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2001 Chrysler PT CruiserProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 618 owner complaints about the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
28
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.5× the PT Cruiser median · #1 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints61877 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage66kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 12, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser has problems

618 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system787
Structure674
Suspension661
Engine and engine cooling622
Steering616
Wheels613
Exterior lighting485
Power train476
Fuel system, gasoline464
18 other systems19237

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections

Recall 04V-268 · Jun 3, 2004 · 438,391 vehicles

Risk. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 02V-214 · Aug 8, 2002 · 97,779 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 02V-162 · Jun 14, 2002 · 77,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THE CONNECTOR FOR A LATCH-TYPE CHILD RESTRAINT IS NOT ATTACHED CORRECTLY TO THE ANCHORAGE POINTS, THE RESTRAINT WILL NOT PROPERLY PROTECT A CHILD IN THE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Child seat

Recall 00V-366 · Nov 9, 2000 · 1,211,756 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chrysler.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

66kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 50 electrical system complaints. 78% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
6under 30k miles39under 100k miles11100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other PT Cruiser year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the PT Cruiser median. How we score

'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser safety ratings

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL HOSE ABRASIONPE02058 · closed Oct 4, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-214
  2. SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATEPE02082 · closed Apr 23, 2003
    No recall
  3. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE04028 · closed Jun 18, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-268
In owners' words

What PT Cruiser owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The electrical system is malfunctioning the fans do not kick on at all,even after reaching temperature.Even when the "Air" condition is turned on full blast or the "Heater" it doesn't matter which one is used it still doesn't engage the "Fan".
Complaint 11473780 · Jul 13, 2022
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT, A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, REPLACED ALL OF THE SENSORS ON THE VEHICLE, THE RELAYS, AND THE ELECTRICAL FUSES; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE…
Complaint 11024099 · Sep 18, 2017 · 127,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY, TURN OFF THE ENGINE, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING…
Complaint 10992806 · Jun 2, 2017

Own a 2001 PT Cruiser?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.