The Used Car Index

2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems

NHTSA lists 217 complaints for the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 16 of them mention a crash and 15 mention a fire. 14 complaints mention an injury, with 18 injuries and 3 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as CHRYSLER PT CRUISER.

At a glance

Complaints
217
With crash
16
With fire
15
With injury (complaints)
14
Injuries
18
Deaths
3
Recalls
1
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
438,391
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
66

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 SYSTEM4420.3%
SUSPENSION3616.6%
STEERING2411.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2310.6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2310.6%
POWER TRAIN219.7%
ENGINE146.5%
AIR BAGS125.5%
WHEELS115.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC104.6%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
SUSPENSIONFRONT26
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE8
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWIRING4
WHEELSRIM4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM3
POWER TRAINAXLE ASSEMBLY3
POWER TRAINMANUAL TRANSMISSION3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
STEERINGHYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST3

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.

1 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.

Investigations

1 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.

Manufacturer communications

66 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18
EQUIPMENT17
POWER TRAIN16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9
STRUCTURE7
STEERING6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
AIR BAGS1

10223762

Date: 2022-07-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module (WCM)

10230298

Date: 2022-07-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module (WCM)

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.

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 CRUISER217

Same model, other years

All model years | All Chrysler models

Other Chrysler models, 2004

Sources

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