What keeps happening?

In this case, the belt they just replaced slipped off and jammed the steering. Mostly, I just want to know if a PT Cruiser normally requires a lot of maintenance, or if I just got a lemon.

From what I've read, it sounds like you could have 1) a weak belt tensioner that's allowing the belt to become lose and slip. 2) An idler pulley that's worn out and also allowing the belt to become lose and slip. 3) A misaligned pulley. One of your pulleys is no longer aligned with the others, eventually forcing the belt to come loose. This is a known issue with 2.4L power steering pulleys. 4) A failing harmonic balancer which is the large pulley connected directly to the crankshaft. All of these just come with age although 3 could happen because a technician replaced the PS pump but pressed the pulley in too far or not far enough.

And that should be loose, not lose. ><

Apparently the replacement of the rack and pinion went south. They thought they were going to have it ready Wednesday, but hopefully I'll get it back sometime tomorrow...