Problems with 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

There is a widespread problem with the chrysler pt cruiser wherein the multi-function switch on the column malfunctioned, causing the fog lights to come unexpectedly, completely draining the battery . this problem has been going on for sometime and chrysler refused to correct it, which would appear to have been caused by defective parts. the repair charge wa s upwards of $200.*ak

Dashboard cracked in 2 locations. potential safety hazard if wires are exposed. could potentially ruin cables for headlights, break lights and turning signals

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chrysler pt cruiser. the vehicle's dashboard began to crack vertically. the vehicle has not been diagnosed. the vehicle purchase date and engine size were unknown. the current and failure mileages were 70,000.

Fog light switch is faulty. this switch leaves the lights on at all times which drains battery and leaves the driver stranded. this problem has been documented in hundreds of pt cruisers. http://www.topix.net/forum/autos/chrysler-pt-cruiser/tf81khbdldvt92ah2. *jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chrysler pt cruiser. the contact noticed a crack in the middle of the vehicle's dashboard. the contact was informed that debris from the crack could fall on the accelerator pedal and cause a crash. the crack could also cause the lights on the instrument panel to fail. the manufacturer stated that they would not perform the repair because the vehicle was no longer under warranty. the vin was unavailable. the current mileage is 64,500 and failure mileage was 61,000.

My '02 pt cruiser has had many incidents over the past 4 years. the instrument panel occassionally flickers or does not light up at all. the radio display/clock feature will turn off while music is still playing. headlights dim when radio/instrument panel is changed. the abs failed on the interstate whlie going 65mph. the car slid for a long time, causing a large bald spot on all 4 tires. then subsequently the car shut off and took a few minutes before the car was able to turn back on. the starter has died 3 times, each time being replaced. the car gets roughly 13mpg at all times. there is no safety under the seat to prevent rolling objects from rolling into the front seat and potentially affecting the use of pedals. the car frequently does not allow me to turn the key. i have had all of these problems, even while taking excellent care of my vechicle. *jb

Trouble with multifunction control switch for pt cruiser headlights. the fog lights on the pt cruiser illuminated intermittently without operator interface or fail to shut off when multifunction switch is operated. this caused battery to fail. no audible indication that lights remained on. *ak

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 mph, all the warning lights around the speedometer illuminated intermittently. each time the warning lights illuminated, the headlights dimmed. the fourth time the problem occurred, the illumination was followed by the entire instrument panel failing. the vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, who determined that the instrument cluster had become completely inoperative. there was a nhtsa recall # 01v288000, pertaining to the under dash wiring. the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the vin. updated 11/30/2006 -*nm

Dt*: the contact stated the instrument panel cluster failed while the vehicle was started on september 15, 2006. the vehicle operated, but there were no instrument readings. there was a nhtsa recall # 01v288000 regarding an error in the instrument in panel cluster micro- processor. the vehicle was not included in the recall due to

Multi-switch fails causing the fog lights to come on when car is off or randomly when driving. plastic part inside switch mechanism holding metal contact from connecting two terminals overheats and melts thus becomes shorter and cannot keep the contact away from the terminals. dealer told me when i bought the car that i should not use the fog lights unless needed and i did as told. after two batteries and many attempts to get chrysler to fix the problem they admitted was happening on all pt cruisers sold by my dealer, i had to purchase and install a new multi-function switch assembly. i have the original an can send if wished. *tr

Battery failure before warranty expiration. replacement failure after warranty & no monetary payment by company. *jb

Came out to car after work to go home. the car wouldn't start, the ignition would turn on, but the engine wouldn't turn over. i turned the ignition on-off-on to get any trouble codes and when i took the key out afterwards the "key in ignition chime" sounded when i opened the door after i had already removed the key. i put the key back in the ignition and tried to start the car again, but the ignition wouldn't even turn on, there was no discernble click as i turned the key in the ignition at all. i had the car towed to the dealership and they told me i need to have the entire steering column replaced and that it wasn't covered under the daimler chrysler service contract i had purchased when i got the car new.

