2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
BUILT 2026-08-02

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.

How is this computed?

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 56 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

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, 20130722

STRUCTURE 9%

9% of complaints: structure — 47 distinct reports on file.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7%

7% of complaints: exterior lighting — 34 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 28 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A T-BONE ACCIDENT IN WHICH DRIVERS SIDE BACK SEAT TO REAR HATCH WAS T-BONED. BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT IMPACT. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS PRISTINE WHITE WITHOUT ANY FRAY WHEN DEFLATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190315

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20011008 — electrical system

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

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 A

Campaign 01V288000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 511

R 20020812 — fuel system, gasoline

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 DATE

Campaign 02V215000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021106 — PE (closed 20030423)

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE

I 20040315 — PE (closed 20040618)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20040920 — steering

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

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

Campaign 04V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080522 — suspension

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 WIT

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.

Campaign 08E033000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed