2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other PT Cruiser years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 10 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 511 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. That ranks 2nd out of 10 PT Cruiser model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (97 complaints, 19%), typically at around 63,565 miles. Complaints mention 40 crashes, 34 fires, 50 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 511owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 40complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 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 | 97 | 19% | 63,565 | “instrument cluster” (11%) | — |
| Structure problems | 67 | 13% | 57,500 | “dashboard cracked” (16%) | — |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 55 | 11% | 79,250 | “turn signal” (18%) | — |
| Steering | 45 | 9% | 49,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 44 | 9% | 67,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 40 | 8% | 45,009 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 38 | 7% | 47,400 | — | — |
| Power Train | 35 | 7% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 33 | 6% | 23,500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 28 | 5% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 22 | 4% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 21 | 4% | 52,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 17 | 3% | 46,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 14 | 3% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 3% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 13 | 3% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 11 | 2% | 45,550 | — | — |
| Seats | 9 | 2% | 26,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 2% | 135,825 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 1% | 8,900 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | 1% | 113,750 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 | 1% | 35,540 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 0% | 69,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 0% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | 140,085 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | 120,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls (3)
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
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.
Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash
Problem: Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles are being recalled for a software error in the instrument cluster microprocessor. Under certain conditions, the cluster, with the majority of its gauges, illumination, and warning lamps, could become inoperative.
Risk: Driving the vehicle with an inoperative cluster could cause a distraction, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will re-flash the cluster software to correct the condition. Owner notification began october 8, 2001. 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.
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.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the rear quarter glass fasteners on both sides of the vehicle had started to separate from the vehicle. The contact stated that the windows were violently shaking while driving at various speeds. The contact was concerned that the…
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, she could smell fuel in the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who located a fuel leak on the fuel trail line. The vehicle was not repaired…
Hello My name is [XXX]. I own a 2002 Chrysler Pt cruiser and for some reason the power steering went out while I was driving! I was able to make it home because I wasnât far away! My power steering stopped out of no where and my fluid is full and my belt is attached I was also told my pump was in…
Answers and explanations to all of the above questions: My power steering assembly is leaking pretty bad and is only getting worse. I have a bad shoulder that I had surgery on and if it goes completely out I am afraid i wont be able to turn the steering wheel & cause an accident. The rims on the…
While driving the vehicle I could begin to smell a strong odor of gas them almost like the smell of plastic melting and the vehicle engine started running hot temperature so I immediately turned off the engine as I pulled over to the side of the road and as I stepped out of the car aflame began…
Other Chrysler PT Cruiser years
← 2001 PT Cruiser · 2003 PT Cruiser →
| 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 | 511 | 3 |
| 2001 PT Cruiser | 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 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Owners most often report electrical system, structure, exterior lighting problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 97 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2002 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 2002 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.