2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER Suspension Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRSYLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V387000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

"TAKATA RECALL " IN MY PT CRUISER THE ENGINE DROPPED DOWN IN THE CAR AND THE FRONT AXLE BAR AND FRAME WAS BROKEN AND THE WHEELS COULD NOT TURN OR CONTROL THE CAR I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET TRYING TO TURN INTO A ICE CREAM SHOP THE CAR IS STILL DOING A SUDDEN JERKING WHEN DRIVEN AND AFTER PAYING A LOT OF MONEY TO GET IT STARTED AND FIXED I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND NO MONEY TO GET ANOTHER.

Mileage: 60,245

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE RIGHT. WE WERE DRIVING SLOW IN TOWN, HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED A WRECK WOULD HAVE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE . GOT THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND TOOK A LOOK AT IT . FOUND THE FRONT SUB FRAME (TO WHICH THE STEERING GEAR, LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND SUCH ARE BOLTED TO) HAD RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT CRACKED , ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE. THIS ALLOWED THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SHIFT BACKWARD CAUSING THE DEATH PULL TO THE RIGHT.

Mileage: 42,000

I FILED A CLAIM WITH CHRYSLER ABOUT THE RUSTED OUT ENGINE CRADLE AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE IT. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

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

WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT MY CAR SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT. I HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT WHILE I STOPPED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE AND UPON INSPECTION THEY FOUND THE CROSSMEMBERS UNDER THE ENGINE WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND BROKEN. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS 13 YEARS OLD IT ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN STORED IN A GARAGE.

Mileage: 56,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MILES AN HOUR, THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS-MEMBER BROKE AS A RESULT OF SEVERE RUST. THIS CAUSED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO STEER TOWARDS THE DITCH CREATING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THE RUST WAS CAUSED BY WATER DRAINING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER ONTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE CROSS-MEMBER. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT PART FROM CHRYSLER BUT SO FAR THE OUTLOOK FOR DELIVERY HAS CHANGED FOUR TIMES AND IS CURRENTLY ESTIMATED FOR 12/25/2013 (2.5 MONTHS AFTER THE CAR BECAME INOPERABLE). NOT ONLY DOES CHRYSLER IGNORE THE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS COMMONLY REPORTED DESIGN FLAW, THEY ARE PROVING TO BE INCAPABLE AT PROVIDING REPLACEMENT PARTS. THIS IS EVIDENT AS I AM ONE OF 28 CAR OWNERS WHO ARE WAITING FOR THIS PART FROM CHRYSLER, AND THERE IS HIGH DEMAND FOR THIS PART FROM JUNKYARDS. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

UPON INSPECTION DURING A REPAIR FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER KNOWN AS THE K-FRAME IS SEVERELY CORRODED AND WILL LIKELY NOT PASS ANOTHER SAFETY INSPECTION. THE REST OF THE UNDERNEATH OF THIS CAR IS RELATIVELY RUST-FREE AND THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE FOR ITS AGE. IF THIS PART FAILS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, ETC. WILL ALL DROP AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A MAIN ROAD ONTO A SIDE STREET. WHILE THE CAR WAS TURNING, I HEARD A CLUNK AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS JERKED FROM MY HANDS. THE CAR PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE CURB. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE SERVICE TECH SHOWED ME THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE K FRAME WAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THRU. IT'S TO RUSTED TO BE WELDED AND I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISER AND DODGE NEON, SINCE THEY USE THE SAME FRAME. THE TECH ALSO TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T MOVING AT HIGH SPEED OR THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, THEY ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF REPLACEMENT PARTS, AND THEY BASICALLY IGNORE ANY COMPLAINTS. *JB

Mileage: 59,700

THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS-MEMBER IS SEVERELY RUSTED AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT BEFORE THE CAR WILL PASS INSPECTION. THE CAR WAS IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN MY MECHANIC POINTED OUT THAT THE ONLY RUSTED PART ON THE VEHICLE WAS THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS-MEMBER AND THAT IT WAS BORDERING ON UNSAFE. THIS CAR HAS RELATIVELY LOW MILES AT 76K AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE. THIS RUSTED PART COULD FAIL WITH NO INDICATION THAT DANGER WAS IMMINENT AND CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING AND ULTIMATELY A VEHICLE CRASH AT ANY SPEED. *TR

