Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 2,524 consumer complaints across the 10 model years of the Chrysler PT Cruiser (2001–2010) that have at least 5 complaints. 2001 has the most, with 618. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (560 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst PT Cruiser years →
All PT Cruiser model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 22 | 25,229 | 0 | 52 | — | Stable |
| 2009 | 97 | 45,127 | 0 | 47 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2008 | 115 | 55,699 | 0 | 55 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2007 | 150 | 51,000 | 0 | 53 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 349 | 55,000 | 1 | 53 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 187 | 58,412 | 3 | 58 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 217 | 52,437 | 1 | 47 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 258 | 49,000 | 2 | 38 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2002 | 511 | 51,000 | 3 | 31 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 618 | 57,530 | 5 | 30 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system560 27%
- Engine cooling249 12%
- Air bags226 11%
- Suspension222 11%
- Steering220 10%
- Exterior lighting220 10%
- Transmission and drivetrain213 10%
- Engine193 9.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2006: “My car is hanging up in a lower gear may gear 2 and the engine is raising. The engine light is on. It has done this a few times while driving the car. Sometimes the engine light goes off and it runs like a great vehicle but then it will hang up and get stuck in a lower gear! I have been driving inner city when this happens and afraid to take it on the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11187241, filed 2019-03, 72,100 miles2007: “While driving with my headlights and fog lights on, using my turn signal turns off my headlight on that side until the turn signal shuts off. I have also seen this in a Chrysler 300, and a town and country. And, I have seen this in a chevy camaro and a vw. Something is seriously wrong here!!! The date is only because you need a date. It is frequent,.”
NHTSA complaint #11064155, filed 2018-01, 125,000 miles2005: “The power steering system in general is faulty. We have paid to fix the power steering pressure switch & the high pressure power steering hose & now the pump itself has gone out. Would love to see this whole line of vehicles recalled. We were driving when all of these problems persisted & I know that our vehicle isn't the only one having this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10940440, filed 2017-01, 152,530 milesOther Chrysler models
13,510 complaintsChrysler Pacifica
7,052 complaintsChrysler 300
4,925 complaintsChrysler 200
4,188 complaintsChrysler Sebring
2,830 complaintsChrysler Concorde
2,217 complaintsChrysler 300C
1,254 complaintsChrysler LHS
956 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology