NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
I purchased the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser on 1/10/2024. I learned that the Chrysler Dealership does not make keys for the vehicle when locked out, nor does it Service the vehicle. They will "address" a Recall Notice and will do an oil change and will do an inspection only. Chrysler Dealership told me to "Come back tomorrow" when a Recall Notice was issued and they said it was not Safety Related, however a Power Steering Pressure Hose was found to be leaking/exploding oil and this IS a safety related issue. I was rear ended 1/23/24 with 2 dogs in the car. I did not purchase Uninsured Motorists Insurance because I thought under CA State Law that I was legally compliant with insurance I had purchased. I thought between two cars in a potential accident, one had to be able to cover fault for any reason if not both equally. I was told by my Insurance to go after the other Man's Insurance, even if he was not the driver and this did not seem right. The other Man's Insurance Policy had lapsed and I was told there is no coverage for being rear ended. The man said I hit him and said something about "not seeing" the light or turn signal which I demonstrated for functionality. Vehicle has been given different assessments and inspections from 1/10 when purchased to present. I paid $500 at one AAA ASE Facility and $15,000 out of Retirment plus hotel for 3 weeks for the vehicle "dying" and the problem cannot be identified. Car is doing weird things mechanically and no one can locate the problem. There is unaddressed Body Damage where the Rear Left Light (plastic and housing) broke. The vehicle has to have body repair and a new light ordered at a cost greater than what is available through an Auto Dismantler. Chrysler does not make parts for this vehicle. There was rust and corrosion in coolant and metal found in Transmission. I paid full price for a used Transmission. I need someone to review traffic footage to determine when the window went down and dog went out and why
POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING.
BALL JOINT ARE MISSING
IT STARTED WITH THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE MIDDLE STICK LIGHTS (P,D,R,N++) I CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT WHAT SPEED I'M GOING OR MY LEVELS OR ANYTHING BC THE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING, I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED I'VE HAD THE BATTERY CHANGED TWICE, I'VE HAD THE THERMOSTAT CHANGED TWICE BUT IT STILL OVER HEATS NOT TOO LONG AGO WITH BOTH OF MY TODDLERS IN THE CAR ON A 3 LANE HIGHWAY LOCKED UP ON ME COULDN'T USE THE STEERING WHEEL OR BRAKES HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BREAK IT'S JUST BEEN REPETITIVE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM MY SISTER WHO'S GRANDMOTHER GOT TIRED OF PUTTING MONEY INTO IT IT STUTTERS SOMETIMES LIKE IT'S SLOW TO SHIFT INTO GEAR TO ACCELERATE IT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE. IT WAS MY FIRST CAR IT'S NEVER BEEN WRECKED, I NEVER THOUGHT TO CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS, I BOUGHT IT IN JULY OF 17. IT'S ONLY HAD A TOTAL OF 2 OWNERS. IT USED TO SHAKE REAL BAD I COULDN'T GO OVER 55MILES AN HOUR BUT EVEN 55 WAS IFFY. THE SCARIEST THING FOR ME WAS IT LOCKING UP ON A HIGHWAY WITH AN INTERSECTING LANE I HAD JUST HAD EVERYTHING REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME BEFORE IT STARTED SMOKING AND LOCKED UP AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN MY KIDS 3 & 1 WERE IN THE BACK ALL I COULD THINK TO DO WAS PULL MY EMERGENCY BREAK I DRIFTED AND SWERVED UNTIL THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP LUCKILY NOT WRECKING OR INJURING ANYONE, JUST FEAR OF DRIVING I REALLY TRUSTED THIS CAR. I HAD TO CALL THE POLICE TO GET AHOLD OF A STATE TROOPER WHO GAVE ME A COUPLE DAYS TO MOVE IT GIVEN MY CIRCUMSTANCE AND 45 MIN AWAY FROM HOME, A STRANGER STOPPED TO HELP AND OFFERED TO GIVE US A RIDE BACK TO IRONTON FROM THE WEST PORTSMOUTH HIGHWAY HE LIVED IN PORTSMOUTH OUT OF KINDNESS MOVED MY CAR TO HIS HOUSE THERE AFTER DROPPING US OFF THAT NIGHT TO KEEP FROM GETTING IT TOWED. OFFICER NOTED EVERYTHING. I DIDN'T THINK OF ANYTHING UNTIL I JUST RECENTLY GOT ANOTHER 2004 PT THAT STARTED FIRE IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND GOING THROUGH A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEMS.
