Owner-reported complaints naming the interior system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 27 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.
The 25 most recent of 27, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED A LONG CRACK WHICH ORIGINATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD THAT CROSSED OVER THE DASHBOARD VENT AND EXTENDED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, ALL THE METERS, GAUGES, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ALSO FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
HEATED SEATS COME ON BY THEM SELFS AND OVERHEAT CAN NOT TURN THEM OFF UNLESS YOU TURN OFF CAR IT GETS SO HOT IT CAN BURN YOU . *TR
THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER LIMITED STARTED OPERATING BY THEMSELVES TWO YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS NEW AND HAD THE MULTIFUNCTION TURN SIGNAL SWITCH REPLACED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. THE DOOR LOCK PROBLEM SOMETIMES OCCURS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE CAR AT LOW SPEED BUT IT WILL ALSO OCCUR WHEN THE CAR IS SETTING IN THE GARAGE WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK SEVERAL TIMES ON THEIR OWN WHILE DRIVING OR WITHOUT ANYONE BEING IN THE CAR OR TOUCHING THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM. THIS CAN PRESENT PROBLEMS IF THE CAR IS LOCKED AND IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT. THE CARE SOMETIMES WILL UNLOCK ON ITS OWN. YOU CAN ALSO BE LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR IF YOU DON'T TAKE YOUR KEYS WITH YOU WHEN EXITING THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE DURING HOT SUMMER WEATHER THAN DURING COOLER WINTER MONTHS. I HAVE ALSO NOTED THAT THE EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND COMPASS MOUNTED ABOVE THE FRONT WINDOW WILL ALSO GO OUT DURING HOT WEATHER. WHEN THE CAR COOLS DOWN WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON, THE EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE GAUGE WILL START OPERATING AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES TO BE FIXED. THE FIRST TIME THEY CHARGED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG, THE SECOND TIME THEY SAID THE BATTERY CABLE WAS CORRODED AND NEED REPLACED AT $300 AND IT NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. AFTER THIS WORK, I DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK AND THE DOOR LOCKS STARTED GOING WILD AGAIN. SO I WENT BACK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THEY WOULD GET THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER ON THE PHONE TO SEE IF HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP THEM. AT THAT POINT WE WENT INTO WINTER AND IT WAS OK. IT IS DOING IT AGAIN THIS SPRING SO I WILL TRY AGAIN. *TR
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT ELIMINATE LIKE OTHER CARS CLUSTER SUPPOSED TO ELUMINATE. IT,WHEN THE CONTACT TURNS ON THE HEADLIGHTS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS TURN ON BUT REALLY U CAN HARDLY SEE THE SPEEDOMETER OR THE GAUGES WHICH IS DANGEROUS. ON 6/09/11 WHILE DRIVING HOME THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS WHEN OUT I COULD SEE ANYTHING,MY HEADLIGHTS AND BACKLIGHTS STOP WORKING AND ALSO MY POWER DOOR LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING EITHER ALL THIS HAPPEN ON MY WAY HOME AROUND 7:30PM AND I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE IT SAFE HOME..WHEN I GOT HOME MY POWER LOCKS WERE NOT WORKING WHEN I WENT TO LOCK THE VEHICLE. *TR
2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER RECALL NOTICE FOR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *NJ THE CONSUMER SENT IN A COPY OF THE RECALL LETTER. RECALL # 01V288000 *JB
I HAVE A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AND HAVE NOTICED THE FOG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH IS LIT. WHEN I LOOKED IN THE FRONT INDEED THE LIGHTS WERE ON. THE SWITCH WAS OFF BUT THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. I NOTICED A SMELL OF SMOKE IN THE CAR AND IT DRAINED MY BATTERY TO ZERO VOLTS. THE AUTO ALARM ALSO SEEMS TO ENGAGE FOR NO REASON. AFTER CHECKING THE WEB I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS QUITE A BIG PROBLEM AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY HAD FIRES AND SMOKE FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THERE IS A SHORT IN THE SWITCH. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FOG LIGHTS HAVE NEVER BEEN USED SO THE SWITCH CANNOT BE WORN OUT. *TR
DASHBOARD CRACKED IN 2 LOCATIONS. POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD IF WIRES ARE EXPOSED. COULD POTENTIALLY RUIN CABLES FOR HEADLIGHTS, BREAK LIGHTS AND TURNING SIGNALS
FOG LIGHT SWITCH IS FAULTY. THIS SWITCH LEAVES THE LIGHTS ON AT ALL TIMES WHICH DRAINS BATTERY AND LEAVES THE DRIVER STRANDED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED IN HUNDREDS OF PT CRUISERS. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER/TF81KHBDLDVT92AH2. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS AROUND THE SPEEDOMETER ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. EACH TIME THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED. THE FOURTH TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE ILLUMINATION WAS FOLLOWED BY THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD BECOME COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 01V288000, PERTAINING TO THE UNDER DASH WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 11/30/2006 -*NM
FROM THE FIRST MONTH THAT I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON MORE THAN OFF. I READ THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT SAID THAT IT WAS A VACUUM ISSUE AND IT WOULD CORRECT ITSELF. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME TO DIAGNOSE AND TO FIX IT BUT NOW I SEE THAT THERE WAS A NHTSA 01V288000 ON A CLUSTER PANEL ISSUE. WHY WAS I CHARGED FOR SOMETHING THAT A DEALERSHIP SHOULD CHECK FOR TO SEE IF IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT? *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE IS A CHEMICAL SMELL WHICH GAVE CONTACT HEADACHES AND AN OCCASIONAL SORE THROAT. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NOT A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE WHEN THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP. THE SPEAKERS MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE REAR SEAT BACKING WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 07/25/06. *JB
HELLO. I TRIED COPYING AND PASTING MY LETTER INTO THIS BOX HOWEVER, MY LETTER IS TOO LONG. THEREFORE, I AM COMPLETING THIS ONLINE FORM AND THEN WILL MAIL IN MY ENTIRE LETTER, DOCUMENTATION AND THE LIKE TO YOUR MAILING ADDRESS ALONG WITH A COPY OF THIS ONLINE FORM. THE COMPLAINT IS REGARDING MY 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, VIN# [XXX] AND IT IS RELATING TO THE FACT CHRYSLER REFUSES TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE UNDER THE CURRENT AND ACTIVE NHTSA RECALL # 01V288000 (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEM). TODAY, 8/5/05 I WILL MAIL MY LETTER DETAILING THE ENTIRE PROBLEM BUT I AM SUBMITTING THIS PORTION ONLINE TO GET THE PROCESS STARTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. SINCERELY, [XXX] . *NM THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN A POP NOISE WAS HEARD CAUSED BY A SPARK WITHIN THE DASH ABOVE THE SPEEDOMETER. WHITE SMOKE HAD COME BILLOWING OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS IN THE HEADLINER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS BURNED. OTHER PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED AND SQUEAKS WERE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE SWAY BUSHINGS HAD WORN OUT AND WERE REPLACED. *SC INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER STOPPED WORKING. THE DOME LIGHT AND THE WARNING SIGNALS FOR LEAVING THE HEADLIGHTS ON OR THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION ARE ALSO NOT WORKING. ALTHOUGH SOME 2002 CRUISERS WERE RECALLED FOR AN INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE, THE DEALER (FITZGERALD AUTOMALL IN GAITHERSBURG, MD) TOLD ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A FAILURE SOMEWHERE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT IT WOULD NOT REPAIR AND OFFERED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CLUSTER. I BELIEVE THAT THIS TYPE OF DEFECT SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL OR REPAIRED BY CHRYSLER AT ITS EXPENSE. *JB
INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ON PT CRUISER HAS SPLIT, CAUSING AN EXTREMELY SHARP SLIVER TO CUT MY FINGER. MR. AKKERMAN, ASST. SERVICE MANAGER AT THE CHRYSLER SERVICE CENTER IN HEMET AGREES THAT THIS IS PROBABLY A DEFECTIVE PART BUT THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING IT. I WONDER IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OR INJURIES FROM THIS HANDLE OR IF MINE IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA RECALL 01V288000. DAIMLER/CHRYSLER ISSUED AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *AK
YOUR CAMPAIGN NUMBER NHTSA 01V288000. ON OCTOBER 31ST THE CLUSTER PANEL IN MY 2002 PT CRUISER FAILED - AIR BAG, BRAKE AND ENGINE LIGHT LIT UP ON PANEL AND WON'T GO OFF. CALLED CHRYSLER, THEY DENY THERE IS A RECALL. CAR IS IN SHOP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $692.00 TO FIX. *AK
01 V 288 000/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER: CONSUMER HAS A CONCERN THAT THE DEALER REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION FROM THE CONSUMER FOR AN 11/2 HOURS FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AT CONSUMER COST. RECALL NOTICE MENTION NOTHING CONCERNING A CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT GAS GAUGE WAS ON EMPTY. CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GAS STATION AND FILLED THE GAS TANK BUT THE GAS GAUGE STILL WAS ON EMPTY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE GOT HOT FROM THE SUN THE DASHBOARD COMPONENTS BECOME INOPERATIVE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPEED HE WAS DRIVING, AND HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE GAS TANK. *AK
JUST PAID FOR AN ISSUE WITH A VEHICLE THAT WAS ADDRESSED BY NHTSA RECALL # 01V288000, BACK IN 9/01. (THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE SELLING DEALER AT THAT TIME, FOR THE RECALL. NOW, THE EXACT PROBLEM EXPLAINED IN THE RECALL HAPPENED TO THE CAR, AND THE DEALER CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR, CLAIMING A HARD WIRING ISSUE THAT HE REFUSED TO SHOW ME. *AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL FAILURES IN THE DASHBOARD, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER. WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO 0 AND THE RPMS DID LIKEWISE. EVERY LIGHT AND WARNING SIGNAL CAME ON AT ONCE.*AK
CONSUMER STATED WHILE CHILD WAS GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER'S REAR SIDE A METAL STICK EXPOSED OUT OF THE REAR SEAT MATERIAL AND THE INJURED CHILD'S ARM. *AK *SCC *JB
DRIVER'S OUTBOARD HEATED SEAT SWITCH HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE WITH. LEFT LEG COMPRESSES OUTBOARD SEAT OVER HEATED SEAT SWITCH WHEN SEATED. MUST TAKE LEFT HAND OFF OF STEERING WHEEL TO PUSH SEAT INBOARD TO SEE SWITCH. ALSO MUST TAKE EYES OFF OF ROAD TO LOOK DOWN AT THE UNCOVERED SWITCH. WHEN DRIVING HEATED SEAT SWITCH COMES ON & OFF WHEN MOVING BUTTON OR THIGH TO LEFT. WHEN TEMPERATURE IS 90 DEG. & AIR CONDITIONING IS ON, VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FIGHTING TO TURN OFF THE HEATED SEAT SWITCH. TIME TO LOOK DOWN & MOVE OUTBOARD SEAT INWARD CONTRIBUTES TO AN ACCIDENT. FRONT PASSENGER HEATED SEAT SWITCH COMES ON WHEN PASSENGER GETS IN OR OUT , WITH IGNITION SWITCH ON/AND OR ENGINE RUNNING. MUST STOP CAR IN TRAFFIC? DT
CONSUMER STATES THAT ON 2 OCCASIONS AN OBJECT FROM THE BACK WAS ABLE TO ROLLED FROM TO THE FRONT AND GO UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DUE TO THE FACT THEIR IS NOTHING BLOCKING IT'S PASSAGE UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT. MR *NLM *DT
THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS NOTHING UNDER IT TO PREVENT ITEMS ON THE REAR FLOOR AREA FROM ROLLING UNDER THE DRIVER'S FEET AND/OR THE PEDALS. TWICE, SODA BOTTLES THE KIDS HAVE DROPPED HAVE ROLLED UNDER MY BRAKE PEDAL. I CANNOT SEEM TO OBTAIN ANY ASSISTANCE FROM CHRYSLER REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND ON MY LAST CALL TO THEM WAS TOLD IT WASN'T A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THEY WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF IT ON MY FILE (WHERE NO ONE WOULD READ IT UNLESS I CALL IN). MR
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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