2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2002 PT Cruiser most often report electrical and lighting faults, especially a steering-column multi-function switch that leaves fog lights on and drains the battery, and a dashboard that cracks over time. Power steering problems — loss of assist, smoke, and hose or rack issues — are the other recurring theme, while airbag non-deployment and wheel/tire complaints show up repeatedly in crashes and repairs.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Multi-function switch leaves fog lights on, drains battery

   • 48 complaints (9%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 7.8 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $340 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2019

   Owners describe fog lights that come on by themselves or stay lit after the key is removed, sometimes with a burning smell or smoke from the steering column. The battery then goes dead and the car needs a jump start. Complaints say dealers replaced the switch in the steering column, sometimes more than once, and in one case the repair was done at no charge. Reported from roughly 48,000 to 180,000 miles, often after the vehicle has been parked and shut off.

   What to check: With the car off, confirm the fog lights and all exterior lamps are dark; ask whether the multi-function switch or steering column switch has been replaced. Watch for a burning smell near the column.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On returning home from an event in the evening I parked my vehicle in the garage. I turned off lights and then the ignition and everything shut down except the fog lights stayed on (the vehicle was completely shut off). I never had the fog lights on that evening. I tried various a temps I.e. Pushing the butten in, turning the vehicle on and then off again, etc., but did not have any success. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10968457, filed 2017-03, 48,000 miles

   “Fog lights would not turn off. Brought into dealership in el segundo, ca for repair on 03/29/06 was told it was an internal switch and repaired for $86.58. I thought the problem was repaired. Then in 2008 it happened again and I took it into another dealership in w. Los angeles, ca and they told me it was a switch in the steering column so it had to be replaced and that totaled approximately $340. Now on easter (04/04/10) on my way to a bbq to my parents home, the fog lights came on again ...and wouldn't turn off again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10324085, filed 2010-04, 92,171 miles
2. 2
   Body and structure

   Dashboard cracks and separates

   • 57 complaints (11%)
   • median 61,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2021

   Complaints describe a crack starting at the base of the windshield or near the vents and spreading across the dash, with vent pieces breaking loose and falling inward. Owners worry about fragments reaching wiring underneath. Dealers and the manufacturer generally declined help once the warranty had expired. Mostly reported between about 39,000 and 124,000 miles, often on vehicles several years old and in hot, sunny climates.

   What to check: Inspect the top of the dash along the windshield and around the vents for cracks or loose trim, and check for any exposed or chafed wiring behind a cracked section.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser received a crack on the dashboard. The crack slowly grew around the vent and started to collapse. I am concerned that the pieces will fall into the wiring under the dash. Carmax (where I bought the car) and chrylser would not pay for the repair because it is out of warranty. The car is only 5 1/2 years old. For my safety, I will have to pay for the repair myself.”

   NHTSA complaint #10196677, filed 2007-07, 124,157 miles

   “I have a 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser and, I noticed a small crack in the dashboard, and a couple of weeks later the small crack is now bigger and almost to my A/C vents and the vent in the dashboard is cracking badly. I feel that something might fail because of this.”

   NHTSA complaint #10237588, filed 2008-08, 75,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Intermittent no-start and battery drain

   • 62 complaints (12%)
   • median 61,065 mi at 7.4 yrs old (50 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $646 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2019

   Complaints describe a car that occasionally will not crank, especially on a later trip of the day, despite the lights working; several owners replaced the battery multiple times without a cure. Others report gauges, instrument panel lighting or interior lights failing, and one complaint ties a repeated fuse failure to a ground cable. Reported from very low mileage up to about 180,000 miles, with several cases under 60,000 miles.

   Recall 01V2880001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the battery ground cable, ignition switch and starting circuit have been checked, and test for a parasitic drain. Confirm whether instrument cluster recall 01V288000 applies to the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car won't start at times. Had to jump it then it started. Something draining the battery if car sits for a day or two. Changed battery 3 times, still having problem. Bought car brand new, dealer still can't find the problem. Car not reliable. Started having problems not long after I bought it. I've had to charge the battery and then after a few days would have trouble starting.”

   NHTSA complaint #10284582, filed 2009-09, 4,000 miles

   “My car has decided to sometimes not start at the end of the day. It runs just fine in the morning, but then on my return trip home, you turn the key and nothing. The lights go on, but no ignition, no sound of the engine turning over. Three battery replacements, and that is not the problem. Called Chrysler personally as directed by a website that sited hundreds of complaints over this exact same problem, but they denied knowledge of any such complaint. Complaints date back to 2002. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10419967, filed 2011-08, 100,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Power steering loss, noise, smoke or leak

   • 38 complaints (7%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2023

   Owners report sudden loss of power assist, whining or squealing when turning, smoke from the engine bay, and in some cases a power steering belt or hose failure. Some complaints describe the rack and pump being replaced; a recall covers a pressure hose that can contact the transaxle differential cover on certain 2.4L automatic cars. Reported from about 11,000 to 142,000 miles, with several cases in the 35,000-70,000 mile range.

   Recall 04V2680001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check power steering fluid level and look for leaks or a chafed pressure hose near the transaxle; ask whether recall 04V268000 was performed and whether the steering system has been bled per the service bulletin after any repair.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Complaint sent via e-mail. I first started having a serious problems with my car power steering. While driving, smoke started coming out of the hood, and I thought the engine was on fire. I then called daimler Chrysler and told them, and they just said that they would make a report. But I heard nothing from them at all. However, I took my car to Chrysler dealership and they temporarily fixed it, but a month later the steering wheel started making a whining sound when turning. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10096806, filed 2004-10, 11,000 miles

   “While driving, the consumer smelled smoke. The power steering unit caught on fire. The consumer was going approximately 15 to 20 MPH when the fire occurred. Provide further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #10087937, filed 2004-08, 36,300 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Fog light and lighting faults tied to steering column switch

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Some owners link the lighting faults to a switch inside the steering column, reporting that the lights stay on and the column gets hot or smells of burning. Dealers reportedly told owners that other PT Cruisers had shown the same failure and that the column switch needed replacement. Reported around 51,000 to 121,000 miles in the sampled complaints.

   What to check: Test all light functions, including turn signals and fog lamps, and feel the steering column shroud for heat after a drive; ask whether the column switch assembly has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser, the multi-function switch, which controls the fog-lights, headlights, and interior panel is faulty. It shorts out, causing smoke, or the fog lights come on when the car is parked, and drains the battery of all power. Driving down the road, the light comes on indicating the fog lights are on, when they have not been activated, then there is a burning smell coming from the steering column, you have to turn the lights on, turn on the blinkers or stop to get this problem to subside. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10258264, filed 2009-02, 85,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the turn signal controls caught on fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10526176, filed 2013-07, 84,000 miles

Buying note. On a 2002 PT Cruiser, check the electrical and lighting functions carefully — fog lights staying on and no-start episodes are common owner reports — and inspect the dashboard and power steering system for cracks, leaks or loss of assist. Confirm which recalls apply to the specific VIN before purchase.

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.