2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER Electrical System Problems

The electrical system is malfunctioning the fans do not kick on at all,even after reaching temperature.Even when the "Air" condition is turned on full blast or the "Heater" it doesn't matter which one is used it still doesn't engage the "Fan".

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, REPLACED ALL OF THE SENSORS ON THE VEHICLE, THE RELAYS, AND THE ELECTRICAL FUSES; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

Mileage: 127,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY, TURN OFF THE ENGINE, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING WIRES, BUT THERE WERE NO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL FOR THE FOG LIGHTS ONLINE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

LET ME START BY SAYING I JUST BOUGHT THIS 2001 LIMITED EDITION PT CRUISER THREE DAYS AGO FROM A PRIVATE DEALER. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, HEADING HOME FROM WORK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, AND WANTED TO TRY THE CRUISE CONTROL. I TURNED IT ON AND SET IT FOR 67MPH TO SEE IF IT WORKED FIRST. THEN I WENT TO RESET IT TO MY ACTUAL DESIRED SPEED BY TAPPING MY BRAKES, THEN I TRIED THE SWITCH ON THE ARM OF MY STEERING WHEEL BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. I GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN TO 40MPH BEFORE MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I WAS FORCED TO RUN THE STOP SIGN AT THE END OF THE OFF RAMP. (THANK GOD IT WAS AT 3AM AND MY BABY WASN'T WITH ME!). I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER DOING 20MPH BEFORE THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AGAIN. I QUICKLY SHUT IT OFF, PUT IT IN PARK, AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO TURN IT BACK ON. BUT THE ENGINE JUST KEPT REVING, AS IF I WAS HOLDING MY FOOT ON THE GAS BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STILL ON! I TRIED RESETTING IT BY TURNING THE KEY BACK AND FORTH A FEW TIMES. I TRIED TO SEE IF IT WOULD THROW ME A CODE BUT ONLY "DONE" APPEARED ON MY DASH. EVERY TIME I STARTED THE CAR, THE LED FOR CRUISE CONTROL WOULD COME ON AND THEN SHUT OFF AFTER A FEW SECONDS. I WAS ABLE TO COAST HOME DOING 40MPH WITH ACCESS TO MY BRAKES AGAIN. NOT VERY WELL, BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE IT HOME, (WHEN I'D LET OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD TAKE OFF AGAIN). I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH SINCE I GOT BACK AND FOUND A FEW OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING, EXCEPT THEY WERE ALL ABLE TO STOP. FOR EXAMPLE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL OR SHUTTING THE CAR OFF. EVERY TIME I START THE [XXX] THING, THE CRUISE CONTROL IS STILL ON! HOW DO I SHUT IT OFF? PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Mileage: 146,000

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE GOING 55 MPH AND DASHBOARD FAULTS OUT WITH INCOHERENT READINGS AND TRANSAXLE SHIFTS SELF INTO NEUTRAL. I SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO DRIVE. DASHBOARD READINGS GO BACK TO NORMAL AND TRANSAXLE GOES BACK INTO DRIVE. 15 SECONDS LATER BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. CONTINUE DRIVING TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK. AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS ENGINE STALLS OUT. SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL AND TRY TO RESTART VEHICLE BUT IT WON'T START. COAST TO A STOP AND OPEN HOOD. NOTICE AN ODD SMELL. OPEN HOOD AND ALTERNATOR IS ON FIRE. CLOSE HOOD AND GRAB PERSONAL BELONGINGS (EXCEPT FOR PHONE CHARGER) OUT OF VEHICLE. CALL 911 AS VEHICLE BURNS UP. FIRE AND POLICE ARRIVE AND EXTINGUISH FIRE BUT VEHICLE BADLY DESTROYED BY BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND DISCOVERED A PLUG MELTED AND THAT THE FOG LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE NAME OF THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. UPDATED 04/07/15*LJ UPDATED 9/21/2017*CN

Mileage: 136,000

MY CAR JUST SHUTS OFF LEAVING ME NO CONTROL TO STOP, TURN, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC BEHIND ME..... @ 55MPH TO NOTHING IS ASKING TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND. OR IF TURNING ACROSS A DIVIDED HIGHWAY, TO BE LEFT STUCK WITH 2 LANES OF SEMI COMING FOR ME AND MY KIDS. NOW IT SOMETIMES WONT EVEN DO ANYTHING WHEN I CRANK OVER THE IGNITION (LIKE THERE IS NO BATTERY) OR IF IT CRANKS AND STARTS IT WILL SHUT OFF RIGHT AWAY. IT WANTS TO IDLE DOWN AT STOPS AND STALL. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I LIKE N SPENT MORE MONEY TO HAVE TO BE TOLD THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. I READ OF SO MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WHO END UP JUNKING THESE CUZ THEY JUST STOP STARTING....SAD, WE NEED OUR CARS TO RUN. CHRYSLER KNOWS THEY R RIDDLED WITH SERIOUS ISSUES INCLUDING THE LIGHTS AND TRANSMISSIONS.....THESE ARE A BAD COMBINATION ON THE ROAD. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK @ SOME STATS! THANKS. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

I BOUGHT A CAR FROM NORTH COAST AUTO MALL AND IT HAD A LOT OF SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THEY ENSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX THESE ISSUES IF I BOUGHT THE CAR. AFTER BUYING THE CAR, THEY HAVE HAD ME IN AND OUT OF THEIR SHOP 4 OR 5 TIMES TO WHICH THEY ONLY LUBE THE PARTS OR LIE TO ME CLAIMING THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN FIXED. I FEEL THAT THIS BUSINESS PRACTICE IS UNSAFE AND MISLEADING. THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED A CONTROL ARM TO WHICH GOODYEAR LATER (WHEN I WAS BUYING TIRES) INFORMED ME THAT MY CONTROL ARMS WERE BAD. I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS. NORTH COAST SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS THEY ARE SELLING UNSAFE CARS, CLAIMING TO REPAIR ISSUES AND THEN PUTTING ME IN AN UNSAFE CAR. 30 CLAIMS HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT SIMILAR ISSUES VIA THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR

Mileage: 112,332

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO AND DOOR LOCKS WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 40,000

FOG LIGHTS MALFUNCTION VERY FREQUENTLY. FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, VEHICLE'S BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED BECAUSE THE FOG LIGHTS ARE ON (WHICH ARE NEVER TURNED ON OR EVEN USED) AND WILL NOT GO OFF. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET THE FOG LIGHTS TO GO OFF, THE LIGHTS CONTROL HAS TO BE JIGGLED JUST RIGHT TO GET THEM TO GO OFF SO WE KNOW THE BATTERY WON'T BE DRAINED AFTER A FEW HOURS. LATELY, IT HAS GOTTEN HARDER AND HARDER TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF AND FINALLY HAD TO PULL THE FUSE IN ORDER TO MAKE THEM GO OFF. *TR

Mileage: 79,000

I BOUGHT A 2001 PT CRUISER AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. REPLACED MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH BUT DID NOT HELP. HAD TO RE-WIRE THE LIGHTS TO MAKE THEM WORK. ALSO IT SOUNDS LIKE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE HAS SOMETHING LOOSE. POSSIBLY BUSHINGS?? I'VE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE LIGHTS. WHAT IS IT GONNA TAKE TO GET A RECALL IN PLACE? WE GOT A TICKET FOR IT. *TR

Mileage: 230,000

VEHICLE WAS USED TO DRIVE TO LOCAL STORE AT NIGHT. FOG LIGHTS WERE NOT TURNED ON AT ANY TIME. I PARKED IN DEPARTMENT STORE PARKING LOT AND CAME OUT AFTER SHOPPING FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM PT CRUISER. OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR AND ODOR BECAME MORE APPARENT. NOTICED SMOKE ROLLING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. ALSO NOTICED FOG LAMP INDICATOR ON DASHBOARD WAS ON. HOWEVER, ALL LIGHTS AND SWITCHES WERE OFF. I HAD TO PULL OUT SEVERAL FUSES UNTIL I FOUND THE ONE RELATED TO THE FOG LAMPS. THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY TO QUICKLY POWER OFF THE FOG LAMPS AND STOP THE SMOLDERING. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD! *TR

Mileage: 143,000

WEB SITE TOPIX WILL CONFIRM THE INCREDIBLE # OF FOLKS THAT HAVE HAD FOG LAMPS TURN ON AFTER CAR IS SHUT DOWN CAUSING BATTERY DRAIN. 100'S HAVE PAID FOR REPLACEMENT PART MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THIS CONTROLS FOG, HEAD, ACCESSORY, & DASH LIGHTING. TO PREVENT THE FOG LAMPS FROM COMING ON BY THEMSELVES, MOST HAVE REMOVED FUSE # 8 TO REMOVE THE FOG LAMPS FROM THE CIRCUIT. PEOPLE REPORT SMOKE COMING FROM TURN SIGNAL LEVER, & THE COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL LIGHTING IS QUITE COMMON. I PERSONALLY HAVE REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH 3 TIMES ON MY WIFE'S 2001 P.T. CRUISER WITH ONLY 50,000 TOTAL MILES & SHE BEING ORIGINAL OWNER. BY PARKING HER CAR MINUS FUSE # 8, NOT USING DOME LIGHTING, & ALWAYS PARKING WITH THE SIGNAL LEVER IN THE DOWN OR LEFT TURN POSITION HAS PREVENTED THE MYSTERY FOG LAMP ISSUE, & KEPT HER BATTERY FUNCTIONING. THIS "TEMP" SOLUTION HAS ALLOWED HER ABOUT 6 OR 8 MONTHS OF DRIVING W/O THE PROBLEMS OTHER PT OWNERS STRUGGLE WITH. SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE WILL LOSE LIGHTING OR A FIRE WILL OCCUR INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH WILL CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY, LOSS OF VEHICLE & POSSIBLY DEATH. CHRYSLER DENIES ANY KNOWLEDGE, BUT WANTS MORE THAN $1,000.000 TO ANALYZE & REPAIR. THROUGH THE TOPIX P.T FORUM I WAS ABLE TO LEARN HOW TO DO THE WORK MYSELF FOR FAR LESS THAN $100. MANY ARE GETTING RIPPED OFF FOR HUNDREDS WHILE CHRYSLER KNOWS FULL WELL OF THE ISSUE. NO LESS THAN AN INVESTIGATION, PERHAPS STARTED WITH THE TOPIX FORUM WILL DEMONSTRATE THE INCREDIBLE NUMBER OF FAILURES THAT STILL PLAGUE THE P.T. ON LATER MODELS SUCH AS 2001 THRU 06 OR 08. ALSO NEED 3RD. BRAKE JOB, & THE RIMS DO NOT SEAL CAUSING LOW TIRES THAT HURT MPG. DRIVING COMFORT, & SAFETY. DEALER & I HAVE TRIED MICHELIN TIRES HOPING THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FACTORY INSTALLED GOODYEARS. I STILL HEAR EVERY 100 MILES OR SO THAT MY WIFE'S P.T NEEDS ADDITIONAL AIR PRESSURE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

