The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated that he was able to take the key out of the ignition in any position (off, accessory, etc) while the engine was running even if it was not shifted into park. The contact noticed the failure every time he drove the vehicle. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called the manufacturer who referred him to NHTSA. The current mileage was approximately 95,000. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

PT CRUISER 2001 (car) will continue to run with key out of ignition. Safety issue: Car cannot be stopped occurrences: Has happened approximately 6+ times since problem initially brought to dealers attention in 2002 Chrysler support: Essentially not responding with correct solutions over the last 24 months to local dealer who cannot resolve this defect dealer has attempted to repair this on 3 occasions with different solutions - however problem continues to occur dealer gave me specific instructions that if car did this again, I could stop it by removing fuse #11 - after a set of recent sequential failures on 12/4/04 where I used this technique until I could contact the dealer on Monday morning; vehicle battery died and needed to be re-started; responding mechanic advise me the procedure for removing fuse #11 was dangerous and could cause arcing in the car's electrical system and possibly a fire and complete destruction of the onboard computer. Most recent event occurred on 12/4/04 with key out of ignition, car still running.- utilized dealer technique of removing fuse #11, battery died.

- Ivoryton, CT, USA

While driving at any speed ignition light came on, and vehicle stalled. This problem occurred four times since 2001. Dealer examined the vehicle numerous times, and could not find the cause of the problem.

- Derby, CT, USA

After parking and turning the vehicle off and removing the key, the vehicle continued to run with the key removed, the vehicle was able to run for 3 minutes to an hour before it shut off. The dealer had examined the vehicle 3 times and was unable to find the problem.

- Snellville, GA, USA

Lock cylinder for ignition key broken in steering column. Key would not turn and steering wheel locked up. I am concerned that if the lock cylinder broke while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel may lock up causing the driver to lose control.

- Lakeview, NY, USA

Key taken out of ignition and motor still running/ no method to turn car off.

- Ivoryton, CT, USA

Vehicle stalled, the hot muffler caused the bumper to melt due to design location, the problem was misdiagnosed the first time and the second time the dealer found the problem to be a faulty ignition coil.

- Newark, OH, USA

Vehicle stalled, the hot muffler caused the bumper to melt due to design location, the problem was misdiagnosed the first time and the second time the dealer found the problem to be a faulty ignition coil.

- Newark, OH, USA