2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER Exterior Lighting Problems

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.

WAS DRIVING DAUGHTER TO WORK AND BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING ODOR. HOWEVER, I ASSUMED IT WAS A PASSING VEHICLE (STREETS WERE VERY WELL LIT, AND I WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICED MY LIGHTS WERE OUT). THE NEXT MORNING MY WIFE WAS HEADING OUT TO PICK-UP OUR DAUGHTER FROM WORK, AND WAS FLASHED BY THE LOCAL POLICE FOR NOT HAVING LIGHTS ON. THROUGH THE PROCESS OF ELIMINATION I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. WHEN I RECEIVED THE SWITCH AND ATTEMPTED TO INSTALL IT I NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS SLIGHTLY MELTED. UPON INVESTIGATING THE INTERNET FOR A HARNESS I CAME UPON SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THE SAME PROBLEM. (IF EVERYONE WERE TO UNITE AND POST THEIR COMPLAINTS HERE THERE WOULD BE MANY) THESE PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE RELATED TO A SHORTING OUT OF THE WIRING CAUSED BY THE OEM FOG LIGHTS. THIS HOWEVER, DID NOT CAUSE EITHER THE DASH FUSE OR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUSE TO BLOW, WHICH IS A REAL CONCERN. *TR

Mileage: 128,200

VEHICLE MULTI SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING STOCK FOG LIGHTS TO SHORT, IN TURN, DRAINING THE BATTERY WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLE AND TURNED OFF. *TR UPDATED 08/20/13*LJ

Mileage: 121,700

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE FUSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WAS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE HORN AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD ALSO FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT WAS EXTREMELY CONCERNED WITH THE FACT THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 62,000

I WAS DRIVING ON A 2-LANE ROAD, LIGHT SNOW COMING DOWN GOING AROUND 45 MPH WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. TOTAL DARKNESS! I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CAR BEHIND ME I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I STOPPED, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE HEADLIGHTS CAME ON. I DROVE ANOTHER 7 TO 10 MILES AND THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. AGAIN, I STOPPED, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, RESTARTED THE CAR, BUT THIS TIME I KEPT THE DIMS ON. I HAD BEEN USING THE WIPERS TO CLEAR SNOW OFF THE WINDSHIELD AND ALSO MY BRIGHTS AND DIMS FOR ON-COMING TRAFFIC. I DROVE BACK HOME WITH ONLY MY DIMS ON.....LIGHTS WENT OUT 2 MORE TIMES. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A FATALITY BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? *TR

Mileage: 148,000

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

MULTIFUNCTION LIGHT SWITCH IN PT CRUISER IS POORLY DESIGNED, RESULTING IN UNRELIABLE EXTERIOR LIGHT OPERATION. EITHER CAN TURN ON FOG LIGHTS, OR LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHEN CAR IS OFF AND SWITCH IS OFF AND DRAINS BATTERY. MINE HAS OCCURRED 5X. INTERNET SEARCH FINDS THIS TO BE COMMON TO PT'S, WITH OTHERS REPORTING ELECTRICAL SHORT, SMOKE, AND TOTAL MELTDOWN OF THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. *TR

Mileage: 78,640

HIGH BEAM HEADLAMPS WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS OCCURRED LAST OCT. 2009. I REPLACED MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THEN LAST WEEK OCT.3, 2010 SAME THING OCCURRED. ALMOST GOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR WHILE STOPPING WITHOUT HEADLAMPS. I CANNOT SEE WHY CHRYSLER WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FAULTY SWITCH. I WILL NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT UNTIL CHRYSLER COMES UP WITH A FIX FOR ITS POOR SWITCH DESIGN. *TR

Mileage: 112,005

2001 PT CRUISER FLOODLIGHTS STAY ON AFTER ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. WILL ONLY GO OFF IF THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ENGAGED. THIS SITE HAS OVER 500 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER/TF81KHBDLDVT92AH2 AFTER READING THIS SITE, I REALIZED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINNING(LOOKS LIKE IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 6 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES FOR IT TO START) I ORDERED MY CAR IN 2000 AND WAS ONE OF THE FIRST IN OUR TOWN TO GET ONE. IT HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL. NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT WONDERING WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. I CERTAINLY CAN'T DRIVE IT AT NIGHT BY MYSELF AND FEEL CONFIDENT THAT I WILL BE SAFE IN IT. *TR