CAR STALLS ON TURNS PARTICULARLY TO THE LEFT, UPON KEY INSERTION HARD CRANK OR STARTS AND IDLES ROUGHLY THEN SHUTS OFF WITH OUT WARNING. WHILE IDLING AT STOP LIGHTS THE RPMS MAY OR MAY NOT (REV,) AFTER SO MANY MINS OF DRIVING ACCELERATION BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT AT INTERVALS & STALLING USUALLY WHILE TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS. OR GOING OVER BUMPS OR UP HILLS. THIS HAPPENS SOME WHAT SPORADICALLY SO I NEVER CAN TELL WHEN I'M SAFE TO GO. DEFINITELY NOT SOMETHING U WANT TO THINK ABOUT W MIN COVERAGE EITHER WAY. *TR

Mileage: 134,221

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS PT CRUISER, PURCHASED ON NOVEMBER 22, 2000. MY MULTI-SWITCH WILL NOT TURN ON MY FOG LIGHTS AND THE INDICATOR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT LIGHT. I HAVE READ MANY ONLINE ARTICLES FROM OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY WON'T CHRYSLER FIX THIS ON GOING PROBLEM? *TT

Mileage: 69,896

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IN ANY POSITION (OFF, ACCESSORY, ETC) WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING EVEN IF IT WAS NOT SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FAILURE EVERY TIME HE DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.

Mileage: 73,000

I OWN A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2006. IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE THE BATTERY KEEPS GOING BAD. IN 4 YEARS I'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY 3 TIMES. TODAY I WAS ALMOST IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING AND IT JUST STALLED IN TRAFFIC! IT JUST DIED, LIKE IT RAN OUT OF GAS. THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD! I CALLED A TOW TRUCK IT'S IN THE SHOP TONIGHT. MECHANIC THINKS IT'S THE PCM/ POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, COST AROUND $1000.00!! *TR

Mileage: 85,452

DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES. REMOTES AND INTERIOR LOCK SWITCHES ARE NON-FUNCTIONAL. PRODUCES THE RISK OF LOCKING OCCUPANTS OUT OF THE CAR, OR UNLOCKING AT NIGHT AND POSES HIGHER RISK OF THEFT. *TR

ELECTRICAL SHORT / FAILURE IN THE CAR HORN (SIMULTANEOUSLY AFFECTING THE LCD OF THE CLOCK/RADIO). ISSUE STEMS FROM SOME ELECTRICAL WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN; NOT SURE HOW THE TWO ARE RELATES BUT WHEN I BANG ON MY STEERING WHEEL THE LCD COMES BACK AND THE HORN IS FUNCTIONAL AGAIN. POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AS IT AFFECTS THE HORN AND ABILITY TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. NO KNOWN FIX FROM MANUFACTURER ALARMS ME. *TR

UNEXPLAINABLE COMPLETE BATTERY DRAIN BEGAN IN 08/2008. DISCOVERED IN 03/2009 THAT THE FOG LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AND STAYING ON WHEN CAR WAS ON AS WELL AS WHEN OFF AND PARKED THUS, CAUSING THE BATTERY DRAIN. ONLY WAY TO KEEP FOG LIGHTS OFF WAS TO ENGAGE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL OR REMOVE THE FUSE. TOOK TO DEALER 03/21/2009 AND FOUND THE ISSUE IS WITH THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, WITH A REPLACEMENT COST OF $269. WENT AHEAD WITH THE REPLACEMENT AS I DO USE THE FOG LIGHTS. HAVE SEARCHED INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND MANY, MANY CASES OF THIS EXACT PART DEFECT. CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 69,000

2001 PT CRUISER. HORN AND RADIO/CLOCK DISPLAY INTERMITTENT. WHEN THE RADIO/CLOCK DISPLAY IS DARK, THE HORN IS INOPERATIVE. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. SOMETIMES THE HORN DOES NOT WORK FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, OTHER TIMES FOR ONLY A SHORT TIME. TWO REPAIR SHOPS LOOKED AT IT, BUT THE PROBLEM CLEARED BY IT SELF, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

FACTORY INSTALLED KEY ALARM SYSTEM IS SHORTING OUT, ALARM WILL NOT DEACTIVATE BY REMOTE ONLY ON IGNITION SWITCH, DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR 300.-500.00. *TR

Mileage: 135,453

I STARTED DRIVING MY 2001 PT CRUISER AND NOTICED THE FOG LAMP INDICATOR WAS ON. THE LIGHTS WERE NOT TURNED ON, I CHECKED ALL THE SWITCHES. A COUPLE MILES DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE COLUMN THROUGH THE HAZARD BUTTON. I PULLED OVER AND PULLED THE FUSE FOR THE FOG LAMPS WHICH STOPPED THE SMOKING BEFORE A FIRE STARTED. THE FUSE WAS VERY HOT. I SEE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM VIA THE INTERNET ON THE PT. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED IF ITS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH POSSIBLE FIRES. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

I HAVE A FAULTY PART IN MY 2001 PT CRUISER IT IS CALLED A FOG LIGHT SWITCH IT GOES BAD IN 2001 AND 2002 CRUISERS. I HAVE A WEBSITE YOU CAN GO ON AND SEE OVER 300 MORE PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. GOOGLE SEARCH WORD FOR WORD TROUBLE WITH MULTIFUNCTION CONTROL SWITCH FOR PT CRUISER HEADLIGHTS. PLEASE HELP ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ALMOST LOST THERE LIVES DUE TO THERE LIGHTS GOING OUT. *TR

Mileage: 84,839

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE ENGINE AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SHUT OFF WHILE IDLE AS WELL AS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND CAUSED AN 18-WHEEL VEHICLE TO SWERVE OVER THE MEDIAN TO AVOID CRASHING INTO HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER MODULE. ON JULY 10, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURES. THE ETAX RELAY AND THE CONTROLLER SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON AUGUST 30, 2007. THE FLASH CONTROLLER WAS REPLACED AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURES. ON DECEMBER 28, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO TRANSMISSION HESITATION. THE MODULAR ENGINE CONTROLLER WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,780 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 62,000. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB

Mileage: 51,780

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE ENGINE AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SHUT OFF WHILE IDLE AS WELL AS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND CAUSED AN 18-WHEEL VEHICLE TO SWERVE OVER THE MEDIAN TO AVOID CRASHING INTO HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROLLER MODULE. ON JULY 10, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURES. THE ETAX RELAY AND THE CONTROLLER SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER ON AUGUST 30, 2007. THE FLASH CONTROLLER WAS REPLACED AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURES. ON DECEMBER 28, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO TRANSMISSION HESITATION. THE MODULAR ENGINE CONTROLLER WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,780 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 62,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF

Mileage: 51,780

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2007 AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURES. IN APRIL OF 2008, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS. RECENTLY, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS THAT APPLIED TO HER VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,551.

Mileage: 68,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS DIMMED AND OCCASIONALLY THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF. CURRENTLY, THE FOG LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED AND CAUSE THE BATTERY TO FAIL. HE ALSO STATED THAT BY RETAPPING THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS WOULD MAKE THE OTHER LIGHTS BRIGHTER. HE HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY. HE WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Mileage: 79,000

DRIVING LIGHT SWITCH FAILING CAUSING DRIVING LIGHTS TO COME ON WHEN SWITCH IS NOT ACTIVATED RESULTING IN BATTERY DRAIN. HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS. PULLED FUSE RATHER THAN PAY TO HAVE FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 122,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER INSTRUMENTAL PANEL CRACKED IN DECEMBER OF 2007. SHE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Mileage: 38,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL WAS PREVIOUSLY DISCONNECTED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL AND RELATED TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE HIGH AND LOW BEAM SWITCH WAS ALSO BURNED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO EXISTING RECALL. THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. A MECHANIC WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. SHE IS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,100.

Mileage: 65,000

2001 PT CRUISER. HORN AND RADIO DISPLAY LIGHT INTERMITTENT . WHEN THE RADIO DISPLAY LIGHT GOES OUT SO DOES THE HORN. *TR

MY 2001CHRYSLER PT CRUISER DASH CRACKED IN HALF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT CAUSED MANY ELECTRICAL ERRORS IN THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS. I AM JUST THANKFUL I WAS NOT IN A MORE SERIOUS SITUATION WHEN IT HAPPENED. I HAVE HEARD IT IS COMMON AND FEEL IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

WE RECENTLY TOOK OUR 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER IN THE SHOP FOR A STATE INSPECTION FOR RENEWAL OF OUR LICENSE PLATES. IN THE PROCESS, THE VEHICLE KEPT BLOWING 40 AMP FUSES. AFTER 3 HOURS OF SEARCHING. THE "ELECTRICAL SHORT" WAS LOCATED "ON BOTH SIDES" OF THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS". WHEN THE "HIGH BEAMS" WERE USED IT WOULD BLOW A FUSE. THIS SOUNDS STRANGE?? ONE SIDE MAYBE?? BUT BOTH HEADLIGHTS?? THIS SHOULD BE A "FACTORY RECALL". YOU CAN NOT USE YOUR "HIGH BEAMS" WHEN DRIVING?? COULD COST A LOSS OF LIFE. THE SHOP CHARGED ME $225.00. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THE FACTORY!! *TR

MY LED LIGHT ON THE RADIO AND THE HORN BOTH CEASE TO WORK AT THE SAME TIME. WE HAVE REPLACED FUSES, LIGHTS AND RADIOS. STILL NO WORKING HORN. *TR

MY LED LIGHT ON THE RADIO AND THE HORN BOTH CEASE TO WORK AT THE SAME TIME. WE HAVE REPLACED FUSES, LIGHTS AND RADIOS. STILL NO WORKING HORN. *TR

(1) PROBLEM OCCURRED UPON PARKING VEHICLE (2001 PT CRUISER) (2) FOG LIGHTS COULDN'T BE TURNED OFF, SMOKE AND PUNGENT ODOR EMANATED FROM STEERING COLUMN (3) FUSE WAS REMOVED DISABLING CIRCUIT. *JB

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON ALL WINDOW & AIRCONDITION & REAR DEFROSTER STOP WORKING DEALER SAID UNDER DASH WIRING HARNESS. *JB

Mileage: 57,277

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND THE FOG LIGHTS WORKED FINE. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN EARLY MORNING WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT TURN OFF AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED SOME WIRES IN THE WIRING HARNESS WERE MELTING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE COST OF THE REPAIRS THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

Mileage: 60,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 3-5 ALSO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE HORN FAILED. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 06/05/2006. *AK *TS

Mileage: 8,500

DEFECTIVE FOG LIGHT SWITCH SUDDENLY FAILS & GOES OFF AND ON AT RANDOM RUNNING DOWN THE BATTERY TOTALLY. THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM RESULTS IN OWNER BEING STRANDED AND DESTROYING THE BATTERY. DEALER ALSO DOES NOT STOCK PART & SAYS IT WILL BE A WEEK TO GET PARTS. FOG LAMP IS WIRED DIRECT, THEREFORE FUSE SLOT SHOWN IN OWNERS MANUAL IS NOT OPERATIONAL SO FUSE CANNOT BE REMOVED TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT PROBLEM. NOW WAITING FOR PARTS!! *JB

