Chrysler PT Cruiser Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 213 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Chrysler PT Cruiser across 9 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (47).
- 213power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 14mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $2,300typical repair cost reported by owners
- 44%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 power train repair on the Chrysler PT Cruiser at $2,300, and half of them between $560 and $3,550.
Based on 14 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2015), 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 power train problems happen?
Based on 164 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 213 complaints, 14 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 3 an injury.
Chrysler PT Cruiser power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 PT Cruiser | 7 | 7% | 66,725 |
| 2008 PT Cruiser | 10 | 9% | 89,000 |
| 2007 PT Cruiser | 17 | 11% | 18,000 |
| 2006 PT Cruiser | 28 | 8% | 61,585 |
| 2005 PT Cruiser | 13 | 7% | 70,639 |
| 2004 PT Cruiser | 21 | 10% | 30,000 |
| 2003 PT Cruiser | 35 | 14% | 37,270 |
| 2002 PT Cruiser | 35 | 7% | 54,000 |
| 2001 PT Cruiser | 47 | 8% | 43,750 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:clutch assembly
Model years: 2003
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, manual transmission models only, a welded pin internal to the dual-mass flywheel (dmf) assembly can unseat and become lodged between the flywheel and the clutch disc.
Risk: If this occurs, the clutch may not disengage when the clutch pedal is depressed.
Fix: Dealers will replace the flywheel and clutch assemblies with the updated design parts. Owner notification began on april 14, 2003. 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
See attached document for complaint.
The clutch will not disengage every time and never fully disengages. I noticed my car had a recall for this problem in the past, so before doing the work, I called a dealer for Chrysler and was informed that the recall had already been performed. So I took it upon myself at my own expense to have…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle downshifted to second gear independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he parked on the side of the road. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated with the temperature gauge reading hot. The vehicle was taken to i-10 chrysler dodge jeep ram (79200 varner rd, indio, ca 92203) and was informed that the cooling fan was…
The car has been overheating at idle. When driving, it maintains the correct temperature and returns to it even if it has gone up. Idling at a drive thru is enough to cause a full overheat with smoke. When the car is turned off, a loud bubbling can be heard. The entire fan assembly and harness was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chrysler PT Cruisers have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 213 owner complaints about power train 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 power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,300 (half paid between $560 and $3,550), from 14 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
- Electrical System problems (560)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (249)
- Air Bags problems (226)
- Suspension problems (222)
- Exterior Lighting problems (220)
- Steering problems (220)
- Engine problems (193)
- Structure problems (175)
See all Chrysler PT Cruiser problems.