MYRModel Year Report

2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser

● Typical for this model
2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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

Complaints per year, Chrysler PT Cruiser Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 2001: 618 complaints 2001 2002: 511 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2003 2004: 217 complaints 2004 2005: 187 complaints 2005 2006: 349 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2007 2008: 115 complaints 2009: 97 complaints 2009 2010: 22 complaints 2010
2004: 217 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2001618
2002511
2003258
2004217
2005187
2006349
2007149
2008115
200997
201022

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 38 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

IT STARTED WITH THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE MIDDLE STICK LIGHTS (P,D,R,N++) I CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT WHAT SPEED I'M GOING OR MY LEVELS OR ANYTHING BC THE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING, I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED I'VE HAD THE BATTERY CHANGED TWICE, I'VE HAD THE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20200310

STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AFTER APPLYING BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20140220

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 17 distinct reports on file.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 8%

8% of complaints: exterior lighting — 17 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ENGINE 6%

6% of complaints: engine — 14 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

So I had been having issues with the car overheating well I'm almost home and my daughter says she smells smoke so pull over and rush to get my babies out of the car because under the hood it had caught on fire

NHTSA ODI report, 20260517

IT STARTED WITH THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE MIDDLE STICK LIGHTS (P,D,R,N++) I CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT WHAT SPEED I'M GOING OR MY LEVELS OR ANYTHING BC THE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING, I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED I'VE HAD THE BATTERY CHANGED TWICE, I'VE HAD THE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20200310

SAFETY TIMELINE

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (38 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V268000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E033000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2008 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2001 ■ 2002 ◆ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.