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE WILL SPUTTER AND DIE. WHEN PULLING UP TO A STOP LIGHT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE ENGINE WILL IMMEDIATELY DIE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY DIE.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR LAST YEAR FROM A PRIVATE OWNER I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT HAD A OVER HEATING PROBLEM I REALLY HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING SO I THEN STARTED LOOKING IT UP AND FOUND OUT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ABOUT IT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD FIX MY PROBLEM SINCE THE PROBLEM REALLY COMES FROM THEM FROM IT WAS MADE
THIS VEHICLE HAS A P0037 AND A P0037 DTC'S THAT WON'T CANCEL. FINDLEY CHRYSLER REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSORS. IT DIDN'T FIX IT. THEY SAY THE COMPUTER IS BAD. I SENT THE COMPUTER 5033293AF TO BE REPAIRED. THEY SAID THE COMPUTER IS OK. I GOT THE CODES TO GO AWAY FOR A BRIEF TIME BY MESSING WITH THE COMPUTER WIRE LOOM. IHAVE HEARD THERE WAS ARECALL FOR THIS. IS IT STILL AVAILABLE?06/08/2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION ELECTRICAL SWITCH, WHICH CAUSED THE FOG LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE CUSTOMER REMOVED FUSE #8 DAILY TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH REPLACED AT HENKEL CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE (1275 W DICKMAN RD, SPRINGFIELD, MI 49037, (800) 865-6185). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,773.
POWER STEERING LEAKAGE ON TURBO MODEL ENGINE HOT POSSIBLE FIRE HAD FIXED ONCE AND IT BROKE AGAIN , THERE IS A RECALL ON THE NON TURBO MODEL ALREADY
AFTER SHOPPING FOR 1/2 HOUR, I RETURNED TO MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT. I OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND DISCOVERED GRAY COLORED SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE STEERING COLUMN HAZARD BUTTON. IT SMELLED ODD. NOT LIKE WOOD SMELL. THE AUTO CLUB TOWED MY CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS AS HE SAID TO PREVENT FIRE. MY MECHANIC SAID THE WIRES CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED THE CONNECTORS. THE PARTS: COMBINATION SWITCH, COMBO SWITCH CONNECTOR & ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS, SHRINK TUBING = TOTAL $320 PARTS. LABOR: REMOVE & REPLACE ALL APPLICABLE MODELS (MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH); REPLACE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH HARNESS (BURNED OUT CONNECTORS) = TOTAL $380 LABOR THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT, I DROVE AN ESTIMATED 15 MILES TOTAL WITH TWO PRIOR STOPS.
WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING, THE CAR WILL JERK TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT WITHOUT PROBACATION. VECHILE ACCELERATES WITHOUT FOOT BEING ON THE PEDAL. ONE TIME I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE STARTING REVING. I HAD TO USE BOTH FEET WITH EXTREME FORCE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. FINALLY, I JUST THREW THE CAR INTO PARK; ONCE IN PARK, THE CAR KEPT REVING. THE PEDAL WAS NOT PRESSED.THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THIS MAKES FOR UNSAFE DRIVING, AND ONLY DUE TO MY GOOD DRIVING SKILLS DID I AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS.
INSTRUMENT PANEL IS INOPERATIVE ALL FUSES AND RELAYS ARE OKAY.
VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, UP TO 4,000RPM WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN I STOMPED ON THE BRAKES CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AT 4,000RPM. TO SAVE MY LIFE AND OTHERS SHIFTED CAR INTO NEUTRAL, PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF IGNITION. AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO RESTARTED THE CAR AND SAME SYMPTOM WERE PRESENT, ENGINE REVIVING TO 4,000RPM, FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS A PRECAUTION. NOTE THAT WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED THE CAR WAS NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE, SIMPLY DRIVING AROUND TOWN RUNNING ERRANDS. THIS SITUATION IS SCARY BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHEN, HOW, IF IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN, TOTALLY UNPROVOKED AND NON-SENSICAL AS TO WHY IT IS HAPPENING, WHAT TRIGGERS THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS NOW OCCURRED TWICE RECENTLY AND BECAUSE OF THIS NIGHTMARE SCENARIO I AM HESITANT, VERY VERY HESITANT TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT IS A DANGER TO MY, MY WIFE'S LIFE AND OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD WE MAY ACCIDENTALLY PLOW INTO IF THE CAR DECIDES TO GO INTO RUNAWAY MODE OF ITS OWN VOLITION. YOUR CONSIDERATION OF A RESPONSE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
MY PT CRUISER BY CHRYLR 2004 GOT ON FIRE IN THE CONTROL AREAS FOR THE GEAR CONTROL AREAS, I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE 29TH OF FEBRUARY 2016, AND I WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM MY HOME WHEN MY GRAND DAUGHTER SAID SHE SMELL SMOKE AND SEEN IT AS WELL, BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I GOT HOME FROM DRIVING A REGULAR CITY STREET, WHICH WAS ABOUT 5 MINUTES FROM MY HOME. I PARK THE CAR AND RAISE THE HOOD TO SEE IF THE FIRE WAS UNDER MY HOOD, NO NOT THERE. SO I PARK MY CAR AT MY HOME AND SAID I WOULD INVESTIGATE IT IN THE MORNING SINCE IT WAS NIGHT TIME. I WENT TO MY CAR THE NEXT MORNING ON THE 1ST OF MARCH 2016 AND TRY TO CHANGE GEARS, MY GEAR WOULDN'T MOVE. I HAD MY CAR TOW TO MY MECHANIC TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME I HAD A FIRE IN THE GEAR AREAS, HE WAS DUMBFOUNDED ON HOW THE FIRE STARTED, BUT SAID THE ONLY THING HE COULD COME UP WITH WAS THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER COULD HAD STARTED THE FIRE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND ADDED STEERING WHEEL FLUID TO THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT MORNING, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER WHO VERIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING) AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A FREE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,618.
FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY DROPS TO EMPTY. EVEN AFTER A COMPLETE TANK REFILL. IT WOULD SEEM TO BE AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN EITHER THE SENSOR OR DASH GAUGE ITSELF. IT CAN BE "CLEARED" FROM BEING STUCK ON EMPTY BY SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTING IT. ALSO, SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY DROPS TO ZERO FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND THEN JUMPS BACK TO THE PRESENT SPEED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED MCHENRY AUTO MART (LOCATED AT 725 MCHENRY AVE, SUITE A, MODESTO, CA 95350 (209) 408-8802) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ASKED IF SHE WAS LATE ON HER PAYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
NEED TO PUT THIS VEHICLE IN SHOP TO HAVE THE RECALLS DONE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS ACTIVATED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL SWITCH NEAR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO LIFT THE STEERING WHEEL UPWARDS IN ORDER TO ENGAGE THE HORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURES RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V268000 (STEERING) AND 08E033000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALLS HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 3/31/15*CN UPDATED 7/8/2015*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS EXPOSED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUPTURED CAUSING THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
I HAVE HAD THE CAR TUNED AND INSPECTED THIS PAST YEAR AND HAD MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON SPORADICALLY. LIKE THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT," IT APPARENTLY MEANT NOTHING, I WAS TOLD, AS IT WAS THE ORIGINAL, NEVER USED, AIRBAG. YESTERDAY AS I WAS DRIVING ON A FOUR-LAND HIGHWAY THERE WAS A LARGE EXPLOSION AND THE SMELL OF CORDITE, AS IF I HAD BEEN SHOT. MY CHEST FELT CRUSHED, AS IF IT HAD BEEN HIT, COMPRESSED, WHATEVER...AND THE SEAT BELTS TIGHTENED, BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN SHOT. NO BLOOD, NO BULLET HOLE. CHEST HURT. CHEST DID NOT HURT BECAUSE OF A SEATBELT, BUT THE COMPRESSION FROM THE BLAST. I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND JUST HELD THE CAR STEADY, VERY DISORIENTED AND SHAKEN. CHEST HURT. I REALIZED I WAS WITHIN A MILE (A MIRACLE) OF ONE OF THE TWO CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS THAT HAS WORKED ON THIS CAR OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS, SO I DROVE IT IN AND STUMBLED, BREATHLESS, INTO THE SERVICE AREA,, WHERE THEY KNEW ME AT ONCE BY NAME. THEY KNEW I WAS SHAKEN AND WAS HAVING TROUBLE TALKING AND WALKING. MY CHEST HAD BEEN HIT VERY HARD AND I FOUND OUT THE AIR HAD BEEN KNOCKED OUT OF MY LUNGS. THEY HAVE THE CAR, HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. NO ONE HAS WORKED ON IT YET. I AM GOING OVER THERE TODAY TO ASK THEM NOT TO WORK ON IT UNTIL MY LAWYER DECIDES IF IT IS "EVIDENCE" FOR SOME NEW KIND OF AIR BAG HAZARD. I HAVE NO CAR NOW. I WANT OTHER DRIVERS AND OWNERS TO KNOW THAT A TEN-YEAR-OLD CAR AND TEN-YEAR-OLD AIRBAG ARE DANGEROUS. THIS CAR HAS NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND THIS IS THE ORIGINAL AIRBAG. MY IDEA: AIRBAGS NEED TO BE ROTATED OUT AND CHANGED EVERY FEW YEARS SO THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN AROMA OF SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 1/21/15*CN UPDATED 9/11/2017*CN
AS I WAS DRIVING THERE WAS SUDDENLY A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE SMELL OF BLACK POWDER (LIKE A GUNSHOT) AND I WAS HIT VERY HARD IN THE UPPER RIGHT CHEST, DRIVER'S SIDE, BY A SHOCK WAVE THAT FELT AS IF I HAD BEEN SHOT. THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE AREA NEAR THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY FOR MONTHS. IT NEVER STAYED ON MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS. I HAD THE CAR IN FOR ITS BIG VA STATE INSPECTION, TO THE TUNE OF $2059.03, IN APRIL AT THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAVE TAKEN IT FOR ONE YEAR. AIR BAGS ARE NOT PART OF A REGULAR INSPECTION SO IT WAS NOT CHECKED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR INTO THE NEAREST CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP, BY LUCK IT WAS WITHIN A MILE OF WHERE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED), AND ASKED THE MEN IN SERVICE, WHO KNOW ME AND HAD SERVICED THIS CAR FOR TEN YEARS, TO COME OUT AND SMELL IT. THEY CONCURRED IT SMELLED AS IF AN EXPLOSION HAD HAPPENED INSIDE THE CAR. THE AIRBAG HAD NOT DEPLOYED; NOR SHOULD IT HAVE...THERE WAS NO CRASH OR ANYTHING. I LEFT THE CAR THERE. MY CHEST HURT. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER IN DETROIT AND A WEEK LATER THEY SENT THEIR SPECIAL VA ENGINEER WITH HIS COMPUTER TO CHECK THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR. THE OTHER DAY I RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL LETTER THAT MY CLAIM WAS BEING DENIED; NOTHING HAD BEEN FOUND. SO I WENT OVER TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE MAN DROVE IT AROUND THE LOT TO GIVE TO ME. I WAS GOING TO TAKE IT HOME. HE HAD NOT PUT THE SEAT BELT ON TO DRIVE IT TO ME. I GOT IN AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME AND THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT EXTEND. I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH AN INOPERABLE SEAT BELT AND WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON. IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE PROPELLANT THAT HIT ME IN THE CHEST, AS THE BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. IT WAS SO FAST, SO HARD, AND SCARED ME TO DEATH. I REPORTED THIS TO YOU AFTER IT HAPPENED, BUT AM RE-REPORTING IT NOW BECAUSE OF THE "RESULTS" OF CHRYSLER'S OFFICIAL INSPECTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PIPE AND PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
