2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other PT Cruiser years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 10 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 618 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. That is the most of any PT Cruiser model year in the database (10 years). The most reported problem area is electrical system (78 complaints, 13%), typically at around 66,000 miles. Complaints mention 36 crashes, 17 fires, 36 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 618owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 36complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 78 | 13% | 66,000 | “steering column” (13%) | $420 |
| Structure problems | 67 | 11% | 75,000 | “dashboard cracking” (12%) | — |
| Suspension problems | 66 | 11% | 55,500 | “control arm” (39%) | $1,600 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 62 | 10% | 59,000 | — | — |
| Steering problems | 61 | 10% | 58,000 | “steering fluid” (21%) | — |
| Wheels problems | 61 | 10% | 44,155 | “air pressure” (11%) | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 48 | 8% | 78,640 | — | — |
| Power Train | 47 | 8% | 43,750 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 46 | 7% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 43 | 7% | 55,139 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 29 | 5% | 31,039 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 29 | 5% | 64,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 23 | 4% | 27,119 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 2% | 86,150 | — | — |
| Visibility | 13 | 2% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 12 | 2% | 115,285 | — | — |
| Equipment | 11 | 2% | 34,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 11 | 2% | 77,995 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 1% | 51,750 | — | — |
| Seats | 6 | 1% | 87,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 1% | 123,570 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 5 | 1% | 50,100 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 4 | 1% | 90,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 1% | 84,573 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 0% | 57,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 0% | 24,800 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | 60,245 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Problem: 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.
Risk: Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and relocate, or replace as necessary, the power steering hose and confirm torque of the hose fastener at the steering gear end. The recall began on september 20, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel line for abrasion and install a clip to ensure isolation. In cases with evidence of fuel line abrasion, the fuel line will be replaced. Owner notification began august 12, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump module mounting flange could leak fuel if the vehicle is involved in a rollover crash.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a secondary seal over the fuel pump module. Owner notification began august 12, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Seats:front assembly:recliner
Problem: 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.
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 event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the right rear seat center anchor and, if necessary, resize the anchor to meet the diameter specified within the standard. Owner notification began november 4, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Child seat
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Fix: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine compartment fires (PE04028) — opened Mar 15, 2004, closed Jun 18, 2004, led to recall 04V268000.
- Safety belt cinching latch plate (PE02082) — opened Nov 6, 2002, closed Apr 23, 2003.
- Fuel hose abrasion (PE02058) — opened Jul 19, 2002, closed Oct 4, 2002, led to recall 02V214000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
See attached document for complaint.
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".
Air bag light stays on all the while engine is running..... Stopped or moving
Was hit in rear as i was slowing at stop light
Car has problem with overheating (also found out this is common with this model and make). This is a safety issue as you can break down on road which can either cause an accident or cause road blockage. *js
Other Chrysler PT Cruiser years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 PT Cruiser | 22 | 0 |
| 2009 PT Cruiser | 97 | 0 |
| 2008 PT Cruiser | 115 | 0 |
| 2007 PT Cruiser | 150 | 0 |
| 2006 PT Cruiser | 349 | 1 |
| 2005 PT Cruiser | 187 | 3 |
| 2004 PT Cruiser | 217 | 1 |
| 2003 PT Cruiser | 258 | 2 |
| 2002 PT Cruiser | 511 | 3 |
| 2001 | 618 | 5 |
See all Chrysler PT Cruiser problems by year, every Chrysler model, or the Chrysler VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Owners most often report electrical system, structure, suspension problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 78 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other PT Cruiser model years, the 2001 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.