Mileage: 66,000

2 YEARS INTO MY OWNERSHIP, MY CAR BEGAN HAVING FAILURES, MY EGR VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE "BRAIN" IN THE CAR WAS REPLACED, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED,THE FOG LIGHTS STARTED GOING ON AND STAYING ON, THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND OVERHEATED, THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, PIPE CARRYING CIRCULATING COOLANT RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT, O RING WAS REPLACED,MANUAL TRANSMISSION BEGAN BEING DIFFICULT TO SHIFT, FLUID LEAKS,LOW FLUID, PLUG IS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB

Mileage: 85,000

FOG LIGHTS CAME ON, EVEN WITH KEY TURNED OFF. FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. PUFF OF SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN AND FOG LIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION. *NM

AUGUST 2005 MY SELF AND MY FAMILY WERE TAKING A SHORT TRIP OUT OF TOWN ABOUT 200 MILES. AT THE HALF WAY POINT WE PULLED IN TO A GAS STATION FOR SOME REFRESHMENTS I WAITED IN THE CAR WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN UP THROUGH THE FLASHER BUTTON. WE REALIZED IT WAS THE WIRING FROM MY FOG LAMPS ONLY BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT NO LONGER WORK. THE LAMPS WERE NOT IN USE AT THE TIME. NOT REALLY SURE WHY THE WIRING CAUGHT FIRE. *JB

FOG LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF UNLESS BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. CAR INDICATED OVERHEATING. SMOKE COMING FROM HAZARD BUTTON. AFTER REMOVING MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, FOUND THAT WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR ON LEFT SIDE WAS MELTED. BATTERY WAS DEAD, BOUGHT NEW BATTERY. AFTER STARTING CAR WITH MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH DISCONNECTED, NO OVERHEATING, NO SMOKE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED $3000 TO REPAIR THE WIRING HARNESS AND BOUGHT NEW MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FOR $80. FOUND OVER 100 SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON DIFFERENT WEBSITES. PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. WEBSITES: PTDOITYOURSELF.NET/TL/TL-INDEX2.HTML POSTINGS: 191,288,725,862,465,589,824,878,1042,1068,1302,1278,1238,1212. EDMUNDS.COM/INSIDELINE/DO/FORUMSLANDING POSTINGS: 249,250,241,229,232,233,234,235,237,219,220,222,225,227,228,210,211,213,218,202,206,191,198 NHTSA.DOT.GOV COMPLAINT: 10130928,10130890,10131743,8018628,10106442,10127101. *NM

DT: THE MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SWITCH LEVER ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE LIGHTS WILL SUDDENLY GO OUT. THE FIRST TWO TIMES, ONE COULD JIGGLE THE LEVER AND THE LIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON. THE LAST TIME THE LIGHTS WENT OFF ON A ROAD WITH NO SHOULDERS, AND CONSUMER PULLED UP ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS SO SHE WOULD NOT GET HIT. THIS WAS ON A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THIS OCCURRED DUE TO A SHORT IN A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND BROKEN THREE TIMES.*AK UPDATED 2/21/2006 - *NM

1) OUR FOG LIGHTS HAD BEEN GOING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. 2) MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL STREET COMING HOME WHEN SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN, FILLING THE CAR WITH SMOKE. SHE HAPPENED TO BE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (IT'S ON THE WAY HOME FROM HER WORK) AND PULLED IN THEIR PARKING LOT. THE CAR WAS LEFT AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS BEING A SHORTED FOG LIGHT SWITCH. INSTEAD OF A FUSE BLOWING THE WIRE HARNESS ACTED AS A FUSIBLE LINK AND BEGAN MELTING DOWN. WE ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A $2500.00 WIRE HARNESS. I ASKED THE SERVICE WRITER WHY A FUSE HAD NOT BLOWN AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE CIRCUIT IS PROTECTED BY A FORTY (40) AMP FUSE. BEING AN ELECTRICIAN I KNOW THAT A FORTY AMP FUSE OR BREAKER PROTECTS AN ELECTRIC RANGE OVEN AND IS ON 8 AWG WIRE. TO REPAIR THE FAULT, WE HAVE TO BUY THE HARNESS WHICH CHRYSLER WILL CUT OFF THE CONNECTOR THAT MELTED DOWN AND WILL SPLICE ON THE NEW ONE. ALL OF THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING COLUMN PASS THROUGH THIS HARNESS WHICH MELTED DOWN AND THE WIRES ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT PROTECTED BY FUSES. IF THEY WERE A FUSE SHOULD BLOW WITH A SHORT. OUR VEHICLE HAS HAD 4 WARRANTIES AND 3 RECALLS SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT. THE CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED AFTER A WEEK AND A HALF. *NM

