2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 17, 2026 · Engine · NC · fire

So I had been having issues with the car overheating well I'm almost home and my daughter says she smells smoke so pull over and rush to get my babies out of the car because under the hood it had caught on fire

Filed Oct 17, 2017 · Electrical · 75,811 miles · CA · fire

After shopping for 1/2 hour, I returned to my car in the parking lot. I opened the driver's side door and discovered gray colored smoke coming up from the steering column hazard button. It smelled odd. Not like wood smell. The auto club towed my car to my local mechanic and disconnected the battery connections as he said to prevent fire. My mechanic said the wires caught fire and melted the connectors. The parts: combination switch, combo switch connector & electrical connectors, shrink tubing = total $320 parts. Labor: remove & replace all applicable models (multi-function switch); replace multi-function switch harness (burned out connectors) = total $380 labor the day of the incident, I drove an estimated 15 miles total with two prior stops.

Filed Mar 2, 2016 · Electrical · 123,978 miles · IL · fire

My pt cruiser by chrylr 2004 got on fire in the control areas for the gear control areas, I was driving home on the 29th of february 2016, and I was about a mile from my home when my grand daughter said she smell smoke and seen it as well, but we didn't know where it was coming from. I got home from driving a regular city street, which was about 5 minutes from my home. I park the car and raise the hood to see if the fire was under my hood, no not there. So I park my car at my home and said I would investigate it in the morning since it was night time. I went to my car the next morning on the 1st of march 2016 and try to change gears, my gear wouldn't move. I had my car tow to my mechanic to fix the problem. He told me I had a fire in the gear areas, he was dumbfounded on how the fire started, but said the only thing he could come up with was the cigarette lighter could had started the fire.

Filed Nov 20, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · KY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 20 MPH, the front driver side heated seat caught fire. The contact stated that the fire department was notified and was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Apr 7, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 30,000 miles · NC · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving at 35 MPH, the left turn signal was activated and the contact noticed smoke coming from the left turn signal switch near the instrument panel. In addition, the contact stated that the fog lights remained illuminated and the contact had to lift the steering wheel upwards in order to engage the horn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failures recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 30,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Sep 20, 2013 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · NJ

I had smoke and smelled burning coming from my multifunction switch,

Filed Aug 14, 2011 · Lights · 95,200 miles · CA

The fog lamps will not turn off. About 6 months ago, the steering column had smoke coming from it and it seems that as a result, there is a short in the multifunction switch which caused the fog lamps to permanently stay on. It appears that other chrysler pt cruiser owners have had this same issue. I have included a link regarding other chrysler customers who have had the same issue. Http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/chrysler-pt-cruiser/tf81khbdldvt92ah2/p6.

Filed Feb 28, 2010 · Electrical, Lights · 56,000 miles · NJ

Smoke coming from steering column. Fog lights will not turn off. Battery will run down.

Filed Jan 22, 2010 · Electrical · 79,000 miles · CA

I have a 2004 pt cruiser which I bought in nov 2005. First incident, rear left passenger window stopped working. Headlights and brake lights burn out very rapidly. Latest "big" problem started in june 2009, brother noticed my fog lamps on, not only had I not turned them on, I never used them before. Thought it was a random incident but battery kept dying. Finally determined in july 2008 by mechanic that the switch arm was malfunctioning and needed to be replaced. Told by dealership are back ordered and to "just unplug the lights" to fix. Mechanic replaced, thought problem solved. Then panel kept claiming door ajar. No door was open!!! Mechanic replaced door latch. Thought problem solved. Went out to car on 1/19/09, it was gone. City towed it due to complaint of my alarm going off and not shutting off. Cost me $234 to reclaim and find alarm is malfunctioning and battery being drained again!! Interior lights going off and on while driving. So far since june 2009, (battery, alternator, switch arm, door latch, towing) have spent about $1000 in repairs. I have yet to find out cost of alarm and obvious electrical repairs to come. Until reading other complaints, had no idea the smell of burning I have smelt on occasion may actually be coming from my own car. Do yourself a favor, don't ever buy a chrysler.

Filed Oct 14, 2009 · Electrical, Lights · 100,000 miles · NJ

In my 2004 pt cruiser-first was unable to turn on light in rain, then all of the lights stopped working, while I was driving. Got it fixed for $600, then fog lamps will not turn off. All of a sudden there is smoke coming from the console, now the only way I can keep my fog lights from draining the battery is to remove the fuse each day. I have heard of both problems occurring in pts with other people.

Filed May 13, 2009 · Lights · 75,000 miles · MN · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 25 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the headlight switch. He investigated further and noticed that the switch was melting and smoking. He exited the vehicle and proceeded to disconnect the battery to stop a fire from occurring. The headlights cannot be used because the switch failed; therefore, he cannot drive the vehicle at night. The contact called the dealer and was informed that they were aware of the issue, but there were no current replacement parts to repair the failure. The part that they believe will correct the failure is on back order. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 75,000 and current mileage was 75,600.

Filed Jan 7, 2009 · Electrical · 74,600 miles · NC · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 35 MPH, the contact smelled an electrical burning smell coming from the instrument panel. Shortly afterwards, the instrument panel indicators stopped working. The contact then smelled burning plastic. The chrysler dealer pulled the instrument cluster and discovered that the cluster circuit was burned. The dealer replaced the instrument cluster with a new part and they retained the old part. The failure mileage was 74,600.