2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Suspension Problems

BALL JOINT ARE MISSING

NHTSA ID

11349156

Incident

Aug 14, 2020

WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING, THE CAR WILL JERK TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT WITHOUT PROBACATION. VECHILE ACCELERATES WITHOUT FOOT BEING ON THE PEDAL. ONE TIME I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE STARTING REVING. I HAD TO USE BOTH FEET WITH EXTREME FORCE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. FINALLY, I JUST THREW THE CAR INTO PARK; ONCE IN PARK, THE CAR KEPT REVING. THE PEDAL WAS NOT PRESSED.THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THIS MAKES FOR UNSAFE DRIVING, AND ONLY DUE TO MY GOOD DRIVING SKILLS DID I AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS.

NHTSA ID

11012275

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

Mileage

106,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V268000 (STEERING) AND 08E033000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALLS HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 3/31/15*CN UPDATED 7/8/2015*JS

NHTSA ID

10679543

Incident

Jan 7, 2015

Mileage

81,000 mi

ROUGH IDLE AT STOPPED INTERSECTIONS, LUNGES AND STALLS. STALLS A APPROXIMATELY 15-25 MPH WHILE MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND STARTING THE ENGINE AGAIN. THE FOG LIGHTS TURN ON BY ITSELF AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF DRAINING THE BATTERY. HAD TO DISCONNECT THE FUSE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. TO THIS DATE NON-FUNCTIONAL FOG LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NOT FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING TO RADIO AND CLIMATE CONTROL NOT WORKING UNTIL YOU STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT OFF. THEN START THE VEHICLE AGAIN THEN IT WORKS PROPERLY FOR ANOTHER FEW DAYS. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. WHEEL BEARING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE TOO AND CURRENTLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10576869

Incident

Apr 1, 2009

COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER CAR, BUT ONCE IT GOT CLOSE TO 50,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, THANK GOD IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THEN WHEEL BEARING, CONTROL ARM, MOTOR MOUNT, SWAY BAR BUSHING, RACK AND PINON, ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT OF THIS CAR HAS BEEN REPLACED. WHEN CONTACTING CHRYSLER THEY SAY THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF RECALLS FOR THE FRONT END SUPENSION BUT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT FALL UNDER IT. THINGS THAT SHOULD OF NOT WORN OUT THIS SOON HAS WORN OUT, I JUST HAD TO DO THE BUSHING IN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AFTER REPLACING THE WHOLE CONTROL NOT OVER 2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE MAX OUT 2 FIRESTONE CREDIT CARDS TRYING TO KEEP MY CAR ON THE ROAD. LOVE THE DESIGN BUT HATE THAT I JUST CAN NOT DEPEND ON THIS CAR... PS I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR AND IT HAS LESS THAN 82,000 MILES ON IT TODAY 06/19/2012. *JS

NHTSA ID

10462288

Incident

Jun 1, 2010

Mileage

49,500 mi

MY PT CRUISER HAS HAD TO HAVE ALL OF THE FRONT END REPLACED, CAR STARTED ACTING UP AT 50,000 MILES AND I NOW HOW ALMOST 81,000 AND I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT END EXCEPT THE CV JOINTS, WHICH I HOPE DOES NOT NEED AFTER I SEND THIS. I JUST HAD TO HAVE THE RACK AND PINION DONE. WHEN SPEAKING WITH CHRYSLER DIRECTLY THEY STATE THAT THE PT CRUISER HAS HAD A LOT OF RECALLS DUE TO FRONT END, BUT I AM TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL IN THE MIX. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF MY PT CRUISER. I HAVE REPLACED PARTS ON MY CAR STARTING BACK IN 2010 EARLY 2011. *TR

NHTSA ID

10454659

Incident

Dec 1, 2011

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BEING REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON EACH OCCASION, BUT WAS NEVER GIVEN A REASON AS TO WHY THE FAILURES OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,432.

NHTSA ID

10419721

Incident

Aug 4, 2011

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WORN ,EXTREMELY CLEARANCE(WHEEL MOVES APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH TOP TO BOTTOM WHEN SHAKING IT). WILL REPLACE BEARINGS SOON. NOTICED WHILE REPLACING FRONT BRAKES AT 35,508 MILES. A SEALED WHEEL BEARING SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT AT THIS LOW MILEAGE UNLESS DEFECT IN BEARING OR MANUFACTURES DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10375553

Incident

Jan 2, 2011

Mileage

35,508 mi

HAVE REPLACED CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS THREE TIMES, STARTING AT 28,000. CAR HAS 74,000 NOW. I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THIS WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. BREAKS HAVE TO BE CHANGED EVERY YEAR. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A BROKEN AXLE. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS AND NEVER BROKE AN AXLE!! THIS CAR IS TOO HEAVY FOR IT'S MEDIOCRE AND UNSAFE SUSPENSION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10347036

Incident

May 14, 2010

Mileage

28,000 mi

MY 2004 PT CRUISER NEEDS THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED AGAIN AFTER APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THE BEARINGS ARE SHOT AND YOU HAVE TO BUY A WHOLE ASSEMBLY RATHER THAN AN INDIVIDUAL BEARING. I'VE SPOKEN TO NUMEROUS OWNERS AND THEY TOO HAVE THIS PROBLEM IS THERE A CHANCE OF A RECALL?? *TR

NHTSA ID

10302098

Incident

Jan 20, 2010

Mileage

72,000 mi

04' PT CRUISER - BOUGHT NEW AND I AM NOW HAVING THE FRONT BEARING AND HUBS REPLACED FOR THE 4TH TIME. LESS THAN 38,000 MILES ON THE CAR. BOUGHT NEW TIRES YESTERDAY TO THEN BE TOLD THAT THE BEARING S ARE BAD. RATHER TICKED OFF AS THIS IS CAUSING ME TO TAKE TIME FROM WORK AND TO ARRANGE A RIDE TO PICK UP THE CAR ONCE REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10289103

Incident

Oct 19, 2009

ON 04/26/07 MY PT CRUISER WAS INTO DEALERSHIP (NOT SAME AS WHERE I BOUGHT CAR). TECH SAID EXCESSIVE PLAY IN FRONT BEARINGS & MAY NEED HUBS REPLACED. I BOUGHT CAR 07/28/06 FROM DAYTONA CHRYSLER IN AUTO MALL. I PAID TO HAVE BEARINGS REPLACED, LATER IN 2007, @ DEALERSHIP IN ST. AUGUSTINE, FL. & OTHER ONE REPLACED IN 2008 OR 2009. THE ONE REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP IN ST. AUGUSTINE IS MAKING NOISE AGAIN! *TR

NHTSA ID

10288910

Incident

Jul 20, 2007

Mileage

44,000 mi

2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER - THIS IS THE 3RD REPAIR TO CONTROL ARMS IN 5 YEARS. I LEARNED OF THE LATEST ISSUE THROUGH A STATE CAR INSPECTION. THE CONTROL ARMS COLLAPSED AND NOW THE MECHANISM IS USING THE CAR FRAME FOR SUPPORT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10284733

Incident

Sep 19, 2009

HAVE HAD TO REPLACE RT FRT WHEEL BEARING 3 TIMES, STARTING @ APPROX 35K MILES & NOW ONLY 65K MILES. WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER. IT HAS ONLY BEEN 3 MO & 10K SINCE LAST TIME REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10269835

Incident

May 24, 2009

Mileage

65,269 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND FRONT SUSPENSION MAKE NOISE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT FEELS AS IF HE IS DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND A STONE PAVEMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIR SO THE CONTACT TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,998. UPDATED 03/12/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/16/09. *JB

NHTSA ID

10259119

Incident

Feb 6, 2008

Mileage

27,998 mi

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AT LESS THAN 70,000 MILES, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON TIE ROD ENDS, THAT COULD HAVE LED TO TIE ROD FAILURE AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THIS 2004 PT CRUISER WAS MAINTAINED UNDER THE CHRYSLER MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WHICH BRINGS INTO QUESTION WHY BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD FAIL AT THIS LOW A MILEAGE. EITHER THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS DONE IMPROPERLY AT SOME POINT IN TIME, OR THE BEARING ASSEMBLIES WERE DEFECTIVE. AT THIS TIME THERE ARE NO SERVICE LETTERS THAT ADDRESS THE PARTS MAINTENANCE OR REPLACEMENTS DUE TO WEAR, NORMAL OR OTHERWISE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10250232

