2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 3%of 511 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 3% of the 511 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The cruise control turns on by itself, causing the car to accelerate. After turning the cruise control off, it comes back on several seconds later, and accelerates! Very scary and dangerous! This happens every time it's driven. The car was taken to a dealer for service, and they just called saying they had completed updates to the car's computer system, and it doesn't seem to malfunction anymore. They are going to keep the car for another day, and drive it around periodically, to see if it's solved, and I'll get it back tomorrow.”
NHTSA complaint #10339738, filed 2010-06, 50,000 miles“Consumer complained about a problem with electrical failures in the dashboard, including the speedometer. When driving at speeds in excess of 50 MPH speedometer dropped to 0 and the rpms did likewise. Every light and warning signal came on at once.”
NHTSA complaint #10071356, filed 2004-04, 50,000 miles“While driving vehicle, applied gas pedal and vehicle does not accelerate. Must coast to the side of the road,while vehicle struggles to keep running. When vehicle is turned off, it will not restart.”
NHTSA complaint #10023151, filed 2003-06, 19,930 miles“Unpredictabley, when I 'click' the cruise control lever to slow down, it will acelerate, creating unexpected and occasionally dangerous situations. It has been reported to the dealer at least 5 times. The old service mgr refused to deal with it, blaming me. The new service mgr took it in, tested, and 'repaired' it. The frequency of this unpredictable resonse has gone down, but it still happens. It shouldn't be this way. Two notes: my previous car had an almost identical control arrangement, a very good one, so I am familiar with using it to control my speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #762088, filed 2002-05“The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. The contact was driving 20 MPH when the cruise control light illuminated and independently activated. The vehicle began to increase in speed and there was an unusual increase in engine rpms. The contact was able to disengage the cruise control by depressing the brakes and manually deactivating the mechanism. The contact stated that he had also encountered unintended acceleration while in park. The dealer advised having a diagnostic performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10350798, filed 2010-08, 84,042 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 14 | 14% |
| 2008 | 6 | 5% |
| 2007 | 4 | 3% |
| 2006 | 7 | 2% |
| 2005 | 10 | 5% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 12 | 5% |
| 2002 | 13 | 3% |
| 2001 | 13 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
97 complaintsBody and structure
67 complaintsExterior lighting
55 complaintsSteering
45 complaintsAir bags
44 complaintsSuspension
40 complaintsEngine cooling
38 complaintsBrakes
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsWheels
21 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology