Chrysler PT Cruiser Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 249 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Chrysler PT Cruiser across 10 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (62).
- 249engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $1,950typical repair cost reported by owners
- 41%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Chrysler PT Cruiser at $1,950, and half of them between $1,100 and $5,850.
Based on 12 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2005–2012), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 188 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 249 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 6 an injury.
Chrysler PT Cruiser engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 PT Cruiser | 1 | 5% | 1,690 |
| 2009 PT Cruiser | 4 | 4% | 61,000 |
| 2008 PT Cruiser | 5 | 4% | 56,305 |
| 2007 PT Cruiser | 27 | 18% | 41,112 |
| 2006 PT Cruiser | 36 | 10% | 40,000 |
| 2005 PT Cruiser | 24 | 13% | 55,403 |
| 2004 PT Cruiser | 23 | 11% | 24,000 |
| 2003 PT Cruiser | 29 | 11% | 46,890 |
| 2002 PT Cruiser | 38 | 7% | 47,400 |
| 2001 PT Cruiser | 62 | 10% | 59,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists engine and engine cooling for the Chrysler PT Cruiser. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
2005 chrysler pt cruiser. Consumer writes in regards to the fuel leak location on the inlet nozzle fuel tank. *smd the dealer stated check engine light on, cracked trim around a/c unit, trunk will not stay open, front brakes need replacing, and rear shock need to be replaced. *tr
Car stopped at red light. Engine died and smoke began to rise from engine compartment, then flames shot out. Driver could not get door open at first then after short time locks released and driver was able to escape. Fire department extinguished flames and said fire appeared to be started by fluid…
I brought the car on 3/25/14 from a toyota dealer ship. Complain about a knocking noise coming from the engine at the time of test drive. Toyota promise me it would be fixed pick the car drove it a couple of days and notice the control panel lights started going on and off along with the car…
I purchased a used 2001 pt cruiser on the way home when i came to a stop at a light, it sounded like water rapidly boiling with smoke coming out from under the hood. I have look up this problem and saw that this is a common problem from 2001 to 2008 pt cruisers, no one seems to know what the…
I was on the freeway, and the road had a natural "bump" in it, causing a slight bit of lift with the vehicle, and the vehicle swayed from side to side, and i had to immediately slow down, and counter steer in order to keep it in my lane. I took it to my mechanic today, and the right lower motor…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chrysler PT Cruisers have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 249 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chrysler PT Cruiser engine and engine cooling?
No recall currently lists engine and engine cooling for this vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,950 (half paid between $1,100 and $5,850), from 12 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
- Electrical System problems (560)
- Air Bags problems (226)
- Suspension problems (222)
- Exterior Lighting problems (220)
- Steering problems (220)
- Power Train problems (213)
- Engine problems (193)
- Structure problems (175)
See all Chrysler PT Cruiser problems.