The instrument cluster, radio, door locks and other items have failed multiple times while driving or idling. we have had the vehicle in 5+ times for repair and the dealer claims they are unable to find anything. we found a recall for this type of problem and the dealer claimed our car was not included. now, the car does not start even though the dealer has replaced the battery etc.

My ignition would not turn after putting in the key. it was as if the solenoid was frozen.*ak

Hello. i tried copying and pasting my letter into this box however, my letter is too long. therefore, i am completing this online form and then will mail in my entire letter, documentation and the like to your mailing address along with a copy of this online form. the complaint is regarding my 2002 chrysler pt cruiser, vin# [xxx] and it is relating to the fact chrysler refuses to repair my vehicle under the current and active nhtsa recall # 01v288000 (instrument cluster problem). today, 8/5/05 i will mail my letter detailing the entire problem but i am submitting this portion online to get the process started. thank you for your time and attention. sincerely, [xxx] . *nm the vehicle was in motion when a pop noise was heard caused by a spark within the dash above the speedometer. white smoke had come billowing out of the instrument cluster. the overhead lights in the headliner did not work properly. the circuit board was burned. other problems: transmission fluid leaked and squeaks were coming from the rear suspension. the sway bushings had worn out and were replaced. *sc information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

I own a 2002 pt cruiser, which was subject to a recall concerning the dash cluster gauges. gauges failed on me causing me to run out of fuel on i-285 in atlanta. took vehcile in for recall reprograming of the dash clusters when the vehicle had 4000 miles on the odometer. this failure occurred at 24000 miles. i have been waiting over two weeks for the dealer to obtain the part needed to fix the problem. today i was told that the part has to be "burned" into the dash order to fix the problem. moreover, the service manager wayne hammond (770-216-9300) stated that he had a number of consurmers with the same problem. i have been riding around with a gas can in my vehicle for fear of running out; without dash or interior lights or gauges. *ak

The instrument cluster on my 2002 pt cruiser stopped working. the dome light and the warning signals for leaving the headlights on or the keys in the ignition are also not working. although some 2002 cruisers were recalled for an instrument panel failure, the dealer (fitzgerald automall in gaithersburg, md) told me that my car is not covered. the dealer said there was a failure somewhere in the instrument cluster that it would not repair and offered to replace the entire cluster. i believe that this type of defect should be the subject of a recall or repaired by chrysler at its expense. *jb

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chrysler pt cruiser. when the turn signals were activated, the fog lights could have caused a fire in the wiring panel of the vehicle. the contact wrote a letter to the manufacturer, but they stated that nothing could be done. the current mileage was 86,663 and failure mileage was 45,000. updated 11/24/08 *cn when the turn signals were used, the fog lights automatically activated and would not go out for quite some time. eventually, the fog lights stopped working. updated 11/26/08. *jb

Your campaign number nhtsa 01v288000. on october 31st the cluster panel in my 2002 pt cruiser failed - air bag, brake and engine light lit up on panel and won't go off. called chrysler, they deny there is a recall. car is in shop and they want to charge me $692.00 to fix. *ak

For the past 4 months my car fog lights come on for no reason. woke up in the morning and they where on and if they turn on while driving it seems to affect the radio now when i shut off the car i put turn signal on and it seems to make it stop. *nm

01 v 288 000/instrument cluster: consumer has a concern that the dealer requesting authorization from the consumer for an 11/2 hours for diagnostic check at consumer cost. recall notice mention nothing concerning a charge to the consumer. please provide any further information. *jb

Nhtsa recall 01v288000. daimler/chrysler issued an instrument cluster recall. this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin although it was experiencing the same problem as mentioned in the recall. *ak

