Chrysler PT Cruiser harsh shifting problems

Filed Jul 30, 2022 · IL

The car (manual 5-speed) has issues going into reverse and hits hard shifting into other gears. I see where online it shows this issue happened quite a bit with the 2002 PT Cruiser. I don't drive my care every day and I keep it maintained very well. I have not had any accidents in it so I believe this may also be a recall issue.

Filed Mar 16, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 155,000 miles · IA

I had purchesed a used 2003 pt cruiser and on the hwy home short time later I heard clunking sound three times first when merging onto hwy from car dealership. Futhermore, about 10 min into my hwy drive home I became frightend when my car ended up having a mind if its own and stared going to the left so I tried to turn stearing wheel towards right and I was unable to correct it for few seconds and ended on the otheride of white line just about off hwy and into gravel but at that point I seened to regain control of my car stearing and proceeding back beteeen yellow and white line on the hwy, following was another incident was when I came to complete stop following with left turn (started to make a clunking sound even louder).durning my route I made a right turn the sound again. I ended up taking it to a dealership to take a look at . The mechanic said he knew at one point they had a safty recall on the suspension for pt crusiers because they could cause injury with motor vehicle accidents due to loss of control as a result of lower contol arm /sway bar / and bad ball joints which I personally prob expericend on my way home following my purchese of the car. The mechanic I spoke to checked my VIN number and it did not have a recall on it however there was recalls for a set amount and that mine wasnt one of them but shoukd have been and that I should inform " the federal safety agency "about my situation because there could be others experiencing same situation due to malfunctioning parts because a malfuction can happen to even after market parts can lead to deadly accidents even death because of loss of control. I strongly agree with mechanic that the recall should be updated even on the after market parts for the suspenion such as control arm and called for every 2003 pt crusier gt because of loss of control that almost caused me to be in accident even could of been fatal. Thank you

Filed Aug 19, 2016 · 112,884 miles · NE

Structure - noticed slight clunk from front suspension on bumps. On mechanic's lift, found all suspension parts still good or recently replaced, but front k-member severely rusted through. Declared unsafe and unfixable, although at 112,000 miles the rest of the car is still in great shape.

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 Sep 3, 2013 · Body, Engine · 59,700 miles · NY · crash

I was making a right hand turn from a main road onto a side street. While the car was turning, I heard a clunk and the steering wheel was jerked from my hands. The car pulled hard to the right and crashed into the curb. The car was towed to the repair shop and the service tech showed me the engine cradle was completely rusted out and the k frame was cracked all the way thru. It's to rusted to be welded and I was told this is a common problem with the cruiser and dodge neon, since they use the same frame. The tech also told me I was lucky that I wasn't moving at high speed or the results could have been fatal. He also told me that chrysler is aware of this problem, they are completely out of replacement parts, and they basically ignore any complaints.

Filed Jun 12, 2012 · Transmission · 53,000 miles · PA

2009 pt cruiser with 53,000 miles was informed by dealer that hydraulic clutch assembly is not releasing causing hard shifting.

Filed Mar 30, 2012 · Suspension · NY

At 23,021 miles my 2005 pt cruiser had the lower left control arm replaced (8/28/2007). Seven months later, I experienced the same problem with the car (clunking noise when going over bumps). I took the car back to the dealer and they replaced the other lower control arm on 3/25/08 at 27834 miles. I had the front brakes replaced at 38,033 miles and at 60,349 miles. I have read many complaints in online forums from people with similar problems with this model and brake wear has been reported due to front wheel bearing issues. My car is now at 62,570 and I am having the same clunking noise in the front when hitting a bump along with a loud noise upon braking at high speeds. I am highly concerned about my safety in this vehicle now. Many people have reported the same issue. This is a safety and life threatening issue and chrysler nees to do something about this vehicle. Prior to this car, I owned a 2001 pt cruiser and had the control arms replaced in that car before 40000 miles. There has to be some defect with this vehicle. Please address this issue for the safety of anyone driving in these vehicles. A wheel bearing breaking while driving is a serious issue! See complaints at sites below. Thank you. Http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/forum/wheels-tires-suspension/23632-wheel-bearing-issue.html http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/chrysler-pt-cruiser/til09od8d72erulqa http://www.truedelta.com/chrysler-pt-cruiser/suspension-problems-69 http://www.moparchat.com/forums/showthread.php?p=795043 http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2005/chrysler/pt_cruiser_convertible/

Filed Jul 24, 2009 · Engine, Lights · 59,000 miles · MO

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. Whenever the contact drove the vehicle at various speeds, she would hear a clunking sound coming from the front end. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the lower control arms and the bushings needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 59,000. Updated 08/28/09. *lj the radiator needed to be replaced. The fog light would come on with no warning. A neew multi-function switch was needed. Updated 09/02/09.

Filed Oct 23, 2008 · Steering, Suspension · 60,000 miles · CT

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact continued to hear a clunking noise and stated that the vehicle would "get away from her" while driving various speeds on the highway. The dealer repaired the tire, but an independent mechanic stated that control arm bushings and tie rod end repairs were common. The dealer offered to repair the vehicle at the cost of more than $600. They also stated that a front end alignment would be needed following the repairs. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 65,000. Updated 11/17/08 *cn updated 11/24/08.

Filed Jun 28, 2008 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · WI

Rear suspension bushings wore out at 40,000 mi and now again at 75,000 causing the rear end to bounce and sway uncontrollable at high speeds (45-65 MPH). Indication of worn bushings: loud clunking noise in rear end.