4.0
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 30,208 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.
It stalls and won't go over 40mph.
- Inverness, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chrysler PT CRUISER. While driving at unknown speeds and attempting to shift, the shift lever failed to engage into gear without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the gear shift lever was loose and needed to be tightened. The vehicle was repaired, but several years later, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000.
- Greensburg, PA, USA
As with the other identical complaints, regarding manual transmission shifting and, when the temperature is above 80 degrees shifting gears becomes very difficult and at times impossible. The problem occurred years ago and has always been there. It's as if the bushings in the shift mechanism expand when heated and the shifter sticks in its current gear; with great force you can knock it out and with great force you can re-engage. The next morning at 50 degrees the shifter works properly once again. Later in the day above 80 degrees the problem re-occurs; this happens every time the temperature is above 80 degrees. The resulting hazard leaves you stuck in traffic unable to shift gears, which in turn makes you a hazard to other drivers. I have had two near miss (rear end) collisions as a result. Chrysler stopped production of the manual transmission pt two years before discontinuing the automatic pt. This is a known problem by the manufacturer and they should have issued a recall. Chrysler did not and as a result I'm sure the other affected customers did as I have done and walked away from the brand. I've purchased 4 vehicles since that time and they were certainly not a Chrysler product. The latter is costing Chrysler more than the $300 it would have cost to change the bushings to a type that is not affected by heat.
- Stockton, CA, USA
Without warning, the engine turns off and all power is lost. The ignition switch does not move. Once the care is stopped, you have to turn the key to the off position and then turn it back on. When put on the dealer's computer, the computer only says "there was a sudden loss of power." Dealer suggests putting in a new ignition but does not guarantee this will fix the problem. The car can no longer be trusted on the highway or interstate. I can only drive it in town at slow speeds so I won't cause a crash if it suddenly dies on me.
- Titusville, FL, USA
I was driving on the freeway when the engine light came on (which it never had before), and within less than a minute the car ceased up, lost power and died. I was able to make it to the side of the freeway as it started puttering before ceasing completely. This incident has happened at least four more times since original date. I had the motor tested at the auto body shop and the said the cam sensor needs checked but the engine is burning my oil up and since this happened and has had to have oil put in 3 times since then in order to make it run when it stops. Just last month I spent over $500 replacing the radiator and power steering lines which I was informed was part of a recall on this vehicle but was not covered since it didn't apply to my VIN #. I am scared because I have children I drive with and because I cannot afford to keep repairing this vehicle, which is my only means of transportation. The vehicle was paid for in cash in full and has no recourse from the dealer or so I was told.
- Wisconsin Dells , WI, USA
Front crank case seal failed due to thrust bearing for crank shaft.
- Cleveland, OH, USA
I have had my 2007 PT CRUISER to the dealer for a vibration in the engine. They of course heard nothing and recommended a tune up which I had had done the previous month. I took it somewhere else and had to have the motor mounts and transmission mount replaced. I had the timing belt replaced as they had to remove the engine at this time and tried to save money. The mechanic adjusted everything to the correct specifications and the vibration continues to this day.
- Gilbert, AZ, USA
I was driving down the interstate at 65 mph and I started to hear this very low wine. I took my car into the dealership and they said it was my clutch. I had a 1200 clutch replacement done at approx 56000 and now at 101000 I am having an issue with the clutch not going into gear when its hot outside or the ac is on. My car works perfectly in the winter and early morning hours but once it reaches 85 degrees outside I am having to force it into gear. No car should have 3 clutches in less that 5 years.
- Charlotte, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the clutch was engaged and the transmission would not shift into any gear. The engine was turned off and then restarted in order for the vehicle to resume normally. The failure occurred when the temperatures exceeded 90 degrees. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the clutch would need to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent auto shop for a second opinion. The technician replaced the slave cylinder and master clutch. The failure recurred and the contact replaced both parts himself. Most recent, the failure occurred for the third time and the vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift gears and continued to become stuck in second gear. The check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and the dealer could not duplicate the failures. On a separate occasion, the vehicle failed to shift gears again. The dealer replaced all of the engine solenoids to remedy the failure; however, the failures persisted. The dealer informed the contact to bring the vehicle back to the shop. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were less than 10,000.
- Springfield, MA, USA
Upon acceleration between 0 and 30 mph there is a feel of the engine missing or the transmission/torque converter chattering. Have had the vehicle to the dealer two times and they advise there is nothing abnormal occurring in the vehicle that it is a characteristic problem in the vehicle.
- Oak Hill, FL, USA
- Indio, CA, USA