NHTSA Complaint #10148017 — 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER

REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES, CAUSING SLOP IN CONTROL ARM, WHEEL CAMBER TO VARY DURING OPERATION AND AUTO TO TEND TO WANDER ON ROAD (ALONG WITH THE SOUND OF METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT IN THE SUSPENSION). THE BUSHING WAS REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. AT 64,000 MILES 1/10/06) THE REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED CAUSING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I THEN INSPECTED THE REAR BUSHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE THAT WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES AND DETERMINED THAT IT IS SHOWING INDICATIONS OF BEGINNINGS OF ANOTHER FAILURE. DC DEALER REFUSED TO COVER LEFT SIDE AS A DEFECTIVE BUSHING (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND ADVISED ME ON 1/16/06 THAT THE PART IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE - ON BACK ORDER - 7,500 UNITS ON ORDER FROM SUPPLIER. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY WIDE-SPREAD FAILURE OF THIS BUSHING WITH THE RESULTANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO CAMBER CHANGES DURING OPERATION. *JB