Chrysler PT Cruiser knocking problems

Filed May 10, 2018 · Acceleration, Transmission · 35,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the transmission made a loud knocking noise and all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to marx auto center (132 rockdale ave, south dartmouth, ma 02748, (508) 997-2377), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2016 · Engine · 127,000 miles · OH

Have replaced crank shaft seal 3 times and each time the seal is blown. Dealers are aware of this issue and provide a kit $787 plus $2,000 to install) that replaces the faulty design of the crank shaft, crank shaft bearings, connecting rod bearings, and timing belt and the dealers do not gaurantee that replacing these will resolve the issue. Spoke to chrysler customer complaint line and there is nothing that chrysler has been willing to do as of this date unless enough consumers file a complaint. Reading online, there are tens of thousands of consumers with the same issue. The issue is common in all 2.4l size engines in various makes, models and years including jeep, dodge and chrysler. Chrysler apparently corrected this design flaw in their engines in later years beyond 2007, however, have not offered a solution for prior years. I highly recommend posting this issue (as thousands of others have done) on related auto mechanical websites pertaining to this known mechanical flaw with the engine design.

Filed Jun 19, 2015 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · CA

As with the other identical complaints, regarding manual transmission shifting and, when the temperature is above 80 degrees shifting gears becomes very difficult and at times impossible. The problem occurred years ago and has always been there. It's as if the bushings in the shift mechanism expand when heated and the shifter sticks in its current gear; with great force you can knock it out and with great force you can re-engage. The next morning at 50 degrees the shifter works properly once again. Later in the day above 80 degrees the problem re-occurs; this happens every time the temperature is above 80 degrees. The resulting hazard leaves you stuck in traffic unable to shift gears, which in turn makes you a hazard to other drivers. I have had two near miss (rear end) collisions as a result. Chrysler stopped production of the manual transmission pt two years before discontinuing the automatic pt. This is a known problem by the manufacturer and they should have issued a recall. Chrysler did not and as a result I'm sure the other affected customers did as I have done and walked away from the brand. I've purchased 4 vehicles since that time and they were certainly not a chrysler product. The latter is costing chrysler more than the $300 it would have cost to change the bushings to a type that is not affected by heat.

Filed Feb 19, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 74,700 miles · CA

I brought the car on 3/25/14 from a toyota dealer ship. Complain about a knocking noise coming from the engine at the time of test drive. Toyota promise me it would be fixed pick the car drove it a couple of days and notice the control panel lights started going on and off along with the car shutting down. Took it back to the dealer for service nothing was found. I let my daughter drive the car and while on the fwy at 65mph the lights on the control panel starting going on and off they car shut off on her. Lucky she was able to guide the car over to the emergency lane avoiding from getting hit. I was in the hospital for about 4 months so car really wasn't driven that much. But I have this car less than a year with a protection plan and need transmission and engine work the involved getting solenoid pack, bracket-torque reaction,t-stat, oil switch, gasket, and camshaft sensor and crankshaft sensor as of 2/10/2015. Now 2 days later the check engine light comes back on take it back to the dealer and was told I need a cooling fan module. Which is not covered under my protect plan and would have to pay almost 700.00 dollar. I have this car less than a year and have been having so many problems and have almost gotten killed behind it cutting on and off on the highway. I have research this car and everyone has had the same complaint.

Filed Aug 2, 2014 · Engine · 113,000 miles · OK

I was driving from blackwell ok to perry oklahoma on 7/07/14 to drop off a friend when all the sudden the motor starting knocking light then hard and then it just quit all with in five minutes my motor blew up I called my da to have him come and check it out as he is a mechanic he looked it over and said the oil cooler line that runs under the oil pan blew the line right at the connectors on the oil cooler line he then loaded it up on the trailer and took it back to my house had another mechanic come check it out he said the same thing about it we just bought it on 06/07/2014 from pioneer auto group out of ponca city oklahoma the motor cost is 1400.00 to 1800.00 to replace it my dad gave 3800.00 for it what do I do now no car.

