2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Steering · 85,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while making a turn, there was a grinding noise coming from the steering wheel. On one occasion, the vehicle was started and the steering wheel seized. The contact discovered that the power steering fluid was leaking. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering hose was exposed to the transmission and ruptured causing the power steering fluid to leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2014 · Brakes · 21,000 miles · PA

Our brakes needed replaced for inspection the company replaced the brake pads we didn't drive more the 15,000 miles and brakes started grinding and making noise they needed replaced again it seems that this has been an ongoing problem with these pt.cruisers since they were made. Having talked to several owners of this vehicle I have found that this is a major complaint among the owners of pt cruisers no matter what year made we still have ours and it has had it's brakes replaced more often than what it was driven we currently have 88,000 on ours and the brakes start this noise then fail after 20,00 miles this appears to be very unsafe it also appears to happen on the left front brake first then moves around. This makes any pt cruiser unsafe and they should be recalled to fix the entire brake system before someone dies.

Filed Oct 27, 2008 · Steering · 46,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact heard a loud grinding noise in the steering column. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the power steering hose needed to be replaced at the cost of $200. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was excluded from 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. He has not had the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was 46,000 and current mileage was 50,647.

Filed Jul 10, 2008 · Steering · 43,000 miles · KS

Grinding noise, wobble in steering-left front wheel bearing gone at 43000 miles-replacement cost $300.00.

Filed Jul 2, 2008 · Suspension · 42,000 miles · MN

Loud grinding/growling noise, thumping sound when driving. Gets louder when accelerating. Replaced tires 6/08 thought it was that. Found out its the front wheel bearings and hubs.

Filed Apr 28, 2008 · Brakes · DE

I brought a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser with 36,222 on 11/1/08. Well less than five months I had to have the brakes completely replaced because of the constant grinding noise and now the front barrons have to be replaced. I have replaced the back left barron and it cost a whopping $200.00 and the brakes cost $564.00. I have gone to the dealer to ask if they could help and was informed that my warranty had run out and there was nothing they could do. They told me to call chrysler and I was told there is nothing that they can do. I ask if there was a recall and was informed no, but after reading some of the other complaints I believe that they really need to make a recall. I currently have 46,400.

Filed Jan 15, 2008 · Suspension · 28,560 miles · CA

While driving my 2004 chrysler pt cruiser, I started hearing a grinding noise coming from the front end of the car. In just a matter of days I could tell it was getting louder. I thought it might be the brakes but I just had the front brakes replaced 6,000 miles earlier. I took it to the mechanic where I had the brakes done and after checking the car he told me the problem was the left front wheel bearings. It cost me $556.23 to replace the front left hub and the bearings on both front wheels. After the repair, he showed me the old hub and bearings. The part was broken and several of the bearings were missing. He said if I had continued to drive the car in that condition, it was very likely the front left wheel would fall off, possibly causing serious injury or death. This is a serious safety issue and I believe chrysler needs to issue a recall for this problem. There is only 28,560 miles on this vehicle. There is no way a car with this many miles should be having this kind of problem.

Filed Dec 31, 2007 · Suspension · 35,000 miles · VA

Purchased 2004 chrysler pt cruiser, used with 31k miles in may, 2007. In about july/august 2007, noticed a grinding noise when making a right turn. It gradually got worse and became noticeable when the car was going straight as well. It felt like the front end was out of alignment. On examination at dealer, they have informed me that both front wheel bearings are bad and must be replaced.

Filed Jul 2, 2007 · Brakes · 300 miles · CA

Brakes constantly have grinding and noise problems, brake pedal feels soft or goes to the floor easily. This problem has persisted since the purchase of a 2004 pt cruiser with turbo, but appears to be a 2003 chassi and breaks hence the drum breaks on the rear. Drum breaks on a turbo model hummmm.

Filed May 22, 2007 · Brakes · 12,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 25 MPH, the contact hears a grinding noise when the brake is depressed. He also stated that the vehicle is hard to stop. The dealer stated that there was rust build up on the drums, however, no repairs were performed. The current mileage is 17,000 and failure mileage was 12,000.

Filed May 13, 2007 · Brakes, Suspension · 52,437 miles · OK · crash

Starting in the fall of 2006 when making a left turn it made a grinding, squealing noise. It was very loud. Thought it needed brakes, and had it checked . They were fine. Then, it felt like the tire was bad on the passenger's front. Took the car to dealer in mid march 2007 to have the tire checked and it was a loose axle instead. That stopped the squealing for the time being. Just recently we thought the rotors needed turned because the vibrations and noises had started again. On 5-06-07 my son was killed when he went off the right side of the road and supposedly overcorrected and rolled several times. After further investigation into the crash it was discovered that half of the front passenger rotor broke off with a bubble defect in the metal. There appeared to be an old crack across the rotor along with the brake that severed it. Not sure what was going on, but there' was obviously a problem with the front ends and if it saved a life it was worth checking into.

Filed Mar 10, 2005 · Body, Brakes · 15,000 miles · VA

Almost hit another vehicle/ almost went through a traffic light. I have complained mutliple times about my brake. I have had my car in to the dealer 3 times for the brakes, and every time am told brakes are fine. They did adjust the brakes once but the brakes squeal & grind all the time. Was told it was just the new style brakes/ brake rotor is rusting badly and chipping away around the top but was told this is a normal event due to the elements. Also my dashboard is coming away from my window and this has not been corrected or looked at. My tires never seem to stay inflated and was told this is due to the weather even though I have never had this type of problem with any other vehicle I have owned. My car has power surges and they say they could not find anything wrong that this is normal. Belt noise/ squealing they say this is normal wear. I have owned this car since nov 2004. I also have nicks in my windshield and they said they filled them, after having another glass company look at my windshield they said they windshield had not being filled with any type of filler, so no it was not repaired.