10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,126 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #11

Mar 302006

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 15 mph the roadway was wet and the vehicle hydroplaned and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. When this occurred, the air bags deployed the contact's shirt and undergarment caught on fire. The police were contacted to the scene of the accident and helped extinguish the flames. The contact suffered major burns to the stomach, hands, arms and left thumb. Updated 05/16/2006.

- Pace, FL, USA

problem #10

Jul 102005

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,394 miles
The consumer owns 2001 PT CRUISER. The consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision. It was impacted on the center of the driver's side and was broad sided. Upon impact, none of the frontal/side air bags deployed. Spoke to the manufacturer, and they were not be interested. The dealership has not been contacted. There were no serious injuries, but there were cuts and bruises. A police report was not available. Pictures were available, but no insurance report. The car was totaled.

- Middleboro, MA, USA

problem #9

Oct 012004

PT Cruiser

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Per instructions in owner's manual, I took my 2001 PT CRUISER with 51,700 miles into the courtesy Chrysler/Jeep dealership in rockville, md after the airbag indicator light on the dashboard panel began intermittently lighting up when taking turns. After 3 days, the service advisor called to inform me that the light was going on because the airbag had failed. The car has not been in an accident, nor has it been modified. The charge to replace the failed airbag is $1,300. The service advisor said he had no idea what would cause the airbag to fail if was not in an accidient and had not been modified. I called Chrysler customer service and was told that there was nothing they could do to help me and that I would have to work it out with the dealer.

- Chevy Chase, MD, USA

problem #8

Jan 172005

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,500 miles
2001 PT CRUISER has airbag light that keeps coming on intermittently. Also, the associated "ding" sound comes on at the same time. Dealer charged $90 to tell me the driver's side airbag had "failed". (note: This car has never been in an accident and only has 34000 miles on it.) dealer wants $500 to repair the "failed airbag". coincidence that this same problem happened on late 90's Grand Caravan. Sounds like I have exactly the same problem they had - but no recall to correct the situation. Help!

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #7

Sep 102003

PT Cruiser

  • miles
While driving vehicle went off the road, hit a ditch, and rolled over. Front and side air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained brain damage/a broken clavicle, and fractured back. Could not be driven.

- Richland Center, WI, USA

problem #6

Jun 112003

PT Cruiser

  • miles
The front passenger air bag not work. Dealer notified, and agreed it was not working, however the warranty had expired.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #5

Oct 152002

PT Cruiser

  • miles
While driving the vehicle consumer had a head on accident at 65mph. Both front air bags did not deploy. Dealer notified.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #4

Oct 032002

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 44,493 miles
Clock spring broke in steering column while making a right hand turn

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #3

Nov 162002

PT Cruiser

  • miles
Consumer vehicle was involved in a front right corner collision at approximately 10mph. The driver's air bag deployed and burned through consumer's jacket to the clothing underneath. Consumer also advised had "singe" marks on going down the side of jacket.

- Locust Grove, VA, USA

problem #2

Jan 292002

(reported on)

PT Cruiser

  • miles
Vehicle was involved in a collision at 50mph, and air bags did not deploy, causing major body injury to driver.

- Cape Canavral, FL, USA

problem #1

Dec 082001

PT Cruiser

  • miles
Was traveling on the highway about 55mph and noticed that steering wheel and vehicle started shaking. Consumer stated that ridge inside of road inflated two rear tires, causing vehicle to go into a spin/vehicle flipped, and went into a enbankment. Airbags didn't go off, and the driver's side seatbelt didn't hold. The vehicle was totaled.

- Rochester, IN, USA