2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 217 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (14% of complaints).
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 217 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“So I had been having issues with the car overheating well I'm almost home and my daughter says she smells smoke so pull over and rush to get my babies out of the car because under the hood it had caught on fire”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2020
“While driving the engine will sputter and die. When pulling up to a stop light the check engine light will come on and the engine will immediately die. While driving on the freeway at 65mph the engine will suddenly die.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2018
“I bought this car last year from a private owner I did not know that it had a over heating problem I really have tried everything so I then started looking it up and found out that so many people are having the same problem as me and from what I have read about it the dealership should fix my problem since the problem really comes from them from it was made”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“This vehicle has a p0037 and a p0037 dtc's that won't cancel. Findley chrysler replaced the oxygen sensors. It didn't fix it. They say the computer is bad. I sent the computer 5033293af to be repaired. They said the computer is ok. I got the codes to go away for a brief time by messing with the computer wire loom. Ihave heard there was arecall for this. Is it still available?06/08/2018”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact replaced the multi-function electrical switch, which caused the fog lights to remain illuminated. The failure caused the battery to drain. The customer removed fuse #8 daily to reduce the possibility of an electrical fire. The contact had the multi-function switch replaced at henkel chrysler jeep dodge (1275 w dickman rd, springfield, mi 49037, (800) 865-6185). The failure mileage was 108,773.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2017
“Power steering leakage on turbo model engine hot possible fire had fixed once and it broke again , there is a recall on the non turbo model already”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2017
“While driving, sometimes when driving, the car will jerk to the left or the right without probacation. Vechile accelerates without foot being on the pedal. One time I was at a stop light. My foot was on the brake, but the car lurched forward and the engine starting reving. I had to use both feet with extreme force to slow the car down. Finally, I just threw the car into park; once in park, the car kept reving. The pedal was not pressed.this has happened on three occasions. This makes for unsafe driving, and only due to my good driving skills did I avoid an accident. This has been occuring for the past three months.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to control. The contact parked the vehicle and added steering wheel fluid to the vehicle. The next morning, the contact noticed fluid underneath the vehicle. The contact informed the manufacturer who verified that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v268000 (steering) and was unable to provide a free repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 102,618.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2016
“Fuel gauge suddenly drops to empty. Even after a complete tank refill. It would seem to be an electrical malfunction in either the sensor or dash gauge itself. It can be "cleared" from being stuck on empty by shutting off the engine and then restarting it. Also, speedometer suddenly drops to zero for several seconds and then jumps back to the present speed.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 20 mph, the front driver side heated seat caught fire. The contact stated that the fire department was notified and was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
NHTSA has 217 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The most complained-about area is suspension (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections. 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.