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.
2003 Chrysler PT CRUISER. Consumer states defect involving the lower control arm bushings in the front suspension in August 2007 the bushings had deteriorated after only 30,620 miles. The dealer replaced them at a cost of $414.84 which the consumer had to pay since the vehicle was beyond the 36 month warranty. In June 2009, the dealer informed the consumer they needed to be replaced even though it had only been 12,292 miles since they were initially replaced. The consumer went to an independent mechanic and had them replaced again.
PT CRUISER lower control arm bushings shot with only 32000 miles. This is a common problem. A defect in the bushing material is suspect and failure can lead to loss of control.
: the contact stated a knocking sound is heard when the vehicle is placed into reverse, or when a stop, and then placed into park. The sound is coming from the driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle stalls after each start and has to be restarted. The dealership determined the lower control arms and the skim model in the computer was defective and needs to be replaced. Updated 07/05/06.
Rear bushing on front-right and left lower control arm of suspension failed at approximately 65,000 miles, causing slop in control arm, wheel camber to vary during operation and auto to tend to wander on road (along with the sound of metal-to-metal contact in the suspension). DC dealer refused to cover replacements as a defective bushing (out of warranty) and advised me on 1/20/06 that the part is currently unavailable - on back order - 7,500 units on order from supplier. I am very concerned that this is a potentially wide-spread failure of this bushing with the resultant loss of steering control due to camber changes during operation. - I have also been informed that this failure can lead to damage to the watts linkage in the drive train, and excessive wear of tires.
Rear bushing on front-right lower control arm of suspension failed at approximately 35,000 miles, causing slop in control arm, wheel camber to vary during operation and auto to tend to wander on road (along with the sound of metal-to-metal contact in the suspension). The bushing was replaced by dealer under warranty at that time. At 64,000 miles 1/10/06) the rear bushing on front-left lower control arm of suspension failed causing similar problems. I then inspected the rear bushing on the right side that was replaced at 35,000 miles and determined that it is showing indications of beginnings of another failure. DC dealer refused to cover left side as a defective bushing (out of warranty) and advised me on 1/16/06 that the part is currently unavailable - on back order - 7,500 units on order from supplier. I am very concerned that this is a potentially wide-spread failure of this bushing with the resultant loss of steering control due to camber changes during operation.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA