2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser: ball joint or control arm failure

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 Jun 16, 2015 · Suspension · NY

The lower control bushings have been replaced 3 times in 46,197 miles over 12 years. The last time control arm and bushing were replaced. First time was 5-21-07 with 20,204 miles on the car. Second time was 5-21-08, only one year later, 22,309 miles on the vehicle, just over 2000 miles from a year ago when it was done. The dealer covered it because it was warranty from a year ago. Wonder if it was ever done the first or second time. We just had the control arm and bushings replaced 5-27-2015 at 46,197 miles. Now the dealer originally told my wife this does not happen until the vehicle has about 80,000. Wow looks like a major issue for them.

Filed Mar 11, 2014 · Body · 40,390 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, he started to lose control of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that he was able to merge to the side of the road and after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the front passenger's side sub frame was completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the sub-frame was corroded. The failure was making the lower control arm malfunction and the contact was advised that the front sub frame needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 40,390 and the current mileage was 40,490. Updated 04/29/14 ma updated 05/2/2014

Filed May 9, 2013 · Steering · 113,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed May 10, 2010 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · WI

Lower control arm bushings are bad at 60,000 miles and the car is wandering on the road. Chrysler needs to address this known issue before someone is hurt or killed.

Filed May 3, 2010 · Suspension · 30,620 miles · PA

2003 chrysler pt cruiser. Consumer states defect involving the lower control arm bushings in the front suspension *tgw in august 2007 the bushings had deteriorated after only 30,620 miles. The dealer replaced them at a cost of $414.84 which the consumer had to pay since the vehicle was beyond the 36 month warranty. In june 2009, the dealer informed the consumer they needed to be replaced even though it had only been 12,292 miles since they were initially replaced. The consumer went to an independent mechanic and had them replaced again.

Filed Apr 17, 2009 · Suspension · 40,054 miles · MA

This is the second time, control arms have to be replaced on my car. May 2007, mileage 40,054, both lower control arm bushings worn out/control arm hole oblong: both replaced. Again today, april 2009, mileage 55,000, car is in shop for same service. Also, april 2008, mileage 46,856 front left hub bearing failed, had to be replaced.

Filed Apr 9, 2009 · Suspension · 49,000 miles · WI

Two pt cruisers, 02-03, both needing tie rods, control arms, watts linkage, wheel bearings at around or less then 50,000 miles. Basically the entire suspension needed to be replaced. This is unheard of.

Filed Mar 10, 2009 · Suspension · 53,000 miles · GA

I have a 2003 pt cruiser, I have 53,000 miles on this car, and the control arms need to be replaced. I have gone to the chyrsler forums, and there is a lot of complaints by alot of owners of chrysler having the same exact problems. Some with less miles than mine. Chrysler needs to step up to the plate and recall this part. Thanks, darlene smith

Filed Mar 5, 2009 · Engine, Suspension · 38,000 miles · MO

Lower front control arm bushings and front wheel bearings went bad at 38,000 miles. 2 water pumps went bad on the car and car only has 38,000 miles on it. Camshaft sensor went bad with only 25,000 miles on it. Oil pan on engine started leaking when car had 17,000 miles on it.

Filed Jan 23, 2009 · Suspension · 45,000 miles · WI

I own two pt cruisers, both have had control arm bushing failures at 45k miles. This is a known problem to chrysler, all over internet, failures at earlier mileage as well. They do nothing. $650/car to replace control arm.

Filed Oct 23, 2008 · Steering, Suspension · 60,000 miles · CT

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.