The electrical system is malfunctioning the fans do not kick on at all, even after reaching temperature.Even when the "Air" condition is turned on full blast or the "Heater" it doesn't matter which one is used it still doesn't engage the "Fan".

- Owensboro, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact, a certified mechanic, replaced all of the sensors on the vehicle, the relays, and the electrical fuses; however, the vehicle would not start when prompted. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

- Trinway, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated that the fog light warning indicator illuminated and smoke appeared from the steering column. The contact was able to pull the vehicle off the roadway, turn off the engine, and restart the vehicle. The contact smelled burning wires, but there were no flames. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact found a recall for the fog lights online, but was unable to provide further information. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

Let me start by saying I just bought this 2001 limited edition PT CRUISER three days ago from a private dealer. I was on the highway, heading home from work in the middle of the night, and wanted to try the cruise control. I turned it on and set it for 67mph to see if it worked first. Then I went to reset it to my actual desired speed by tapping my brakes, then I tried the switch on the arm of my steering wheel but the cruise control wouldn't shut off. I got off at the next exit and was able to slow down to 40mph before my brakes locked up and I was forced to run the stop sign at the end of the off ramp. (thank god it was at 3am and my baby wasn't with me!). I was able to pull over doing 20mph before the brakes locked up again. I quickly shut it off, put it in park, and waited a few minutes to turn it back on. But the engine just kept reving, as if I was holding my foot on the gas because the cruise control was still on! I tried resetting it by turning the key back and forth a few times. I tried to see if it would throw me a code but only "done" appeared on my dash. Every time I started the car, the led for cruise control would come on and then shut off after a few seconds. I was able to coast home doing 40mph with access to my brakes again. Not very well, but enough to make it home, (when I'd let off the brake the car would take off again). I've been doing research since I got back and found a few other reports of this happening, except they were all able to stop. For example by shifting into neutral or shutting the car off. Every time I start the [xxx] thing, the cruise control is still on! how do I shut it off? 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).

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

Was driving vehicle going 55 mph and dashboard faults out with incoherent readings and transaxle shifts self into neutral. I shift gear selector into neutral and back into drive. Dashboard readings go back to normal and transaxle goes back into drive. 15 seconds later battery light comes on. Continue driving to find a place to park. After about 10 seconds engine stalls out. Shift gear selector into neutral and try to restart vehicle but it won't start. Coast to a stop and open hood. Notice an odd smell. Open hood and alternator is on fire. Close hood and grab personal belongings (except for phone charger) out of vehicle. Call 911 as vehicle burns up. Fire and police arrive and extinguish fire but vehicle badly destroyed by being engulfed in flames.

- Machesney Park, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact smelled a burning odor and discovered a plug melted and that the fog lights were not illuminating. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and repaired. The contact did not have the name of the parts that were replaced. The failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000. Updated 04/07/15 updated 9/21/2017

- Wisconsin Rapids, WI, USA

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.

- Jjeromesville, OH, USA

I bought a car from North coast auto mall and it had a lot of suspension problems. They ensured me that they would fix these issues if I bought the car. After buying the car, they have had me in and out of their shop 4 or 5 times to which they only lube the parts or lie to me claiming that the car has been fixed. I feel that this business practice is unsafe and misleading. They claimed to have replaced a control arm to which Goodyear later (when I was buying tires) informed me that my control arms were bad. I was surprised to hear this. North coast should be investigated as they are selling unsafe cars, claiming to repair issues and then putting me in an unsafe car. 30 claims have been made about similar issues via the better business bureau, the federal trade commission and the Ohio attorney general. I feel that they should be investigated for safety reasons.

- Akron, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated that the radio and door locks would activate independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuse needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 90,000.

- Corning, CA, USA

Fog lights malfunction very frequently. For the past couple of months, vehicle's battery has been drained because the fog lights are on (which are never turned on or even used) and will not go off. Happens frequently and it's difficult to get the fog lights to go off, the lights control has to be jiggled just right to get them to go off so we know the battery won't be drained after a few hours. Lately, it has gotten harder and harder to get them to turn off and finally had to pull the fuse in order to make them go off.

- Austin, TX, USA

I bought a 2001 PT CRUISER and within a couple of weeks the headlights stopped working. Replaced multi function switch but did not help. Had to re-wire the lights to make them work. Also it sounds like the passenger side front tire has something loose. Possibly bushings"? I've seen several complaints about the lights. What is it gonna take to get a recall in place" we got a ticket for it.

- Grantsville, UT, USA

Vehicle was used to drive to local store at night. Fog lights were not turned on at any time. I parked in department store parking lot and came out after shopping for about 45 minutes and noticed a burning smell coming from PT CRUISER. Opened the drivers door and odor became more apparent. Noticed smoke rolling out of steering column. Also noticed fog lamp indicator on dashboard was on. However, all lights and switches were off. I had to pull out several fuses until I found the one related to the fog lamps. That was the only way to quickly power off the fog lamps and stop the smoldering. This is a potential fire hazard!

- Schuylkill Haven, PA, USA

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 $1,0000 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.

- American Canyon, CA, USA

Car stalls on turns particularly to the left, upon key insertion hard crank or starts and idles roughly then shuts off with out warning. While idling at stop lights the rpms may or may not (rev, ) after so many mins of driving acceleration becomes more difficult at intervals & stalling usually while turning at intersections. Or going over bumps or up hills. This happens some what sporadically so I never can tell when I'm safe to go. Definitely not something U want to think about w min coverage either way.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

I am the original owner of this PT CRUISER, purchased on November 22, 2000. My multi-switch will not turn on my fog lights and the indicator in the instrument cluster does not light. I have read many online articles from owners with the same problem. Why won't Chrysler fix this on going problem?

- Parkville, MD, USA

I own a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. I purchased it used in 2006. It's been in the shop numerous times because the battery keeps going bad. In 4 years I've replaced the battery 3 times. Today I was almost in a serious accident. I was driving and it just stalled in traffic! it just died, like it ran out of gas. This vehicle is a safety hazard! I called a tow truck it's in the shop tonight. Mechanic thinks it's the PCM/ powertrain control module, cost around $1000!!

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

Door locks randomly lock and unlock themselves. Remotes and interior lock switches are non-functional. Produces the risk of locking occupants out of the car, or unlocking at night and poses higher risk of theft.

- Richmond, VA, USA

Electrical short / failure in the car horn (simultaneously affecting the lcd of the clock/radio). Issue stems from some electrical wiring in the steering column; not sure how the two are relates but when I bang on my steering wheel the lcd comes back and the horn is functional again. Potential safety hazard as it affects the horn and ability to avoid accidents. No known fix from manufacturer alarms me.

- Tamarac, FL, USA

Unexplainable complete battery drain began in 08/2008. Discovered in 03/2009 that the fog lights were coming on and staying on when car was on as well as when off and parked thus, causing the battery drain. Only way to keep fog lights off was to engage the left turn signal or remove the fuse. Took to dealer 03/21/2009 and found the issue is with the multifunction switch, with a replacement cost of $269. Went ahead with the replacement as I do use the fog lights. Have searched internet and have found many, many cases of this exact part defect. Chrysler should recall.

- Westerville, OH, USA

2001 PT CRUISER. Horn and radio/clock display intermittent. When the radio/clock display is dark, the horn is inoperative. This happens often. Sometimes the horn does not work for several weeks, other times for only a short time. Two repair shops looked at it, but the problem cleared by it self, and they could not find anything.

- Woodstock, GA, USA