JUST UNDER 78,000 MILES TURBO GOES OUT, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, REPLACED TURBO (TOOK 6 MOS) FINALLY RETURNED THE VEHICLE AND WITHIN 1 MONTH HEAD GASKET GOES OUT (BLOWING WHITE SMOKE), WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON A SIDE ROAD (DEALER SAYS KNOWN PROBLEM, WANTS ANOTHER $2000 FOR HEAD GASKET, LOCAL DEALER SAYS "THE HEAD GASKETS FOR THAT CAR ARE THE WEAK POINT, WHEN YOU RETURN THE COMP RATIO TO NEW/NORMAL WITH A NEW TURBO. IT WILL BLOW THE HEAD GASKET OUT") REPLACED MYSELF (CANT AFFORD DEALER) NEW HEAD GASKET (MULTI LAYERED POS), NEW BOLTS (REQUIRED), NEW TIMING BELT, NOW IT WONT START, TESTED ALL SENSORS, CAM, CRANK, O/P, WATER, THROTTLE POS, REPLACED COIL, REPLACED PCM, CHASED AND INSPECTED ALL WIRING, STILL NOTHING ENGINE CRANKS OVER, BUT-IT WILL NOT START. MECHANICS AND DEALERS ALIKE SAY ITS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA OR REASON FOR IT NOT STARTING, I KEEP BEING TOLD TO CHECK THIS SENSOR, REPLACE THAT $300 PART, LOOK HERE, LOOK THERE, REPLACE THAT (ANOTHER$300) AGAIN. CHRYSLER HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS PIECE OF CRAP AND HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THIS FOR 4 YEARS NOW CHRYSLER NEEDS TO REPAIR THIS AND REIMBURSE FOR ALL THE CRAP I'VE HAD TO REPLACE AND ALL THE B/S I'VE GONE THROUGH. THEY KNEW THE HEAD GASKET WOULD BLOW OUT AFTER A NEW TURBO WAS INSTALLED, AND DID NOTHING ABOUT IT, THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS NO START/NO CRANK ISSUE THESE CARS HAVE, BUT HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING TO ADDRESS OR FIX THE POOR CONDITION OF THEIR VEHICLES. NOW THERE'S A LINE THAT SAYS ITS POSSIBLY THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT'S CAUSING THE PROBLEM. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THEY SOLD THE PUBLIC A LEMON AND GOT AWAY WITH IT. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE MADE TO FIX THESE PIECES OF GARBAGE OR BUY THEM ALL BACK AT WHAT THEY SOLD FOR ORIGINALLY I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER AS LONG AS I LIVE. NOT WORTH EVEN USING AS A BOAT ANCHOR.
WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY ON THE ON-RAMP, A VAN IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I CRASHED INTO THE VAN. I HIT MY CHEST HARD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. *TR
CAR MAKING NOISES. *TR
I LEFT MY RESIDENCE AT APPROX 8:45AM ON 5/19/2014 TURNED NORTH STEERING WAS FINE, THE SPEED LIMIT IS 40MPH, CHANGES TO 45, THEN 55, THEN DOWN TO 35MPH APPROX.5.5 MILES FROM MY RIGHT TURN, I TURNED LEFT (WEST) ENTERING A GAS STATION BREAKINNG AT 35MPH AND FOUND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. IT TOOK ALL I COULD DO TO AVOID HITTING THE GAS PUMPS. *TR
THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AFTER APPLYING BRAKES. *TR
DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN ALL THE ENGINE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIGHT UP, FLICKER, THEN GO DEAD. THEN THE CAR LOSES POWER, INCLUDING STEERING AND BRAKES AND CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. IT WILL START AGAIN LATER AND WILL BE OK FOR A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS WHEN THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURS. NEITHER AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOR CHRYSLER CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY SPEED AND CIRCUMSTANCE. I MANAGED TO GET VIDEO DURING ONE SUCH EPISODE ON SURFACE STREETS. THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM GM IS HAVING AND SHOULD LEAD TO A RECALL BEFORE ANYONE IS KILLED. I CAN'T IN GOOD CONSCIENCE SELL THE CAR, AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BUT HAVE NO CHOICE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS AND CHRYSLER HAS TURNED A DEAF EAR TO THE PROBLEM. *JS
I FOUND THAT YOU ALL HAD ISSUED A RECALL ON 2004 NON TURBO CHRYSLER PT CRUISER PRESSURE HOSE. I HAVE A TURBO'ED EDITION, HOWEVER I HAVE NOT FOUND WHERE THERE ARE ANY DIFFERENCES IN ANY OF THE POWER-STEERING COMPONENTS FOR THIS EDITION OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE FOUND A LEAK IN MY PRESSURE HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE POWER STEERING THAT LOOKS LIKE IT MAY HAVE BEEN BURNED FROM TOUCHING ANOTHER PART ON THE CAR. I AM NOT A MECHANIC SO I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO DO ANY WORK ON THIS VEHICLE. I CANNOT HAVE THE PART REPLACED BECAUSE THE RECALL IS FOR "NON-TURBO" EDITIONS OF THE CAR. I WOULD ASK THAT SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS ARE DIFFERENT FROM THE RECALLED 04 PT CRUISER. *TR
2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING HOSE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED A PAID INVOICE, FOR THE PRESSURE HOSE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,910.
