Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls, complaints and VIN decoding
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns and 2,523 owner complaints for the Chrysler PT Cruiser, covering model years 2001 to 2010. The 2001 model year drew the most complaints (618), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.
Decode your Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN
See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.
9 recall campaigns on file
· 2,523 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
· 10 model years with data (2001–2010)
most complaints: 2001 (618 for that model year)
· top component: Electrical System (559 complaints)
· latest recall 07V149000 (reported Apr 4, 2007)
194 complaints reporting a crash (7.7%)
· 109 complaints reporting a fire (4.3%)
· 154 complaints reporting an injury (6.1%)
· 7 complaints reporting a death (0.3%)
Chrysler PT Cruiser complaints by model year
10 model years · NHTSA complaints
The 2001 model year has the most complaints: 618 of 2,523, or 24.5%. Next come 2002 (511) and 2006 (349). The fewest are for 2010, with 22 complaints.
Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Chrysler PT Cruiser complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Chrysler PT Cruiser complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year
Complaints
Reporting a crash
Reporting a fire
Reporting an injury
Reporting a death
2001
618
36
17
24
0
2002
511
40
34
43
2
2003
258
22
15
14
1
2004
217
16
15
14
3
2005
187
11
12
12
0
2006
349
35
5
21
1
2007
149
18
3
13
0
2008
115
11
6
10
0
2009
97
4
1
2
0
2010
22
1
1
1
0
All model years
2,523
194
109
154
7
Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.
Most-reported Chrysler PT Cruiser components
top 15 · NHTSA categories
Electrical System is the component named most often, in 559 complaints (22.2% of all 2,523), followed by Engine and Engine Cooling (249) and Air Bags (226).
Components named most often in Chrysler PT Cruiser complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Chrysler PT Cruiser complaints (top 15)
Component
Complaints
Share of complaints
Electrical System
559
22.2%
Engine and Engine Cooling
249
9.9%
Air Bags
226
9.0%
Suspension
222
8.8%
Exterior Lighting
220
8.7%
Steering
220
8.7%
Power Train
213
8.4%
Engine
193
7.6%
Structure
175
6.9%
Wheels
123
4.9%
Unknown or Other
115
4.6%
Visibility
102
4.0%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
99
3.9%
Fuel System, Gasoline
95
3.8%
Vehicle Speed Control
86
3.4%
One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.
What NHTSA owner complaints mean
These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.
They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.
Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.
Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls
9 campaigns · newest first
Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name PT Cruiser, newest first. The 9 campaigns cover model years 2001 to 2006. The 2001 model year appears in the most campaigns (5).
9 recall campaigns
Chrysler PT Cruiser recall campaigns covering each model year
2001: 5 campaigns
2002: 3 campaigns
2003: 2 campaigns
2004: 1 campaign
2005: 3 campaigns
2006: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.
CampaignReportedComponent, defect and remedy
NHTSA campaign 07V149000
Reported
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Model years 2005–2006
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear quarter glass attaching fasteners may pull through their mounts and allow the glass to separate from the vehicle.
Consequence:
If the glass separates while driving, it could strike another vehicle or injure a pedestrian.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the rear quarter glass. The recall began on April 30, 2007. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 04V481000
Reported
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Model year 2005
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 4-wheel antilock braking system (ABS), 2.4L high output turbocharged engine, and 5-speed manual transaxle, may exhibit inadequate clearance between the left front brake tube and the transaxle housing.
Consequence:
Contact between the brake tube and the transaxle housing over an extended period of time may eventually lead to perforation of the brake tube, which could lead to a loss of braking force in the left front/right rear circuit of vehicle.
Remedy:
Dealers will install revised brake tubes. The recall began October 25, 2004. Owners should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 04V268000
Reported
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Model years 2001–2005
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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 03V076000
Reported
Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Model year 2003
On certain passenger vehicles, manual transmission models only, a welded pin internal to the dual-mass flywheel (DMF) assembly can unseat and become lodged between the flywheel and the clutch disc.
Consequence:
If this occurs, the clutch may not disengage when the clutch pedal is depressed.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the flywheel and clutch assemblies with the updated design parts. Owner notification began on April 14, 2003. 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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 02V215000
Reported
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Model years 2001–2002
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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 02V214000
Reported
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Model year 2001
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.
Consequence:
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 02V162000
Reported
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Model year 2001
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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 01V288000
Reported
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Model year 2002
Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles are being recalled for a software error in the instrument cluster microprocessor. Under certain conditions, the cluster, with the majority of its gauges, illumination, and warning lamps, could become inoperative.
Consequence:
Driving the vehicle with an inoperative cluster could cause a distraction, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
Dealers will re-flash the cluster software to correct the condition. Owner notification began October 8, 2001. 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.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA campaign 00V366000
Reported
Child Seat
Model year 2001
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.
Consequence:
In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy:
Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.
How to read this recall list
This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.
What each recall field means
What each recall field means
Field
What it tells you
Campaign number
NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component
The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary
What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence
The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy
What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.
How many recalls does the Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
NHTSA lists 9 vehicle recall campaigns for the Chrysler PT Cruiser, covering model years 2001 to 2010. The most recent, 07V149000, was reported on April 4, 2007 and is filed under “Visibility”. The 2001 model year is covered by the most campaigns (5).
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Which Chrysler PT Cruiser model year has the most complaints?
The 2001 model year, with 618 of the 2,523 complaints in NHTSA’s file (24.5%). The next are 2002 (511) and 2006 (349). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.
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What is the most common Chrysler PT Cruiser complaint?
Electrical System is the component named most often: 559 complaints, or 22.2% of all 2,523. Engine and Engine Cooling (249) and Air Bags (226) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.
▶▼
Does every recall on this page apply to my Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Chrysler dealer.
▶▼
How many Chrysler PT Cruiser complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?
Of the 2,523 complaints, 194 report a crash, 109 a fire, 154 at least one injury and 7 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.
Other Chrysler models
8 models · most complaints first
The Chrysler models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Chrysler VIN decoder with every Chrysler model page, WMI code and VIN note.
Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.