2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Body & structure Problems

WAS HIT IN REAR AS I WAS SLOWING AT STOP LIGHT

NHTSA ID

11271009

Incident

May 16, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED AND SUDDENLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDERBODY PREMATURELY RUSTED AND COULD FRACTURE AT ANY MOMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CASING FOR THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID HAD TO BE CONSTANTLY ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,621.

NHTSA ID

10762585

Incident

Aug 24, 2015

Mileage

155,621 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10667333

Incident

Dec 18, 2014

Mileage

180,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE ENTIRE REAR QUARTER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INCLUDING THE FRAME AND THE GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF MY VEHICLE AND WENT INTO THE ROADWAY. THIS IS ALREADY A RECALL ISSUE FOR THE 2005 AND 2006 MODELS OF THE PT CRUISER, BUT SINCE IT IS NOT AN EXISTING RECALL ISSUE WITH THE 2001 MODELS CHRYSLER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WINDOW THAT FELL OUT OR THE REMAINING REAR QUARTER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY DO THE SAME THING AT SOME POINT. FORTUNATELY, THE WINDOW THAT FELL OFF MY CAR DIDN'T INJURE ANYONE, BUT IT CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY SERIOUS ROAD HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10627524

Incident

Aug 20, 2014

Mileage

84,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10548509

Incident

Oct 19, 2013

Mileage

75,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10541698

Incident

Aug 31, 2013

Mileage

59,700 mi

I WAS NOT INITIALLY GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT UNTIL I SEEN OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DASH CRACKED INTO MANY PIECES. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THAT MY WIFE HAD DONE SOMETHING TO CRACK THE DASH, AND SHE THOUGHT THAT I HAD. THE PART REMAINED BASICALLY INTACT UNTIL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER HAD TO REMOVE THE DASH FOR OTHER REPAIRS. AT THAT TIME WE HAD TO PAY FOR ANOTHER DASH BECAUSE IT FELL COMPLETELY APART AND COULD NOT BE RE-ASSEMBLED. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS EXACTLY A HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY CONCERN, BUT ONLY BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT, NOR AN INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10536997

Incident

Mar 16, 2011

Mileage

98,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10535272

Incident

Aug 12, 2013

Mileage

76,000 mi

THE TOP OF DASH HAS CRACKED AND BROKEN IN MULTIPLE PIECES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10486317

Incident

Nov 23, 2012

Mileage

92,000 mi

DASH BOARD HAS 2 SPLIT/CRACKS FROM WINDSHIELD TO RADIO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10460076

Incident

May 30, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO THE DEALER, ADHESIVE TAPE WAS AFFIXED TO THE REAR BUMPER TO SECURE THE COVERING DURING DELIVERY AND THEN REMOVED. HOWEVER, OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE TAPE RESIDUE CAUSED THE PAINT COLOR TO FADE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

NHTSA ID

10434985

Incident

Oct 10, 2006

Mileage

47,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING FROM THE CENTER DEFROST VENT TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE AREA. THE CRACK IS APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES IN LENGTH. THE CRACK CONTINUES TO GROW DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, ROAD VIBRATIONS CAUSE THE CRACKS TO OPEN AND WIDEN. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THE CRACKS COULD CAUSE THE DASH TO CAVE IN WHICH COULD HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE AIR BAG OR WIRING, WHICH COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER'S ASSISTANCE HOTLINE AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10353437

Incident

Feb 9, 2010

Mileage

185,000 mi

FRONT CRADLE FOUND TO BE ROTTEN ON A CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10347299

Incident

Jul 22, 2010

Mileage

55,480 mi

THE DASHBOARD OF MY CHRYSLER PT CRUISER STARTED TO CRACK SOON AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND CONTINUED TO GET WORSE, CHRYSLER DENIED RESPONSIBILITY, WHAT TO DO, I STILL OWN THE CAR AND ONLY HAVE 30,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10289983

Incident

Nov 1, 2005

2001 PT CRUISER THE DASH IS CRACKED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10278148

Incident

Aug 1, 2004

OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE CHROME (ON ALL FOUR DOORS) FLAKING OFF AND CAUSING A DEEP CUT ON THE HAND UPON ENTRY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONCE TO MY YOUNG DAUGHTER, MY WIFE, MYSELF, AND SEVERAL OTHERS ON THIS SAME VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10274828

Incident

Aug 19, 2008

Mileage

85,000 mi

DASHBOARD CRACKED IN HALF IN 2001 PT CRUISER. THE DASHBOARD IS NO LONGER STABLE NEAR THE WINDSHIELD AND PIECES ARE STARTING TO BREAK OFF FROM THE CRACKED AREA. IF THIS CONTINUES IT COULD POTENTIALLY EXPOSE WIRING AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. THIS COULD ALSO POSE ADDITIONAL DANGERS IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION WITH OR WITHOUT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10269513

Incident

May 20, 2009

Mileage

94,000 mi

MY 2001 PT CRUISER'S DASH HAS FAILED, THERE IS A CRACK FROM THE WINDSHIELD ALMOST ALL THROUGH TO THE FRONT. I'VE READ IT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WHEN IT FINISHES BREAKING, WHICH FROM APPEARANCES IT WILL SOON DO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10262652

Incident

Jan 1, 2009

Mileage

58,000 mi

2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER: DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS - CRACKS RADIATING OUT FORM DEFROSTER VENT. DEFROSTER VENT GRILL HAS COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED INTO SMALL PIECES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10259531

Incident

Jan 5, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

HATCH BACK WILL NOT STAY UP IF THE TEMPERATURE GETS BELOW 60IN TEMP. THE HYDRAULICS SLIP AND THE HATCH COMES DOWN ON PERSON WITHOUT WARNING. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIRS 250.00 - 600.00. *TR

NHTSA ID

10253872

Incident

Sep 1, 2008

Mileage

131,250 mi

THE DASHBOARD OF MY PT CRUISER IS SUFFERING FROM MULTIPLE CRACKS THAT SEEM TO CONTINUALLY GROW AND INCREASE IN NUMBERS. THE CRACKS HAVE SHARP EDGES AND SEEM TO PRESENT THE POTENTIAL OF AN EVENTUAL DASHBOARD FAILURE OF THIS PADDED SURFACE. THE CRACK ALSO PRESENT SHARP EDGES. THE PROTECTIVE ASPECT OF THIS DASHBOARD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IS SUSPECT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10245121

Incident

Oct 10, 2008

Mileage

38,460 mi

MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HAS DISCOLORATIONS (WHITE STRIPES) ON THE DARK GRAY FRONT AND BACK BUMPERS BECAUSE THE AUTO MAKER PUT PLASTIC AND TAPE ON THEM TO PROTECT THEM IN DELIVERY. THE ADHESIVE IN THE TAPE HAS DESTROYED THE FINISH ON THE GRAY PLASTIC. THIS STARTED TO SHOW UP AFTER 6 YEARS OF OWNING IT WHEN IT SAT IN THE SUN. MOST OF THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE IT WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE. FOR THE PAST YEAR IT HAS BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE. THIS WAS WHEN THE STRIPES STARTED TO SHOW UP. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SAYS THEY HAVE A "TSB" ON IT BUT SAYS THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX IT AND THAT I (THE CONSUMER) HAVE TO GO BUY PRODUCTS TO FIX IT MYSELF, WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN MAKE SUN BLEACHING AND FADING GO AWAY, IT'S PERMANENTLY DAMAGED. THEY STATED THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL THIS BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE DRIVEN AROUND TO SEE IF OTHER PT'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND EVERY PT CRUISER I HAVE SEEN WITH A GRAY PLASTIC BUMPER HAS THE SAME DEFECT. I HAVE TAKEN PHOTOS OF 5 DIFFERENT ONES JUST TODAY. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE FOR CHRYSLER TO DENY THEY ARE AT FAULT WHEN CLEARLY THEY CAUSED THE PROBLEM BY PUTTING TAPE ON OUR BUMPERS. IF MY CAR HAD BEEN IN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAD PLACED TAPE ON THE BUMPERS THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND LIABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. I AM FRUSTRATED THAT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THESE DISCOLORATIONS ARE A PERMANENT PROBLEM AND ARE SUN BLEACHED, THEY WON'T JUST GO AWAY. I WOULD LIKE MY BUMPERS EITHER REPLACED OR PAINTED TO MATCH THE REST OF THE CAR. I AM ALSO SPREADING THE WORD TO OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS, IN HOPES THAT CHRYSLER WILL SEE THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY ON ITS OWN. THIS WILL CAUSE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON MY FAMILY TO REPAIR THIS OURSELVES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10243252

Incident

Nov 15, 2007

Mileage

112,500 mi

MY 2001 PT CRUISER HAVE 3 HUGE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. HAVE ALWAYS USED PROTECTION AGAINST THE SUN AND STILL GOT THEM. I FEAR THAT IF EVER HAVE AN IMPACT THE PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD WILL BE DANGEROUS DEBRIS IF AIRBAGS OPEN (IF THEY DO OPEN AND DOESN'T GET STUCK). *TR

NHTSA ID

10242817

Incident

Aug 14, 2008

2001 PT CRUISER: MULTIPLE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE FRONT CONSOLE RUNNING THROUGH THE CENTER VENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10242805

Incident

Jul 15, 2008

Mileage

65,000 mi

DASH CRACK DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH. ENTIRE DASH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10240554

Incident

Aug 20, 2008