NHTSA Complaint #10215077 — 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, I STARTED HEARING A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. IN JUST A MATTER OF DAYS I COULD TELL IT WAS GETTING LOUDER. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE BRAKES BUT I JUST HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED 6,000 MILES EARLIER. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC WHERE I HAD THE BRAKES DONE AND AFTER CHECKING THE CAR HE TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. IT COST ME $556.23 TO REPLACE THE FRONT LEFT HUB AND THE BEARINGS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. AFTER THE REPAIR, HE SHOWED ME THE OLD HUB AND BEARINGS. THE PART WAS BROKEN AND SEVERAL OF THE BEARINGS WERE MISSING. HE SAID IF I HAD CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR IN THAT CONDITION, IT WAS VERY LIKELY THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WOULD FALL OFF, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I BELIEVE CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS ONLY 28,560 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS NO WAY A CAR WITH THIS MANY MILES SHOULD BE HAVING THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. *TR