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Engine coolingPart report

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
4%of 115 total for the year
Median mileage
56,304miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 4% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,304 miles. 1 a fire, 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.

“Everytime I turn on the AC unit the fan doesn't come on right away and when it does it pops and the car begins to over heat. At the time I turn off the power.”

NHTSA complaint #10584794, filed 2014-04, 89,954 miles

“My 2008 Pt Cruiser has a bad #3 valve. I had the car tuned up due to a misfire code of the #3 valve. After driving for two days with new spark plugs and wires, the car idled rough and the same code for #3 misfire valve came up on the dash. My mechanic checked the pressure in the valve and #1,2, & 4 had a pressure of 175 with # 3 having pressure of 110. My car only has 77,135 miles on it. I found another complaint with the same valve on the same year and their car only had 38000. Seeing how more than one car has the very same problem, doesn't this need looking into. …”

NHTSA complaint #10404574, filed 2011-06, 77,135 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. While stopped with the vehicle shifted into park, the contact began to see smoke being emitted from the instrument panel. The contact then popped the hood and noticed a fire in the engine compartment. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was told a heat shield was missing from the wires under the hood. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 35,474 and the current mileage was 35,674. …”

NHTSA complaint #10384311, filed 2011-02, 35,474 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the seat belt warning light would illuminate, followed by the illumination of the every warning light on the instrument panel, and then the vehicle would stall. The vehicle was able to be restarted after a few moments. The contact stated that the failure would occur on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10369861, filed 2010-12, 21,000 miles

“Letter from senator brown on behalf of constituent re concerns about a mechanical failure she has experienced with her 2008 Chrysler Pt Cruiser (DOT/I#2010-1236) respond to cleveland, oh office five months after the vehicle was purchased, the engine light illuminated. The consumer stated the 3rd cylinder failed.”

NHTSA complaint #10354270, filed 2010-09

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201015%
200944%
200854%
20072718%
20063610%
20052413%
20042311%
20032911%
2002387%
20016210%

Other parts of the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Electrical system
45 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsTires
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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