FAULTS WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT/FOGLIGHT MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON THE 2001 PT CRUISER CAUSES THE FOGLIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE, EVEN WHEN THE SWITCH IS OFF. I REPLACED THE SWITCH, AND ALTHOUGH THE FOGLIGHTS NOW WORK PROPERLY, THERE IS NOW A FAULT IN THE DOME LIGHT FUNCTION, WHICH CAUSES THE DOME LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE SWITCH IS OFF. I RESEARCHED THE COMPONENT ON-LINE AND RETRIEVED REPORTS OF HEADLIGHTS TURNING THEMSELVES OFF AT RANDOM INTERVALS. HEADLIGHTS, FOGLIGHTS, DASHBOARD ILLUMINATION, DOME LIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS ARE ALL IN THE SAME COMPONENT. FOR FOGLIGHT DEFECT, MECHANIC REMOVED THE APPROPRIATE FUSE FROM THE FUSE PANEL AS A TEMPORARY FIX.

Mileage: 64,000

THE TURN SIGNAL/HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH ON MY 01 PT CRUISER HAS FAILED IN THAT MY RIGHT HAND TURN SIGNAL TO THE FRONT DOES NOT COME ON. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS AND BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER PERSONNEL THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE IS TURN SIGNAL/HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS PART IS IN BACKORDER TO THE TUNE OF APPROX 4600 PARTS AND AN AFTER MARKET COMPANY THAT I CONTACTED SAID THEY ARE ALSO IN APPROX 30DAYS BACKORDER STATUS TRYING TO FILL THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENTS. IN CHECKING WITH ON-LINE FORUMS I'VE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR SWITCH INVOLVE HEADLIGHT FAILURE TO OPERATE AND LIGHTS (FOG LIGHTS) COMING ON WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTION. I BELIEVE THIS IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT FAILURE AND NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO SOMEONE'S ATTENTION THAT THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF SWITCH FAILING "UN-ANNOUNCED" AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY NOT ONLY TO THE OPERATOR OF THE PT CRUISER BUT TO OTHER VEHICLE OPERATORS AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 59,106

THE TURN SIGNAL/HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH ON MY 01 PT CRUISER HAS FAILED IN THAT MY RIGHT HAND TURN SIGNAL TO THE FRONT DOES NOT COME ON. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS AND BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER PERSONNEL THAT THE PROBABLE CAUSE IS TURN SIGNAL/HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS PART IS IN BACKORDER TO THE TUNE OF APPROX 4600 PARTS AND AN AFTER MARKET COMPANY THAT I CONTACTED SAID THEY ARE ALSO IN APPROX 30DAYS BACKORDER STATUS TRYING TO FILL THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENTS. IN CHECKING WITH ON-LINE FORUMS I'VE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR SWITCH INVOLVE HEADLIGHT FAILURE TO OPERATE AND LIGHTS (FOG LIGHTS) COMING ON WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTION. I BELIEVE THIS IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT FAILURE AND NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO SOMEONE'S ATTENTION THAT THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF SWITCH FAILING "UN-ANNOUNCED" AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY NOT ONLY TO THE OPERATOR OF THE PT CRUISER BUT TO OTHER VEHICLE OPERATORS AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 59,106

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.*JB

Mileage: 59,000

2000 PT CRUISER WITH 50000 MILES. MULTIFUNCTION LIGHT SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED IN PAST TWO WEEKS. WHEN VEHICLE TURNED OFF, FOG LAMPS STAY ON. ONLY WAY TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF IS TO TURN ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL. WENT TO DEALER TO GET REPLACEMENT SWITCH AND WE ARE #1500 ON WAITING LIST FOR NEW SWITCH. CHRYSLER HAS NO OUTLOOK FOR WHEN NEW SWITCHES WILL BE AVAILABLE. PULLED FOG LIGHT FUSE TO KEEP FOG LIGHTS DE-ENERGIZED. GREAT RISK ACCORDING TO WIDELY DISTRIBUTED REPORTS THAT LIGHT WIRING HARNESS CAN FAIL, MELT AND START FIRE. THE ONLY SAFE THING TO DO IS PARK CAR AND REMOVE BATTERY UNTIL NEW SWITCH IS AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

SHORT IN MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH CAUSES FOG LIGHTS TO COME ON RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS IS A 15 AMP CIRCUIT AND IT MAY POSSIBLE CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE ALSO. APPEARS TO BE A COMMON MALFUNCTION WITH THE PT CRUISER FOR ALL YEARS. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

FOG LIGHTS STAYED ON UNTIL THE HIGH BEAMS WHERE TURNED ON THEN THEY WOULD GO OUT. HAD TO HAVE ENTIRE LEFT ARM CONTROL SWITCH REPLACED AT A COST OF 189.00. *TR

Mileage: 128,000

FOG LIGHT SWITCH IS ALWAYS ON UNLESS SIGNAL ARM IS PLACED IN LEFT TURN. IF I DON'T DO THIS, THE BATTERY DRAINS FROM THE FOG LIGHTS STAYING ON. INTERNET SEARCH AND COMPLAINT SEARCH ON THIS SITE REVEALS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, COSTING APPROX $200 TO FIX. FROM INTERNET RESEARCH, APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING NOT ONLY WITH 2001 PT CRUISER BUT ALSO LATER YEARS. *TR

MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FOR TURN SIGNAL, HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS IS DEFECTIVE. ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSES MELTING, SMOKE, BURNING AND MALFUNCTION. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

MULTIPURPOSE SWITCH TURN SIGNAL, FOG LAMP, DIMMER. MALFUNCTIONED AND LEAVES FOG LAMPS ON INTERMITTENTLY, WHETHER VEHICLE IS OCCUPIED OR NOT. DRAINED BATTERY MULTIPLE TIMES AND REQUIRED REMOVAL OF FOG LAMP FUSE. MY POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MELTED AND LOST ELECTRICAL FUNCTION OF ENTIRE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

MULTIPURPOSE SWITCH TURN SIGNAL, FOG LAMP, DIMMER. MALFUNCTIONED AND LEAVES FOG LAMPS ON INTERMITTENTLY, WHETHER VEHICLE IS OCCUPIED OR NOT. DRAINED BATTERY MULTIPLE TIMES AND REQUIRED REMOVAL OF FOG LAMP FUSE. MY POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MELTED AND LOST ELECTRICAL FUNCTION OF ENTIRE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

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

2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. BAD MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH CAUSES FOG LIGHTS TO STAY ON WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF AND RUN THE BATTERY DOWN COMPLETELY. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

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

FOG LIGHTS STAY ON DRAINING BATTERY. INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES PROBLEM WITH THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. ALSO INDICATES THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM - SOME MULTIPLE TIMES - REPLACING SWITCH AT DEALER FOR APX $200 - AND MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO ISSUE RECALL OR ASSISTANCE. *TR

THE 2001 PT CRUISER FOG LIGHTS CAME ON BY THEMSELSVES WHEN THE SWITCH WERE IN THE OFF POSITION, DRAINING THE BATTERY WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. IF THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS TURNED ON THE FOG LIGHTS WENT OFF. I HAD TO PULL THE FOG LIGHT FUSE TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM.*AK

THE FOG LAMPS ON THE 2001 PT CRUISER COME ON AND STAYED ON THEIR OWN ACCORD. THIS CAUSED A DEAD BATTERY 3 TIMES. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR THE ALARM WENT OFF. SOMETIMES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WORKED CORRECTLY, SOMETIMES IT DID NOT. SOMETIMES THE KEYLESS ENTRY WORKED AND SOMETIMES IT DID NOT. WHEN IT DID WORK, I COULD NOT GET THE DOOR TO UNLOCK WITH THE KEY, IT RELOCKED BY ITSELF, LEAVING ME LOCKED OUT OF MY OWN CAR AND STRANDED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I COULD NOT LOCK THE DOOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE WITH ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK. MUST INDIVIDUALLY LOCK ALL DOORS. SMOKE CAME FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN , THROUGH HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH ON TWO OCCASIONS. DEALER SUGGESTED $200. REPLACEMENT OF MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH - BUT RESEARCH SHOWED THISWAS NOT A REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM. I LIVE IN A REMOTE, RURAL AREA, AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE OR SECURE WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK

MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER'S FOG LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING UNLESS THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS TURNED ON. IF THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS NOT TURNED ON THE FOG LIGHTS DRAIN THE BATTERY LEAVING ME STRANDED AND REQUIRES RECHARGING OR REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY. MULTIPLE FORUMS I'VE READ LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A MASSIVE PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER. IT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF A MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AT A COST OF OVER $200. *JB

Mileage: 90,000

MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER'S FOG LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING UNLESS THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS TURNED ON. IF THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS NOT TURNED ON THE FOG LIGHTS DRAIN THE BATTERY LEAVING ME STRANDED AND REQUIRES RECHARGING OR REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY. MULTIPLE FORUMS I'VE READ LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A MASSIVE PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER. IT REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF A MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AT A COST OF OVER $200. *JB

Mileage: 90,000

CONTROL SWITCH FOR 2001 PT CRUISER HEADLIGHTS AND FOGL IGHTS HAD INTERMITTENT SHORT, CAUSING REPEATED BATTERY DRAIN. EXACT SAME PROBLEM NOTED BY 20 OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS THIS YEAR ON WWW.TOPIX.NET. SOME SUGGESTED A FUSE REPLACEMENT FOR $200 MAY FIX THE PROBLEM. NO WORD FROM CHRYSLER ON THE SUBJECT. WHY WAS THERE NO RECALL?*AK

Mileage: 103,000

CONTROL SWITCH FOR 2001 PT CRUISER HEADLIGHTS AND FOGL IGHTS HAD INTERMITTENT SHORT, CAUSING REPEATED BATTERY DRAIN. EXACT SAME PROBLEM NOTED BY 20 OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS THIS YEAR ON WWW.TOPIX.NET. SOME SUGGESTED A FUSE REPLACEMENT FOR $200 MAY FIX THE PROBLEM. NO WORD FROM CHRYSLER ON THE SUBJECT. WHY WAS THERE NO RECALL?*AK

Mileage: 103,000

2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER TAILLIGHTS CAME LOOSE AND OUT OF THE BODY OF THE CAR DUE TO CRACKED PLASTIC IN TAILLIGHT HOUSING. TAILLIGHT SECURED BY ONE SCREW AND ONE METAL CLIP THAT FITS IN A CHEAP, FLIMSY PIECE OF PLASTIC INSIDE THE TAILLIGHT HOUSING. ONE PUSHES DOWN ON THE CLIP TO SECURE IT TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. THE PLASTIC PIECE INTO WHICH THE CLIP GOES CRACKED AND BROKE OFF ON BOTH TAILLIGHTS. CAR IS GARAGED 90% OF THE TIME ELIMINATING EXPOSURE TO THE SUN WHICH MIGHT CAUSE THE CRACKING. A RATHER SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW AS ONE COULD EASILY COMPLETELY LOOSE THE ENTIRE PHYSICAL TAILLIGHT(S)! *NM

Mileage: 46,000

OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD 50 PLUS TIMES WHERE I HAVE FOUND MY BATTERY DEAD AND THE FOG LAMPS ON. OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD FEWER , BUT , REGULAR TIMES WHEN THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED. I CHECK TO SEE THAT THEY ARE OFF AS I EXIT THE VEHICLE , AND RETURN TO FIND THEM ON AND THE BATTERY DEAD. THE SWITCH ON THE END OF THE LIGHT CONTROL STICK IS NOT A GOOD ARRANGEMENT. IT WEARS OUT THE STOP AND THEN ( AS MINE IS NOW ) YOU CAN NOT TURN THE FOG LAMPS OFF. ANY LITTLE BUMP WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THEY COME ON. I HAVE HAD TO UNPLUG THESE LAMPS ( RATHER THAN PAY THE RIDICULOUS DEALER REPLACEMENT FEE ) TO KEEP MY CURRENT ( 3RD THIS LAST 2 YEARS ) BATTERY FROM DYING. I GOT THE FIRST RETAIL PT DELIVERY IN WI ON APRIL 12 2000 AND AM SURE IN TIME ALL OWNERS WILL FIND THIS PROBLEM. *NM

Mileage: 30,000

THE CONNECTOR PLUG FOR THE FOG LIGHTS SHORTED OUT CAUSING IT TO SMOLDER AND THE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON EVEN THOUGH THE KEY WAS REMOVED. THERE WAS FIRE BUT NO FLAME. THE PLUG MELTED AND CRACKED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

