The engine starting making a ticking sound while I was driving uphill about 40 mph. I stopped to check oil which was about 1/2 quart down. I proceeded to continue driving I went about another mile and the car started losing power. Unknown to me but the car was already on fire. Someone behind me alerted me and within a minute or two the PT CRUISER was engulfed in flames.

- Lambertville, NJ, USA

The fuel line was recalled in 2002 under PT CRUISER fuel line leaks against air conditioner and I had that repaired in 2002. I have done nothing to the fuel line since then. On July 25 2009, the fuel line sprung a leak. Upon further investigation I noticed the line rubbed against the top of the engine which caused the hole in the fuel line. Obviously fuel was leaking onto the engine the consequences of the leak could have been catastrophic and life threatening to myself and family. The fuel line is threaded under the power steering pump hose and over the engine to the fuel injection rail. Over the miles the line rubbed the top of the engine which caused the hole in the fuel causing gas to squirt and leak in the engine compartment. I replaced the line to repair. I did keep the old fuel line and took pictures of the engine where it rubbed. I believe this to be a design flaw, by allowing the fuel line to rub on the engine and held down by the power steering pump hose.

- Aurora, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. Upon starting the vehicle, the contact smelled a strong odor of gasoline. She also noticed fuel leaking underneath the front hood. Through online research, she discovered NHTSA campaign id numbers 02V214000 and 02V215000, but her VIN was excluded from both recalls. The dealer stated that they could not assist with any repairs and would not assume liability. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unable to be entered into the system. The failure and current mileages were less than 39,000. Remailed 10/20/09.

- Columbus, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact noticed an odor of gasoline emanating from the vehicle. Upon further inspection, he noticed fuel leaking from the hose. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 02V214000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings); therefore, they would not assume financial responsibility for any repairs. However, according to safercar.gov, his VIN was included in the recall. He took the vehicle to a local repair shop and had the component repaired according to the remedy referenced in the recall. The failure mileage was 87,629 and current mileage was 110,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Hole in exhaust system near fuel tank caused the plastic fuel tank to literally melt and leak fuel. The metal shield near the tank does not adequately protect the tank. It is a miracle that the vehicle did not catch fire. The entire fuel tank assembly and fuel lines near the tank have to be replaced.

- Wyoming, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact received a recall notice pertaining to the fuel system. After the recall repairs were performed, the instrument panel failed. The engine and all the electrical components shut off while idle as well as driving various speeds. While driving less than 70 mph, the failure recurred and caused an 18-wheel vehicle to swerve over the median to avoid crashing into her vehicle. The dealer reprogrammed the transmission controller module. On July 10, 2007, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the same failures. The etax relay and the controller software was updated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on August 30, 2007. The flash controller was replaced and the air bag sensor was reprogrammed; however, the repairs did not remedy the failures. On December 28, 2007, the vehicle was taken to the dealer due to transmission hesitation. The modular engine controller was reprogrammed. The failure mileage was 51,780 and current mileage was less than 62,000. Updated 10/16/08

- San Fransisco, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact received a recall notice pertaining to the fuel system. After the recall repairs were performed, the instrument panel failed. The engine and all the electrical components shut off while idle as well as driving various speeds. While driving less than 70 mph, the failure recurred and caused an 18-wheel vehicle to swerve over the median to avoid crashing into her vehicle. The dealer reprogrammed the transmission controller module. On July 10, 2007, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the same failures. The etax relay and the controller software was updated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on August 30, 2007. The flash controller was replaced and the air bag sensor was reprogrammed; however, the repairs did not remedy the failures. On December 28, 2007, the vehicle was taken to the dealer due to transmission hesitation. The modular engine controller was reprogrammed. The failure mileage was 51,780 and current mileage was less than 62,000. Updated 10/16/08. Updated 10/17/08.

- Florence, MS, USA

Gas gauge malfunctioned. It indicated that there was no gas in the tank, even though the tank was full. Dealership was notified. The fuel sending unit failed. The sending unit provided false fuel level infomation to the fuel gauge on the dash..

- Higley, AZ, USA

The vehicle fuel supply tube failed.

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

NHTSA# 15106-02-V-215-000. The fuel pump module mounting flange could leak fuel if vehicle involved in rollover crash... consumer states vehicle at any speed smell strong chemical fumes into the passenger compartment. Dealer has been notified..

- Winchester, KY, USA