What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Typical pattern

6.1% of complaints about the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2001 vehicle — around the middle of the 216 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (77 complaints), typically at 5.5 yr or about 66,000 miles.

Complaints
754
Median age at failure
5.3 yr
Median mileage
58,000 n=503
Crash / fire / tow
9.9% of reports
Safety recalls
7

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
77 reports · 66,000 mi
5.5 yr
10.4%
Engine cooling
67 reports · 57,559 mi
5.2 yr
3%
Suspension
66 reports · 54,000 mi
5.1 yr
1.5%
Structure
63 reports · 75,000 mi
7.0 yr
4.8%
Wheels
61 reports · 44,310 mi
5.1 yr
4.9%
Steering
57 reports · 60,000 mi
4.8 yr
8.8%
Exterior lighting
53 reports · 69,896 mi
6.5 yr
9.4%
Power train
46 reports · 43,243 mi
4.0 yr
10.9%
Air bags
43 reports · 57,277 mi
4.3 yr
44.2%
Fuel system
42 reports · 50,000 mi
2.5 yr
9.5%
Service brakes, hydraulic
32 reports · 30,077 mi
3.3 yr
0%
Other
27 reports · 64,000 mi
6.3 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

08E033000 2008-04-14
Suspension

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

04V268000 2004-06-03
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L NON-TURBOCHARGED ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, POTENTIALLY DAMAGING THE HOSE.

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

02V215000 2002-08-08
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE MOUNTING FLANGE COULD LEAK FUEL IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.

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

02V214000 2002-08-08
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE COULD CONTACT THE AIR-CONDITIONING TUBE SERVICE PORT. THIS CAN CAUSE CHAFING OF THE LINE RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAKAGE.

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

02V162000 2002-06-14
Seats:front assembly:recliner

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE RIGHT REAR "65%" SEAT CENTER LOWER ANCHOR WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A WIRE DIAMETER THAT IS GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DIMENSION AS SPECIFIED IN THE STANDARD.

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 EVENT OF A CRASH.

00V366000 2000-11-09
Child seat

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

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

In owners’ own words

Electrical system mileage not reported 0 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK ROAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DISAPPEARED WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETIMES IT WAS HARD FOR HEADLIGHTS TO COME ON. DID GO OUT ONE TIME ON THEIR OWN. HAD NOT BEEN TO DEALER. *AK
Electrical system mileage not reported 0 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK ROAD ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DISAPPEARED WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETIMES IT WAS HARD FOR HEADLIGHTS TO COME ON. DID GO OUT ONE TIME ON THEIR OWN. HAD NOT BEEN TO DEALER. *AK
Electrical system mileage not reported 0 mo in service
VEHICLE STALLED, THE HOT MUFFLER CAUSED THE BUMPER TO MELT DUE TO DESIGN LOCATION, THE PROBLEM WAS MISDIAGNOSED THE FIRST TIME AND THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. *SLC
Suspension mileage not reported 1 mo in service
VIBRATION PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED NATIONWIDE HTTP://WWW.PTCRUIZER.COM/CGI-BIN/FAQ.PL?PROFILE=PT+TERRY. *AK (TIRESIZE: P205/55R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/55R16 )

Other PT Cruiser model years

200920082007200620052004200320022001

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