Mileage: 67,000

ON MARCH 14, 2005 MY VEHICLE WAS STALLING AND ACTUALLY HOPPING. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE FACILITY THAT I HAVE USED OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE WIRING HARNESS IN MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WAS DEFECTIVE AT 56000 MILES. HE NOTIFIED ME THAT THE WIRES INSIDE THE HARNESS WERE FRAYED AND SEVERAL BARE WIRES WERE ACTUALLY TOUCHING, CREATING A SEVERE SAFECTY HAZARD, I INSTRUCTED HIM TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. I DID NOT KNOW THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS A WARRANTY COVERED PART BECAUSE THE MANUAL SUPPLIED ME FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER DOES NOT CONTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE WIRING HARNESS. I SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND OUT IT WAS A WARRANTY COVERED ITEM UNDER THE CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS WARRANTY. CHRYLSER HAS REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR A PART THAT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE I HAD IT REPLACED AT AN A.S.E. CERTIFIED FACILITY BY A MASTER TECHNICIAN. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER REGARDING THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH ME. THE REPAIR FACILITY THAT I TOOK MY CAR TO HAS KEPT THE WIRING HARNESS BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. I WANT TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WIRING HARNESSES IN PT CRUISERS. THE WIRING HARNESS IS NOT A MOVING PART AND WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE INFLUENCES SUCH AS MOISTURE OR EXCESSIVE ENGINE MOVEMENT, WHICH I DID NOT HAVE, THE WIRING HARNESS SHOULD NEVER HAVE FRAYED AND BARE ELECTRICAL WIRES. PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH ANY INFORMATION THAT I CAN USE TO CONVINCE THE MANUFACTURER OF MY CAR THAT A DEFECTIVE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PART WAS SOLD TO ME.

Mileage: 56,228

CONSUMER BOUGHT CAR THAT HAD NOT BEEN THOROUGHLY INSPECTED. AFTER TWO WEEKS A NOISE IN BOTH THE BACK AND FRONT OF THE CAR WAS HEARD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, PLACED A SUPPORT BECAUSE BRAKE PADS WERE GONE, METAL ON METAL. THE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE, NEEDED ROTORS/SPARK PLUGS, AND TUNE UP ALONG WITH A PVC VALVE. NEEDED TO BE FIXED, BUT DEALER REFUSED TO FIX ANYTHING.*AK

Mileage: 32,000

FOR WEEKS (OR MONTHS) PRIOR TO FAILURE, I EXPERIENCED OCCASIONAL INSTANCES OF FOG LIGHTS ACTIVATING UPON ENGAGING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL. FOG LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AFTER COMPLETING TURN AND SIGNAL AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGED. IT IS NOTED THAT I VIRTUALLY NEVER MAKE USE OF THE FOG LIGHTS. ON DAY OF FAILURE, THERE WAS A PRONOUNCED ODOR ABOUT 1 HOUR INTO A LONG TRIP (LIKE NYLON ROPE BURNING). FOG LIGHTS ACTIVATED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF REGARDLESS OF CONTROLLER SETTING FOR OTHER LIGHTS. FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF EVEN AFTER CAR WAS SHUT DOWN AND KEY REMOVED. AFTER BRIEF REST STOP (DURING WHICH MANUAL WAS RESEARCHED TO LEARN WHAT FUSE MUST BE PULLED TO AVOID DRAINING BATTERY), RETURNED TO CAR TO FIND THAT LIGHTS HAD GONE OFF ON THEIR OWN. NEITHER FOG LIGHTS NOR HIGH BEAMS WORKED ANY LONGER, ONCE CAR WAS STARTED. THE NEXT DAY, UPON DISASSEMBLY OF STEERING COLUMN HOUSING AND REMOVAL OF MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, I DISCOVERED THAT AN INTERNAL, SPRING-LOADED CONTACT ON THE BACK OF THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, LOCATED NEAR THE STEERING COLUMN, HAD MELTED/FUSED. DEALER ADVISED THAT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH MUST BE REPLACED (AT COST OF ~$103 FOR PART). SELF-REPAIRED, WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS (YET). OLD PART HAS BEEN SAVED. THANKFUL THAT PLASTIC SWITCH DID NOT ACTUALLY CATCH FIRE, AND THAT MAIN LIGHTS (LOW BEAMS ONLY) REMAINED OPERATIONAL DURING REMAINDER OF LONG, NIGHT-TIME TRIP. *NM

Mileage: 66,000

PT CRUISER 2001 (CAR) WILL CONTINUE TO RUN WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION. SAFETY ISSUE: CAR CANNOT BE STOPPED OCCURRENCES: HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 6+ TIMES SINCE PROBLEM INITIALLY BROUGHT TO DEALERS ATTENTION IN 2002 CHRYSLER SUPPORT: ESSENTIALLY NOT RESPONDING WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS OVER THE LAST 24 MONTHS TO LOCAL DEALER WHO CANNOT RESOLVE THIS DEFECT DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS ON 3 OCCASIONS WITH DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS - HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR DEALER GAVE ME SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS THAT IF CAR DID THIS AGAIN, I COULD STOP IT BY REMOVING FUSE #11 - AFTER A SET OF RECENT SEQUENTIAL FAILURES ON 12/4/04 WHERE I USED THIS TECHNIQUE UNTIL I COULD CONTACT THE DEALER ON MONDAY MORNING; VEHICLE BATTERY DIED AND NEEDED TO BE RE-STARTED; RESPONDING MECHANIC ADVISE ME THE PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING FUSE #11 WAS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE ARCING IN THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND POSSIBLY A FIRE AND COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE ONBOARD COMPUTER. MOST RECENT EVENT OCCURRED ON 12/4/04 WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION, CAR STILL RUNNING.- UTILIZED DEALER TECHNIQUE OF REMOVING FUSE #11, BATTERY DIED. *JB

Mileage: 5,000

MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HORN DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. WHEN THE RADIO DISPLAY IS ON, THE HORN WORKS , WHEN THE RADIO DISPLAY GOES OUT, THE HORN WILL NOT HONK. THERE HAS BEEN 3 TIMES WHEN WE NEEDED IT TO WORK AND IT WOULD NOT. THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER CHANGED OUT THE RADIO AND SAID THEY FIXED A HORN WIRE, BUT 2 WEEKS LATER IT WAS BROKEN AGAIN. *JB

