2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser: hesitation when accelerating

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 2, 2006 · Transmission · 35 miles · CA

I have a 2003 pt cruiser with 82000 miles on it. In march of 2005 with 47765 miles on it, I took the vehicle to a chrysler dealer to repair a vibration while braking. The chrysler dealer noted there was a grinding noise coming from the transmission and stated the compressor was rubbing against the front frame due to some kind of collision and stated there was a broken motor mount. We took the vehicle to the dealer where we purchased the vehicle to address this diagnosis since this was a new vehicle when we purchased it. The dealer claims they found no broken motor mounts, no signs of accident and did not even address the transmission noise. On 11/17/2006 I was traveling on a two lane highway with my 3 year old daughter at night, and without warning,noise, hesitation, or lack of power, my transmission went out. I was not able to move in any gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where I purchased it and they told me it has major transmission damage and the transmission needs to be replaced. The cost of the transmission replacement is $2715.00 and the dealer will not cover any of the cost.

Filed Jul 20, 2006 · Seat belts, Suspension · 77,500 miles · TN

I have a 2003 pt cruiser that just went out of power train warranty 7k miles ago-with no warning, no hesitation, lack of power, my transmission went out taking the converter, pump and torque converter-leaving me stranded in the middle of a busy intersection! I was not able to move in 1,2,3,d or r-now I am stuck with a $2643.50 bill. My right front tire constantly vibrates, been to shop numerous time to resolve but no body can find anything-tires are fine, cv joint, nothing can be found. I am absolutely terrified to drive this car anymore-my seat belt unbuckles by itself, possibly leaving me with no restraint in the possibility of a wreck. I am filing complaints with chrysler, bbb, district attorneys office, nhts, lemon law and anything else I can find-

Filed Oct 4, 2005 · Electrical, Steering · CA

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.

Filed Apr 6, 2005 · Engine · 8,733 miles · NJ

Hesitation in vehicle in all speeds (5 speed), took to chrysler at least 5 times (4 different dealers) to correct the problem.....the following was performed... 1) re-flashing of PCM 2) changing of spark plugs 3) check of spark plug wires 4) fuel injectors checked for clogging 3 times dealers replaced one (or more) or all spark plugs (within one year) 1 time PCM was re-flashed 2 times dealer claimed that the hesitation was 'normal' 2 times dealer claimed that the hesitation was not found, when each time it was insisted that the technician or service manager drive the vehicle to confirm the hesitation. Gathering all invoices for correct dates...

Filed Jul 16, 2004 · Electrical · 17,240 miles · OH

I have taken my 2003 pt cruiser gt back to the dealer eight times to have a check engine light problem repaired. The first visit to the dealer occured on july 3, 2003 the second visit to the dealer occurred on july 9-12, 2003 the third visit to the dealer occured on august 15-18, 2003 the fourth visit to the dealer occurred on may 7-12, 2004 the fifth visit to the dealer occurred on may 26-27, 2004 the sixth visit to the dealer occurred on june 9th, 2004 the seventh visit to the dealer occurred on june 28th., 2004 (replace leak detection pump) the eighth visit to the dealer occurred on july 16th., 2004 (car towed) general syptoms leading to the light coming on were hard starting several days or weeks prior to light coming on, as well as hesitation under acceleration (occured twice), and the latest incident in which the car completely lost power while accelerating away from a stop sign onto a main road. During the course of my many dealership visits, they have reprogrammed the computer, replaced the solenoid duty cycle purge, contacted chrysler's star technical center and replaced what they claimed to be a bad leak detection pump. Upon the last failure, the car was driven back to my residence and the dealer contacted to tow to the dealership.