Mileage: 85,324

FOG LIGHTS DIFFICULT TO SHUT OFF EVEN WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION, CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH TO AVOID FIRE/WIRING MELTDOWN. UPON REMOVAL OF SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY OF COMPONENT PLASTIC ARM WORN OUT ALLOWED SPRING LOADED CONTACT TO MAKE LIGHT AND CONSTANT CONTACT PRODUCING A SHORT CIRCUIT. ONCE PLASTIC FAILS NO WAY TO TURN FOGS OFF. *JB

Mileage: 80,654

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 94,000

THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCHES ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAVE BEEN BURNING UP. SOME HAVE STUCK ON AND MELTED THE SWITCHES. NOT ALLOWING THE HEAD LIGHTS TO WORK OR GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT AREAS WHERE THE POWER IS TRANSFERED TO THE FOG OR HEAD LIGHTS ARE TO SMALL OF A AREA. AND ARE BURNING UP OR MELTING. THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN REPLACING A LOT OF THEM. BUT EVEN SOME OF THE NEW ONES THEY HAVE INSTALLED ARE DEFECTIVE RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX AND DO NOT WORK. *NM

Mileage: 50,157

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FOG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND ONLY WENT OFF WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS MANIPULATED. ON MONDAY THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT NO FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WAS MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Mileage: 44,700

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

MY FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND COULD TURN ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING. MY CAR BATTERY DRAINED A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND I HAD TO OBTAIN A JUMP TO START MY CAR. CALLED CAR DEALER, AND THEY PULLED THE FUSE TO THE FOG LIGHTS AND SAID THERE IS A SHORT IN THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. CALLED CHRYSLER, AND I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WILL OFFER NO ASSISTANCE UNLESS THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I SEE THERE IS A PRIOR COMPLAINT DATED AUGUST 2, 2005 FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THREE OTHER PT CRUISERS AND MY CAR DEALER STATES THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SWITCH ON SEVERAL PT CRUISERS. I HAVE ALSO READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON SOME ONLINE FORUMS. I WILL KEEP MY SERVICE RECORDS IN CASE OF RECALL PER CHRYSLER. *JB

Mileage: 52,700

DT: CONSUMER OWNED THREE 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISERS. EACH OF THE VEHICLES HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FOG LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH , WHICH WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WHEN ONE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE FOG LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE SECOND AND THIRD CRUISERS FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF, CONSUME R REMOVED THE FUSE. THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE PT CRUISERS HEADLIGHT SWITCH, WHICH WOULD RUN DOWN THE BATTERY. THE SWITCH SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. ALSO, THERE SHOULD A BE A REDESIGNED SWITCH, AND A FULL RECALL/REPLACEMENT AFTER THE SWITCH WAS REDESIGNED. IN ORDER TO HAVE TWO PT CRUISERS PASS VA STATE INSPECTION CONSUMER REMOVED FOG LIGHTS BULBS, SOCKET AND WIRING. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

DT: CONSUMER OWNED THREE 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISERS. EACH OF THE VEHICLES HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FOG LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH , WHICH WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WHEN ONE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE FOG LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE SECOND AND THIRD CRUISERS FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF, CONSUME R REMOVED THE FUSE. THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE PT CRUISERS HEADLIGHT SWITCH, WHICH WOULD RUN DOWN THE BATTERY. THE SWITCH SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. ALSO, THERE SHOULD A BE A REDESIGNED SWITCH, AND A FULL RECALL/REPLACEMENT AFTER THE SWITCH WAS REDESIGNED. IN ORDER TO HAVE TWO PT CRUISERS PASS VA STATE INSPECTION CONSUMER REMOVED FOG LIGHTS BULBS, SOCKET AND WIRING. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

DT: CONSUMER OWNED THREE 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISERS. EACH OF THE VEHICLES HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FOG LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH , WHICH WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WHEN ONE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE FOG LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE SECOND AND THIRD CRUISERS FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF, CONSUME R REMOVED THE FUSE. THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE PT CRUISERS HEADLIGHT SWITCH, WHICH WOULD RUN DOWN THE BATTERY. THE SWITCH SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. ALSO, THERE SHOULD A BE A REDESIGNED SWITCH, AND A FULL RECALL/REPLACEMENT AFTER THE SWITCH WAS REDESIGNED. IN ORDER TO HAVE TWO PT CRUISERS PASS VA STATE INSPECTION CONSUMER REMOVED FOG LIGHTS BULBS, SOCKET AND WIRING. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

DT: CONSUMER OWNED THREE 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISERS. EACH OF THE VEHICLES HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FOG LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH , WHICH WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE WHEN ONE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE FOG LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS STAYED ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE SECOND AND THIRD CRUISERS FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF, CONSUME R REMOVED THE FUSE. THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE PT CRUISERS HEADLIGHT SWITCH, WHICH WOULD RUN DOWN THE BATTERY. THE SWITCH SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. ALSO, THERE SHOULD A BE A REDESIGNED SWITCH, AND A FULL RECALL/REPLACEMENT AFTER THE SWITCH WAS REDESIGNED. IN ORDER TO HAVE TWO PT CRUISERS PASS VA STATE INSPECTION CONSUMER REMOVED FOG LIGHTS BULBS, SOCKET AND WIRING. *AK

Mileage: 60,000

I WAS DRIVING AND THE FRONT PART OF THE CAR BROKE DOWN I COULDN'T KEEP ON THE SHIFT COULDN'T MOVE TO PARK, DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK THE PART AN AXEL. I PAID A MECANIC. BUT THE BUSHINGS ARE ALSO MESSED UP THEY ARE TOO EXPENSIVE HERE IN PUERTO RICO IT COSTS ME MORE THATN 1,000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING LIKE THAT SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE DEALER TOLD THAT THE IT DIDN'T HAVE GARANTEEN. KNOW ANOTHER PROBLEM THERE IS IN FEBREUARY I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECANIC BECAUSE THE CARGOT HOT THEY CHANGE THE WATER BOMB, AND IT CONTINUE TO RISE THE TEMPERATURE, THEN THE TEMOSTAT AND THEY EVEN FLUSHED THE RADIATOR,AND THEY PUT A COMPUTER IF IT CAN DITECT WHERE IS THE PROBLEM.THEY JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE ONE OF THE BEST RADIATOR MECANICS IN BAYAMON PUERTO RICO. WHE N I DRIVE AROUND THERES NO PROBLEM AS LONG I I AM NOT IN A TRAFFIC JAM FOR MORE THAN HALF AN HOUR AND WHEN I GO VISIT MY PARENTS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE GOING UP THE HILLS THAT AFTER TEN MINUTES ON THE HILL THE TEMPERARURE STARTS TO RISE BOTH TIMES THAT I HAVE VISITED MY PARENTS FOR THE PAST FIVE MONTHS AGO I CAN'T GO. THE MECANICS CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY SUGGETIONS E-MAIL ME BACK AND I CAN GIVE IT TO THE MECANICS . ABOUT THE BUSHINGS I'VE ASKED A PERSON ON THE STREETS THAT HAVE A 2003 PT CRUISER AND SHE SAID THAT THESE CARS HAVE THAT PROBLEM.

IN OCTOBER, 2004 THE FOG LIGHT INDICATOR WOULD STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE FOGS LIGHTS WERE NOT ON. THEN THE FOG LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. MAY, 2005, THE FOGS LIGHTS CAME BACK ON BY THEMSELVES, EVEN THOUGH NO LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. I HAD THE LIGHT STALK REPLACED BY THE DEALER ON THE EXTENDED WARRANTY.

Mileage: 51,101

I WAS DRIVING HOME AT 11:00 PM AND JUST ABOUT TO GET ON I 75, AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I HAD TAIL LIGHTS AND I COULD USE MY FLASHERS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERS NEXT DAY AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I TOLD THEM TO PUT A NEW BATTERY IN IT NO MATTER WHAT. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT AT NIGHT SINCE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. *AK

Mileage: 8,036

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

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS-FROM THE CHRYSLER MANUAL- "THE HEADLAMP LOW BEAM PATTERN HAS A DISTINCT HORIZONTAL CUTOFF LINE WHICH IS USED TO VISUALLY ALIGN THE HEADLAMPS." THIS MEANS THAT THERE IS ONLY PART OF A BEAM FROM EACH LIGHT SHINING ON THE ROAD. THE REST I

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO ACTIVATE OR GO OUT. ACTIVIATING HIGH BEAMS RESTORS LOW BEAMS. HAPPENED TWICE SO FAR UPON INITIAL TURN ON. HAVE HEARD OF THEM GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. CONCERNED!*AK

1. STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE ON SHAFT WHILE TRAVELING AT 68-70 MPH; 2. HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER FROM BRIGHT TO DIM, AND 3. FRONT WEELS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. MOST PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY DEALER. >> PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK