2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser Complaint Log

The contact owns a 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side seat inadvertently moved forward toward the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic was able to adjust the front driver's seatback to its original position; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

The engine blew up! Under 70,000 mileage but after 10 years. Mechanics can’t figure out what’s wrong with it. The try this and that. The catalytic converter, spark plugs… everything you can imagine. Just started to cost more than it was worth.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT MAKES A DING NOISE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE DRIVERS AIRBAG IS BAD.

THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON AFTER ALL OTHER LIGHT GO OUT. WHEN THE CAR GETS UP TO 20 MPH MAKES A DING RING SOUND BUT LIGHT STAYS ON. I WAS GOING TO TAKE TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT. THEN I SAW MORGAN FREEMAN ON TV ABOUT THE AIRBAG RECALL, BUT I DID NOT SEE MY CAR. PLEASE ADVISE IF I SHOULD TAKE TO SHOP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THANKS.

TAILLIGHT SOCKET MELTED CAUSING LAMP TO BURN OUT, AND BURNT SOCKET. A NEW LAMP WAS PURCHASED A MONTH PREVIOUS, AND WAS CLEAR. LAMP NOW APPEARS LIKE MERCURY IN COLOR, AND CRACKED UPON REMOVAL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE ACCELERATION AND POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THEY WOULD RESPOND BACK TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.

THERE WERE MANY INSTANCES WHERE THE GAUGES WOULD MOMENTARILY GO TO ZERO, AND ENGINE WOULD ALMOST QUIT, ONLY TO RETURN TO NORMAL WITHIN A SECOND OR 2, IN MOST CASES. ON RARE OCCASION, ENGINE WOULD QUIT, AND NOT RESTART FOR A WHILE, THEN EVERYTHING OK AGAIN. I FOUND THAT I COULD DUPLICATE THE SYMPTOMS BY QUICKLY TURNING THE KEY TO "OFF" THEN BACK TO "RUN", AND BY DOING THIS QUICKLY MANY TIMES, THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT RE-OCCUR FOR A FEW WEEKS. SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER DID NOTHING EXCEPT COST ME MONEY. I HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE START SWITCH LOCATED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAD TALKED TO CHRYSLER DIRECT SEVERAL TIMES, AND I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THE REMEDY. I AM MOST DISAPPOINTED THEY WERE NO HELP.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BOULDER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED CHEST AND BACK PAINS THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I STOPPED AT OUR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT MAIL CENTER. WHEN I BACKED OUT, THE BRAKING HAD LOST ITS POWER ASSIST AND I HAD TO APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL TO ACHIEVE A MINIMUM OR BRAKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NEARBY GARAGE AND THEY QUICKLY NOTED THAT THERE IS A 3 WAY CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM SYSTEM THAT GOES TO THE BRAKE CYLINDER AREA. FOR WHATEVER REASON, ONLY A 2 WAY VALVE IS NEEDED AND A RUBBER CAP IS PLACED OVER THE UNUSED PORT AND THIS CAP HAD SOMEHOW CAME OFF. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE MAIL CENTER, I FOUND THE MISSING CAP WHICH IS A SOFT RUBBER WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS INADEQUATE FOR THE PURPOSE. THE MECHANIC SAID HE DIDN'T SEE WHY CHRYSLER USES A 3 WAY WHEN A 2 WAY CHECK VALVE IS ALL THAT IS NEEDED. HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE TWO SUCH VALVES, BOTH WITH THE SOFT RUBBER CAP ON THE UNUSED PORT. HAD THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 2 MINUTES SOONER I MIGHT HAVE CRASHED INTO THE COMPOUND GATE AND IT CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS AT HIGHER SPEEDS SINCE SUDDENLY, YOUR BRAKES HAVE APPARENTLY STOPPED WORKING. *TR

I DROVE 15 MILES AN PULLED AT 55 MPH INTO OSKALOOSA IA REDUCED SPEED TO 35 DOWN TO 25 AN THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING LIKE WIRES AN ANTIFREEZE ,BLACK SMOKE ROLLED OUT FROM UNDER NEATH MY HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE PUT IN PARK POPPED HOOD OPENED HOOD FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH ENGINE IN FRONT OF ALTERNATOR GRABBED SNOW THROWING IT ON FLAMES CALLED 911 GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER SPRAYED GOT FIRE OUT FIRE DEPT.SHOWD LOOKED THEY SAID SMELT LIKE WIRING& ANTIFREEZE BURNT SMELL .THEN LOOKED IN SIDE OF CAR KEYS IN MY HAND DASH LIGHTS ALL LITE UP AN FLASHING .FIREMAN SAID ELECTRICAL MELTED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CONTAINER .CAUSE CAR WAS OFF WE DISCOUNTED BATTERY TOOK NEG OFF LAID IT WHERE NOTHING TOUCH AN WENT TAKE POS.OFF SPARKS SHOT OUT OF NEG.CABLE END. THE DAY BEFORE AT NITE I PUT BRAKE ON IN CAR AN HEAD LIGHTS FLICKERED NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE .THEY'D DIM BRIGHT WHILE DRIVING.FOG LIGHTS KEPT BURNING OUT THEY CAME ON WHEN CAR WAS OFF.SEVERAL TIMES.I REPLACED ALTERNATOR/ STARTER/BATTERY/ VALVECOVER/ ALL 3 SENSORS/ NEW HEADLAMPS THEY WERE SO DIM WITH NEW EVEN.UD EVEN GET SCKED JUST CHECKIN ENGINE OIL DIP STICK. REPLACED STRUTS &SCHOCKS AN BOTH TIE ROD ENDS BEARINGS. ALL SINCE NOV 2013. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT CONTROL BECAME FRACTURED, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE AROUND INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO ORDERED AND REPLACED THE CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE NEW CONTROL PANEL WOULD NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE DUE TO THE WAY THE CONTROL PANEL WAS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 10/17/13*LJ

CAR USING ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL PER 1000 MILES OF OPERATION. HEAD GASKET LEAKING. HEAD GASKET REPLACED BY DEALER. NOW USES 1 QUART OF OIL PER 880 MILES OF OPERATION. *TR

FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILED ON BOTH SIDES OF CAR. REPORTED BY DEALER REPAIR TECH WHILE REPLACING FAILED HEAD GASKET. BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED. DEALER REPORTS ENTIRE CONTROL ARM MUST BE REPLACED WHEN BUSHINGS FAIL. *TR

EDGE OF PASSENGER SIDE REAR FENDER WELL PAINT IS BUBBLING UP WITH CORROSION DAMAGE UNDERNEATH PAINT. NO DAMAGE TO PAINT SURFACE. CHIPPING PAINT AWAY FROM BUBBLE REVEALS RUST. CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF FENDER WELL SHOWS SIMILAR SMALLER PROBLEMS ALONG EDGE OF FENDER WELL. NO OTHER EXTERIOR CORROSION PROBLEMS ON REST OF CAR. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE WATER IS WEEPING IN BETWEEN PAINT AND BODY SHEET METAL AT METAL EDGE INSIDE OF FENDER WELL. DAMAGE REPAIR NOT COVERED BY FACTORY CORROSION WARRANTY BECAUSE METAL IS NOT PERFORATED BY RUST. A THREE YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE TYPES OF FAILURES. *TR

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED, MAKING LOUD GROWLING NOISE, ESPECIALLY WITH STEERING WHEEL TURNED ON INTERSTATE CLOVER LEAF EXIT/ENTRANCE RAMPS. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PT CRUISERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 10/17/12*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC COVERING OF THE ELECTRONIC DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTER DETACHED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROL MOTOR, WIRES, AND CLIP TO BE EXPOSED AND LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,581.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TURNING, THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD EMIT A LOUD NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CAUSED A LEAK. THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE PART BEING ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

ON SATURDAY MORNING, AT ABOUT 11:40 AM, THE TEMPERATURE WAS 31 DEGREES F, AND I'D NOTICED THE DEW POINT WAS AT 33 DEGREES, ACCORDING TO ACCU-WEATHER. IT WAS SOMEWHAT SUNNY, AND THERE WAS VERY LITTLE FROZEN PRECIPITATION FLOATING THROUGH THE AIR. WE HAD JUST LEFT HOME AND DROVE TWO MILES THROUGH STOPS AND STARTS THROUGH LOCAL RESIDENTIAL ROADS. AFTER TURNING LEFT AT A STOP SIGN AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 1.5 MILES, THE ROAD WENT INTO A STRAIGHTAWAY. I GENTLY ACCELERATED, AS I USUALLY DO. THE SPEED CONTROL WAS NOT TURNED ON. MY WIFE AND I SHORTLY NOTICED THAT AFTER THE USUAL 30-35 MPH SPEED, THAT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I CHECKED THE SPEED CONTROL-OFF. CHECKED THE GAS PEDAL-SWINGING FREE. LIFTED THE PEDAL WITH MY SHOE EDGE-NO CHANGE. TAPPED THE BRAKE A FEW TIMES-BRAKE OPERATED, BUT NO CHANGE. AS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET UNTIL I REACHED ABOUT 10 MPH. AT THAT POINT I SLIPPED THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND SWITCHED OFF THE ENGINE. THE CAR STOPPED. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE GAS PEDAL AND FLOOR MAT-BOTH WERE CLEAR. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, IT STARTED, AND THEN SLOWED, THEN SPUTTERED AND FINALLY QUIT. AFTER QUITTING IT WOULD NOT RESTART. I CALLED CHRYSLER WARRANTY SERVICE FOR A TOW. THE TOWING SERVICE WAS DELAYED. WE WAITED ABOUT AN HOUR AND 15 MINUTES, CHECKED THE ETA OF THE TOW TRUCK WHEN TOLD IT MIGHT BE A COUPLE OF MORE HOURS, I RETRIED THE IGNITION, AND THAT TIME THE ENGINE RESTARTED AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. I DROVE ABOUT A MILE TO A NEARBY GAS STATION (TO WAIT FOR THE TOW IN A SAFE PLACE) WITH NO INCIDENT. THE DEALER COULD FIND NO PROBLEM WHEN INSPECTING THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. THEY DROVE 19 MILES, NO PROBLEM. NO FAULT CODES OR TSB'S. CABLE NOT FRAYED. THROTTLE BLADE AND GAS PEDAL NOT BINDING. I SUGGEST THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT ICING COULD HAVE OCCURRED AROUND THE THROTTLE PLATE, SINCE THE AIR WAS NEAR THE DEW POINT ON A HARDLY WARM ENGINE. AFTER THE ENGINE SAT OVER AN HOUR, THE ICE COULD MELTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEAT CONTROL BROKE AND AS A RESULT SHE COULD NOT ADJUST THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED FOUR TIMES THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,080 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,708.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONCE STOPPED, THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000.