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Chrysler PT Cruiser 2008 — Reported problems

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote. 🇺🇸 Local data

40 owners reported problems with the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser to NHTSA, most often about air bags.

All reports

40
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2026-03-23 · NHTSA 11726467

TIPM. Faulty Module, causing ignition/run power loss while driving.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ENGINE 2023-12-28 · NHTSA 11562365

Problems reside in the total integrated power management module. TPIM whereas vehicle will shut off while driving. No indicator lights to give warning before the vehicle shuts off. Has on occasion shut off and recovered power multiple times within a minute This is a very dangerous scenario to conduct a road test or have someone confirm the issue on the road.

AIR BAGS 2020-03-18 · NHTSA 11318612

AIRBAGS LIGHT AND DING SOUND THAT DOESN'T GO OFF FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THERE'S NO PROTECTION FOR EITHER SIDE.

AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2019-11-23 · NHTSA 11281931

THE AIRBAG SIGN FOR PASSENGER 2 TURNS ON AFTER A WHILE OF DRIVING, SPEEDING PROBLEM WHEN WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE CAR TAKES FOREVER TO SPEED UP

AIR BAGS Crash 4 injured 2019-06-30 · NHTSA 11228564

TAKATA RECALL THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. AN OBJECT WAS STRUCK IN THE ROAD AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ONLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *BF *JB

STEERING Fire 2018-10-08 · NHTSA 11139029

WHILE DRIVING ON 10/7/2018 THE STEERING BECAME HARD AND UPON STOPPING THERE WERE FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON PT CRUISERS IN THE PAST, 04V268000. WHEN I CONTACT DAIMLER CHRYSLER I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VIN. BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR ON 10/7/2018 THERE WAS NOT ANY STEERING FLUID UNDER THE CAR. LUCKILY THE FIRE WAS NOTICED PRIOR TO LEAVING THE CAR OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I WILL LIKE CHRYSLER TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN CARED FOR VERY WELL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP WITH THIS CLAIM. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2018-05-10 · NHTSA 11093247

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARX AUTO CENTER (132 ROCKDALE AVE, SOUTH DARTMOUTH, MA 02748, (508) 997-2377), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,ENGINE Crash 1 injured 2018-02-05 · NHTSA 11066981

VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE WAS HIT CROSSED INTO MY LANES AND I HIT THE VEHICLE HEAD ON, POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. INJURIES TO KNEE, CHEST AND LAP FROM BELT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TT *TR

AIR BAGS,ENGINE 2017-12-05 · NHTSA 11052441

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS OFF WHEN UNOCCUPIED, GOES ON AND CHIMES WHEN SOMEONE IS SEATED. HORN STICKS. OVERHEATS WHEN IDLED SHORT PERIODS (TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC.) BLOWS COLD AIR WHEN AT IDLE, ONLY PROVIDES HEAT WHEN ROLLING. ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2017-09-01 · NHTSA 11021095

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RECHARGED THE BATTERY, BUT COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MARK THOMAS MOTORS INC (2315 SANTIAM HWY SE, ALBANY, OR 97322) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE WRONG BATTERY, AND CHANGED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO MARK THOMAS MOTORS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM, ALTERNATOR, AND WIRING HARNESS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO MARK THOMAS MOTORS AND WAS STILL THERE AT THE TIME THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE DEALER UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND THE CASE MANAGER STATED THAT THEY LIKELY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,500.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2017-08-14 · NHTSA 11015281

CAR LOOSES POWER, DASH LIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF, OCCASIONALLY TURNS COMPLETELY OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALL POWER TURNS OFF INCLUDING THROTTLE AND BRAKING POWER. ALL LIGHTS IN CAR DASH LIGHT UP AND FLICKER WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND HAPPENS EVERYDAY AND EVERYTIME CAR IS DRIVEN. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS.

AIR BAGS 2017-06-15 · NHTSA 10995408

THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND CHIMES ALL THE TIME. NO ONE EVEN HAS TO BE SITTING IN THE SEAT. GOES OFF ALL THE TIME. THE AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK IF IT IS IN A CRASH. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED

SEAT BELTS 2017-04-29 · NHTSA 10981417

PASSENGER SEATBELT LOCKS UP, WILL NOT PERFORM, I AM 75 & WIFE IS 71, DANGER FOR OUR LIVES....

