2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 6%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 6% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,500 miles. 3 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.
“Our brakes needed replaced for inspection the company replaced the brake pads we didn't drive more the 15,000 miles and brakes started grinding and making noise they needed replaced again it seems that this has been an ongoing problem with these pt.cruisers since they were made. …”
NHTSA complaint #10659441, filed 2014-11, 21,000 miles“Almost hit another vehicle/ almost went through a traffic light. I have complained mutliple times about my brake. I have had my car in to the dealer 3 times for the brakes, and every time am told brakes are fine. They did adjust the brakes once but the brakes squeal & grind all the time. Was told it was just the new style brakes/ brake rotor is rusting badly and chipping away around the top but was told this is a normal event due to the elements. Also my dashboard is coming away from my window and this has not been corrected or looked at. …”
NHTSA complaint #10113898, filed 2005-03, 15,000 miles“05/19/2004, while traveling from knoxville tn, on I-40 in a rented Pt Cruiser, a chevy blazer changed lanes in front of us as traffic came to a stop. We were already slowing for a construction zone and were traveling at less than 45 MPH. We applied the brakes but they locked up and started to skid, the car almost stopped in time but the brakes went soft and the car lurched forward, propelling us into the person in front of us, totaling the pt. We left 25 feet of skid and the car only had 500 miles on it. We rented the car from budget and it had 5 miles on it when we got it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10074792, filed 2004-06, 500 miles“Brakes constantly have grinding and noise problems, brake pedal feels soft or goes to the floor easily. This problem has persisted since the purchase of a 2004 Pt Cruiser with turbo, but appears to be a 2003 chassi and breaks hence the drum breaks on the rear. Drum breaks on a turbo model hummmm.”
NHTSA complaint #10195184, filed 2007-07, 300 miles“Dt: the consumer took the vehicle to a dealership for poor brake performance. The brakes were mushy. When he applied the brakes, the vehicle would kind of glide. The dealership said brakes had already been replaced before 15,000 miles. This was normal on this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10126069, filed 2005-07, 16,000 milesBrakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 8 | 7% |
| 2007 | 6 | 4% |
| 2006 | 15 | 4% |
| 2005 | 10 | 5% |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% |
| 2003 | 14 | 5% |
| 2002 | 37 | 7% |
| 2001 | 39 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
44 complaintsSuspension
36 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsWheels
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsFuel system
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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