Chrysler PT Cruiser fire or smoke problems

Filed Jun 28, 2026 · Seats · VA · fire

The front passenger seat heating system experienced a catastrophic electrical malfunction. While the vehicle was started and parked in our driveway, the front passenger seat suddenly developed an extreme hot spot and became engulfed in flames even though the heated seat switch was in the OFF position and had not been activated. The failed heated seat component has been retained and is available for inspection. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer or service center because the incident occurred at our residence and the vehicle is currently undriveable due to burned electrical wiring. Attempting to start or operate the vehicle could result in an electrical short because of the exposed and damaged wiring caused by the fire. Both the local police department and fire department responded to the scene and inspected the vehicle. There were no warning lights, warning messages, unusual odors, or prior symptoms indicating a problem before the fire occurred. This incident represents a significant fire hazard because the heated seat ignited without being turned on. Had this occurred while the vehicle was being driven or while occupants were seated in the vehicle, it could have resulted in serious injury or death due to burns, smoke inhalation, or loss of vehicle control. Likewise, had the vehicle been parked inside an attached garage, the fire could have spread to the residence and placed lives at risk.

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 Sep 15, 2024 · Electrical · NC

WHen the fog lights are engaged, smoke and burning smell appears to be coming inside the steering wheel on the left side.

Filed Jan 6, 2022 · Seats · ND · fire

Was warming my car up and drove 2 miles to my mom's house and turned it off. Came out about 30 minutes later and the car was full of smoke. Aired out the car and noticed a burnt hole in the middle of the passenger seat. The seat warmer had malfunction and started the seat on fire. Even with the vehicle turned off.

Filed Aug 2, 2019 · Fuel system · 180,000 miles · FL

Just purchased this car 3 days ago. The main fuel line started to leak today near the rear engine firewall, where there is a connection to some kind of valve. Very visible fuel leak at the connector. This is a fire hazard due to the fuel line leak being directly above the exhaust. Chrysler will do nothing about this issue and as I have seen on many forums regarding this vehicle type and this same issue, this is a very common problem that the dealer should make right with these vehicles having a "potential fire issue " and recall this vehicle for the fuel issue and most important, it's potential to destroy the vehicle and contents due to a defective fuel connector before someone burns up in this vehicle. I plead with you to have this vehicle recalled due to it's fuel leaking issue. Thank you. Thge fuel leaks while resting in place or in motion. The amount this leak gives out is more than adequate to leak onto the vehicles exhaust and "boom", there goes the vehicle up in flames.

Filed May 16, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 145,000 miles · OH · fire

Tl-the contact owned a 2005 chrysler pt cruiser. Started the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. Fuel odor, vehicle would not start for an additional hour vehicle restarted and caught on fire, fire department stated that the fire started along the firewall manufacturer not contacted, fire report filed, fire extinguished by fire department stated that upon start up the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor. The vehicle was then restarted almost an hour later. The contact then noticed fire coming from under the hood of the vehicle on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The fire marshall stated that the fire seemed to have originated in a wiring harness installed behind the fuel lines for the fuel injectors. There was no injuries sustained in the fire. The vehicle remained at the residence. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000. The VIN was not available. Piir = y. Ah *dt

Filed Oct 8, 2018 · Steering · 70,000 miles · PA · fire

While driving on 10/7/2018 the steering became hard and upon stopping there were flames under the hood. I did research and found that there had been a recall on pt cruisers in the past, 04v268000. When I contact daimler chrysler I was told there were no recalls on my VIN. Before driving the car on 10/7/2018 there was not any steering fluid under the car. Luckily the fire was noticed prior to leaving the car or the car would have been engulfed in flames. I will like chrysler to pay for this repair. The car only has 70,000 miles and has been cared for very well. Please let me know if you can help with this claim. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 4, 2018 · Engine · OK · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 chrysler pt cruiser. Approximately ten minutes after parking and turning off the vehicle, it caught on fire. The contact noticed smoke and flames under the front driver's side of the vehicle where the engine was located. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was invalid.

Filed Jul 27, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 106,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chrysler pt cruiser. While the vehicle was stationary, the contact noticed smoke coming from the root of the turn signal switch. The contact immediately pulled the fog lamp switch, which diffused the smoke. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that the fog lights were illuminated at the time of the failure. An unknown chrysler dealer was made aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed May 23, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 140,000 miles · VA

Vehicle was parked. Turned off. Multifunction switch that had been replaced previoulsy malfunctioned again. Fog lights just came on out of nowhere luckily I turned around and noticed it. When I opened my car door I noticed the switch was smoking. After some quick thinking I pulled the fuse. If I had not thought of this I belive it would have caught my car on fire and the ones parked next to it. I have had the fuse pulled for a year. Flash forward to my current state in va and it's inspection time. I failed for a faulty function switch. The guys replaced the switch first stoplight I come to no signal. Took it back to garage they said switch was bad out of the box. After this epidemic this will be the 4th multifunction switch that I know of installed on this car. How in the world has this part not been recalled yet. Please do something!