AI Damage2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser filed 511 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and structure. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 511
- involving a crash
- 40
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 11% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 9% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 7% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 97 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 67 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 55 complaints (11% of all).
- Steering: 45 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 44 complaints (9% of all), 32 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 511 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 97 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 67 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 55 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 45 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 44 | 32 | 0 |
| Suspension | 40 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 38 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 36 | 5 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 35 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 14 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The drivers seat belt was burned (belt was charred) onto drivers chest and there was an apparent puncture wound left of center chest and my significant other was deceased. This happened jan 27, 2019. I'm waiting on certified reports from la county coroner and chp. Due end march, early april.
When I came to, I heard myself screaming that I was on fire! ( but my car was not on fire.) then I didn't remember anything until I woke up in the hospital. I was covered in this hot powdery substance and I had burns where ever my skin was showing. I had cuts everywhere and dark marks in my skin for years.
The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.
Also , the right front brake had a loud popping and squealing noise, this caused the steering wheel to vibrate. The right front brake overheated, it turned the rim red hot. He could smell the brake dust from the right front brake.
When stopping and putting car into park it surges forward, which caused an accident/ injuries.*akthe engine was also reving at an extremely high speed and surging forward while in the park position. Consumer had to cut the engine to stop the forward motion of the vehicle.
While traveling on highway another vehicle veered into consumer's vehicle, and driver's side seatbelt didn't hold. Dealership is aware of problem.
Upon return the gas milage went to 13 mpg and the car would have a gas smell coming through the vents after a long idle or short stop. The dealer checked the fuel system and couldn't find any problem.
The contact stated that the windows were violently shaking while driving at various speeds. The contact was concerned that the windows might fall out while driving and cause injury to a pedestrian. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 726 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 2% most complained about).
On average one model year of the PT Cruiser has 230 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 511, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, structure, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 511. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (11%), warning lights, check engine (7%), steering or power steering problems (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.