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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,807 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.
Dashboard cracks - 3 total. First one appeared late 2007 on the left side of the center vent. Then, shortly after another one popped up from the back of the center vent. Approximately one month later a 3rd on (the largest one) appeared from the front of the vent straight to the front edge of the dash board. Part of the center vent spokes are breaking now and when I put the armourall on the dash I have to be very careful not to put too much pressure on it as I'm wiping it on.
In 2001 bought a brand new 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. In the last 2 years the dashboard has started collapsing on itself. This has exposed the wiring harness in the dash to direct sunlight and I am afraid will melt the wiring. I have done nothing to cause this problem. Chrysler should replace this.
My 2001 PT CRUISER has suddenly developed large cracks on the dash. I've never put any heavy things on it or used it to hold myself when cleaning the windshield and out of the blue, it's cracked. Of course it's out of warranty and the purchase price through the dealer is only $40 or so more than the installation price. The part costs about $250. Chrysler is gouging us. There is no way that part takes over 2 hours to replace and that's what it would be at today's mechanic's labor prices!
I have had to replace the entire front "engine cradle", also known as the "K-frame" or "front sub-assembly". it is the structural steel framework bolted to the underbody that the lower control arms attach to. The steering rack is bolted to the top of it. The lower engine torsion connector is mounted to it. The reason? total rust out! the right wheel hub and lower control arm broke away from the K-frame because of rust. The car was being driven slowly at the time, and that was a good thing, because the car could barely be driven after. No accident occurred.
- Carleton, MI, USA
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Dash board developed a crack at the center vent and as of this point the entire middle of the dash panel is cracked in two! other cracks are also developing! these started to develop three years ago.
The dashboard on my 2001 PT CRUISER started cracking about 9 months ago, and is gradually cracking and crumbling right in front of my eyes. It makes me sick every time I get my car now. I was so proud to buy the PT CRUISER in 2001. Now it's a shame and embarrassment to me.
I have a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. I had purchased the car used but in perfect condition in 2003 - approximately 6 months after I purchased the car, my dashboard cracked. I don't mean a small, hairline crack, but a crack where if it was pushed on it would crumble and fall. I took it to our local frikins Chrysler dealer who told me that it was due to using "armor all". when I told him I did not use any "armor all", he said that it was now due to lack of care. I also had to have the "air bag sensor" replaced 3 times, in which my dash was further cracked - and it is still not working. This ruins the look of my car. I was told there was nothing I could do, until someone suggested file a complaint on the web site. Thank you.
The dashboard has cracked in half from the center of the base of the windshield, through the oval defroster grating, and all the way back to where the dash meets the center console. The defroster grating has actually fallen into the dash, and other smaller cracks are forming off of the main one. I didn't complain about this problem when it happened until I recently discovered that other owners were having similar problems. Chrysler has been most unhelpful and has has denied any culpability.
My 2001chrysler PT CRUISER dash cracked in half for no apparent reason. It caused many electrical errors in the dashboard instruments. I am just thankful I was not in a more serious situation when it happened. I have heard it is common and feel it should be addressed.
2001 PT CRUISER with 44,500 miles. Abt 3 months ago a small crack appeared in the dashboard. It grew larger and larger, and in October the vent screen piece popped out on its own. The crack finally bisected the dashboard, so I had it replaced at my own expense. This car has gotten normal usage and there appears to be no incident or reason for this to have occurred.
Cracked dashboard. The crack has now spread across the entire dashboard, separating the dash into two pieces. The crack extends from the windshield to the center console. The current mileage is 98,000.
I just noticed the 2001 PT CRUISER dashboard had cracks. It was garage kept and always had sun shades on. Only had 50000 miles. I hope that Chrysler stepped up and accepted responsibility for their product. They did on the trucks, so why not on the cruisers.
Dashboard started to crack just one month outside warranty. 2 large cracks almost splitting the dashboard in half. The car does sit outside but it was only about 3 yr old car. After calling Chrysler to complain they agreed to pay for the part and I was to only pay labor.
The dashboard of my 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER is cracking in many places through the middle section. I'm afraid it may collapse as others have. The cracks also run through the top air vent. I've researched the web and found many other cases of this happening which some have caused accidents. Has Chrysler acknowledged this problem and is there a recall possibility? this is the first vehicle I have ever owned that has done this.
The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated that the front and rear bumpers are faded out. The part of the bumpers nearest to the vehicle's body is surrounded by a one inch white line. The bumpers are a charcoal gray color. The bumpers were replaced under warranty, but the failure has recurred. Her warranty has expired and now she would have to pay for this repair herself. She spoke with a mechanic at the dealer who stated that they are aware of the failure, but no recalls have been issued. The current mileage is 41,000 and failure mileage was 20,965.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Savannah, GA, USA