2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 115 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Problems reside in the total integrated power management module. TPIM whereas vehicle will shut off while driving. No indicator lights to give warning before the vehicle shuts off. Has on occasion shut off and recovered power multiple times within a minute This is a very dangerous scenario to conduct a road test or have someone confirm the issue on the road.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2023
“The airbag sign for passenger 2 turns on after a while of driving, speeding problem when when trying to accelerate the car takes forever to speed up”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2019
“Takata recall the car was in motion on the highway. An object was struck in the road and the airbag deployed only on the driver side of the vehicle. *bf *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 40 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the transmission made a loud knocking noise and all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to marx auto center (132 rockdale ave, south dartmouth, ma 02748, (508) 997-2377), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2018
“Vehicle was moving at approximately 30 mph when a vehicle was hit crossed into my lanes and I hit the vehicle head on, police report was filed. Injuries to knee, chest and lap from belt. Airbags did not deploy. *tt *tr”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2018
“Passenger seat airbag light remains off when unoccupied, goes on and chimes when someone is seated. Horn sticks. Overheats when idled short periods (traffic lights, etc.) blows cold air when at idle, only provides heat when rolling. All these problems are common to this vehicle.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2017
“Car looses power, dash lights turn on and off, occasionally turns completely off while driving. All power turns off including throttle and braking power. All lights in car dash light up and flicker while driving. This has gotten worse and happens everyday and everytime car is driven. Has been happening for the past 6 months.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2017
“Can not shift into park to start car, and go into gears on 2008 automatic, once car starts and engine is warm no problem shifing”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler pt cruiser. While the vehicle was parked, the air bags deployed when the vehicle was started. The air bag warning indicator illuminated before the deployment. The failure mileage was 15,770.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“The engine will not turn over, all other power seems to be on. Taken to mechanic and it will start. Had it for a few days and it did the same thing. I had to pay for two tows so far, and they are saying that it turns on for them. I'm seventy years old and afraid to drive this car, because it might do it again when I'm further away from home. I live alone and drive the car alone. Each time the car was parked.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
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Is the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
NHTSA has 115 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The most complained-about area is electrical system (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 56,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.