2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 27%of 97 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,375miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 27% of the 97 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,375 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was in a hwy. All of a sudden, all the gauges light up and I lost power. I push the gas pedal but no acceleration. I managed to park on the side. I turned off the engine and restarted the car again. This happened just 3 weeks after I bought the car. It happened again one month later. It has been now one week later. I am afraid it is going to happen again. It is a very safety hazard since I always travel on a busy highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11031412, filed 2017-10, 95,510 miles“I've had my Pt Cruiser for atleast 3 years now. Today as I was driving all the lights started going on and off on the dash board and was acting as if it were going to stall out. However , every time I hit the gas the MPH gauge would go up. However my gauges on my dash board had stopped working until I'd hit the gas petal again. It did this for at least a few minutes I was on a busy road when it happened and was not able to pull off the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10908937, filed 2016-09, 99,089 miles“While running at 45 MPH all the warning lights came on, the gauges went to zero, and the motor started stumbling. Trying to nurse it home, I stopped at a red light where the previous things happened again but also the motor completely shut off. This left me stopped in the middle of a busy 4 lane highway. Engine finally restarted where I drove it home. This is the 3rd time this has happened and I see where online this has been complained about over and over. I can not afford to throw thousands of dollars at it and Chrysler doesn't care.”
NHTSA complaint #11243684, filed 2019-08, 68,000 miles“My vehicle shuts off randomly while driving 2 MPH and while on the highway going 65 MPH. Very scary, do not feel safe in my own car. Fear for the safety of my family.”
NHTSA complaint #11021241, filed 2017-09, 85,000 miles“Purchased vehicle a couple of years ago with about 32,000 miles, everything has been great until a couple of weeks ago. At about 41,000 vehicle has started stalling when moving, horn will not quit, starting issues and dash lights flash on and off. This is a very dangerous issue and I have read most of the prior 60 complaints dating back to 2010 and nothing has been done by Chrysler . I have heard on the national news that there is finally a recall with this vehicle but my VIN # is not included for some reason.”
NHTSA complaint #10661227, filed 2014-11, 41,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10128948Feb 6, 2013Gasoline Engine Diagnostic Inspection Procedure This bulletin provides a procedure to determine repair versus replacement of a gasoline long block engine assembly. This procedure…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 5 | 23% |
| 2009 | 26 | 27% |
| 2008 | 15 | 13% |
| 2007 | 23 | 15% |
| 2006 | 55 | 16% |
| 2005 | 11 | 6% |
| 2004 | 14 | 6% |
| 2003 | 10 | 4% |
| 2002 | 22 | 4% |
| 2001 | 12 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser
60 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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