Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
39
Latest Sep 26, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 618 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 39 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming brake
The 25 most recent of 39, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A CRACKING SOUND. THE BRAKE PEDAL IMMEDIATELY STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD ON TOP OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TWO TREE TRUNKS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.
NHTSA ID
10909694
Incident
Sep 14, 2016
Mileage
58,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed Aug 20, 2014
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
NHTSA ID
10626759
Incident
Jun 19, 2010
Mileage
130,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NEVER A CLAMP HOLDING THE POWER BRAKE IN PLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,145. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,416. *TR
NHTSA ID
10564360
Incident
Dec 20, 2013
Mileage
111,145 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 1, 2012
Fire reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH HE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO ASSESS THE SITUATION. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVER FRONT BRAKES WERE SMOKING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE BRAKE TUBE HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V481000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,200.
NHTSA ID
10482837
Incident
Oct 13, 2012
Mileage
46,200 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 9, 2012
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
NHTSA ID
10457944
Incident
Jan 10, 2010
Mileage
40,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 28, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE REPLACED HER ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM IN AUGUST 2008; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. A SECOND CHRYSLER DEALER ALSO ADVISED HER THAT SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE CHRYSLER MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE HER VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,837 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,420.
NHTSA ID
10302949
Incident
Aug 15, 2008
Mileage
34,837 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+3 more
Filed Jul 30, 2008
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.
NHTSA ID
10236394
Incident
Nov 27, 2007
Mileage
68,000 mi
BrakesEngineTransmission
Filed Aug 2, 2006
) ON 9/2/03 I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED. PROBLEM FOUND WAS THE FRONT RIGHT CALIPER PISTON STUCK > CLOSED CAUSING UNEVEN WEAR > OF BRAKES PADS ( METAL TO METAL ON FRONT RIGHT AND 50% PADS ON OTHER THREE). DEALER REPLACED THE CALIPER PISTON, REPLACED PADS AND MACHINED ROTORS. HAD TO GET A RENTAL FOR ONE DAY. 2) ON 2/21/05 HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP AGAIN TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND BRAKES CHECKED. DEALER SAID ALTHOUGH THE PADS WHERE WEARING EVENLY NOW, THEY STATED "BUT WORN OUT FRONT AND REAR", NEED TO BE REPLACED. BRAKES FRONT AND REAR, REPLACED FRONT ROTORS, RESURFACED REAR ROTORS" THIS TIME I HAD TO HAVE A RENTAL FOR THREE DAYS. 3) ON 3/12/05 NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TO WORK THE, ENTIRE WINDSHIELD BECAME ENGULFED WITH STEAM, I COULD NOT SEE A THING AND THE WIPERS COULD NOT TAKE THE STEAM AWAY, SO AGAIN I HAD TO HEAD BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT. DEALER STATED "FOUND ENGINE COOLING FAN NOT WORKING & RADIATOR CAP NOT HOLDING PRESSURE" " REPLACED FAN AND RADIATOR CAP". ANOTHER RENTAL FOR TWO DAYS. 4) ON 6/14/06, 161 MILES AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY RUNS OUT, I HAVE A MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, I GET THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND THE DEALER STATES TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK SHORTED OUT AND DAMAGED THE CONTROLLER AND I HAD TO HAVE THIS ITEM REPLACED. NO RENTAL REQUIRED THIS TIME BUT THE BILL WAS $1055.66 ON MY DIME. NOW ....THE GRAND DADDY OF THEM ALL! 5) THE CAR WAS BACK AT THE DEALER ON 8/1/06 FOR THE SAME FRONT RIGHT CALIPER PISTON ISSUE AS ON 9/2/03, BUT ON MY DIME THIS TIME. *JB
NHTSA ID
10164200
Incident
Sep 2, 2003
Mileage
14,420 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 3, 2006
Crash reportedFire reported
2001- PT CRUISER -EMERGENCY BRAKE DISENGAGED WHILE RUNNING. WAS IN NEUTRAL (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) AND ON AN INCLINE. THE CAR DRIFTED BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVE AND INTO A UTILITY POLE ACROSS THE ROAD. ON OTHER INSTANCES THE BRAKE HANDLE WAS PULLED UPWARD AND IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGED (LIKE A BROKEN SPRING). WHEN PARKING BRAKE WAS REAPPLIED, IT WORKED PROPERLY? ALSO, THE CAR HAS DRIFTED BACKWARDS ON STEEPER INCLINES WHILE IN GEAR. AT THIS POINT THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS REPORTED, BUT NO ACTION WAS TAKEN THUS FAR. *NM
NHTSA ID
10149345
Incident
Jan 27, 2006
Mileage
132,400 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Nov 21, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V268000 CONCERNING THE STEERING HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HOSES, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT THIS AFFECTED THE BRAKE FLUID LINES AS WELL. SHE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HER OWN EXPENSE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER. *AK
NHTSA ID
10143345
Incident
May 5, 2005
Mileage
60,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 20, 2005
DT THE BRAKE LINES COLLASPED AND HAS NOT ALLOWED THE BRAKE FLUID TO GO THROUGH. HAS TO GRIP STEERING WHEEL AND PULL OVER IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP SHAKING. STANDING NEXT TO THE BRAKES CONSUMER CAN FEEL THE HEAT COMING OFF THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED IN MAR 2005. TUFFY FIXED IT, THEY SAID HAD OTHER PT CRUISER'S IN FOR THE SAME DEFECT. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES IT SHOOK BADLY. IT WAS UNCONTROLABLE AT THAT POINT. *AK
NHTSA ID
10129410
Incident
Mar 5, 2005
Mileage
69,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 2005
DT THE BRAKE LINES COLLAPSED AND WERE NOT ALLOWING THE FLUID TO GO THROUGH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE TREMDOUSLY WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES, HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO QUIT SHAKING. HAD THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED AT BRAKE SHOP. THEY SAW S THIS MANY TIMES WITH THE PT CRUISER. HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS PUT ON. IF CONSUMER WOULD STAND BESIDE THE BRAKES SHE COULD FEEL THE HEAT COMING OUT OF THEM. THIS WAS ONGOING A COUPLE YEARS, AND MOSTLY RECENTLY HAPPENED ON MAY 30,2005.*AK
NHTSA ID
10129052
Incident
May 30, 2005
Mileage
400 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 8, 2005
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
NHTSA ID
10119847
Incident
Mar 21, 2005
Mileage
32,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 10, 2005
CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. *AK
NHTSA ID
10107122
Incident
May 20, 2004
Mileage
17,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 7, 2004
THE BRAKE PADS FAILED AT 10,000 MILES. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES LATER AFTER HAVING THEM CHECKED THERE WAS A LOUD MOANING NOISE. FOUND THAT THE PADS HAD CUT INTO THE ROTORS, AND THE ROTOR DISHED WAS BENT VERY BADLY. NOW AT 15000 MILES THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS.*AK
NHTSA ID
10103239
Incident
Jan 19, 2004
Mileage
10,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 2, 2004
BRAKES: NOTICED SQUEALING AND LOTS OF BRAKE DUST (6/04). HAD TO REPLACE PADS AND ROTORS. AFTER REPAIR, PASSENGER FRONT BRAKE STILL SQUEELED. TOOK BACK, ROTOR REPLACED AGAIN. MY FRONT RIGHT BREAK STILL SQUEELS AND BOTH FRONT BRAKES ARE SHOOTING OFF MUCH BREAK DUST. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING. I WOULD THINK AFTER A MONTH THE SEMI-METALIC BREAKS WOULD HAVE BEEN BROKEN IN BY NOW.*AK
NHTSA ID
10083163
Incident
Jun 25, 2004
Mileage
34,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 7, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ABS WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ABS PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDE ROWLAND JONES HUSBAND OF BARBARA JONES.*AK
NHTSA ID
10081491
Incident
Jun 30, 2004
Mileage
21,440 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2004
PARKING BRAKE OCCASIONALLY FAILS TO ENGAGE. IT ALSO HAS DISENGAGED BY ITSELF. ONCE IT ROLLED AWAY AND KNOCKED OVER A SIGN. DEALER UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ID
10074857
Incident
Jun 15, 2001
Mileage
5,000 mi
BrakesTires & wheels
Filed Mar 23, 2004
THE FRONT BRAKES AND TIRES EXHIBIT EXTREME WEAR AND TEAR. FRONT TIRES REPLACED APPROX. 40,000 MILES, REAL OK AT 68,000. FRONT BRAKES REPLACED TWICE SO FAR, WITH ROTORS AND CALIPERS NEEDING REPLACEMENTS. THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE OVERLY STRESSED DUE TO VEHICLE DESIGN.*AK
NHTSA ID
10063731
Incident
Jan 24, 2004
Mileage
68,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 15, 2004
MY 01 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, 25,602 MILES, HAD A STIFF BRAKE PEDAL. CAR FELT AS IF I WAS DRIVING W/FOOT ON BRAKE. CHRYSLER TOWED CAR TO DEALER. THEY SAID I HAD CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID, REPAIRS NOT COVERED BY REGULAR OR EXT. WARRANTY. MY BILL FOR REPAIR WAS $2643.48. THEY REPLACED ALL BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS.*AK
NHTSA ID
10058218
Incident
Jan 20, 2004
Mileage
25,602 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 6, 2004
THE DRIVER HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS. *AK
NHTSA ID
10053415
Mileage
47,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 27, 2003
I OWN A 2001 PT CRUSIER AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS BECAUSE OF EXESSEIVE WHEAR AND THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 50K MILES PLEASE ADVISE . *AK
NHTSA ID
10051153
Incident
Dec 17, 2003
Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 2003
FRONT BRAKE PADS CRYSTALIZE REQUIRING ROTOR REPLACEMENT EVERY 30000 MILES. BRAKE SHOP SAYS EVERY PT COMES IN THIS WAY. REAR BRAKES DO NOT ADJUST OUT AND THE FRONT BRAKES STAY PARTIALLY ENGAGED. THIS OVER HEATS THE BRAKES CAUSING MANY COMPONENTS TO FAIL. IN ADDITION TO THE EXPENSE OF REPLACEING THEESE PARTS, I AM WORRIED THAT I COULD HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE LEADING TO A CRASH.
NHTSA ID
10039341
Incident
Sep 19, 2003
Brakes
Filed Sep 18, 2003
ON 1/22/ 03 WE TOOK OUR 2001 PT CRUISER (ODOMETER 12,000 MILES) INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FRONT DISC BRAKES WERE SQUEALING. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY NOTED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DISC BRAKE HAD LOCKED WHEN WE TRIED TO BACK THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE. AFTER HITTING THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES, THE BRAKE FINALLY UNLOCKED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES WERE GROOVED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED BECAUSE THE METAL WAS SO THIN TO BEGIN WITH THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TO MACHINE EVEN ON A BRAND NEW ROTOR. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD US WE DIDN'T NEED TO REPLACE THE PADS YET, JUST THE ROTORS. WE OPTED TO REPLACE BOTH THE PADS AND THE ROTORS AT THE TIME DUE TO THE LABOR COSTS. IT IS NOW 8 MONTHS AND 5,671 MILES LATER AND THE BRAKES ARE AGAIN SQUEALING. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEIR HANDS WERE TIED AND THEY COULD NOT HELP US OTHER THAN TO REPLACE WITH THE SAME PARTS. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, CHRYSLER IS VERY MUCH AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND PREMATURE WEAR, BUT THEY REFUSE TO TAKE ANY REMEDIAL STEPS. WE HAVE THE SAME TIRES THAT ORIGINALLY CAME ON THE CAR AND THEY ARE BARELY WORN INDICATING WE ARE NOT THE KIND OF DRIVERS WHO ARE HARD ON A CAR. THE SERVICE MANAGER APPEARS TO BE JUST A FRUSTRATED WITH CHRYSLER'S LACK OF ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM AS WE ARE. OUR ONLY REASONABLE AND INTELLIGIBLE RECOURSE IS TO HAVE THE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED WITH AFTER MARKET PRODUCTS. WE WILL NOT USE OEM ROTORS & PADS AGAIN. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THIS IS FAULTY MANUFACTURING OR FAULTY DESIGN OR BOTH. IN CHECKING YOUR WEBSITE FOR 2001/2002 PT CRUISERS, WE SEE THAT SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR DISC BRAKES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A MONETARY ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *JB
NHTSA ID
10039149
Incident
Jan 22, 2003
Mileage
12,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed Jun 6, 2003
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
NHTSA ID
10021131
Incident
Jun 2, 2003
Mileage
30,077 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own