Faults:
Brakes: had to replace pads AND rotors at 7000 miles. Dealer would not perform work under warranty.
Brakes: had to replace pads AND rotors at 20000 miles. Drums worn.
Brakes: had to replace rear drums at 25000.
Brakes: had to replace pads AND rotors again at 40000 miles.
Starter: At around 30000, started failing, then started making noises. Had to replace the starter.
Window Wiper Control: the control just broke off one day. Of course, it's not covered by the warranty.
Starter: Shop told me the bracket had broken, after 4 hours of work trying to get the new one in.
Electrical: starting at 30 miles, gauges started blinking or stopped working completely, then would start working again. As it got worse, I took it to the dealer. They replaced a relay. Started having problems again 20 miles later.
Electrical: fuses started blowing for no apparent reason. Had to carry a box of them. Took it into the dealer, and they did something, but fuses would still blow. Took it back, and they replaced something else.
Transmission: clunking noises when downshifting at certain speeds. Took to dealer - they said they could not find anything wrong. Sometimes the entire car would shudder, but never with the tech in the car.
Entire power steering system had to be replaced at 50000 miles at a cost of $3100.
Paint: started crazing at about 30000 miles. Some of the sealer they used around the rear deck is coming up.
Top: at around 50000 miles, the rear window seal started coming off. I had to us silicone seal.
Electrical: at around 35000 miles, the headlights started having problems. Took it to the dealer, but they didn't fix it. At 55000 miles, I dug into the wiring and found that the connectors to the headlights were melting, and the wiring was overheated. Now the headlights don't work at all.
Vents: sometimes, the interior air control doesn't seem to work correctly, and sometimes it takes a really long time for the heat to work in the morning.
Interior: all of the panels with the window controls rattle when the stereo is on, even at moderate levels. Had to pull up the driver's side to minimize the rattling. Took it to the deal at around 20000, but they didn't fix it.
Brakes: At 75000, the pads were worn to the metal and the read drums were completely worn. Replaces all brake parts.
Engine Cooling System: At 100000, I was told that the water pump needed to be replaced and it is currently leaking.
Air Conditioning: at around 75000, the air conditioner stopped working for periods of time, then started again.
Trunk: Both dampeners broken by 100000 miles.
Brakes: At 120000 miles, pads completely worn again. Have to replace rotors and pads, again.
Engine: The entire time I've owned the vehicle, the engine performance has sucked. And the terrible engine, combined with the awful transmission, has been unbearable to deal with. (I rented a 1999 and a 2002, and both were MUCH better performing than mine.)
General Comments:
I had to have a convertible, and this one was the roomiest, most affordable one available at the time.
It has the best trunk space. (The newer versions have smaller trunks.)
The reliability of the electrical system has been abysmal. The car is not trust-inspiring.
The fact that everything that has failed was not covered by the warranty is ridiculous. Especially, the steering system, the started and the electrical.
There is something wrong with the brake system.
Contacted Chrysler regarding all the problems I've had. They expressed no interest at all, nor do they care to keep me as a customer.
The dangerous electrical system, regarding the melting wiring system around the headlights, should warrant a recall.
I am thankful that, for the most part, the car has remained running, but I would never buy a Chrysler ever again.
28th Sep 2005, 21:23
There are three (or four?) draining holes in the bottom of the rocker panels on each side of the car. If you don't make sure that these holes are clean, water will collect and slosh in just the way you've described.
This may be covered in the owner's manual (but I'm not totally sure).