2007 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2007 Chrysler Pt Cruiser, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine5026.5%
- Airbags2814.8%
- Electrical2211.6%
- Powertrain (other)136.9%
- Steering115.8%
- Exterior lighting94.8%
- Fuel system84.2%
- Suspension84.2%
- Visibility73.7%
- Driver assistance73.7%
- Interior & seats63.2%
- Brakes63.2%
- Transmission52.6%
- Seat belts52.6%
- Tires & wheels21.1%
- Other / unspecified10.5%
- Heating & air conditioning10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'm driving along, cruise set to 65. Ac on. Radio on. No sounds or weird feels from the car. Every light on the dash comes on. They went off after two seconds, with the seatbelt light being last to shut off. Then the car hits 113k miles about ten miles later and just... shuts off. All gauges drop to zero. Ac shuts off. Radio still playing. Full tank of gas. Headlights still on, brakes worked, power steering worked, and emergency flashers worked. I managed to get out of traffic and pull over without causing an accident. I turn the radio off and turn the key off for a few minutes. It cranked right back up and ran a little rough for a moment before smoothing out. I drove home without incident, but kept the radio and cruise off. And stayed under 65. Thankfully, traffic was light. The car has not been fixed as of this posting, nor has it been seen by anyone due to the weekend. Unsure of when I can get it fixed due to finances, but if this happens in heavy traffic or on one of many roads with no shoulder, lives will be at risk.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO I-10 CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (79200 VARNER RD, INDIO, CA 92203) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLING FAN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHERE THE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY, MODULE, HIGH AND LOW SPEED RELAYS, THE THERMOSTAT, COOLING FAN, RADIATOR CAP AND COOLANT WERE ALL REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CRYSTAL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (36444 AUTO PARK DR, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234) WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO MANUFACTURER AND LEFT A MESSAGE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD BACK FORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED AND DID NOT COMPLETELY INFLATE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BRUISED CHEST AND INJURIES TO THE RIGHT HAND AND SHOULDER. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: [XXX] WAS FILED. GARY MILLER CHRYSLER (5746 PEACH ST, ERIE, PA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.*BF ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RED WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING WITH NO PASSENGER
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'm driving along, cruise set to 65. Ac on. Radio on. No sounds or weird feels from the car. Every light on the dash comes on. They went off after two seconds, with the seatbelt light being last to shut off. Then the car hits 113k miles about ten miles later and just... shuts off. All gauges drop to zero. Ac shuts off. Radio still playing. Full tank of gas. Headlights still on, brakes worked, power steering worked, and emergency flashers worked. I managed to get out of traffic and pull over without causing an accident. I turn the radio off and turn the key off for a few minutes. It cranked right back up and ran a little rough for a moment before smoothing out. I drove home without incident, but kept the radio and cruise off. And stayed under 65. Thankfully, traffic was light. The car has not been fixed as of this posting, nor has it been seen by anyone due to the weekend. Unsure of when I can get it fixed due to finances, but if this happens in heavy traffic or on one of many roads with no shoulder, lives will be at risk.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS (6) TIMES, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARY MILLER CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 5746 PEACH ST, MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP, PA 16509, (814) 868-3635) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF INVALID VIN*JB
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
See attached document for complaint.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO I-10 CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (79200 VARNER RD, INDIO, CA 92203) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLING FAN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHERE THE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY, MODULE, HIGH AND LOW SPEED RELAYS, THE THERMOSTAT, COOLING FAN, RADIATOR CAP AND COOLANT WERE ALL REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CRYSTAL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (36444 AUTO PARK DR, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234) WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO MANUFACTURER AND LEFT A MESSAGE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD BACK FORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HORN DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND IS DEFECTED. IT ONLY WORKS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS TO THE LEFT AND SOMETIMES IT GETS STUCK AND WON'T TURN OFF. WON'T WORK WHILE TRAVELING STRAIGHT OR TURNING RIGHT. THE HORN DID NOT ALLOW ME TO WARN A DRIVER THAT ALMOST BACKED INTO ME, THIS FORCED ME TO MOVE AWAY FROM HIM IN AN UNSAFE POSITION AND HE STILL DID NOT SEE ME AND KEPT ON BACKING OUT. HAD THE HORN WORKED IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS ISSUE THAT ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I DROVE HOME TO INSPECT THE HORN AS TO WHY IT WASN'T WORKING IS WHEN I LEARNED THAT IT ONLY WORKED WHILE SITTING STILL AND TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND AT TIMES IT STUCK AND WOULDN'T TURN OFF. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN LIKE THIS BECAUSE I DON'T USE IT VERY OFTEN, UNTIL THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAPPENED. ALSO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SHOWS TO BE OFF WITH AIR BAG LIGHT ON.
WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE TURNS OFF AND ALL POWER IS LOST. THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT MOVE. ONCE THE CARE IS STOPPED, YOU HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON. WHEN PUT ON THE DEALER'S COMPUTER, THE COMPUTER ONLY SAYS "THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER." DEALER SUGGESTS PUTTING IN A NEW IGNITION BUT DOES NOT GUARANTEE THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR CAN NO LONGER BE TRUSTED ON THE HIGHWAY OR INTERSTATE. I CAN ONLY DRIVE IT IN TOWN AT SLOW SPEEDS SO I WON'T CAUSE A CRASH IF IT SUDDENLY DIES ON ME.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING WITH MY HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS ON, USING MY TURN SIGNAL TURNS OFF MY HEADLIGHT ON THAT SIDE UNTIL THE TURN SIGNAL SHUTS OFF. I HAVE ALSO SEEN THIS IN A CHRYSLER 300, AND A TOWN AND COUNTRY. AND, I HAVE SEEN THIS IN A CHEVY CAMARO AND A VW. SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG HERE!!! THE DATE IS ONLY BECAUSE YOU NEED A DATE. IT IS FREQUENT,.
GOOD MORNING, THIS MAY NOT BE AN EMERGENCY, OR A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD, BUT... I FOUND THAT MY 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HAD AN ANNOYING FLAW. WHEN I HAD MY HEADLIGHTS ON WITH THE DRIVING LIGHTS, AND I PUT ON MY TURN SIGNAL, THE HEADLIGHT ON THAT SIDE WOULD GO OUT. SINCE NOTHING ELSE WAS AFFECTED, I CHOSE TO KEEP MY DRIVING LIGHTS OFF. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOTICED IS THAT OTHER CHRYSLERS (300, 200), A JEEP CHEROKEE, A CHEVY CAMARO, AND A VOLKSWAGEN DO THE SAME THING, BUT WITHOUT THE DRIVING LIGHT BEING ON. IT IS ALWAYS WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ENGAGED WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. I HAVE ONLY NOTICED THIS RECENTLY...I AM NOT SURE WHY, BUT I AM BEGINNING TO SEE THIS A LOT. ON A DARK, RAINY NIGHT, THAT COULD ELIMINATE A WHOLE QUADRANT OF LIGHT IS A PERSON IS TURNING. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS. I AM ALSO GOING TO CONTACT OTHER ENTITIES, BUT I THINK THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I ACCELERATED TO GET UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE GAS PEDAL STUCK GOING 65MPH. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AT FULL PRESSURE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND BRAKED, THEN PULL THE E-BRAKE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. VERY DANGEROUS, SCARY MALFUNCTION - THE MECHANIC SAYS THE ACCELERATOR THROTTLE AND CABLE ARE BROKEN. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IN DIFFERENT YEARS AND MODELS OF PT CRUISERS.
CANNOT GET GAS TO GO INTO THE GAS TANK, FUEL NOZZLE SHUTS OFF EVERY SECOND OR SO, TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO FILL THE TANK.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO SLOW DOWN HOWEVER THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SKIN RASH AND MOUTH DAMAGE DUE TO THE SUBSTANCE THAT CAME OUT OF THE AIR BAG UPON DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED BRUISES AND KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS THE SERVICE BRAKE TUBE FAILING AND THE BALL JOINT WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. *DT*JB
BALL JOINT BOLT FAILURE;CAUSING FRONT SUSPENSION FAILURE;SAME AS NHTSA RECALL OF 2005 PT CRUSIER;NHTSA REFERENCE #O8EO33OOO.VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET COMING TO A STOP APPROX.15MPH, EARLIER 70MPH HIWAY. REPAIR INVOICE $493.00 REPAIR,$65.00 TOWING. 05 PT CRUSIER WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROB. NHTSA REF # 08E033000
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TIPM (THE COMPUTER THAT MAINTAINS THE WHOLE CAR) IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN AN ALMOST 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE BOUGHT NEW IN 2008 WITH ONLY 25,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS SENDING BAD SIGNALS TO THE WIPERS SO I CANNOT DRIVE IT IN BAD WEATHER. ALTHOUGH THRE IS A POWERTRAIN FOR LIFE WARRANTY, CHRYSLER REFUSES TO REPLACE THE TIPM. I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY MORNING TRAFFIC IT WAS SNOWING AND THE WIPERS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR CAUSING ME TO BE UNABLE TO SEE POSING A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. THE CAR ALSO STOPPED DEAD IN TRAFFIC ON ME A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY FOUND NOTHING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, ALL OF THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, LOWER ARM BUSHINGS, SWAY BAR LINK, AND WINDOW MOTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE AND WINDOWS WERE REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,212. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ THE CONSUMER SSTATED THE CAMSENSOR AND MOTOR STALLED. THE BUSHINGS WERE WORN OUT AT ONLY 3200 MILES. THE WINDOWS WENT OUT IN 2011 AND THE BACK DOOR AND LOCKS WEREN'T WORKING. UPDATED 1/8/2015 *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I ACCELERATED TO GET UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE GAS PEDAL STUCK GOING 65MPH. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AT FULL PRESSURE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND BRAKED, THEN PULL THE E-BRAKE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. VERY DANGEROUS, SCARY MALFUNCTION - THE MECHANIC SAYS THE ACCELERATOR THROTTLE AND CABLE ARE BROKEN. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IN DIFFERENT YEARS AND MODELS OF PT CRUISERS.
CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 70000 MILES. SERVICE DONE REGULARLY. CHANGED BATTERY FOR THE FIRST TIME 5 MONTHS AGO. A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE RADIO WAS FLICKERING OFF AND ON. DID THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL ONE DAY JUST BEFORE ARRIVING HOME, THE DASHBOARD INDICATORS ALL FLICKERED OFF AN ON. PARKED THE VEHICLE, RESTARTED, BUT THE INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON. VEHICLE IS ONLY DRIVEN LESS THAN 10 MILES A DAY. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN. TIPM MODULE WAS REPLACED AT DEALER 5 YEARS AGO, WHEN POWER WINDOWS WERE NOT WORKING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
SLIDING RAIL BROKE ON DRIVERS SIDE. THE SEAT COMPLETELY MOVED OUT OF POSITION WHILE DRIVING. THE PART THAT IS NEEDED IS SAID TO BE DISCONTINUED. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, ALL OF THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP OR DOWN AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, LOWER ARM BUSHINGS, SWAY BAR LINK, AND WINDOW MOTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE AND WINDOWS WERE REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,212. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ THE CONSUMER SSTATED THE CAMSENSOR AND MOTOR STALLED. THE BUSHINGS WERE WORN OUT AT ONLY 3200 MILES. THE WINDOWS WENT OUT IN 2011 AND THE BACK DOOR AND LOCKS WEREN'T WORKING. UPDATED 1/8/2015 *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO SLOW DOWN HOWEVER THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SKIN RASH AND MOUTH DAMAGE DUE TO THE SUBSTANCE THAT CAME OUT OF THE AIR BAG UPON DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED BRUISES AND KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS THE SERVICE BRAKE TUBE FAILING AND THE BALL JOINT WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. *DT*JB
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH TOWN WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING LIKE RUBBER BURNING, SAW SMOKE BILLOWING OUT FROM PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF CAR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF OF ROAD, TURNED CAR OFF & LOOKED TO SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS. NO LEAKS OF ANY KIND. MY MECHANIC IS IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING MY PT. THE FRONT PASSENGER BRAKE SEIZED & BURNED UP MY CALIPER, ROTOR & BRAKE PADS. IT WAS SO HOT, IT LITERALLY MELTED PARTS. I CAME CLOSE TO A MAJOR FIRE & IT WAS A GOOD THING I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY. I HOPE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE PROBLEMS- BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AS I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
See attached document for complaint.
PT CRUISER HYDRAULIC CLUTCH NOT WORKING PROPERLY IN HOT WEATHER. DEALER TRIES TO REPLACE ENTIRE CLUTCH AND SAYS THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE UNTIL THEY DO THE $1400 CLUTCH JOB. PROBLEM LIES IN EITHER SLAVE CYLINDER OR IMPROPER BLEEDING AT FACTORY AND AT DEALER ON MINE WHEN THEY CHANGED CLUTCH, SHIFTER CABLES, TRANSMISSION AND SLAVE CYLINDER AND STILL DOES IT. PROBLEMS MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR WHEN HOT. WORKS IN EARLY MORNING OR COLD WEATHER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND MADE A BEEPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND CHIMES WOULD COME ON WHENEVER A PASSENGER WOULD SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. CODES B1B56 AND B1B54 CAME UP. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $267. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CONSTANTLY LOSES AIR IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. I HAVE HAD 2 BLOWN TIRES WHILE DRIVING BOTH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE. I NEED AIR THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE EVERY DAY. *TR
2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER STATES THAT GOODYEAR DEALER STATED THE BLOWN TIRE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS ON THE SIDEWALL. THEY PAID FULL PRICE FOR A NEW TIRE. *KB THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A SECOND FAILURE JUST LIKE THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE DAMAGE OCCURRED IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
BLINKER WORKS AT TIMES AND NOT AT OTHERS. BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVUMG, GOT HOME NOW IT WON'T START, BATTERY HAS FULL CHARGE BUT THE STARTER IS NOT CRANKING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE A/C PRESSURE SWITCH DOES NOT WORK AND I HAVE JUST RESEARCH IT ON LINE AND THEIR ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, CLAIMING THAT THEIRS BROKE WHEN THE CAR REACHED BETWEEN 37,000 TO 40,000 MILES. THE PART IS ON BACKORDER FROM CHRYSLER INDEFINITE AND ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET AND JUST ABOUT ALL CAR PARTS DEALER, YOU CAN' GET IT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! SOME PEOPLE LIVE IN 102 DEGREE WEATHER WITH ASTHMATIC CHILDREN. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE? CHRYSLER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ESPECIALLY THAT MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD (2007). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .