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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
9%of 115 total for the year
Median mileage
89,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 9% of the 115 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 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.

“I have been driving this car for a while and on the day this happened I had returned from work parked in my driveway with no problems. When it was time to go back to work I backed out of the driveway and noticed the car handled hard. I stopped shifted it back into park and then went back into drive still the steering was hard to turn. …”

NHTSA complaint #10594399, filed 2014-05, 89,000 miles

“The car tends to stall when driving in excess of 50, it will jerk a couple of times before going forward. It has been doing this for two weeks, I bought this car about a month ago. When going online to see if others were having this problem, I found it to be a common problem with people seeking and trying all types of solutions. Even taking the car back to the dealership and still having the same stall and rough idling. It appears to be a defect in the manufacturing.”

NHTSA complaint #10472115, filed 2012-08, 133,450 miles

“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

“Have a 2008 Pt Cruiser. I had a issue with transmission. I was told by mechanic that there is a alert that the car needs a computer software update ($150). Car is shaking. Was told that this happens to all the Pt Cruiser that several bushing around the engine very fast wear out. Passenger window sometimes does not go all the way up. These are safety issue that Chrysler knows about but do not do anything. It is not like battery or tire that wear out. Do they want to people get injured or die before they do anything?”

NHTSA complaint #10389678, filed 2011-03, 56,000 miles

“My daughter was on her way to nursing school when her 2008 Pt Cruiser accelerated on its own, with her foot off the gas pedal, to approximately 85 MPH she had to use both feet on the brakes to stop it. I arrived about 15 minutes later, started the car, the accelerator was still stuck in the wide open position. Chrysler towed the auto to olathe Chrysler, they said no codes were stored and said nothing was wrong with the automobile. After a extended conversation, the service manager agreed to replace the accelerator cable and the throttle body. …”

NHTSA complaint #10281526, filed 2009-08, 33,100 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200977%
2008109%
20071711%
2006288%
2005137%
20042110%
20033514%
2002357%
2001478%

Other parts of the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Electrical system
45 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 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 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