2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe front-end and wheel-bearing noise, a multifunction (turn-signal/fog-light) switch that leaves the fog lamps on and drains the battery, and power steering hoses that leak or rupture. Many reports come in at fairly low mileage, and several involve repeated bearing or hose replacements rather than one-time fixes.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Front wheel bearing noise and repeat replacement

   • 43 complaints (20%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $350 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2014

   Owners describe a grinding or rumbling noise from the front end that grows louder and, in some cases, is heard mainly while turning, along with shaking or a feeling that the front end is out of line. Complaints frequently say one or both front hubs and bearings were replaced, and some report the same bearing failing again within a year or two. Several owners say the dealer treated the bearing as a wear item and declined warranty coverage. Widely reported between about 15,000 and 45,000 miles, with some repeat failures by 65,000 miles and a few beyond 85,000.

   What to check: On a test drive, listen for droning or grinding that changes when loading the front end in a turn, and check for wheel play with the front raised. Ask for receipts showing which hubs or bearings were replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2004 Pt Cruiser on the way back from florida just out of the blue, started making horrible front end noise and started shaking violently. I made it to our local dealer only to discover that the both front wheel bearings went bad. It had 36,274 miles on it. The dealer wouldn't do anything about it, so I called Chrysler and they wouldn't do anything about it. I researched the problem and thousands of people are having the same problems, some resulting in crashes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10231888, filed 2008-06, 35,780 miles

   “I have owned a 2004 Pt Cruiser for less than one year. I bought it with 28000 miles, on it, and at about 33000 miles heard a bang. It was still under warranty the dealer didn't find anything wrong with it, but the sound continued. I took it back to dealer, but it was out of warranty by a few days. Since that time we have changed brakes, rotors, etc. I finally took it to dealer and discovered it was the bearings. I thought that was a little odd since the vehicle hasn't been driven much. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10190574, filed 2007-05, 33,000 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Fog lights stuck on / multifunction switch failure

   • 30 complaints (14%)
   • median 68,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2017

   Owners describe fog lamps that stay illuminated with the switch off and the key removed, sometimes turning on by themselves and draining the battery; some pull the fuse to stop the drain. Complaints also mention headlamps that flicker, a horn that only works when the steering wheel is lifted, and in a few cases smoke or melted wiring at the steering column or turn-signal switch. Dealers reportedly confirmed the switch failure, and several owners say the part was on extended backorder. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 96,000 miles, with many cases between 50,000 and 65,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the key out, confirm the fog lamps and headlamps are off and the battery holds charge. Ask whether the multifunction switch has been replaced and check for a burning smell or heat marks around the steering column.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The fog lights in my 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser stay on, even after the ignition is turned off. I have to leave the left blinker on for the fog lights to turn off. And some times the fog lights turn on for no apparent reason with the ignition off. The fog lights stay on and drains the battery down , did not notice till it was parked on the street and roommate told me my lights were on.”

   NHTSA complaint #10497909, filed 2013-02, 51,150 miles

   “After shopping for 1/2 hour, I returned to my car in the parking lot. I opened the driver's side door and discovered gray colored smoke coming up from the steering column hazard button. It smelled odd. Not like wood smell. The auto club towed my car to my local mechanic and disconnected the battery connections as he said to prevent fire. My mechanic said the wires caught fire and melted the connectors. The parts: combination switch, combo switch connector & electrical connectors, shrink tubing = total $320 parts. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11034101, filed 2017-10, 75,811 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Power steering hose leak or rupture

   • 21 complaints (10%)
   • median 74,500 mi at 7.4 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • filed 2004–2024

   Owners report a pressure hose that leaks or bursts, sometimes after rubbing against another component, leaving heavy steering or a seized wheel and requiring a tow. Some complainants had the hose replaced more than once and describe the leak recurring; others note fluid loss, noise while turning, or pump and belt damage attributed to the leak. A recall for non-turbocharged models addresses hose contact with the transaxle differential cover, and some owners of turbocharged cars say their vehicle was not covered. Mostly reported between about 58,000 and 141,000 miles; some owners had replaced the hose previously at lower mileage.

   Recall 04V2680002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for oily residue on the pressure hose and nearby parts. Ask whether the hose was replaced under the steering recall and whether it has been replaced again since.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I left my residence at approx 8:45am on 5/19/2014 turned north steering was fine, the speed limit is 40mph, changes to 45, then 55, then down to 35mph approx.5.5 miles from my right turn, I turned left (west) entering a gas station breakinng at 35mph and found I had no power steering. It took all I could do to avoid hitting the gas pumps.”

   NHTSA complaint #10593994, filed 2014-05, 141,304 miles

   “I found that you all had issued a recall on 2004 non turbo Chrysler Pt Cruiser pressure hose. I have a turbo'ed edition, however I have not found where there are any differences in any of the power-steering components for this edition of the vehicle. I have found a leak in my pressure hose that connects to the power steering that looks like it may have been burned from touching another part on the car. I am not a mechanic so I have not attempted to do any work on this vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10542613, filed 2013-09, 125,887 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Rough idle, stalling and loss of power

   • 35 complaints (16%)
   • median 22,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2020

   Owners describe idle shake and shuddering, the engine stalling or losing power when coming to a stop or climbing a hill, and the check engine light coming on. Some say the vehicle lunges forward when stopping or revs on its own. Complaints mention dealers replacing spark plugs, wires, the powertrain control module, sensors or a vacuum hose, with symptoms returning in some cases. Reported from very low mileage (under 1,000 miles) up to about 106,000 miles, with several cases under 30,000 miles.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the car cold and watch for idle shake or a fluctuating tachometer, and check whether the check engine light is on. Ask whether the powertrain control module has been reprogrammed and what engine repairs were done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving, sometimes when driving, the car will jerk to the left or the right without probacation. Vechile accelerates without foot being on the pedal. One time I was at a stop light. My foot was on the brake, but the car lurched forward and the engine starting reving. I had to use both feet with extreme force to slow the car down. Finally, I just threw the car into park; once in park, the car kept reving. The pedal was not pressed.this has happened on three occasions. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11012275, filed 2017-08, 106,000 miles

   “I purchase my 2004 Pt Cruiser in march 2004. Within a week after delivery, I noticed the engine would start to shudder and the vehicle would lose power. Took it back to the Chrysler dealer and they said they could not find any problem. The engine eventually started shutting down completely when coming to a stop, and also chugs and loses power going up hills. I am afraid to attempt passing other cars because it will stall or lose power under accelleration. Took the car in on numerous occasions, and they did see the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10126616, filed 2005-06, 300 miles

Buying note. These are common wear and repair items on a car of this age, so maintenance records matter more than mileage alone: ask specifically about front hubs and bearings, the power steering hose, and the multifunction switch. A pre-purchase inspection that checks the front end, steering hoses and battery drain is worth the cost.

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.