CarComplaints.com Notes: Chrysler has taken the boring small car frame of the Neon, grafted a 1930s-era roadster body on top and named it the PT Cruiser. While the new look may appeal to some, the vehicle has unfortunately also inherited many of the same problems as the Neon.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,807 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Carnegie, PA, USA