I WENT IN TO THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012 FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE AN ENGINE MOUNT. I HAD TO REPLACE ON IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010 AND I WAS QUITE SHOCKED THAT I WAS FACED WITH THIS REPAID AGAIN. IT WAS A DIFFERENT MOUNT THIS TIME. SO I ASKED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING. I AM 57 YEARS OLD AND IN 40 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO ANY ONE. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS SOMEWHAT OF A DESIGN FLAW IN THE PT CRUISER AND THAT THIS PARTICULAR DEALER PERFORMS 20 TO 30 LIKE REPAIRS A WEEK.. THIS MEANS THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THIS VEHICLE. I CHECKED ON LINE AND SURE ENOUGH, IT APPEARS THAT THERE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT PT CRUISER ENGINE MOUNTS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? IT IS NOT FAIR THAT CHRYSLER CAN SELL A PRODUCT LIKE THIS - KNOWING THAT THERE ARE ISSUES - AND KEEP RAKING IN MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS. SHOULDN'T THEY BE HELD TO SOME KIND OF STANDARD? THIS IS A SAFETY MATTER, FOR SURE. IT IS A MORAL ONE AS WELL. *TR
2001
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HAS DISCOLORATIONS (WHITE STRIPES) ON THE DARK GRAY FRONT AND BACK BUMPERS BECAUSE THE AUTO MAKER PUT PLASTIC AND TAPE ON THEM TO PROTECT THEM IN DELIVERY. THE ADHESIVE IN THE TAPE HAS DESTROYED THE FINISH ON THE GRAY PLASTIC. THIS STARTED TO SHOW UP AFTER 6 YEARS OF OWNING IT WHEN IT SAT IN THE SUN. MOST OF THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE IT WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE. FOR THE PAST YEAR IT HAS BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE. THIS WAS WHEN THE STRIPES STARTED TO SHOW UP. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SAYS THEY HAVE A "TSB" ON IT BUT SAYS THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX IT AND THAT I (THE CONSUMER) HAVE TO GO BUY PRODUCTS TO FIX IT MYSELF, WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN MAKE SUN BLEACHING AND FADING GO AWAY, IT'S PERMANENTLY DAMAGED. THEY STATED THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL THIS BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE DRIVEN AROUND TO SEE IF OTHER PT'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND EVERY PT CRUISER I HAVE SEEN WITH A GRAY PLASTIC BUMPER HAS THE SAME DEFECT. I HAVE TAKEN PHOTOS OF 5 DIFFERENT ONES JUST TODAY. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE FOR CHRYSLER TO DENY THEY ARE AT FAULT WHEN CLEARLY THEY CAUSED THE PROBLEM BY PUTTING TAPE ON OUR BUMPERS. IF MY CAR HAD BEEN IN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAD PLACED TAPE ON THE BUMPERS THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND LIABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. I AM FRUSTRATED THAT THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THESE DISCOLORATIONS ARE A PERMANENT PROBLEM AND ARE SUN BLEACHED, THEY WON'T JUST GO AWAY. I WOULD LIKE MY BUMPERS EITHER REPLACED OR PAINTED TO MATCH THE REST OF THE CAR. I AM ALSO SPREADING THE WORD TO OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS, IN HOPES THAT CHRYSLER WILL SEE THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY ON ITS OWN. THIS WILL CAUSE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON MY FAMILY TO REPAIR THIS OURSELVES. *TR