering pressure hose was rubbing up against the transmission of the vehicle listed above. The result of the power steering pressure hose ruptured due to contact with the hot transmission during normal driving. This has been the first incident since the owner purchased the vehicle. The owner purchased new power steering pressure hose and had it installed at a local automotive shop.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle lost all power steering without warning. The contact replaced the steering pump in october 2008 and the steering hose in april of 2009; however, the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was not repaired nor was the failure diagnosed due to the cost. The current mileage was 96,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact continued to hear a clunking noise and stated that the vehicle would "get away from her" while driving various speeds on the highway. The dealer repaired the tire, but an independent mechanic stated that control arm bushings and tie rod end repairs were common. The dealer offered to repair the vehicle at the cost of more than $600. They also stated that a front end alignment would be needed following the repairs. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 65,000. Updated 11/17/08 *cn updated 11/24/08.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact heard a loud humming noise coming from her vehicle. She took the vehicle to a dealer and they stated that the power steering pump failed. Power steering fluid leaked out and caused the air conditioner to fail. The unit was replaced at the cost of $1,583. The technician stated that her VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v268000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections); therefore, they would not assume financial responsibility for the repair. Several weeks after the repair, the air conditioning unit failed again. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions, in which she had to replace the water pump, the throttle body, the radiator, and various components in the powertrain and steering unit. The repairs cost $4,000. Typically, the failures immediately recur after the repairs are made. The manufacturer gave her a small reimbursement of $878. The failure mileage was 32,208 and current mileage was 66,500.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. While slowing down to make a turn, the steering failed because the vehicle switched back to manual. The vehicle has been to a mechanic and the hose was replaced on three occasions, the most recent time being on may 28,2008. On june 2, 2008, the failure recurred. The current mileage was 37,000 and failure mileage was 28,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that the steering rack on his vehicle malfunctioned. His wife stopped at a stop sign and experienced extreme difficulty when attempting to make a turn. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 30,234. Updated 03/13/08. *lj the steering gear was replaced.
2003 chrysler pt cruiser with defected control arm bushings. Consumer stated that the bushings are wearing prematurely. *kb the consumer stated he has had problems with the transmission, steering column, front bearing and water pump.
When adjusting the steering column, or turning right or left, the radio and horn are disabled. Pulling or pushing the steering column will enable the radio and horn. The dealership worked on this problem, and at one point thought it was corrected, however, after securing a loose wire that corrected the horn problem the technician wanted the car to remain at the dealership overnight so as to confirm the correction in the morning with a cold start. The technician determined that the correction failed, and the dealership recommended replacing the steering column. This correction is at the cost of the owner. I was advised that on the day that my car was service another pt owner brought her car to the dealership with the indentical problem.
As my wife was driving the car she noticed a sudden loss of power assist in the steering. She was able to direct the car into a parking space, and upon exiting ,noticed large amounts of smoke coming from under the car. She asked others to call the fire department, and by the time they arrived, the car was totally engulfed in flames. Upon review at the accident scene there was a noticeable trail of power steering fluid on the road bed for approximately 4-500 feet before she came to a stop.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. After purchasing the vehicle the brakes began squeaking. The contact was told that the brakes would be replaced before she bought the vehicle. When she arrived to pick up the vehicle she was informed the dealer that the brakes were still squeaking. The dealer stated that it would take two to three days before the brakes would stop squeaking. However, the failure continued. A few days later the contact returned to the dealer the tires were removed and orange dust was found on the brakes. The dealer cleaned the brakes, but never replaced them. Three weeks after purchasing the vehicle the contact had the air conditioning repaired because it would not blow cool air. In august 2006 the vehicle began running hot and failed while driving 58 MPH. The vehicle was towed, and shortly thereafter the failure recurred and the vehicle was towed again. In september 2006 the engine was replaced. On april 19, 2007, a diagnostic test was performed on the vehicle because of steering failure. The contact was told that the steering wheel needed immediate attention because steering fluid was leaking into the bottom of the car and could cause a fire. She was informed that the engine that was installed in september 2006 failed. The contact did not provide an accurate VIN. The current mileage is 50,400, and failure mileage was 35,326. *ak the consumer stated she went to the dealership to have the car repaired and they were rude and refused to help her. Later, the dealership asked for information to rent the consumer a car and the rental place refused to rent her a car if the vehicle was not fixed by smith chrysler. The consumer stated the dealer sold her a car then changed the name on her paperwork, refused to give her the tags to the car unless payment was provided and told her she had the wrong VIN number for the car. The consumer stated wants her money back for the car and the dealer to take the car back. Updated 07/06/07
I have taken my pt cruiser into dealer 10-12 times for problems that they are unable to correct. There have been parts loose that needed to be tightened, such as belts, hoses, connections and interior parts that have fallen off the car and dealer does not know how to fix. I submitted a complaint to manufacturer and applied for lemon law, but chrysler representative did not listen and took dealer side. They claim they cannot duplicate noises, but I recently found out the shop supervisor who has been checking out my car for the noises has a severe hearing loss and a claim against insurance company for hearing problems. There are high pitch whining noises, squeals and loud screeching noises coming from the engine compartment. The car loses power and seems to hesitate at freeway speeds. There is also a noise that sounds like a train whistle in the distance. I have heard popping sounds in the front end and squealing and screeching sounds from the brakes and under hood is constant. There is also a noise that is heard sometimes in steering and turning. The dealer told me they would replace the power steering unit to see if it would solve the problems and ordered the part. When I took the car in for the service, they said they could not duplicate the noise again and did not do anything. When I step on the brakes the noise is so loud it can be heard for a long distance. It sounds like cars being crushed. The noise is also present in turning corners and driving, but worse in stepping on brakes. The dealer acknowledges a brake problem but say they do not know how to fix it. There have been other problems such as radio/cd player did not work when new, sensor light replaced, rattles under dash, check engine light, etc, but the noises and in-ablility to repair have me worried about serious problems. They hear the noise, but then tell me the mechanic cannot duplicate and do nothing to repair. This has been an ongoing problem since I got the vehicle in 2003.
Dt: the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact's wife was involved in an accident where the break away design of the steering wheel caused a fatal injury. The police ruled that the fatality occurred as overcorrecting. The contact stated he knew of another case within a ten mile radius where the same type of fatality happened.
Tires are firestone eagle p205/55/16. I have had trouble with a front shimmy since I purchased the vehicle. I have had it looked at and had re-balancing and wheel alignment to no avail. The reason I suspect the tires is that I had some firestone tires in the past do exactly what I am expereincing.I purchased the car used with 15000 miles on it.the original owner was expereincingthe same shimmy. The car at slower speeds begins to rock from side to side.I was told the last time that I had it looked at, that there was something wrong with the tires.
The power steering hose and brakes failed. The consumer received a recall for the hose but the dealer would not fix under warranty. *bf recall# 04v268000. *sc
Consumer stated that after hearing that the pt cruiser was on recall he phoned the manufacturer to see if his vehicle was included the recall. Consumer was told that the problem he was experiencing was not on recall, but that he should report the problem to manufacturer. When consumer was driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel shook. He did not feel very secure. Consumer contacted dealer, and was urged to wait before bringing the vehicle in, and to see if the vehicle was included in the recall.
When turning the steering wheel towards the left the steering wheel skipped. Consumer notified the dealer about this issue.
While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the steering column. Dealerships mechanic determined that the problem pertained to rack and pinion.
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