Filed Apr 10, 2012 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ · fire

The engine starting making a ticking sound while I was driving uphill about 40 MPH. I stopped to check oil which was about 1/2 quart down. I proceeded to continue driving I went about another mile and the car started losing power. Unknown to me but the car was already on fire. Someone behind me alerted me and within a minute or two the pt cruiser was engulfed in flames.

Filed Feb 9, 2012 · Engine · 82,000 miles · PA

Recently, I noticed a puddle of oil forming under my car when it was parked briefly. A check of oil showed that it was slightly below normal, but well within range. Topped up oil and started engine, and steady stream of oil was seen to be coming from crank oil seal. The day before this car did not drip a drop of oil. Mechanic found seal was in tact, but completely loose from engine. Had seal replaced by certified mechanic, and in less than 15 miles the oil leak returned. After seeing multiple similar accounts on internet, had the mechanic open the engine and found the crank end play to be well over .020" and the thrust bearing wiped along with damage to the crank thrust face. Oddly chrysler seems to only install the thrust bearing on only the top half in this design. The problem seems to be the thrust bearing fails, the crankshaft then walks into the back of the seal and knocks it out. Fortunately, I noticed the puddle, before this failed at highway speed. This could have emptied the oil in minutes and seized up the engine at speed. This is clearly a known design flaw that chrysler is avoiding taking responsibility for. No engine should have this sort of failure in the 21st century!

Filed Jan 20, 2009 · Brakes, Steering · 60,000 miles · MI

In 2007 I was driving when I started hearing a knocking sound in my tires. I was had the vehicle checked immediately, but no determination was found. Over the year I was forced to replace my tires 3 times because they would wear and I would slide and the tires would skid in simple weather. In march of 2008 I had to repair more tires and my ball joints on both sides in the front with wheel alignments. Also in 2007 I started hearing a squealing sound in the engine, I had it checked immediately and was told my power steering pump would need replacing. But decreased once the mechanic put in power steering fluid. Since then even now I still hear the squeaking and every month I have to put in steering fluid. I called chrysler regarding recalls relating to these problems and was told no recalls were in effect. I have not received any info in 2008 regarding these recalls that I now see online. Also my automatic stick shift sticks especially when it's cold outside. I have almost hit something head on twice since december 2008 because it is hard to shift in park or neutral.

Filed Oct 30, 2008 · Airbags, Engine · 28,000 miles · HI

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, the clockspring was bent and needed to be replaced. Approximately four months later, she began to hear a knocking noise coming from the passenger side of the vehicle during cold starts. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they stated that the lower support, radiator, and transmission were damaged due to some sort of crash. The current and failure mileages were 28,000.

Filed Jun 1, 2008 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · DE

2003 pt cruiser gt 2.4l 96k miles started to notice tire tread problems at 40k. Thought it was a bad alignment from ntb and they did another alignment for now charge. 10k later and I am having tires replaced again! Also hear alignment problems and knocking coming from the front end. Took it in and service tech recommended alignment and front driver side bearing be replaced. He add the bushings on the driver side control arm was going bad but not necessary for immediate replacement. I had the front bearing replaced and alignment done. Front drivers side bearing went bad again but on both sides in the front at 88k. Now I am being told from the chrylser dealer that hub and bearing in the front on both sides need to be replaced. 600 bucks. Just spent 500 on new tires and I still hear knocking on control arm. Long story short....the lower control arms will need to be replace on both sides (front), followed by hub and bearing on both sides (front), followed by an alignment of the vehicle. Doing research online, there are hundreds of specific complaints dealing with the control arm bushings and/or bearings going bad at 15,000 miles and up on the 03 gt pt cruiser 2.4l. Chrysler does nothing for the consumer in every case hence the complaints to forums and to say the least, this should be addressed daimler chrysler and fixed by their expense.