Upon starting the vehicle consumer noticed that gas gauge was on empty. consumer then took the vehicle to a gas station and filled the gas tank but the gas gauge still was on empty when the vehicle was restarted. vehicle was then taken to a repair shop. mechanic indicated that when the vehicle got hot from the sun the dashboard components become inoperative. when this occurred the driver was unable to determine the speed he was driving, and how much fuel was in the gas tank. *ak

The consumer stated that since the vehicle was purchased, the brakes were defective and performed poorly when applied. the consumer suspects that the dealership did not work on the brakes at all. *ak there was a screeching noise and the brakes would sometimes go almost to the bottom of the floor. the driver's seat belt did not always lock, the brakes would rub and hesitate to stop, the a/c did not get cold on high settings, the entire dashboard electronic system was off, the fuel, mph and the rpm lights had come on, at the inside top of all four doors, the lining was buldging in and out, the driver's side seat belt needed several attempts before locking, the right signal had to be manually stopped, and the left signal light did not hold. there was also an issue with the odometer reading. (the consumer felt that it did not display the proper mileage) *sc

Just paid for an issue with a vehicle that was addressed by nhtsa recall # 01v288000, back in 9/01. (the vehicle was returned to the selling dealer at that time, for the recall. now, the exact problem explained in the recall happened to the car, and the dealer charged for the repair, claiming a hard wiring issue that he refused to show me. *ak

Two major complaints: 1. i have been stranded on 3 occasions in deserted parking spots - with my car just not starting - the ignition will not work and there was a complete electrical failure / discharge. road side assistance we called on each occasion and only on charging the battery would the car start. the first instance happened when the car was only 3 months old (its a 2002 chrysler pt cruiser, 4 cyl non turbo , automatic - bought in march 2003) - the second similar instance was 3 months later and the last one was a few weeks back. i have taken the car repeatedly to the dealership and they cannot find anything wrong with the battery or electrical system but they keep saying that maybe something is drawing extra power. they refuse to replace the vehicle or take any further action. 2. i read about the recall notice released in june 2004. i took my car to the dealership and they refused to rectify the problem saying that they had not received any confirmation from chrysler headquarters. i called up chrysler and i was told that i would receive a letter in the mail authorizing the recall. its been a month and the letter has not been received - the chrysler company does not return calls and on listening to my problems says i will receive a letter in the mail. the dealership will not touch my car unless i have a letter - what does chrysler want us to do -they sell us inferior products and now do they want us to burn !! please help and take action against this company before any more lives are lost. *la

The safety recall for the instrument cluster failure was completed in november 2002. on 11 january 2004, the instrument cluster failed again. dealer reprogrammed the controller (again), leaving me to wonder if this is permanent 'fix' or is it one that i will need to constantly be worrying about? chrysler recall center provides no assurance. dealer says, 'if it fails, bring it in again.' - not much assurance. * cb

My 2002 pt cruiser caught fire and the dealer and the manufacturer say too bad.the car had two recalls one which was fixed and one which they never notified me of.*ak

While driving consumer noticed black smoke coming from the engine. consumer pulled the vehicle over, opened the hood, and noticed that the engine was on fire. driver called the fire department to put the fire out. *ak

While driving at 20 mph and turning right into a parking lot underhood began smoking and then caught on fire. *ak pe04028_cat

Horn and radio stopped working...i replaced the clock spring...and it started all over again after about a month. i have had to replace a radio and speakers because of the intermittent problem. it causes my radio display to "pop" in and out and when it goes out i have no horn. the problem started about a year after i bought the car in 03. *tr

Consumer states that when ever there is a critical or emergency situation while driving and brakes and horn are pressed at the same time horn does not honk but spatters.*ak

When driving and suddenly stopping is needed, and the horn is necessary to be used, horn only bleats out a sputtering noise.*ak

Dt: the contact stated the driver's side and passenger's side air bags deployed while driving down the highway. there was no prior warning. also , the right front brake had a loud popping and squealing noise, this caused the steering wheel to vibrate. the right front brake overheated, it turned the rim red hot. he could smell the brake dust from the right front brake. he contacted the dealer, they have repeatedly replaced the brakes, brake pads, disc caliper, and rotors. he was still having the same problem with the vehicle. *ak updated 12/7/2005. the battery had to be replaced at 14972 miles. *nm