Mileage: 76,000

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

FRONT SUSPENSION................AFTER FRONT END ALIGNMENT CHECK .....BOTH SIDE OF NEW TIRES WORE OUT...LEFT AND RIGHT....A CHECK LATER BUSHINGS WORE OUT AFTER 4,000 MILES...................REPLACE BUSHINGS AND ALIGNMENT RECHECK. *TT

Mileage: 85,000

K-FRAME ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED THROUGH. THIS CAR IS GARAGED 90 % AT HOME AND AT WORK. THE REST OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND BODY IS RUST FREE. REPORTED TO CHRYSLER 1 YEAR AGO. NO RESPONSE.

Mileage: 62,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED AT MILEAGE 86,795 AND THEN AT MILEAGE 103,000. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL DID NOT FEEL SECURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHO INDICATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS SWAY BAR LINK FOR $1200. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Mileage: 103,000

-STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING WHILE DRIVING CAR AND STEERING BECAME VERY LOOSE. PULLED INTO A PEP BOYS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS AND BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (THE CAR HAD 75K MILES). I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON DEFECT WITH THESE CARS AND THAT A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN WARRANTED. $1200 REPAIR AND CAR STARTED SHAKING AGAIN 50K MILES LATER. -CONTINUOUS OIL CONSUMPTION. I PUT A QUART OF OIL EVERY TWO WEEKS IN THE CAR. I HAVE HAD THE CAR COMPLETELY TUNED BY A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND IT STILL EATS OIL. I MENTIONED THIS TO THE REPAIR TECHNICIAN WHO DID THE CONTROLS ARMS AND BEARINGS, AND HE CONFIRMED THAT THIS WAS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. MANY OF THE WEBSITES I WENT ON TO RESEARCH THIS HAVE HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMMENTS FOR BOTH ISSUES. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

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

REAR SUSPENSION BUSHINGS WORE OUT AT 40,000 MI AND NOW AGAIN AT 75,000 CAUSING THE REAR END TO BOUNCE AND SWAY UNCONTROLLABLE AT HIGH SPEEDS (45-65 MPH). INDICATION OF WORN BUSHINGS: LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN REAR END. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILED. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND SWAYING ACROSS THE ROAD, WHICH CAUSED GREAT STEERING DIFFICULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING. THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 36,000

CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WORN OUT AT 37000 MILES. EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR AND DIFFICULT STEERING. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT "ENGINE CRADLE", ALSO KNOWN AS THE "K-FRAME" OR "FRONT SUB-ASSEMBLY". IT IS THE STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAMEWORK BOLTED TO THE UNDERBODY THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ATTACH TO. THE STEERING RACK IS BOLTED TO THE TOP OF IT. THE LOWER ENGINE TORSION CONNECTOR IS MOUNTED TO IT. THE REASON? TOTAL RUST OUT! THE RIGHT WHEEL HUB AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AWAY FROM THE K-FRAME BECAUSE OF RUST. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN SLOWLY AT THE TIME, AND THAT WAS A GOOD THING, BECAUSE THE CAR COULD BARELY BE DRIVEN AFTER. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

Mileage: 114,250

THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SQUEALING AND NEED REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL... THEY EXPECT TO REPLACE THEM ALL AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. THEY QUOTED $550 PER AXLE, THE BEARINGS ARE $60 IF NOT FROM THE DEALER!!! SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR WHEEL BEARINGS TO BE "TYPICAL REPLACEMENT" ITEMS! 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, 55,000 MILES, GARAGE STORED. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS. WHEN THE CONTACT LEFT THE DEALER, SHE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,280. UPDATED 12/13/07 *TR

Mileage: 116,280

FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE WORN OUT AT LESS THEN 40000 MILES. *AK

THE FRONT HUBS AND BEARINGS ON THE 2001 PT CRUISER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 54000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I DISCOVERED THAT MANY PT OWNERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, SOMETIMES REPEATEDLY. THIS MAY BE RELATED TO A DESIGN DEFECT AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.*AK

