Consumer Complaint Detail

CHRYSLER / PT CRUISER / 2003

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 005031401 Incident Date: Jul, 29 2005
Consumer's City: BAYONNE Consumer's State: NJ
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Model Name: PT CRUISER Model Year: 2003
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: 3C4FY58B83T Date added to File: May, 23 2021
Date Complaint Received: Jul, 31 2005 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Nov, 23 2003
Was Original Owner: Yes Anti-lock Brakes: Yes
Number of Cylinders: 4 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: On july 30, 2005, i was driving home from work when i suddenly heard a horrible screeching/grinding noise. i managed to get my car to the nearest chrysler dealership and was informed that there were no rear brake pads left and that there were grooves in the rotor (metal on metal). i recently had my front brakes replaced in may 2005 and the rear brakes were in good condition with 1/2 brake pads left on both sides. i primarily do highway driving so my brakes tend to last long. i was informed that chrysler uses metallic brake pads on the pt cruisers which most manufacturers do not use as it causes much heat and friction when stopping and prematurely wears out the brakes. there was no indication that the rear brake pads were low, there were no noises, squeaking, etc. the only noises i heard were when the brake pads were completely gone and the caliper was digging into the rotors every time i stepped on the brake pedal. i later learned that chrysler uses wear indicators only on the two front brakes, not the rear. there are no wear indicators on the rear brakes so customers will never know that the rear brakes are getting low until they have no more brake pads left and the caliper starts eating up the rotor. this is a huge safety issue. i routinely have my car inspected (every month). the rear brake pads should have never worn so prematurely in the span of 3 months, considering 95% of my driving is on the highway. additionally, there is no excuse for not having wear indicators on all 4 brakes. it is unacceptable to be driving around with only 2 front brakes and no rear ones and to not even know it until it is too late! *jb