Incident

Nov 30, 2008

Mileage

69,885 mi

VEHICLE ONLY HAD 40K MILES AND BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BAD. THESE VEHICLES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. THIS COULD RESULT IN DIMINISHED OR NO STEERING CONTROL. SAFETY OR DEFECT RECALL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY CHRYSLER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10234592

Incident

Jul 7, 2008

Mileage

40,000 mi

LOUD GRINDING/GROWLING NOISE, THUMPING SOUND WHEN DRIVING. GETS LOUDER WHEN ACCELERATING. REPLACED TIRES 6/08 THOUGHT IT WAS THAT. FOUND OUT ITS THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND HUBS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10233090

Incident

Feb 1, 2008

Mileage

42,000 mi

MY 2004 PT CRUISER ON THE WAY BACK FROM FLORIDA JUST OUT OF THE BLUE, STARTED MAKING HORRIBLE FRONT END NOISE AND STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I MADE IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALER ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WENT BAD. IT HAD 36,274 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, SO I CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, SOME RESULTING IN CRASHES. IN MY OPINION SINCE THIS PROBLEM IS SO WIDE SPREAD THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE RECALL. THANKS, FOR YOUR TIME. JOHN PALMER *TR

NHTSA ID

10231888

Incident

May 12, 2008

Mileage

35,780 mi

REPLACING BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER LIMITED TURBO AT 33900 MILES. NOISE STARTED AT 33600 MILES. WAY TOO EARLY TO HAVE TO REPLACE BEARINGS ON ANY VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I LOOKED UP "PT CRUISER WHEEL BEARINGS" ON GOOGLE AND FOUND A FORUM ON TOPIX.COM AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER PT OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY IS REALLY LOOSE DUE TO THE BEARING FAILURE. I HAVE NEVER OWNED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT NEEDED BEARINGS REPLACED BEFORE 100,000 MILES. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCT AND DO A RECALL OF THE BEARING-HUB-KNUCKLE JOINT ASSEMBLY. *TR UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB

NHTSA ID

10230962

Incident

Apr 12, 2008

Mileage

33,600 mi

FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACE TWO TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10228613

Incident

Apr 12, 2008

Mileage

75,000 mi

2004 PT CRUISER, MULTIPLE WHEEL BEAR FAILURES IN LESS THAN 80K MILES 1ST AT APPROX 40K AND SECOND AT APPROX 80K. BOTH TIMES LEFT SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10220093

Incident

Jan 10, 2008

Mileage

40,000 mi

WHEEL BEARING ON 2004 PT CRUISER WITH 28,000 WENT BAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10219828

Incident

Mar 1, 2008

Mileage

27,000 mi

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING IS BAD. STARTED ABOUT 31,000 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THINKING IT'S COVERED UNDER THE 7 YEAR, 70,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY! AS I READ THE WARRANTY, IT STATES EVERY THING IS COVERED. BUT THE DEALER SAYS IT A WEAR PART! I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A WHEEL BEARING GOES BAD THIS EARLY AND WHY THEY DON'T COVER IT AS A POWERTRAIN PART? AND THE PRICE TO REPAIR IT IS OVER 600.00. I JUST CAN'T STAND TO BRING MYSELF TO PAY FOR THIS, AS IF I COULD AFFORD IT . AND AFTER SOME RESEARCH I'M FINDING OUT THAT ALOT OF CONSUMERS ARE GETTING SCREWED BY THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND WEIGHT ISSUE OF THE FRAME AND BODY STYLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10218695

Incident

Nov 15, 2007

Mileage

31,000 mi

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON MY WIFE'S 2004 PT CRUSER WITH LESS THAN 40K MILES WENT BAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10217767

Incident

Feb 5, 2008

Mileage

38,000 mi