24th May 2011, 15:46
I have a 2002 Cruiser that idles rough, will stall, and won't start without me giving it gas. It is pulling code P0340. I replaced the camshaft position sensor, and then took it to be worked on. Was informed by a mechanic (who kept it 4 weeks) that the camshaft was broken in half. Replaced both camshafts, and was told I was getting a code for the ignition coil. Replaced ignition coil. Still does SAME thing. I am going to do plugs and wires. New camshaft position sensor was torqued and it cracked the outside, so I am going to replace it. Still pulling code P0340.??? I have spent over $1000.00 on this in one month, and it still won't run!!! Any suggestions? I don't want the dealer to work on it.
3rd Nov 2012, 11:51
This is the worst car ever. My friend is having the same problem. This car is a lemon.
1st Apr 2014, 22:12
I worked for Chrysler for 20 years. I had an 05 PT Cruiser and now have a 09. It has 49,000 miles on it. My other 05 PT Cruiser did the same thing my 09 is doing; stumbling at idle with the A/C on.
I love my little car; just want to know why my 05 and my 09 are doing the same thing. I traded my other one, so I don't know if it got fixed or not.
Would like to keep my car; just got to have A/C in the hot humid south.
Help.
15th Jul 2018, 13:39
I bought a 2004 PT Cruiser Limited Turbo. It only had 77,000 miles on it. The dealer lied about the car's condition in the Car Gurus ad. He photoshopped the car's photos. They knew it needed a new engine before they posted the ad, plus many more repairs that qualified it as a salvage. It had 3 failed head gasket repairs even before it was advertised for far more than it was worth.
I didn't look at the engine because their mechanic said it had no engine problems when he ran the codes. The mechanic claimed it passed all codes and had no engine, electrical, or transmission problems when it didn't pass the codes. You couldn't even get the dipstick out of the engine to check the oil, which I found out later. It was squashed. Found out it needed a new engine, had leaking power steering fluid and coolant hoses, loose right tie rod, needed upper/lower motor mount--dangerous to drive and a hazard on the road. Basically it was a salvage.
The original owner sold it without a salvage title expecting the dealer and his mechanic to transfer the title, which they didn't on purpose. They all bullied, coerced, demanded, yelled at me, pressured me to buy this car. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know the true condition of it. I was lied to. I wanted an independent mechanic, but he wouldn't let me, saying it didn't have insurance and plates. Their mechanic claimed it was fine without major problems. I could have been killed in it.
They forged the bill of sale in the original owner's name because they knew that it was a salvage and wanted to blame him for problems. I didn't buy it from him. I didn't know name of guy and thought it was him or they bought it at an auction. I had to get a private detective because I didn't have the guy's name and address they had me pay who wasn't that guy.
I wanted a refund within one hour because I said it had engine problems. The check engine light came on. Mechanic said it was a sensor and take it to Auto Zone to run codes. It overheated the entire time. Couldn't use the A/C. Then it blew white smoke, which I found out was head gasket problem which stemmed from the original engine problems. Turbo not even attached. No refund. I signed NO agreement, nor agreed verbally to buying a car in this condition.
They were supposed to have a buyer's guide listing all the defects in the window. They can't just lie but did. The FTC requires them to define "As Is." It's against the law to put a car on road in this condition. After the initial hour of purchase when I demanded a refund in writing, I tried for 3 years to get my money back. I tracked down the original owner who told me the truth. I filed with all these gov orgs to no avail. Owner said he had several PT Cruisers and this one was the only one like this. I have since asked many car dealers selling cars for FTC-mandated buyer's guides and they never answer. They come up with the warranty stuff. Get it in writing in a buyer's guide. They are supposed to hand it to you.
I looked this year and model up on Car Complaints and this year didn't have many engine complaints against it. There is no way I would have known a car with such low miles would have major engine problems, not to mention all the other problems. Beware. Force them to let you have an independent mechanic look at it and don't believe what dealer's mechanic says.
5th Oct 2010, 14:26
2004 PT Cruiser Limited Edition Turbo.
Rough idle/ cold start problem/ stalling when put in reverse while cold began around 20,000 miles. Took it the dealer numerous times (8 times between 2005 - 2007, but Chrysler corp. would not address it) and always told it was fine - no problem since it did not pull check engine light.
Over the years, did regular tune ups and oil changes, have changed both front wheel bearings, new cam sensor, new A/C hose, power steering hose.
Recently check engine light started pulling code P0304 - got a tune up with new plugs, wires, coil and computer flashed for technical service bulletin 1802404 - still same problem - idle so rough, the car would not stay running at stop or in park. Changed fuel injector and still no improvement - now saying the engine is fine, compression is fine, all pistons fine, but why don't I try replacing the engine??? Now working with Chrysler Corporate office again to try to resolve...