The Used Car Index

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems

NHTSA lists 618 complaints for the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 36 of them mention a crash and 17 mention a fire. 24 complaints mention an injury, with 36 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as CHRYSLER PT CRUISER.

At a glance

Complaints
618
With crash
36
With fire
17
With injury (complaints)
24
Injuries
36
Deaths
0
Recalls
5
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
1,211,756
Investigations
3
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
90

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7812.6%
STRUCTURE6710.8%
SUSPENSION6610.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6210.0%
STEERING619.9%
WHEELS619.9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING487.8%
POWER TRAIN477.6%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE467.4%
AIR BAGS437.0%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
SUSPENSIONFRONT38
WHEELSRIM35
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDELIVERY30
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION27
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE25
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICFOUNDATION COMPONENTS21
AIR BAGSFRONTAL16
STEERINGHYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWIRING14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCOOLING SYSTEM12

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

5 recalls.

04V268000

Date: 2004-06-03. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: 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.

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

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

02V215000

Date: 2002-08-08. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

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

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

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

02V214000

Date: 2002-08-08. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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 1-80 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

02V162000

Date: 2002-06-14. Systems: SEATS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

00V366000

Date: 2000-11-09. Systems: CHILD SEAT.

Defect: 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 ANCHORAG (excerpt)

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD. (excerpt)

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

3 investigations; 0 open.

PE04028

Opened: 2004-03-15. Closed: 2004-06-18.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEER

Systems: STEERING.

Linked campaign numbers: 04V268000.

PE02082

Opened: 2002-11-06. Closed: 2003-04-23.

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS

Systems: SEAT BELTS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

PE02058

Opened: 2002-07-19. Closed: 2002-10-04.

FUEL HOSE ABRASION

Summary unavailable

Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

Linked campaign numbers: 02V214000.

Manufacturer communications

90 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
STRUCTURE13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9
POWER TRAIN9
STEERING7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER4

10221686

Date: 2020-07-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

10229256

Date: 2020-07-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

10175743

Date: 2020-04-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE.

Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

10175735

Date: 2020-04-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

10169245

Date: 2019-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

10169247

Date: 2019-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

10169249

Date: 2019-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE.

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

10220097

Date: 2019-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, STRUCTURE.

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

10220099

Date: 2019-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

10220101

Date: 2019-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
PT CRUISER618

Same model, other years

All model years | All Chrysler models

Other Chrysler models, 2001

Sources

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