Transmission problem

[Syl]

Good day all,

I'm new here and find this forum quite interesting.

I live in Québec, Canada and am a fan of PT-Cruisers. Took me a while to finally decide to get one though.

Now I have a question I need to ask as I feel that I've been had. Couple of months ago, my 2003 Touring Ed. PT-Cruiser's transmission failed. I stopped at a stop sign and couldn't start from it. All I could hear was a whinning sound coming from the transmission. I had the car towed at the dealer. Diagnostic: needs new transmission oil, 200$. Fair enough.

Then a coule of days later the transmission started acting strange. If the car idled for more than 30 seconds at a red light, the transmission would kick in and out. It would also give deceleration problems. The second and first gears would kick in pretty harshly during deceleration. Now, when I had the car towed for the "oil change", it was at 111 000km, still on warranty (to 125 000km). I drove the car back at the dealer at 117 000km (a month later) for the deceleration problem. Apparently they had to reprogram the transmission. It still did the problem which the dealer said was "normal" ? Now at 125 000km, the transmission failed for good. The torque converter went south. A loud crunch followed by the car shaking pretty bad (it happened on the highway at 110km/h (65mph) and a complete stop in emergency. Cost: 2100$ !

Apparently all the problems I suffered previously were not an advance warning of a major failure. Am I wrong in thinking I've been had ?

Syl

[Hooligan]

IMHO you have been HAD. The transmission in the PT is known to be one weak link. I had a 2002 NA that the tranny went out at 45,000 miles. Fortuanally it only cost me $100.00 deductible to repair with all new parts. The symptoms you were experiencing was a sign that the tranny was going to fail soon. Go back to the dealer with your paperwork and ask why it wouldn't be covered under warranty. If that doesn't work, contact the Chrysler sales rep, and then call Chrysler direct. Do not threaten any of above, be nice, but forceful. Good Luck.

BTW Welcome to the Forum, sorry the post had to be about a problem.

[CREWZIN]

I agree with Hooligan. There were signs of impending failure and Chrysler knows all about it. Gather all your paperwork and follow his advice. Good luck.

[bobs turbo pt]

agree with hooligan also keep us posted and good luck !!

[Syl]

Originally Posted by bobs turbo pt

agree with hooligan also keep us posted and good luck !!

Thanks all for the quick replies, much appreciated.
I will be back with an update. It sure stinks.
I am now having the PT maintained by performance guyz. My PT Never ran smoother.

Love this forum, I'll sure spend sometime to read more.

Syl