2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around the front and rear suspension — worn control arm bushings and a corroded front crossmember — along with overheating and cooling-fan problems, power steering and rack repairs, and cracked dashes. Many reports arrive between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles, though some suspension and dash complaints appear much earlier, and several issues are described as gradually developing rather than sudden.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Dashboard cracks around vents and defroster grille

   • 69 complaints (11%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (43 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2015

   Owners report cracks starting near the side vents, center vent or defroster grille and spreading across the top of the dash, sometimes until the panel splits in two or pieces break loose. Many say the car had normal use and no impact, and that dealers quoted high replacement costs or declined to cover it. Complaints describe the problem as common among owners of this model. Reported from as low as about 12,000 miles up to around 100,000 miles, often after several years in service.

   What to check: Look closely along the dash top near the vents and windshield for hairline cracks, and check whether the vent panels sit flush.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2001 Pt Cruiser with 44,500 miles. Abt 3 months ago a small crack appeared in the dashboard. It grew larger and larger, and in october the vent screen piece popped out on its own. The crack finally bisected the dashboard, so I had it replaced at my own expense. This car has gotten normal usage and there appears to be no incident or reason for this to have occurred.”

   NHTSA complaint #10211274, filed 2007-12, 43,000 miles

   “2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser first the dash top heater defogger grill broke up and collapsed, now there is a huge crack all the way through the dashboard top, and other cracks are developing. I am afraid the dashboard top will collapse in. I understand that this is a common problem with pt cruisers and could be potentially dangerous.”

   NHTSA complaint #10263291, filed 2009-03, 90,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Overheating and coolant loss

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine running hot, coolant boiling sounds, steam or smoke from under the hood, and a cooling fan that does not come on. Some owners report slow coolant loss traced to a leaking head gasket, and others mention the water pump. Several say the problem returned after radiator cap or fan replacement. Mostly reported between about 20,000 and 90,000 miles, with some at higher mileage; often noticed after 20 minutes or more of driving.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check coolant level and condition, confirm the cooling fan runs when the engine warms up, and ask whether the water pump or timing belt service has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a used 2001 Pt Cruiser on the way home when I came to a stop at a light, it sounded like water rapidly boiling with smoke coming out from under the hood. I have look up this problem and saw that this is a common problem from 2001 to 2008 pt cruisers, no one seems to know what the problem is, it went from a radiator cap to the blades coming off of the fan. I don't know how so many vehicles can have this same problem without there being a recall to fix this. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10679363, filed 2015-01, 71,250 miles

   “I recently purchased a used 2001 Pt Cruiser. After watching a Pt Cruiser catch on fire in my work parking lot, I noticed that I had no heat. I added coolant and everything seemed fine until I drove it for over 20 minutes. It started to overheat and smoke started coming out from under the hood (in the dead of winter). After letting it cool I was able to get it home. I added coolant and checked for leaks and found none. Then I checked the internet to help troubleshoot the issue... …”

   NHTSA complaint #10217505, filed 2008-02, 145,000 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Front lower control arm bushings worn out

   • 40 complaints (6%)
   • median 43,500 mi at 5.1 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2016

   Owners describe clunking or humming from the front end, vibration through the steering wheel, and bushings separating from their rubber sleeves. Several say independent shops or dealers quoted replacement of both lower control arms, and some report the parts failing again within a year or so of being replaced. Complaints describe the noise appearing during turns and over rough pavement. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 85,000 miles, with a few owners noting symptoms well under 30,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for service records of lower control arm or bushing replacement, and have a shop inspect the bushings for cracking or separation before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 62,000 miles, there was a clunking noise in my 2001 Pt Cruiser. When taken to the dealer was told the lower control arms/bushings were bad. Of course, my car was over warranty. Quote $750.00 + tax. Had replaced, now at 75,000 miles 1 year later, took my pt in for annual inspection.....yep, lower control arms/bushings bad & needing replaced again. Quote this time $582.00 + tax. Should this be a yearly thing? I have normal driving on paved roads...avoid pot holes. This needs to be addressed! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10150474, filed 2006-02, 62,000 miles

   “I had my 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser in the shop for the mandatory pennsylvania state safety inspection. The mechanics informed the that both of the lower control arms were bad in the vehicle. This vehicle has only 47,000 original miles on the car. I asked if this was a common occurance and was told that they have replaced these control arms on 9 vehicles so far. They stated they called the local Chrysler dealership and the service department told them that they replace about 30 of these per month. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10082946, filed 2004-07, 47,403 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Rust-through of front crossmember (k-frame)

   • 44 complaints (7%)
   • median 63,000 mi at 9.7 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2016

   Complaints describe the steel crossmember that carries the front suspension rusting through and breaking, in some cases on one side where air-conditioning condensate drains. Owners report sudden loss of steering and suspension control, wheels turning in opposite directions, and the front end dropping. Shops quoted replacement crossmembers, and one owner noted a long wait for the part. Reported from roughly 60,000 to 130,000 miles, typically on older vehicles with corrosion in the underbody area.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the car put on a lift and inspect the front crossmember and surrounding underbody for heavy rust, especially on the side below the air-conditioning drain.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I slowed downed for a rail road crossing and after I crossed it the front end dropped down . I lost control of the car . The car veered right . I got stopped before I got to the ditch . We couldn't move the car . Had it towed to a garage . After inspection they told me the frame that holds the suspension together rusted through and broke in half . It pushed the suspension up and against the engine . If I would have been going any faster could have veered left to a head on crash or hit the ditch and flipped the car . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10712825, filed 2015-04, 100,000 miles

   “Made a right hand turn and heard a metal clunk noise, proceeded another block - from a stop made a left hand turn onto a highway - at that time a very loud metal noise, no brakes, no steering, no control of veh at all. Somehow managed to get to side of road without rolling veh, wheels turned opposite directions, had veh towed to shop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10619367, filed 2014-08, 130,000 miles
5. 5
   Wheels

   Wheel rim corrosion causing slow tire leaks

   • 104 complaints (17%)
   • median 49,500 mi at 6.4 yrs old (66 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2017

   Owners report corrosion and peeling around the valve stem holes and bead area of the alloy wheels, leading to slow pressure loss and repeated flat tires. Some say the dealer acknowledged the problem and offered partial help with replacement wheels, while others were told the wheels should simply be replaced. Complaints describe having to add air frequently. Mainly reported between about 30,000 and 85,000 miles, often several years after purchase.

   What to check: Inspect the wheels at the valve stems and bead edges for corrosion or peeling, and check whether all four tires hold pressure evenly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The rims/wheels have been corroding severely over the last 1.5 years, causing multiple flat tires on my car. This has proven to be extremely dangerous. I've been to various mechanics who have stated that several of the pt cruisers he's worked on, have had this same flaw. If there isn't a resolution, I will not purchase another Chrysler product. Thank you for your time. I hope for a just resolution in this matter. Donna kloss”

   NHTSA complaint #10233054, filed 2008-07, 85,000 miles

   “I currently own a 2001 Pt Cruiser with 50,000 miles on it. To date, I have had three different mechanics tell me that the wheels/rims are deteriorating/peeling and should be replaced under warranty. As a result, I am also constantly putting air in some of the tires. My greatest worry, is having a tire blow out while traveling at higher speeds. I have also noticed that many other Pt Cruiser owners are experiencing the same problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10167930, filed 2006-09, 32,000 miles

Buying note. Prioritize a thorough underbody inspection for crossmember and suspension rust and a check of the dash for cracks, since those repairs can be costly. Also verify the wheels hold air and that cooling fan and coolant level are healthy before committing.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.