Mileage: 54,000

THE FRONT HUBS AND BEARINGS ON THE 2001 PT CRUISER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 54000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I DISCOVERED THAT MANY PT OWNERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, SOMETIMES REPEATEDLY. THIS MAY BE RELATED TO A DESIGN DEFECT AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.*AK

Mileage: 54,000

PREMATURE FAILURE OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. THIS VEHICLE HAD 37,000 MILES WITH BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT BUSHINGS FAILED. WITHOUT REPLACEMENT, THIS CAN LEAD TO ADDITIONAL SUSPENSION WEAR AND IN AN EXTREME CASE, LOSS OF CONTROL. BUSHINGS OF THIS TYPE IN TYPICAL VEHICLES LASTS THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO MY INDEPENDENT GARAGE THIS COMPONENT SHOWS AN INORDINATELY HIGH FAILURE RATE, AS EVIDENCED BY THEIR EXPERIENCE IN REPLACING THEM IN MANY PT CRUSIERS. THEY SEE THEM AT A RATE OF ONE EVERY TWO WEEKS, AND THIS WAS AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE, NOT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. THIS PROBLEM WAS CAUGHT AT PENNSYLVANIA ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION.*AK

Mileage: 37,000

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD GOODYEAR EAGLE TIRES, 205/55 R16 EAGLE LS. AT 31,000 MILES THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT, AND HE TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND FOUND THAT THE BELTS ON THE TIRE SEPARATED, CAUSING THE TREAD TO SHIFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT 41,000 MILES THE BACK OF THE CAR BEGAN SWAYING SIDEWAYS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BELTS ON THE TIRE SEPARATED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD WAS FINE, THE BELT IN THE TIRE WAS FAULTY. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT OIL LEAK. THE DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK. UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB

Mileage: 41,361

2001 PT CRUISER WITH UNDER 40,000 MILES. DEALER CHECKED RATTLING NOISE IN REAR AND REPORTS REAR AXLE IS SHOT. REPAIR COSTS ABOUT $2,000.00. CHRYSLER OFFERED TO PROVIDE PARTS. DEALER LABOR IS ABOUT $600.00. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHING WAS CRACKED. THERE WAS NOT A NOTICEABLE PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM. UPDATED 6/19/2006 - THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE RUBBER OF THE BUSHING POORLY BONDS TO THE STEEL OUTER RING CAUSING FAILURE. *NM

Mileage: 29,000

AT 62,000 MILES, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE IN MY 2001 PT CRUISER. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WAS TOLD THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS/BUSHINGS WERE BAD. OF COURSE, MY CAR WAS OVER WARRANTY. QUOTE $750.00 + TAX. HAD REPLACED, NOW AT 75,000 MILES 1 YEAR LATER, TOOK MY PT IN FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION.....YEP, LOWER CONTROL ARMS/BUSHINGS BAD & NEEDING REPLACED AGAIN. QUOTE THIS TIME $582.00 + TAX. SHOULD THIS BE A YEARLY THING? I HAVE NORMAL DRIVING ON PAVED ROADS...AVOID POT HOLES. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! I LOVE MY CRUISER BY A TRADE IN MIGHT BE HAPPENING!*JB

Mileage: 62,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR FRONT BUSHING ON THE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A HUMMING SOUND WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. THE BUSHING FRACTURE WAS DISCOVERED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DURING NORMAL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER THEY HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THE PART FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *NM

Mileage: 84,500

ON MY 2001 PT CRUISER BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS PULLED LOOSE FROM THE ARM WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE REPAIR SHOP THEY BROUGHT ME OUT TO THE CAR AND SHOWED ME THE DAMAGE TO THE CONTROL ARMS. ODDLY ENOUGH THERE WAS ANOTHER PT CRUISER IN THE NEXT BAY THAT HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. THE OWNER OF THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME HE HAD PUT CONTROL ARMS ON AT LEAST 40 PT CRUISERS IN THE PAST YEAR. I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD NOTIFIED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND HE SAID HE HAD CONTACTED THEM ON BEHALF OF HIS CUSTOMERS AND CHRYSLER INSISTED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. MY PT CRUISER HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND THE CAR THAT WAS NEXT TO MINE HAD 34,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION THE FRONT TIRES ON MY CAR WERE DESTROYED DUE TO VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE FRONT END. MY WIFE THOUGHT THE TIRES WERE FALLING OFF. *JB

Mileage: 65,000

FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED IN FEB OF 2005 3 MONTHS THEY WERE REPLACED AGAIN AND NOW NOVEMBER THE NOISE THAT CAUSED THEM TO BE REPLACED IS PRESENT AGAIN. 2001 PT CRUISER TOURING 60,000 MILES. *JB

Mileage: 60,000

DT: THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL HARD TO THE LEFT. SHE THEN DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE FOR AN INSPECTION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS INCIDENTS. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS FAILED. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT SHE SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS SINCE THE REPLACEMENT. *AK (11/23/05) *SC

Mileage: 63,790

LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED REPLACEMENT ALREADY AT 29000 MILES, ON 2001 PT CRUISER. THIS PREMATURE FAILURE IS A SAFETY RISK AND APPEARS TO BE COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE (ADMITTED BY DEALER), YET IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL NOTICE AND FREE REPAIR.

Mileage: 29,000

DEALERSHIP FOUND CAUSE OF NOISE IN STEERING. PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS BEING BROKEN (NOT WORN). FURTHER FAILURE COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *JB

Mileage: 30,393

DT: CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. WAS IN A SMALL ACCIDENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY REFERRED HIM TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THAT THE BUSHING HAS BEEN FORCED OUT OF THE CONTROL ARM. PREVIOUSLY, THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIED AND RATTLED BACK AND FORTH. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ACCIDENT REPAIR WORK DONE. BUT NOT THE BUSHING AND THE CONTROL ARM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. *AK

Mileage: 28,000

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO A QUICK TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE THE TO DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH FRONT TIE ROD ENDS WERE WORN AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. IN ADDITION THE CONTROL ARM HAD LOST A BUSHING WHICH CREATED A KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED TIE ROD ENDS AS WELL AS THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING. DEALER NOTED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER AND THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DENIED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE PT CRUISER AND THAT ALL CARS HAVE GREASE FITTINGS CALLED "ZIRKS" SINCE REPAIRS NO PROBLEMS AS OF YET. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED 32,191 MILES. CHRYSLER DID SAY THEY WOULD REIMBURSE $150 FOR THE TIE RODS ENDS BUT THAT WAS ALL. *JB

Mileage: 32,191

BELL CRANK CONNECTING WATTS LINKS. BUSHING WEARS OUT BEFORE 40K MILES CREATING LOUD CLUNKING NOISES AT REAR SUSPENSION. AND THIS SUSPENSION IS HIGHLIGHTED ON CHRYSLER WEB SITE AS A FEATURE, NOT A FAILURE. REPAIR IS $315.05, PART AVAILABLE. SHOULD AT LEAST BE UNDER WARRANTY. MANY FAILURES NOTED ON OWNER FORUMS. ALSO OWN SECOND PT AT 30K MILES AND IT IS SHOWING (HEARING) SYMPTOMS.

Mileage: 37,057

SEVERE CLUNKING NOISED UNDER THE FRONT END OF MY 2001 PT CRUISER AT 60K MILES. DEALER NOTIFIED THAT BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM (BUSHINGS) HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LUCKILY, I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SO THE OUT OF POCKET COST WAS $100 DEDUCTIBLE AND $70 FRONT END ALIGNMENT. WHY SHOULD CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAIL SO EARLY? I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SINCE I FOUND MANY PT OWNERS ON THE WEB EXPERIENCING SIMILIAR SUSPENSION FAILURES, DAIMLER CHRYSLER SHOULD COVER ALL THE COST.

Mileage: 60,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWAY UNEXPECTEDLY. CONSUMER MANAGED TO STOP VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 49,962

A KNOCKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT UPPER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB *NM

Mileage: 70,000

THE REAR BUSHING ON BOTH SIDES WERE SEPARATED WHERE THE RUBBER BUSHING WERE TORN APART COMPLETELY CAUSING THE STEERING TO DRIFT SIDE TO SIDE. *BF *SC *JB

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE RUBBER. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RATTLES, SEVERE FRONT END VIBRATION. SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL PT CRUISER CLUB HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR AS LOW AS 5000 MILES. CURRENTLY MY PT HAS 75.000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING. I AM A 25 YEAR EMPLOYEE OF THE AUTO INDUSTRY. AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT THESE TYPE OF BUSHINGS SHOULD BE HAVING THIS SEPARATION PROBLEM. A RECALL AND MANDITORY REPAIR IS IN ORDER, BEFORE A OWNER HAS A VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO THE VEHICLE LOOSING STEERING CONTROL.*AK

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHILE CHANGING MY FRONT ROTORS & PADS (AT 27K MILES), AND WITH THE SUSPENSION HANGING, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR BUSHING ON EACH CONTROL ARM HAD SEPARATION. I FIRST NOTICED THIS AT 23K000MILES (2-18-04) WHEN I WAS INSPECTING THE FRONT BRAKES, BUT THOUGHT IT MUST BE DESIGNED LIKE THAT SINCE THERE WERE SO FEW MILES ON THE CAR (I AM A RETIRED HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC). RESEARCHING NOW THE PT CRUISER SITES ON THE INTERNET I FIND THAT THIS IS, AND HAS BEEN, A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OWNERS.*AK

THE BUSHINGS WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE FASTENED TO THE CROSSMEMBER MINE, METAL ON METAL CONCERNING STEERING/SUSPENSION. *BF THE CONSUMERS LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED. *SC *JB

Mileage: 24,000

OVER THE LAST YEAR I HAVE HAD TO SPEND OVER $900 IN CORROSION RELATED REPAIRS TO MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. I SPENT $124 TO REPLACE WHEEL HUB COVERS, $150 TO REPLACE A CORRODED BELL HOUSING, AND $650 TO REPLACE BUSHINGS WHICH ARE COMING OUT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. ALL OF THESE ITEMS ARE RELATED TO DESIGN DEFECTS IN THE PT CRUISER.*AK

Mileage: 34,500

CHRYSLER PT CRUISER LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND DC WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS SEPARATING FROM THE RUBBER. ONLY 13,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *AK

Mileage: 10,000

I HAVE A 2001 PT CRUISER WITH 46,000 MILES ON IT, I HAVE TO REPLACE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES BECAUSE THE BUSHINGS HAVE SEPERATED FROM THE BUBBER. I HAVE HAD CARS WITH OVER 200,000 MILES ON THEM AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT A RECALL IS IN ORDER BEFORE SOME ONE GETS HURT DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.*AK

UPPER & LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILURE. *AK

Mileage: 51,375

UPPER & LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILURE. *AK

Mileage: 51,375

I HAD MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER IN THE SHOP FOR THE MANDATORY PENNSYLVANIA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE MECHANICS INFORMED THE THAT BOTH OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE BAD IN THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 47,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON THE CAR. I ASKED IF THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURANCE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED THESE CONTROL ARMS ON 9 VEHICLES SO FAR. THEY STATED THEY CALLED THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD THEM THAT THEY REPLACE ABOUT 30 OF THESE PER MONTH. I WAS TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ISSUED FOR THIS ITEM.*AK

Mileage: 47,403

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE FAILING ON THE PT CRUISERS. THIS IS CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IF THEY GET BAD ENOUGH. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING IS SEPARATING AND ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP DOWN AND HIT THE FRAME. THE OCCURRENCE IS HAPPENING TO MANY OF MY CAR CLUB MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PT FORUM I FREQUENT. AND A LOT OF THEM STILL HAVE LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLES. THIS IS A CONTROL PROBLEM AND POORLY DESIGNED (BAD RUBBER) DESIGN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE HAVE MANAGED TO CATCH THE FUEL LINE RUB THRU PROBLEM AND DC HAS TAKEN CARE OF THAT. BUT NOW THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ALSO.. THIS ISN'T JUST CONCENING THE USA MODELS BUT ALSO THE MODELS IN OTHER COUNTRIES. AK

Mileage: 35,427

REAR SUSPENSION MADE UP OF MANY LINKS WITH GROMMETS INSIDE THEM THAT WEAR OUT PREMATURELY AND MAKE A LOUD CLANGING BANGING NOISE. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY SPARE TIRE W/O AIR AND DID NOT GET TO THE DEALER BEFORE THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED (PLUS THIS DEALER DOES NOT REALLY REPAIR THINGS). LOCAL MECHANIC GOT AHOLD OF LOCAL DEALER WHO IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM. EITHER IT IS A POOR DESIGN OR THE SUPPLIER BLEW IT BUT IT IS GODDAWFUL AND I AM FEARFUL OF FAILURE.*AK

Mileage: 20,000

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE RUBBER. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RATTLES, SEVERE TIRE VIBRATION OR FRONT END VIBRATION. SOME OF MY MEMBERS HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR AS LOW AS 5000 MILES. CURRENTLY MINE HAS 36.000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING ON MINE. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT THESE TYPE OF BUSHINGS SHOULD BE HAVING THIS SEPARATION PROBLEM AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. A RECALL IS IN ORDER, BEFORE A OWNER HAS A VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO THE VEHICLE LOOSING STEERING CONTROL.

Mileage: 30,000

WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT REAR BEARINGS FAILED". CONSUMER HAD THE REAR BEARINGS REPLACED. *AK

PREMATURE FAILURE OF FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. DEALER STATES HE HAS SEEN THIS IN OTHER PT CRUISERS. *AK

Mileage: 43,500

PREMATURE FAILURE OF FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. DEALER STATES HE HAS SEEN THIS IN OTHER PT CRUISERS. *AK

Mileage: 43,500

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT THE STEERING WHEEL STILL VIBRATED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM

REAR SUSPENSION PART BROKE. BELL CRANK BROKE CAUSING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. DEALER SAID THAT FUTHER DRIVING COULD HAVE RESULTED IN BACK SUSPENSION FALLING OF OF CAR IN A CATASTOPHIC FAILURE.

Mileage: 59,000

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING IS DEFECTIVE CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR FAST. TS

CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE IS PULLIN TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING AT THE 65MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND VIBRATION. DEALER HAS SWITCHED TIRES FROM FRONT TO BACK, SIDE TO SIDE, AND HAVE REPLACED 4 ORIGINAL TIRES AND 7 ADDITIONAL TIRES. DEALER STILL CLAIMS IT IS A TIRE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. VEHICLE STILL HAS A PULL AND VIBRATION. STEERING COLUMN SQUEAKS. STEERING COLUMN REPLACE, LUBED AND STILL HAVE A SQUEAK. *TS *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***763033

Mileage: 7,525

VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN ACCELERATING, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *YD

CAR FISHTAILED WHEN A SUDDEN TURN IN STEERING TO AVOID A COLLISION THREW IT OUT OF CONTROL. I HAD TOTAL CONTROL OF MY FACULITIES AND PROCEEDED TO TURN THE FRONT WHEELS IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SKID. AFTER SKIDING LEFT, RIGHT, AND LEFT I HIT A WALL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THERE WAS NO TENDENCY TO ROLL OVER. THIS CAR SHOULD NEVER OF FISHTAILED UNDER THESE ORDINARY TRAFFIC SITUATION. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR.. MY THOUGHT ARE THAT THEIR IS NO WEIGHT IN THE REAR OF THE CAR SO IT JUST BREAKS AWAYAND FISH TAILS.*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

I HAVE A INTERMITTENT CYCLIC VIBRATION AT SPEEDS FROM 65MPH AND ABOVE. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY REPLACED 3 OF THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT ROUND. THIS HELPED THE PROBLEM, BUT DIDN'T CURE IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TWICE MORE AND ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE MANAGER ,AFTER TAKING A TEST DRIVE WITH ME, AGREES THAT THE VIBRATION IS STILL THERE, THEY SAY THEY HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING AND CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. HE SAYS HE TESTED ANOTHER PT CRUISER AND IT HAS THE SAME FEEL. I HAVE TALKED THIS OVER WITH THE OWNERS SON AND I AM NOW TOLD THAT I MUST JUST LIVE WITH IT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM. *AK (TIRESIZE: P205/55R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/55R16 )

VIBRATION PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED NATIONWIDE HTTP://WWW.PTCRUIZER.COM/CGI-BIN/FAQ.PL?PROFILE=PT+TERRY. *AK (TIRESIZE: P205/55R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/55R16 )