Mileage: 75,000

THE VEHICLE STALLS WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD A HARD START AND STALLED WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. THE OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE OWNER ALSO STATED THAT THE TECHNICIANS WERE MERELY GUESSING AS FAR AS HOW TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM. *NM THE VEHICLE WOULD DIE OUT AS WELL AS WHEN WARMED, THERE WAS A HARD START, AND THE ENGINE WOULD SHIFT WHILE IN MOTION. *SC *JB

Mileage: 66,176

WHILE DRIVING BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. SECONDS LATER, TRACTION AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, VEHICLE LOST BRAKE POWER, WENT INTO NEUTRAL, AND COASTED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS RUBBED AGAINST THE RIGHT AXLE BOOT, AND AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, IT RUBBED AWAY THE WIRING INSTALLATION AND SHORTED IT OUT. *AK CONSUMER QUESTIONED THE MECHANIC, AS A REPLY IT SAID THAT THE WIRING WAS NOT TAMPERED BUT THE LOCATION WHERE THE WIRE WAS INSTALLED WAS AT FACTORY SETTING. *LA

Mileage: 53,000

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IGNITION LIGHT CAME ON, AND VEHICLE STALLED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED FOUR TIMES SINCE 2001. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES ,AND COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 3,000

ELECTRIC FAILURES: 1) 4/29/03 PLACED KEY IN IGNITION; ALARM SOUNDS AND WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD, CAR WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO DEALER. REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. 2) 11/15/03 DROVE CAR TO WORK; PLACED CAR IN PARK, TURN KEY IN OFF POSITION AND REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION, CAR ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING. PLACED KEY BACK INTO IGNITION TURN TO ON POSITION, THEN BACK TO OFF POSITION, ENGINE TURNED OFF. CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS UNLESS I COULD MAKE IT HAPPEN AGAIN. 3) 6/3/04 UNLOCKED CAR, GOT IN DRIVER'S SEAT AND WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH WERE ON (ENGINE, OIL, AIR BAG, SEAT BELT AND ALARM), TURNED KEY TO ON POSITION, CAR STARTED THEN CUT OUT. TURN KEY TO OFF POSITION, THEN BACK TO ON POSITION. ENGINE WOULDN'T START. ALL WARNING LIGHTS STAYED ON. *JB

HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AGAINST OPTIMA BATTERIES. I WORKED FOR OPTIMA BATTERIES AS A MAINTENANCE TECH FROM 11/00 TO 1/04 OPTIMA HAS A CONTRACT WITH CHRYSLER TO BUILD BATTERIES FOR THE PT CRUISERS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT SOME OF THE BATTERIES THAT WENT IN THE CARS LEAKED. THE BATTERIES FIT SOME WERE IN THE PASSENGER AREA OF THE CAR IT WOULD LET OUT ACID FUMES INSIDE THE CAR.I HAVE SEEN THE BATTERIES SENT DOWN PRODUCTION LINE IF THEY FAILED THE LEAK TEST MACHINE.DURING APRIL OF 2002 I CALLED CHRYSLER CORP AND SPOKE TO [XXX] AND TOLD HER ABOUT THE BAD BATTERIES AND THAT THEY WERE NOT AT QS5000. AFTER THAT I STILL SEEN THE LEAKERS GO TO CHRYSLER CORP. IF YOU NEED MORE INFO PLEASE CALL ME AT [XXX] I CAN HELP OUT MORE BECAUSE I NO LONGER WORK FOR OPTIMA THANK YOU [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

AFTER PARKING AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN WITH THE KEY REMOVED, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RUN FOR 3 MINUTES TO AN HOUR BEFORE IT SHUT OFF. THE DEALER HAD EXAMINED THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 30,000

PURCHASED 7/00. EXPERIENCED 3 SEPARATE ISSUES W/ ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 1ST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP 1)PARKING LIGHTS REMAINED ON WHEN LIGHTS WERE OFF, RESULTING IN TOW, AND REPLACED BATTERY. 3RD YEAR OF OWNERSHIP: 2)DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON, BELL DINGING, INTERIOR LIGHT REMAINS ON AND ALL DOORS ARE SECURELY SHUT. RESULTED IN TOW AND BATTERY REPLACEMENT. DEALERSHIP SAID BATTERY DEFECTIVE. 6MOS LATER, SAME DINGING PROBLEM OCCURING. WARRANTY EXPIRED. PREV DEALER BANKRUPT, NEW DEALER STATING SAME DEFECTIVE BATTERY. *AK

LOCK CYLINDER FOR IGNITION KEY BROKEN IN STEERING COLUMN. KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE LOCK CYLINDER BROKE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL MAY LOCK UP CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. *JB

Mileage: 36,600

2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER: THE BATTERY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I'VE TAKEN TO DEALER FOUR TIME NOW FOR THAT PROBLEM. HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED TWICE. HAD THE REGULATOR IN THE COMPUTER REPLACED. I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED. ALL OF THIS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS! THE VEHICLE KEEPS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. HAD IT FIXED ONCE AND IT STILL PULLS. THE DATE ENTERED IS WHEN EVERYTHING STARTED. *CB

Mileage: 31,000

2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER: THE BATTERY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I'VE TAKEN TO DEALER FOUR TIME NOW FOR THAT PROBLEM. HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED TWICE. HAD THE REGULATOR IN THE COMPUTER REPLACED. I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED. ALL OF THIS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS! THE VEHICLE KEEPS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. HAD IT FIXED ONCE AND IT STILL PULLS. THE DATE ENTERED IS WHEN EVERYTHING STARTED. *CB

Mileage: 31,000

TRANS SHIFTER FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOCK UP. *MR THE DEALER STATED THE STARTER MALFUNCTION, BUT THE CONSUMER DISAGREED.*SCC *JB

Mileage: 10,160

THE CONSUMER CAN TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE KEY AGAIN AS IF RESTARTING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT IT OFF. *AK

Mileage: 49,400

BOUGHT AN EARLY 2001 PT CRUISER. ABOUT ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE, BATTERY FAILS, CAR WOULD NOT START, JUMP STARTING DID NOT WORK. TOWED IT IT DEALER AND THEY REPLACED BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS FAULTY. ABOUT A YEAR AFTER THIS OCCURED, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, DEALER STILL SAYS IT IS THE BATTERY'S FAULT. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON AUGUST 22, 2001 AND I PUT A SPARE BATTERY IN CAR AND DROVE TO DEALERSHIP. AGAIN THEY SAID THAT THE BATTERY WAS FAULTY. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR.

Mileage: 29,000

VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED ON THEIR OWN. *MR THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOCK ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT ACTIVATION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SIX TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF THIRTEEN MONTHS BY THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER WOULD BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, ALL OF THE VEHICLE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK. THE DOORS WERE SUPPOSE TO AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED OVER 5 MPH AND RANDOMLY FAILED TO DO SO, AFTER ACTIVATING THE LOCK/SECURITY DEVICE AND LISTENING FOR THE BEEP IT DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY. THE PROBLEM HAD PROGRESSED RAPIDLY AND THE CORRECTION ATTEMPTS ONLY RESULTED IN PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION. *SCC *JB

5 BATTERIES, RADIO, SPEAKERS, DOOR LOCKS, PAINT, SPEED SENSOR ON TRANSMISSION, FAN MOTOR ON ENGINE, OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR, T14 CIRCUIT ALL WITHIN 27 MONTHS. CAN'T FIND CAUSE OF ALL THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER IS NO HELP! CUSTOMER CARE HUNG UP ON ME. LEMON LAW RAN OUT 1 MONTH AGO. UPSIDE DOWN CAN'T EVEN TRADE IN. HELP!!!!!

Mileage: 300

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROX. TWO DAYS, STARTED VEHICHLE AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STAYED ON; BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT, SECURITY LIGHT, CRUSIE CONTROL, ETC. AS WELL AS WORDS "NO BUG" OVER THE ODEMETER/MILEAGE GAGE. THESE LGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER TO CONNECT TO COMPUTER. *AK

Mileage: 30,077

CLOCK SPRING BROKE IN STEERING COLUMN WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN

Mileage: 44,493

WHILE DRIVING THE INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE HEAD LIGHTS GOES OUT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

KEY TAKEN OUT OF IGNITION AND MOTOR STILL RUNNING/ NO METHOD TO TURN CAR OFF. MR

CONSUMER STATE WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARK CONSUMER NOTICE VEHICLE FOG LIGHTS ON. CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN LIGHT OFF BUT LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. SOON AFTER CONSUMER NOTICE SMOKING COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL CONSUMER REMOVE THE FUSE SMOKE STOP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

HORN AND AIRBAG WON'T WORK, "AIRBAG" LIGHT ON DASH IS CONSTANTLY ON. *AK

UPON STARTING VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED/ RADIO DID NOT WORK, AND TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, SPEEDOMETER RACED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE EVEN BEING ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BETWEEN 25-55 MPH ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WHEN ENGINE SHUTS DOWN OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATES. DEALER REPLACED WIRING HARNESS WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

DEFECTIVE INSTALLATION OF WIRING HARNESS CAUSED OPEN IN CRANK SENSOR WIRE. HARNESS WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED WHICH ALLOWED CHAFFING ON CV BOOT. RESULT WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER IN HIGH SPEED LANE OF SAN DIEGO FREEWAY, PLACING THE DRIVER IN EXTREME DANGER OF COLLISION FROM REAR AS CAR WAS COASTED TO SAFE SHOULDER.

VEHICLE STALLED, THE HOT MUFFLER CAUSED THE BUMPER TO MELT DUE TO DESIGN LOCATION, THE PROBLEM WAS MISDIAGNOSED THE FIRST TIME AND THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. *SLC

VEHICLE STALLED, THE HOT MUFFLER CAUSED THE BUMPER TO MELT DUE TO DESIGN LOCATION, THE PROBLEM WAS MISDIAGNOSED THE FIRST TIME AND THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK ROAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DISAPPEARED WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETIMES IT WAS HARD FOR HEADLIGHTS TO COME ON. DID GO OUT ONE TIME ON THEIR OWN. HAD NOT BEEN TO DEALER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK ROAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DISAPPEARED WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETIMES IT WAS HARD FOR HEADLIGHTS TO COME ON. DID GO OUT ONE TIME ON THEIR OWN. HAD NOT BEEN TO DEALER. *AK

DURING A RAIN STORM AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE CENTER LANE OF A THREE LANE HIGHWAY I TURNED ON MY SIGNALS AND MY WIPERS AND THE FUSE BLEW BECAUSE BOTH ARE ON THE SAME CIRCUIT. THIS DOES NOT GIVE A DRIVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGNAL TO OTHERS WHILE TRYING TO PULL OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE HE CAN DOT SEE DUE TO THE RAIN. I THINK THE SIGNALS SHOULD BE SHARED WITH THE RADIO CIRCUIT. THAT WAY WHEN THE FUSE BLOWS AND YOU NO LONGER HEAR YOUR RADIO THAT MEANS YOU NO LONGER HAVE SIGNAL LIGHTS EITHER. OR PUT EACH IMPORTANT DEVICE ON ITS OWN FUSED CIRCUIT.