2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 618 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (11% of complaints); the 2003 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 618 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The electrical system is malfunctioning the fans do not kick on at all,even after reaching temperature.Even when the "Air" condition is turned on full blast or the "Heater" it doesn't matter which one is used it still doesn't engage the "Fan".”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2022
“Tl* the contact owned a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while slowing down to make a right turn, the vehicle was struck in the rear by another vehicle. The vehicle went airborne, was turned around 180 degrees and then struck again in the front of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained whiplash and several bruises and contusions and sore ribs. The vehicle was towed to the towing facility. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither a dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000. The vehicle was destroyed. *as *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2019
“Engine fan does not turn on causing car to overheat. I have spoken to other owner that have a pt cruiser (different years) and they also have the same problem with the fan. I called the chrysler dealer which did not have enough complaints about this so they are not issuing any recalls yet. I took this car to my mechanic and he could not determine what is causing this but he did not have the equipment to check the car computer. Another place has the equipment but wants $200. To see if it is a problem with the computer. I feel that chrysler should cover this since it does not just effect my vehicle but many pt cruisers.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Car has problem with overheating (also found out this is common with this model and make). This is a safety issue as you can break down on road which can either cause an accident or cause road blockage. *js”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact, a certified mechanic, replaced all of the sensors on the vehicle, the relays, and the electrical fuses; however, the vehicle would not start when prompted. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that the fog light warning indicator illuminated and smoke appeared from the steering column. The contact was able to pull the vehicle off the roadway, turn off the engine, and restart the vehicle. The contact smelled burning wires, but there were no flames. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact found a recall for the fog lights online, but was unable to provide further information. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2017
“The car will shut off and not restart for at least 10 minutes. I have taken it to several mechanics and when the tester is applied no code appears and none have been able to tell us what the problem is. I took to the internet and found numerous instances of the same circumstances but no solution. This is dangerous because there is no warning, it just stops. Do to the highly dangerous situation we only take it on the street where the likelihood of collateral injuries can be better controlled. This has been ongoing for about (6) months, the last time was about 6 weeks ago”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2017
“Power steering fluid is leaking from the high pressure hose where it is routed under the engine casing. The high pressure hose appears to have been warn through by rubbing against one of the clamps which secure the hose to the bottom of the engine casing. Power steering pump was making whining noises. Power steering fluid reservoir was checked. Dipstick was dry.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact observed a heavy leak from the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact determined that the fluid was power steering fluid. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v268000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 101,295.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 2001 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving approximately 15 to 20 mph, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a body shop. There were no injuries. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 36 of these complaints and injuries in 36 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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 ANCHORAGE.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE MOUNTING FLANGE COULD LEAK FUEL IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.
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.
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.
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 1-800-853-1403.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact PT Cruiser by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
NHTSA has 618 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The most complained-about area is structure (11% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 58,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning child seat. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.