THE FOG LIGHTS IN MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER STAY ON, EVEN AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE LEFT BLINKER ON FOR THE FOG LIGHTS TO TURN OFF. AND SOME TIMES THE FOG LIGHTS TURN ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON WITH THE IGNITION OFF. THE FOG LIGHTS STAY ON AND DRAINS THE BATTERY DOWN , DID NOT NOTICE TILL IT WAS PARKED ON THE STREET AND ROOMMATE TOLD ME MY LIGHTS WERE ON. *TR
I HAVE PHOTOS AVAILABLE OF THE TIRE IN QUESTION. THERE ARE 3 SEPARATE PIECES: THE COMPLETE (INTACT TREAD), THE INSIDE SIDEWALL AND THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE CAME APART WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM VISITING RELATIVES AFTER THE HOLIDAYS. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE EFFECTIVELY CAME APART. THE CAR STARTED FISHTAILING AND I CAME VERY CLOSE TO RUNNING OFF THE ROAD WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ROLLING OVER. IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. I FEEL THAT THIS TIRE AND PROBABLY THE OTHER 3 TIRES HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. GOODYEAR/DUNLOP WANTED THE TIRES TO BE INSPECTED BY ONE OF THEIR DEALERS AND THEN CONFISCATED AND DESTROYED. I BELIEVE THAT THE WAY THE TIRE IN QUESTION EFFECTIVELY DISINTEGRATED CONSTITUTES A SERIOUS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. I CURRENTLY HAVE ALL FOUR TIRES STORED IN MY GARAGE. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, I AM ASKING FOR YOU TO INSPECT THESE TIRES SO IT CAN BE DETERMINED ACCURATELY WHETHER OR NOT THEY PRESENT AN ONGOING SAFETY PROBLEM. I WOULD NOT WANT ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCE THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE I HAD TO ENDURE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. *TR
I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM VERY SORE (NO OTHER INJURIES). THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COASTED DOWNHILL BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DETERMINED THAT THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF FUSE WAS BLOWN. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HOSE ON TWO OCCASIONS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
I HAD SMOKE AND SMELLED BURNING COMING FROM MY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, *TR
WHILE PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE CAR BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE FORWARD. INSPECTION OF THE CAR REVIEWED THE FRONT TIRES WERE POINTING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE CAR SHOWED THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTER TIRE ROD END SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE. CAR WAS TOWED, TIE ROD END REPLACED. ( HAVE PART IF NEEDED). *TR
MY CAR STARTED OVERHEATING, SO WE HAVE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, FAN FUSES, AND IT IS STILL OVERHEATING. MY COUSIN HAS THE SAME CAR ONLY A 2002 WHICH IT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE HEAD TO BLOW. THERE ARE MANY MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE HOWEVER I AM NOT SEEING VERY MANY PEOPLE WITH THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. JUST DOING A SEARCH ON LINE FOR PT CRUISER OVERHEATING PROBLEMS THERE ARE TONS OF THEM. WHY WOULD THERE NOT BE A RECALL ON SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN ISSUE? I HAVE A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN THAT HAS NEVER HAD ANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS, WITH 200,000 MILES ON IT. THIS CAR HAS 90K ON IT AND THERE IS A LIST OF THINGS THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD REPAIRED, LIKE DOUBLE WHAT THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED FOR I HAVE ABOUT $10,000.00 WORTH OF REPAIR BILLS, THAT'S A LITTLE LIKE A LEMON CAR. *TR
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS MISFIRING. CAR SHUT OFF AT AROUND 60MPH. DRIFTED OFF ROAD AND RESTARTED AND WENT A MILE OR SO AND IT SHUT OFF AGAIN WE KEPT DOING THAT UNTIL WE GOT HOME. THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC IT RAN FINE ON THE WAY THERE, AROUND 15 MILES. HE PUT IT ON HIS COMPUTER, IT READ BAD INJECTORS SO HE REPLACED THEM. THEN HE TOOK IT FOR A RIDE AND IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS MISFIRING AGAIN HE PUT IT BACK ON HIS COMPUTER AND IT READ BAD COIL SO HE REPLACED THE COIL PACK,PLUGS AND PLUG WIRES. IT RAN FINE FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS . UNTIL NOW 10/30/2012. . TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC, HE REPLACED O2 SENSORS. RAN FOR 2WKS. SAME THING AGAIN! ONCE AGAIN TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC . HE PUT IT ON HIS COMPUTER ONCE AGAIN AND IT READ FINE. HE SAID WE SHOULD TAKE IT TO OUR CHRYSLER CENTER. ALTHOUGH WE COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER RUNNING CAR (WHEN IT IS RUNNING RIGHT) ,THIS CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROAD SHUTTING OFF IN TRAFFIC. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE TO REPLACE IT. PLEASE FINE ANSWER TO PROBLEM. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE WILL SPUTTER AND DIE. WHEN PULLING UP TO A STOP LIGHT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE ENGINE WILL IMMEDIATELY DIE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY DIE. SOMETIMES IT WILL START UP AGAIN RIGHT AWAY, BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO START BACK UP, WHILE PEOPLE ARE HONKING AND HAVING TO GO AROUND MY CAR. MOST OF THE TIME THE CAR WILL RUN ROUGH AFTER RE-START, BUT WILL RUN NORMALLY AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT, UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT DIES. MANY OTHER PT OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY! FOUR MECHANICS HAVE TRIED TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. NO LUCK. HAVE REPLACED THE ECM AND JUST ABOUT EVERY SENSOR AND REPLACEABLE ENGINE PART. NO LUCK. THIS IS OCCURRING IN OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLES, TOO. IT SEEMS LIKE NO ONE HAS FOUND AN ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND CHRYSLER SHOULD FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AND PROVIDE A FIX. *TR
FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MODULE CAUSED FOG LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF AND IN THE DRIVEWAY, RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY. FOG LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN I CONNECTED JUMPER CABLES TO EXTERNAL BATTERY. FOG LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AS THE LIGHT CONTROL STEM ON THE MULTIFUNCTION MODULE IS WIGGLED. REMOVED FOG LIGHT FUSE TO PREVENT RECURRENCE UNTIL MULTIFUNCTION MODULE CAN BE REPAIRED/REPLACED. INTERNET SEARCH AND THIS SITE INDICATE THIS IS A PERSISTENT AND RECURRING PROBLEM ACROSS MANY PT CRUISER MODELS AND YEARS. *TR
THE FOG LIGHTS IN MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER REMAIN ON, EVEN AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. I HAVE TO REMEMBER TO LEAVE THE LEFT BLINKER ON FOR THE FOG LIGHTS TO TURN OFF. OTHER TIMES THE FOG LIGHTS COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON WITH THE IGNITION OFF. THE FOG LIGHTS STAY ON AND DRAINS THE BATTERY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MULTI-SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS CAUSING THE FOG LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
APPROXIMATELY 10-12 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, ALL FOUR TIRES BEGAN TO GET FLAT. THIS HAS OCCURRED EVERY TWO WEEKS SINCE THAT TIME. EVERY TIME I FILL THE CAR WITH FUEL, I HAVE TO PUT AIR IN ALL FOUR TIRES. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER ONLINE IN EARLY FEBRUARY 2012 AND RECEIVED A RATHER FLIP RESPONSE... THANKING ME FOR TELLING THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT OFFERING NO FIX TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS MY SECOND PT CRUISER.. AND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY FIRST CRUISER. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THE ALUMINUM WHEELS CAUSING AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRES. I ENJOY MY PT CRUISER, BUT FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, OTHER THAN BUYING EXPENSIVE NEW WHEELS; ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IT NOT ONLY GIVES ME BAD GAS MILEAGE, BUT ALSO IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026