CarComplaints.com Notes: Chrysler has taken the boring small car frame of the Neon, grafted a 1930s-era roadster body on top and named it the PT Cruiser. While the new look may appeal to some, the vehicle has unfortunately also inherited many of the same problems as the Neon.

3.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,860 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser brakes problems

brakes problem

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2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Owner Comments

problem #5

Sep 022003

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,420 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

) on 9/2/03 I had to take the car in to have the brakes checked. Problem found was the front right caliper piston stuck > closed causing uneven wear > of brakes pads ( metal to metal on front right and 50% pads on other three). Dealer replaced the caliper piston, replaced pads and machined rotors. Had to get a rental for one day. 2) on 2/21/05 had the car in the shop again to have the tires rotated and brakes checked. Dealer said although the pads where wearing evenly now, they stated "but worn out front and rear", need to be replaced. Brakes front and rear, replaced front rotors, resurfaced rear rotors" this time I had to have a rental for three days. 3) on 3/12/05 not even a month later, while I was driving on the freeway to work the, entire windshield became engulfed with steam, I could not see a thing and the wipers could not take the steam away, so again I had to head back to the dealership to have this checked out. Dealer stated "found engine cooling fan not working & radiator cap not holding pressure" " replaced fan and radiator cap". another rental for two days. 4) on 6/14/06, 161 miles after the extended warranty runs out, I have a major transmission problem. Engine light comes on, I get the car to the shop and the dealer states transmission solenoid pack shorted out and damaged the controller and I had to have this item replaced. No rental required this time but the bill was $1055.66 on my dime. Now....the grand daddy of them all! 5) the car was back at the dealer on 8/1/06 for the same front right caliper piston issue as on 9/2/03, but on my dime this time.

- Orangevale, CA, USA

problem #4

Jan 242004

PT Cruiser

  • 68,000 miles
The front brakes and tires exhibit extreme wear and tear. Front tires replaced approx. 40,000 miles, real ok at 68,000. Front brakes replaced twice so far, with rotors and calipers needing replacements. The front suspension system appears to be overly stressed due to vehicle design.

- Londonderry, NH, USA

problem #3

Jan 202004

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,602 miles
My 01 Chrysler PT CRUISER, 25,602 miles, had a stiff brake pedal. Car felt as if I was driving w/foot on brake. Chrysler towed car to dealer. They said I had contaminated brake fluid, repairs not covered by regular or ext. Warranty. My bill for repair was $2643.48. They replaced all brake system components.

- Warwick, RI, USA

problem #2

Mar 282003

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,138 miles
2001 PT CRUISER, caliper freezing to rotor causing brake pads to wear down to medal and rotor to turn blue, only on passenger front side of vehicle. I have the brake pads from the vehicle and the pads from the driver's side look like new. I filed a complaint with daimler Chrysler over the warranty on the caliper and contemporary Chrysler dodger said it was "normal wear" and "brake dust and dirt particles" that cause the caliper to stick" I believe it is not normal for one side to be worn down to the medal" the right rear caliper froze and caused the same problem at approximately. 20,316 mi. But the service was performed at a different dealer. Also, causing shimmy in the front end.

- Nashua, NH, USA

problem #1

Mar 282003

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,138 miles
2001 PT CRUISER, caliper freezing to rotor causing brake pads to wear down to medal and rotor to turn blue, only on passenger front side of vehicle. The right rear caliper froze and caused the same problem at approximately. 20,316 mi. But the service was performed at a different dealer. Also, causing shimmy in the front end.

- Nashua, NH, USA

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