(Car Related) Can you confirm this is bogus?

[Draft Dodger]

so, against my better judgement, my mother bought a used PT Cruiser a month ago. She's having some problems with the car, and has taken it back to the dealer to get it repaired (she has a 90 day window for them to make sure everything is right).

one issue is electrical, which they are still investigating (too slowly, in our opinion).

the other one is a problem with a parking brake - it is extremely difficult to engage or disengage, and a few times mom has stopped and thought the brake was on and it rolled a bit. the head mechanic told her that it's supposed to be like that - and it's a design issue related to the car getting bad gas mileage. Seriously.

Now, I'm 99 44/100% sure that is the biggest load of malarky I've ever heard, but, given the fact that I know nothing of cars, I'm posting here to see if anyone can even come close to explaining that one to me (btw, no chance that my mom heard wrong - she was incredulous as well, so had him repeat it a few times so that she was clear on what he was saying).

[Warhammer]

What else do you expect from a Chrysler? I drove a Concorde for a while and the radiator fan died at 40,000 miles. That is my personal experience, everyone else I know that has owned a Chrysler has had similar problems.

[DanGarion]

I looked around on some sites and couldn't find anything regarding parking break issues with PT Cruisers.

[bbor]

Are there any bats in the car?:D

[rkmsuf]

did they mention also needing a Johnson Rod?

[sterlingice]

My girlfriend has a PT from 2 years ago and doesn't have a problem like you described.

SI

[DeToxRox]

i saw the first line and pretty much assumed you wanted to end all contact with your mother for buying a PT Cruiser.

Well, you still can.

[Draft Dodger]

i saw the first line and pretty much assumed you wanted to end all contact with your mother for buying a PT Cruiser.

Well, you still can.

i did. she definitely heard about it from me.

[Craptacular]

Please, folks, the proper name is the PT Loser.

[hukarez]

the other one is a problem with a parking brake - it is extremely difficult to engage or disengage, and a few times mom has stopped and thought the brake was on and it rolled a bit. the head mechanic told her that it's supposed to be like that - and it's a design issue related to the car getting bad gas mileage. Seriously.

Now, I'm 99 44/100% sure that is the biggest load of malarky I've ever heard, but, given the fact that I know nothing of cars, I'm posting here to see if anyone can even come close to explaining that one to me (btw, no chance that my mom heard wrong - she was incredulous as well, so had him repeat it a few times so that she was clear on what he was saying).Might want to check the level of brake fluid running through your lines. It could be that when engaged, not enough pressure is being applied. But as far the "design issue related to the car getting bad gas mileage" bit; maybe he's trying to convey that in the sense of "the parking brake being slightly engaged while driving" or what not. Still, if your mom was driving around with the parking brake slightly engaged, she would eventually start smelling the burn of her brakes.

At the same token, the fact that it's extremely difficult to engage and disengage in the first place would negate the above. Was the head mechanic part of the dealership where the car was obtained? Or was this from another place? (Just curious, as I'd find it a bit odd that a mechanic from the dealership would relate things like "design flaws" to the buying public)

EDIT: Here's a link you'd probably be interested in checking out.

http://www.ptcruiserproblems.com/chrysler/pt_cruiser/pt_cruiser_owner_complaints.htm

[Draft Dodger]

from the dealership.

and the brake isn't on while she's driving - as it is, it's almost impossible for her to put on when she stops; she has to pull hard to get it on, and then it's tough to release.

[hukarez]

What year is the car?

Here's another link for you:

http://www.ptcruizer.com/repairs-pt-cruiser.html

[Draft Dodger]

2001 I think

[Draft Dodger]

"PTZoom wrote: "there is a TSB regarding replacing the parking brake 'equalizer' with a stronger unit as regards the failure to engage problem.""

interesting...

[Godzilla Blitz]

Not sure if this helps or not, as the details are a bit different, but...

A few years ago my mom had a similar problem with a Nissan, and was told a similar story by the dealer. My brother tracked the story down, and it turned out to be true.

I don't remember the details of the story, but it didn't have anything to do with bad gas mileage. However, there was a definite reason why the parking brake was difficult to engage, and it wasn't a defect.

If you really get stuck looking for an answer, this sounds like a great question for the radio show Car Talk, on NPR. I'd call them if I didn't get anywhere with it by the weekend.

[sterlingice]

I love Car Talk :D

SI

[hukarez]

"PTZoom wrote: "there is a TSB regarding replacing the parking brake 'equalizer' with a stronger unit as regards the failure to engage problem.""

interesting...
I had to change the linkage for my old school Karmann Ghia awhile back, as well as my once beloved '95 Integra. Here's another link for you in regards to brakes and equalizers:

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/bf/bf40358.htm

To be honest - I'm not quite sure if it's of any help for you, but I'm sure the links are a good read nonetheless.