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.
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT CRUISER. While driving various speeds during inclement rain weather, the front and rear wipers failed. In addition, the horn failed to activate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the tipm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
While driving down the freeway the door locks started clicking like they do when hitting the wireless remote. At the same time the flashers would go on. This continued intermittently all the way to work on city streets as well. I have not contacted the dealer at this time. My passenger airbag light went on, sometimes when I was driving. I took the car in to my mechanic in January for a complete brake job. The rotors needed replacing. I had less than 10000 when the car would shimmy violently when the brakes were applied. I took it back to my mechanic, and he informed me that the rotors were not of a material made to with stand much heat. He advised a beefier rotor. There was now a heavy duty rotor available on the after-market. I did not take this problem to the dealer because they most likely will tell me I was too hard on the brakes. If that were the case the Honda, which had 107000 miles on it would have been in for brakes several times by now, it was on the first set and finally needed pads.. another car did not see me coming and pulled out in front of me. When I went to hit the horn it would not honk. I had to reposition my hand several times to find the right spot and then push very hard. I planned to get rid of this car and never purchase another american car again. I have always had nothing but trouble with them. *
The horn is hard to locate and blow. Terrible fuel mileage - 4 cyl car only gets 16 mpg and eats gas badly. Anyway I am currently fighting Chrysler corporation because of their manufacturing error they put the wrong engine in my new 2006 PT CRUISER convertible - touring edition. Chrysler's book, brochures etc. Clearly state that nothing but a standard 2.4L 180hp turbo engine is to go in this car and Chrysler put a regular (non-turbo) engine in this car. Chrysler lies and says that the downgraded non-turbo engine is an option. But there is no optional engine available for this car and another engine is not supposed to go in the car. Chrysler refuses to give me the correct car that I am currently paying for etc. Chrysler Corp. Continue to lie and give customers a very hard time.
Car horn hard to locate and blow. Very low fuel mileage - only get 16 mpg on a 2.4L non-turbo engine-eats gas badly. Sometimes seems like the engine wants to stall. Have complained to dealership and Chrysler corporation - but mainly because Chrysler manufacturers put a non-turbo engine in my 2006 PT CRUISER conv. Touring when only a turbo engine is to be in this car. Chrysler refuses to give me the correct car and take this manufacturing error car back. They are lying and saying that the 150 hp(non-turbo) engine is an option engine. There is no other engine as an option for this car - I have their book and other documents. I am currently seeking help to get the correct car with the turbo engine I am paying for. Chrysler does not care and gives their customer a hard time.
: the contact stated the horn in the vehicle functioned intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the horn mechanism in the steering column was replaced. The problem persisted following the replacement.
Currently fyi. Have to take the car in to dealership when a part comes in on an unrelated reason. Will alert dealer of my problem then, so it has not yet been seen by a mechanic. On father's day I had a woman make a left turn in front of me, and stopped. I tried to blow my horn to get her out of my way while trying to mover our of her path. Horn failed. Tried to blow the horn when I got home, and can hear the switch click, but no horn. Seems to be a common complaint just from people who knows about this site, do not know how common of a complaint it is from others. This is a safety device where one failure due to design is too many.
The horn on this 2006 Chrysler PT CRUISER only works intermittently and only when you hit a place on the wheel extremely hard. Several times I have had to feel around on the wheel pushing and pushing to make it work. In a situation where the horn is necessary it is too late. I was told by my dealer when I had it in to be fixed two times that this is a common problem with the new PT CRUISER and that it was the major complaint from consumers. I did not have the problem with my 2002 model. I do not use the horn often but as a warning to avoid incidents. It is a necessary part of the vehicle. I am concerned that a design flaw may cause an accident or injury. Please see if you can inform Chrysler. Thank you.
: the contact stated there is only a small area on the steering wheel to activate the horn. When the vehicle was taken to the dealership they replaced the steering wheel but this did not correct the problem. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 3/22/2006 - the manufacturer was notified of the problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Chicago, IL, USA