2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 511
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 2002
Opened by NHTSA
20% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 511 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 618 |
| 2002 | 511 |
| 2003 | 258 |
| 2004 | 217 |
| 2005 | 187 |
| 2006 | 349 |
| 2007 | 149 |
| 2008 | 115 |
| 2009 | 97 |
| 2010 | 22 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
20% · 101 reportsMost commonly citing interior/under dash and 12v/24v/48v battery.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the turn signal controls caught on fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not repaired.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-22
Structure
13% · 68 reportsMost commonly citing body and frame and members.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the rear quarter glass fasteners on both sides of the vehicle had started to separate from the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-06-20
Also filed under Visibility
Exterior lighting
11% · 55 reportsMost commonly citing switch and fog lights.
Steering
10% · 49 reportsMost commonly citing hose, piping, and connections and rack and pinion.
Show complaint excerpts
Drove the vehicle 12 miles to get home. (The vehicle was stationary) immediately turning off engine after making it home. Power steering fluid leakage (Big leak) from hose and smoke smell from under hood. (Engine looks chard)
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-10-28
Also filed under Engine
Service brakes
10% · 49 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2001-10-08Electrical system01V288000 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…
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…
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2002Complaint volume 511 complaints filed for this model year.
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2002-08-12Fuel system, gasoline02V215000 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…
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2002-11-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-23 Safety belt cinching latch plate
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2004-03-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-06-18 Engine compartment fires
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2004-09-20Steering04V268000 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…
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.…
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2008-05-22Suspension08E033000 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…
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.
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 101 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 68 reports on file for this year.
- Exterior lighting: 55 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 01V288000 · Electrical system
- Recall 02V215000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 04V268000 · Steering
- Recall 08E033000 · Suspension
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.