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2017-03-19 · NHTSA 10967048

CAN NOT SHIFT INTO PARK TO START CAR, AND GO INTO GEARS ON 2008 AUTOMATIC, ONCE CAR STARTS AND ENGINE IS WARM NO PROBLEM SHIFING

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 2017-02-01 · NHTSA 10948893

THERE ARE A FEW ISSUES WITH MY CAR AND THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THEY MAY BE RELATED. STALLING WHILE DRIVING: THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN 2-3 MONTHS. FIRST TIME I WAS ON A HIGHWAY OFF RAMP SLOWING TO STOP. NOT SURE OF MY SPEED, BUT I NOTICED IT STALLED AS I WAS ALMOST TO THE LIGHT. I STOPPED AND THE CAR STARTED UP FINE. THE SECOND TIME WAS 1-2 MONTHS LATER IN JAN. 2017. I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN ABOUT 30 MPH AND SHIFTED (AUTOMATIC) FROM 3RD TO DRIVE. I PUSHED THE GAS TO SPEED UP AND REALIZED THE CAR HAD STALLED. ONCE AGAIN IT STARTED BACK UP JUST FINE. MALFUNCTIONING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER: THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM SINCE PROBABLY 2011 OR 2012. THE DIALS ON THE GAUGES WILL SWING BACK AND FORTH WILDLY. DASH LIGHT WILL FLASH ON AND OFF. SOMETIMES THE CLUSTER MAKES A POPPING SOUND LIKE IT IS POPPING POPCORN INSIDE THERE. TROUBLE STARTING: FOR A FEW YEARS NOW (POSSIBLY MATCHING THE TIMING OF THE CLUSTER PROBLEM) IT CAN TAKE 2-3 TRIES TO START THE CAR. THIS IS INTERMITTENT. I DON'T HEAR A SOUND THAT IT IS STRUGGLING TO START, IT JUST DOES NOTHING WHEN I TURN THE KEY. HORN MALFUNCTIONING: THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED A FEW TIMES, BUT WHEN I GO TO GIVE A QUICK HONK, IT STICKS AND SOUNDS LIKE I'M GIVING SOMEONE A LOOOONG HONK. THE STALLING WHILE DRIVING IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY RISK. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID I SHOULD GET THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED WITH A REFURBISHED ONE BECAUSE IT COULD BE CAUSING THE STALLING. "ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAN CAUSE STRANGE THINGS TO HAPPEN" I WAS TOLD. I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AND HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. OTHER THAN FOR TIRES, I ONLY TAKE IT TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER. IT HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES. IT IS A GREAT CAR, UNTIL NOW. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE MY TODDLER SON IN IT FOR FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT. I SPENT $700 ON MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS A MONTH AGO AND NOW THE DEALER WANTS ME TO SPEND ABOUT $550 ON SOMETHING THAT MAY TAKE CARE OF THE STALLING. *TR

AIR BAGS 2016-11-28 · NHTSA 10928376

PASSENGER SAT IN SEAT DRIVING LESS THEN MILE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON ONCE PASSENGER GETS OUT SEAT LIGHT GOES OFF. *TR

AIR BAGS 2016-10-24 · NHTSA 10918465

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE DEPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,770.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 2016-09-13 · NHTSA 10906177

THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER, ALL OTHER POWER SEEMS TO BE ON. TAKEN TO MECHANIC AND IT WILL START. HAD IT FOR A FEW DAYS AND IT DID THE SAME THING. I HAD TO PAY FOR TWO TOWS SO FAR, AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT IT TURNS ON FOR THEM. I'M SEVENTY YEARS OLD AND AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR, BECAUSE IT MIGHT DO IT AGAIN WHEN I'M FURTHER AWAY FROM HOME. I LIVE ALONE AND DRIVE THE CAR ALONE. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS PARKED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS 2016-09-12 · NHTSA 10905917

WHEN PASSENGER IS SEATED IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT . AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND CHIMES UNTIL PASSENGER EXITS VEHICAL.

SERVICE BRAKES Fire 2016-08-04 · NHTSA 10893164

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER ON A DIRT PATCH, WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND SMOKE ENTERED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PADS MELTED, WHICH CAUSED THE SMOKE TO RISE FROM BENEATH THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

AIR BAGS 2016-07-21 · NHTSA 10887588

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNDECIDED UPON AUTHORIZING THE DEALER TO INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER FOR A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE Fire 2016-06-17 · NHTSA 10874849

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED BACK AND FORTH AS IF THE BRAKES WERE BEING DEPRESSED AND RELEASED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2016-06-06 · NHTSA 10872814

IGNITION CUT OUT ON FREEWAY AT 65 MPH SEVERAL TIMES. JIGGLED IGNITION KEY TO GET ENGINE TO RUN AGAIN. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED

SERVICE BRAKES 2016-02-07 · NHTSA 10824698

IN DEC. 2013, AT 71K MILES, IN THE CAR USED BY MY COLLEGE-AGE DAUGHTER, WHEN STARTING THE CAR ON A COLD MORNING (20'S) I NOTED ROCK-HARD BRAKE PEDAL AND NO POWER ASSIST WHATSOEVER WHILE BACKING DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY. BY THE STREET, IT HAD A NORMAL PEDAL FEEL AND ASSIST. THIS REPEATEDLY HAPPENED IN COLD-MORNING STARTS. THE DEALER, KLABEN CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE OF KENT, OHIO, WAS HELPFUL AND EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER A FEW WEEKS LATER, FOR FREE. A YEAR LATER MY DAUGHTER MENTIONED THE CAR WAS DOING THIS AGAIN (COLD WEATHER HAD RETURNED). I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO KLABEN AND SAID I WAS COMPELLED TO CONTACT NHTSA AS IF I OR MY DAUGHTER HIT A PERSON BECAUSE OF NO BRAKE ASSIST WHATSOEVER, IT WOULD BE TRAGIC. IN MARCH OF 2015, KLABEN AGAIN REPLACED THE BOOSTER AND PCV FILTER, FREE, INFORMING ME THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE BOOSTER. WHILE THIS SERVICE WAS APPRECIATED, WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS HOME FROM COLLEGE RECENTLY (JAN. 2016), I STARTED HER CAR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ROCK-HARD WHEN PUSHING IT TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK. IT IMMEDIATELY HAD POWER ASSIST AFTER THAT, BUT THIS TELLS ME THE PROBLEM IS RETURNING. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL LAST YEAR (AFTER OUR CAR'S LAST BOOSTER REPLACEMENT) ON 2013-14 DODGE DART MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE REPAIR WAS IDENTICAL--REPLACE BOOSTER IF OIL IS FOUND IN THERE. I BELIEVE OTHER CHRYSLER MODELS BESIDES THE DART ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE, AS OUR CAR HAS. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED AND HOPEFULLY A PERMANENT FIX FOUND. I BELIEVE OUR CAR'S COLD-WEATHER BRAKING WILL CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE AND I DON'T WANT THIS PROBLEM TO REAR ITS UGLY HEAD IN THE NEXT WINTER.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 2016-02-06 · NHTSA 10824634

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY TIME, ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE CLUSTER WOULD LIGHT UP, ALL GAUGES WOULD FLUNCUATATE AND THE CAR WOULD STALL AND SHUT OFF. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND A CERTIFIED CHRYSLER SERVICE CENTER AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT ABLE TO BE RESOLVED. THIS ISSUE CAUSES CONCERN AND IS EFFECTING MY TRANSPORTATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AND CREATING FEAR OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON HIGHWAYS.

POWER TRAIN 2015-11-20 · NHTSA 10795072

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD, WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HORN ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MERGE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES 2015-11-16 · NHTSA 10790710

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY OCCURRED TWO MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE MANUALLY NEEDED TO BE RESTARTED IN SOME INSTANCES OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

SEATS 2015-11-07 · NHTSA 10789014

I HAVE CHANGED THE DRIVERS SEAT TRIM PANEL MANY TIMES NOW WHERE IT IS HELD BY 4 CHEAPLY MADE PLASTIC TABS THEN ADD INSULT TO INJURY CHARGE OVER A $100 FOR A CHEAP PIECE OF PLASTIC THE SIZE OF A SMALL DINNER PLATE. WHEN THIS BREAKS THE SEAT ADJUSTER SWITCH IS EXPOSES THE ELECTRIC CONTACTS TO TOUCHING THE SEAT FRAME AND SHORTING DRAINS THE BATTERY OR WORSE CASE MAY START A FIRE, IF CHRYSLER IS GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO MAKE SUCH A POORLY ENGINEERED PART TO START THEY SHOULD AT LEAST OFFER A REASONABLY AFFORDABLE REPLACEMENT, THIS REPLACEMENT SHOULDN'T COST MORE THAN 20 BUCKS

ENGINE 2015-11-06 · NHTSA 10788764

ALL LIGHTS AND GAUGES FLASH OR GO TO ZERO , ENGINE FAILS AND CAR STALLS WHILE GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. THREE TIMES IT HAS STALLED TO A HALT, MANY TIMES IT JUST SHUDDERS. CAR IS ALMOST UNDRIVEABLE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER 2015-11-06 · NHTSA 10788865

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK, THE HORN SOUNDED WITHOUT WARNING, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,417.

AIR BAGS Crash 1 injured 2015-09-30 · NHTSA 10778740

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, ARM, AND NECK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A IMPOUND LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

SERVICE BRAKES 2015-09-16 · NHTSA 10764229

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2015-09-09 · NHTSA 10762646

LEAVING A RESTAURANT-BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE, HAD TURNED WRONG WAY TO LEAVE; RE-ENTER PARKING SPACE, WENT TO BACK OUT AGAIN WHEN GEARSHIFT BROKE, WAS LOOSE & COULDN'T PUT IN GEAR TO GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. WAS PUSHED BACK INTO PARKING SPACE. CALLED FOR HELP. SEVERAL PEOPLE LOOKED AT IT & FOUND A WAY TO TURN TRANSMISSION/GEARSHIFT INTO GEAR MANUALLY. TOOK PT CRUISER TO SHOP TO BE FIXED. THE GEARSHIFT SELECTOR CABLE HAD BROKEN. HAD TO REMOVE & REPLACE SHIFT SELECTOR CABLE - AUTOMATIC TRANS. THE GEARSHIFT WAS SLIGHTLY TIGHT TO SHIFT WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE CAR, BUT THE DAY BEFORE THE CABLE BROKE, IT WAS GETTING REALLY HARD TO SHIFT. NOW THAT IT IS FIXED IT SHIFTS REALLY EASY. WONDERING IF THE CABLE WAS ALREADY TIGHTENING UP FROM THE BEGINNING.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS 2015-08-11 · NHTSA 10747765

-AIRBAGS LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON. -AT TIMES TURNING CAR OFF THE FAN WILL REMAIN ON TILL POWER DRAINED. -WHILE DRIVING, ALL THE LIGHTS ON DASH WILL TURN ON AND CAR WILL SHUT DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED COUNTLESS TIMES. AFTER AWHILE THE CAR WILL TURN BACK ON AND BE PERFECTLY NORMAL AGAIN TO DRIVE UNTIL THIS REOCCURS.

AIR BAGS Crash 2 injured 2015-06-03 · NHTSA 10723270

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED SWITCHED LANES AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WINDOWS SHATTERED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WERE JAMMED, AND THE DRIVER HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE PASSENGER SEATED IN THE REAR WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND BACK PAINS AND THE CHILD PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND MINOR BRUISES. BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2015-05-14 · NHTSA 10716566

