Chrysler PT Cruiser brake failure problems

Filed May 10, 2019 · Brakes, Suspension · 105,000 miles · GA · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owned a 2007 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH in heavy traffic, the brake pedal was depressed to slow down however the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The contact sustained skin rash and mouth damage due to the substance that came out of the air bag upon deployment. The contact also sustained bruises and knee injuries that required medical attention. The front seat passenger sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. The driver from the other vehicle did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where the failure was diagnosed by an independent mechanic as the service brake tube failing and the ball joint was detached. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000. *dt

Filed Mar 2, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · 200,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 40 MPH, the brakes failed and the brake pedal became stiff. After removing pressure from the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Aug 25, 2014 · Brakes · 72,099 miles · CA · 2 injuries

I recently purchased this vehicle about 3 months back. I was driving from vegas back home to los angeles on the I-15 freeway. I was on the far left side of the freeway and just touched the brake pedal. It was rock hard. It just wouldn't press down. I somehow managed to not get into a collision at that speed and moved over to the right shoulder, waited for the car to slow down and then started pulling the emergency brakes slowly. The car slowed down and since the brakes wouldn't get pressed I had to turn off the engine on the drive mode. I called 911. The state trooper that came checked the car, sat on the driver seat nd drove the car a bit. He looked at me and said "I don't know how you survived this. There are no brakes in the car". He checked the coolant, brake fluid, oil and everything was good. I called aaa who towed my car back to vegas to fix it. That cost me $424. The repair guy who fixed the car said he has never seen something like this. The manifold from where the pipes are connected to the brakes has a metal elbow that connects the pipes to the manifold. That metal elbow fell off and he tried setting it back on but it just wouldn't stay. This is a factory defect since the metal elbows comes with the manifold and that is made at the chrysler factory. I took it to the dealer and he said the same thing. I called chrysler and they wouldn't help me since there was no collision and the part is not under warranty. I checked online and this has happened to others as well. There have been no recalls!

Filed Aug 6, 2014 · Steering · 130,000 miles · SD

Made a right hand turn and heard a metal clunk noise, proceeded another block - from a stop made a left hand turn onto a highway - at that time a very loud metal noise, no brakes, no steering, no control of veh at all. Somehow managed to get to side of road without rolling veh, wheels turned opposite directions, had veh towed to shop. Engine cradle was rusted out on right side and gave way, which disconnected steering control arm and axel from the wheels, mechanic - stated dripping from air conditioner had rusted the parts on that side only - rest of under veh was in good shape - stated had seen this in pt's often - a known chrysler issue with the pt cruisers and the neons also - which have the same platform. If had been going at highway speeds - would have been a very bad, possibly fatal accident. Own two of these vehs - took the second veh to have inspected (only has 50,000 miles) - has the exact same issue. Researched the pt cruiser forums and found many complaints on the same issue. Chrysler is non responsive - this should be recalled as is a deadly problem. Vehicle is unrepairable.

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Brakes · 102,356 miles · LA

On march 13, 2014 while driving my pt cruiser my brakes failed without warning. The failure was when the brake pedal was applied the pedal did not depress (move) thus the vehicle did not stop. Fortunately I had just backed out my driveway is I was able to use the emergency hand brake. If I would have been in traffic a accident would have occurred . I had my vehicle towed to the chrysler dealer for repair. The dealer first said that the brake hose had deteriorated but than said and charged me for a valve break (part number 1837900) the cost of valve $6.92 . In my owners manual page 231it states "the dual braking system provides a reserve braking capacity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulics system. Failure of either half.. Id indicated by the brake warning light... Again I was not provide with a warning of the failure and the backup system did not operate!

Filed Sep 29, 2013 · Transmission, Visibility · 45,000 miles · CO

Rear window wiper failed to operate. Owners manual does not identify fuse location. Power trace shows power to unit, suspect software problem when over 75 degrees f. Clutch pedal goes to the floor and very hard to shift, when below 60 degrees f shifts like glass on glass (very smooth) hyd cyl. Throw varies with temperature.

Filed Nov 19, 2012 · Electrical · 133,000 miles · MD

I was traveling on I-95 north in the vicinity of fredericksburg, va at approximately 65 MPH, and without warning, the engine shut off. The brakes failed to respond; I put the vehicle in neutral. I was traveling in the left lane. I was able to put my hazards on, but because my brakes did not respond, I had to coast approximately a mile before my vehicle actually stopped. This was particularly frightening because I also had my two young children in the vehicle with me. After stopping, I tried to crank the vehicle and got nothing. The radio and lights came on, but the engine wouldn't budge. Quite frankly, I feel fortunate to be alive given that I was traveling at a high rate of speed on a very busy interstate highway. I had it towed a repair shop. At first they weren't getting any diagnostic readings, but eventually they diagnosed it as a failed fuel pump. I had the fuel pump replaced the next day, and although I did not drive very far, the car ran fine. The day after that, I couldn't crank the car. I purchased a new battery from the same people who replaced the fuel pump. Everything was fine until 19 november 2012. I drove my kids to school, drove back home, and went inside for a few minutes. When I came back out and tried to crank my car, it died after about 10 seconds. I tried two more times and the same thing happened. On my last attempt I heard a whirring sound but the engine would not turnover. I tried to jump the battery, and they didn't work either. I spent 20 minutes trying to crank it. My wife tried later in the afternoon with the same poor results.

Filed Jan 5, 2011 · Brakes · 79,100 miles · IN

Driving along when power brakes failed suddenly and unexpectedly, dramatically increasing stopping distance and effort to apply brakes. Cap for brake vacuum power boost missing - cap replaced. Cap must have dislodged or fell off while driving, since power brakes worked on same trip prior to incident at intersection. Fortunately there were no other vehicles waiting at intersection or else an accident would have been likely.

Filed Jun 27, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 134,335 miles · TN

I own a 2005 pt cruiser; I have 134,000 miles on the car, and keep it serviced regularly. I have had numerous issues with safety factors concerning this vehicle since october 2009. December 2009 my timing belt went out on interstate. I lost control of the vehicle as the vehicle was traveling 70 MPH. I had it repaired by a certified mechanic, which included a new water pump. I continued to have overheating issues, and continued to have diagnostics and nothing could be identified as the problem. February 2010: I had to have valves seals repaired due to them leaking oil onto the engine which was a potential fire hazard. This was done by a certified mechanic. April 2010: I continued to have overheating issues. I was also now having electrical issues where my taillights were continuously blowing the bulbs completely out, to where the bulbs would be broken and I would have no lights at all on the back of my vehicle, there were times this would occur at night which was a serious safety issue. May 2010: I brought my vehicle back to chrysler dealer; again nothing could be resolved. June 2010: brought the car back for diagnostics. The dealer kept the vehicle all day. The dealer concluded that the cooler sensor and sensor plug needed replaced, and tail light receptors were changed out. June 2010: alternator went out and it was replaced, and also installed a new battery. When traveling I set my cruise control on 55. The cruise control took over my acceleration and in no my vehicle accelerated to 115+ MPH, I could not turn off the cruise control, the brakes failed to work, the key would not turn off. I finally pulled the e-brake to slow the car, and had to put the car into neutral, then into park. It was not until I managed to get the car into park that the vehicle stopped accelerating by itself. I turned off the vehicle. I feel these issues need to be addressed. These safety issues are of a serious nature. Your time in looking into this.

Filed Mar 6, 2009 · Engine · 123,000 miles · IN

Vacuum line came off engine causing a loss of braking performance. There was not a clamp on the line and you could almost blow the line off with your mouth it was so loose!