2002 pt cruiser sport model. car would not start, when sitting far a few days, had been driving car all day and turned car off to do an errand and car would not start. car has left me stranded where i had to have it towed several times. bought car new and have had this problem for 7 years. kept bringing back to the dealer and couldn't find any problems every time. finally found a dealer service manager that knew the problem. insufficient quality parts were being used when chrysler was about to go bankrupt. the battery wires from the battery to the alternator were not supplying enough voltage to maintain enough to recharge the battery. upgraded the wires to a higher voltage and have not had the problem for about 10 months. it took 7 years to find the problem which caused problems of me using the car. chrysler used low grade parts through out the car and people are getting rid of them and then someone else buys it and it continues. i will never buy a chrysler made car again, very unsatisfied customer considering how much i paid for it. was way over priced at the time i bought it. i could buy a much better car and higher end model for what i paid for my car. *tr

Car won't start at times. had to jump it then it started. something draining the battery if car sits for a day or two. changed battery 3 times, still having problem. bought car brand new, dealer still can't find the problem. car not reliable. started having problems not long after i bought it. i've had to charge the battery and then after a few days would have trouble starting. *tr

While backing out of the garage and without prior warning, the vehicle caught on fire, which originated from the ignition wiring. *ak consumer cut the vehicle off and evacuated. the vehicle was consumed by the fire before the fire dept. arrived. *ph *jb

The rear and hatch back doors locked and unlock without warning. consumer noticed a burning rubber smell when the locks engaged.*jb

Vehicle has been to two separate dealers for poor fuel mileage. vehicle is getting less than 15 miles per gallon, when the advertised mpg is between 19 and 27. vehicle has a foul odor. both dealers claimed that the computer did not store any codes and that it was running within specifications.

Had problems with my 02 pt cruiser not starting for 7 years and went on line and found others were having the same problem. called chyrsler and told them they were going to fix and pay for problem. service manager said he knew what the problems was and notice chrysler was putting cheap parts on their vehicles. he upgraded the cables connecting to and from the battery and have not had this problem since. the cables were under volted and weren't able to charge the battery and i got stranded sometimes. chrysler called dealer and had this work done at no expense to me. it's not the battery, alternator or the other connection i can't remember. it has been 3 months and i haven't had any problems since. please let your service manager know that it is the low voltage battery cables to these areas. having problems starting, hesitation starting or wouldn't start at all happen after not driving the car sometimes for 2 days just after bringing it back to the dealer. *tr

consumer heard a noise and saw smoke coming from under the hood. turned off engine. vehicle was towed to chrysler, and chrysler stated consumer ran over some powder in the road that caused vehicle to overheat. please provide any further information.*ak

From the first month that i purchased my vehicle the engine light has been on more than off. i read the owners manual and it said that it was a vacuum issue and it would correct itself. the dealership charged me to diagnose and to fix it but now i see that there was a nhtsa 01v288000 on a cluster panel issue. why was i charged for something that a dealership should check for to see if it is a known defect? *jb

You can remove the key from the ignition switch in any of the positions. also, you can move the gear shift and the car will move. there is no incident date. it's been that way since i bought it new. *tr

Optima battery in newer vehicle year is leaking acid, and one can smell toxic fumes. *ak

Nhtsa recll#01v28800/ manufacturer's recall 994. got recall, and took vehicle into dealer be repaired. dealer indicated recall could not be done because program has not been installed on computer. *ak

While driving vehicle will stall when going around a curve, when the vehicle was restarted the gauges did not work on dash, the brakes and power steering still work but the steering was hard, the dealer was contacted and they replaced the computer. *ak since the computer was replaced the vehicle has not stalled but it continues to run rough, stumble, and misfire at speeds above 40 mph and not accelerating hard. *nlm