VEHICLE IS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY. DOES GOOD IN FIRST 3 GEARS BUT WHEN INCREASING SPEED TO 70 MPH (LEGAL LIMIT ON FL HWY)...VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO HIGH GEARS BUT RPMS REV TO 4 AND STAY THERE UNTIL I BACK OFF GAS PEDAL. ADDITIONALLY, CAR LOSES POWER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO INCREASE SPEED AND ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING UP AN INCLINE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THEIR CLAIM OF REPAIR NEEDED: PERFORMED A FLASH UPDATE TO THE PCM MODULE AND THAT THE MODULE IS FAULTY. WILL COST 830.00 FOR PCM/TCM AND NOT ABLE TO GUARANTEE THAT IS EVEN THE PROBLEM. BUT IF NOT THE PCM, THEN WE ARE STUCK WITH REPAIR AND POSSIBLY BE SOMETHING ELSE WRONG WITH VEHICLE. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS? IF SO, PLEASE CONTACT ME SO I KNOW WHICH DIRECTION TO TAKE AS I CANNOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR. THANK YOU.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2015-04-28 · NHTSA 10713271

THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 3-4 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND AT STARTING THE CAR..LIGHTS START FLASHING AND BELLS RING ON THE DASH INDICATING TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING CONTROL, SEAT BELTS, OIL, ETC...THE ENGINE HAS NOT DIED YET, BUT NOW THAT I HAVE READ THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A HAPPENING TO A LOT OF CARS I AM LEARY OF TAKING THE CAR A LONG DISTANCE. I HAVE NOT MADE A COMPLAINT TO THE DEALER , BUT INTEND TO DO SO THIS WEEK..MY CAR ONLY HAS 42,000 MILES. *TR

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE Crash 1 injured 2015-04-08 · NHTSA 10704478

A CAR TURNED FROM LEFT TURN LANE IN FRONT OF ME, ABOUT TWO FT. I HIT IT AT SLIGHT ANGLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. MY CAR IS TOTALED . DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES 2015-03-09 · NHTSA 10692964

I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AND DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OUT, THE GAS GAUGE WENT TO ZERO AND THE CAR JUST DIED. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKING AND I WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME AT THE TIME. THE KEY WAS LOCKED IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND I COULD NOT RESTART. I CALLED 911 FOR HELP AS CARS WERE NOW ZOOMING UP BEHIND ME STALLED IN THE LANE. I WAS SO SCARED THAT SOMEONE WOULD HIT ME. I SAT WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHEN THE LIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME ON AGAIN AND THE GAS GAUGE WENT BACK TO FULL. I TRIED TO START IT AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT 2 BLOCKS HOME. THE NEXT DAY I DROVE TO THE CLEANERS AND WHILE TRYING TO PARK IT DIED IN THE PARKING LOT. I AGAIN WAITED AND IT FINALLY STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. THEY SUGGESTED I JUNK IT FOR ABOUT $100. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. I SEE THERE ARE OTHERS WHO HAVE REPORTED A SIMILAR PROBLEM. AND NOW THERE IS A CHRYSLER RECALL ON OTHER 2008 MODELS WITH WHAT SEEMS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM. I CANNOT DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE IN TRAFFIC. *TR

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 2015-02-10 · NHTSA 10682632

AT 9 O'CLOCK A.M. I WAS DRIVING TO THE HOSPITAL TO PICK MY GIRLFRIEND UP EVERYTHING WAS WORKING FINE BUT WHEN I WAS LEAVING THE HOSPITAL WITH HER THE GAUGES WERE GOING CRAZY SO MY GIRLFRIEND TOLD ME TO GO TO AUTO ADVANCE TO HAVE MY CAR CHECKED OUT. ON MY WAY TO AUTO ADVANCE THE GAGE WERE GOING CRAZY AGAIN AND THE CAR SHUT THANK GOD THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN. THE A GUY AT AUTO ADVANCE CHECKED THE BATTERY AND THE POSTS. HE SAID THAT THE BATTERY AND THE POSTS ARE FINE. SO HE RAN A TEST ON MY CAR AND SAID NO CODES ARE SHOWING UP. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. *TR

Specifications, safety and listings for this car

Questions

What do owners report most on the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Problems with air bags: 15 reports of 40 on record at NHTSA.
How many owner reports mention a crash or a fire?
Out of 40 reports: a crash is mentioned in 5 and a fire in 3. These are what owners wrote, not confirmed findings.