2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser: engine stalls while driving

Filed Dec 28, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · MD

Problems reside in the total integrated power management module. TPIM whereas vehicle will shut off while driving. No indicator lights to give warning before the vehicle shuts off. Has on occasion shut off and recovered power multiple times within a minute This is a very dangerous scenario to conduct a road test or have someone confirm the issue on the road.

Filed Sep 1, 2017 · Electrical · 93,500 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who recharged the battery, but could not repair the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to mark thomas motors inc (2315 santiam hwy se, albany, or 97322) where the dealer stated that the vehicle had the wrong battery, and changed the battery. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to mark thomas motors where it was diagnosed that the PCM, alternator, and wiring harness failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred once again. The vehicle was taken back to mark thomas motors and was still there at the time the complaint was filed. The dealer unable to replicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and the case manager stated that they likely could not assist because the vehicle was out of warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 93,500.

Filed Feb 1, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 54,000 miles · CT

There are a few issues with my car and the local dealer says they may be related. Stalling while driving: this has happened twice within 2-3 months. First time I was on a highway off ramp slowing to stop. Not sure of my speed, but I noticed it stalled as I was almost to the light. I stopped and the car started up fine. The second time was 1-2 months later in jan. 2017. I was driving in town about 30 MPH and shifted (automatic) from 3rd to drive. I pushed the gas to speed up and realized the car had stalled. Once again it started back up just fine. Malfunctioning instrument cluster: this has been an intermittent problem since probably 2011 or 2012. The dials on the gauges will swing back and forth wildly. Dash light will flash on and off. Sometimes the cluster makes a popping sound like it is popping popcorn inside there. Trouble starting: for a few years now (possibly matching the timing of the cluster problem) it can take 2-3 tries to start the car. This is intermittent. I don't hear a sound that it is struggling to start, it just does nothing when I turn the key. Horn malfunctioning: this has only happened a few times, but when I go to give a quick honk, it sticks and sounds like I'm giving someone a loooong honk. The stalling while driving is obviously a safety risk. The local dealer said I should get the instrument cluster replaced with a refurbished one because it could be causing the stalling. "electrical problems can cause strange things to happen" I was told. I bought my car brand new and have taken very good care of it. Other than for tires, I only take it to the chrysler dealer. It has only 54,000 miles. It is a great car, until now. I can no longer drive my toddler son in it for fear of an accident. I spent $700 on maintenance & repairs a month ago and now the dealer wants me to spend about $550 on something that may take care of the stalling.

Filed Feb 6, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · CA

While driving the vehicle at any time, on a city street or highway, all of the lights on the cluster would light up, all gauges would fluncuatate and the car would stall and shut off. I have taken vehicle to independent mechanics and a certified chrysler service center and the problem is not able to be resolved. This issue causes concern and is effecting my transportation for employment and creating fear of driving the vehicle on highways.

Filed Nov 20, 2015 · Transmission · 103,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck to the floorboard, while driving at 60 MPH. The contact also stated that the horn activated and the vehicle jerked. The contact attempted to merge to the shoulder of the road and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also mentioned that the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2015 · Engine · 92,000 miles · MA

All lights and gauges flash or go to zero , engine fails and car stalls while going at highway speed. This has happened many times. Three times it has stalled to a halt, many times it just shudders. Car is almost undriveable.

Filed Mar 9, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 100,000 miles · CA

I was coming home from work and driving down the street when the lights on the dashboard went out, the gas gauge went to zero and the car just died. I lost power steering and braking and I was lucky there was no one behind me at the time. The key was locked in the steering wheel and I could not restart. I called 911 for help as cars were now zooming up behind me stalled in the lane. I was so scared that someone would hit me. I sat waiting for the tow truck for about 15 minutes when the lights suddenly came on again and the gas gauge went back to full. I tried to start it and it started right up. I was able to drive it 2 blocks home. The next day I drove to the cleaners and while trying to park it died in the parking lot. I again waited and it finally started again. I took it to the chrysler dealership and they say they can find nothing wrong. They suggested I junk it for about $100. I have also taken to an independent mechanic and he said he could not find a problem. I see there are others who have reported a similar problem. And now there is a chrysler recall on other 2008 models with what seems like the same problem. I cannot drive this car because it is unsafe in traffic.

Filed Nov 24, 2014 · Electrical · 133,274 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, all the instrument panel lights illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The dealer diagnosed that the instrument cluster and wires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,274.

Filed Oct 20, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 106,000 miles · KY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the gauges would suddenly malfunction and display erroneous information before the vehicle stalled. After restarting the engine, the vehicle would operate normally before the failure recurred. Also, the contact indicated that an electrical burning odor was present inside the vehicle during the incidences. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2014 · Electrical · 71,000 miles · AL

While driving all instrument gauges began flashing and going up and down. Could not accelerate. Was able to pull over and turn off ignition. Restarted and proceeded on my way with no further problems. 3 days later while driving 70 MPH down a busy interstate it happened again. I jiggled the key in the ignition and everything went back to normal. I was able to replicate the issue by jiggling the ignition switch. This incident occurred on 4 separate occasions. Took vehicle to dealer and no codes were found. Had the ignition switch replaced and after 1 week have not had the problem again. The ignition switch has always been easy to move and now with a new switch it feels "normal". With the recent recalls of ignition switch issues perhaps this needs to be investigated on chrysler models. This could cause serious injury and/or death if the engine stalls completely in traffic. Not to mention the fact of having no steering control if the engine does stall. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

Filed Jun 19, 2014 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · NH

I have had multiple instances over the past three years where the vehicle loses power intermittently. On four occasions I have lost power and had to pull over to the side of the road to stop and restart the car. After the first incident I brought the car to my local mechanic and he could not determine any error codes dealing with the ignition. After my third visit he suggested going to the dealer who could not come up with a solution to the stalling or intermittent power loss. I asked both my local mechanic and the dealer if there was a technical service bulletin for this problem and was told there was none. Also, dash warning lights flash off & over time I learned if I touched the ignition key and moved it slightly the problem might go away. There have been multiple instances over the past three years when the vehicle would experience intermittent power loss and I have dealt with it by slightly moving the key. The intermittent dash warning light problem happened two or three months ago then stopped. Within the past two weeks 6/3/14-6/8/14 the dash warning light incident recurred three times and the vehicle stalled out in traffic on 6/14/2014.

Filed Apr 2, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 53,000 miles · CA

I bought this pt cruiser from a local dealer, the first time it turned off I was at a stop sign and thought it just stalled from not being warmed up. About a week later I was driving down a local road doing 50 miles per hour when I bumped the key in the ignition with my knee. The car turned off. Luckily it was a straight road with no traffic and I was able to guide the car to a stop then restart it. This has happened a few times more, all with bumping my knee against the ignition key. It instantly turns the car off. With the gm recall in the news I wasn't paying attention since I don't have a gm car but decided to look when I heard it involved the ignition turning the car off. I saw that it is similar yet nothing being done about my ignition so I am filing this complaint. I have notified chrysler of this problem I am experiencing. I know that many parts are used across brands and these parts may be the same. I am worried I may bump my knee on a windy road with my children in the car and not be able to recover stability and steering if it turns off. Please check into this immediately!!