CarModelProblems.com

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 1176 model-years tracked on this site.
618Complaints
7Recalls
36Crashes
17Fires
36Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Structure (8.6% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Structure53 · 8.6%not available
Electrical System45 · 7.3%not available
Wheels:rim35 · 5.7%not available
Wheels25 · 4%not available
Air Bags23 · 3.7%not available
Steering23 · 3.7%RecalledRecall 04V268000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE53 · 8.6%
WHEELS:RIM35 · 5.7%
Unspecified / other29 · 4.7%
WHEELS25 · 4%
AIR BAGS23 · 3.7%
STEERING23 · 3.7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING23 · 3.7%
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM20 · 3.2%
SUSPENSION19 · 3.1%

Percentages are the share of the 618 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 7 campaigns

Suspension

NHTSA campaign 08E033000 · 2008 · reported 04/14/2008

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Child Seat

NHTSA campaign 00V366000 · 2000 · reported 11/09/2000

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats:front Assembly:recliner

NHTSA campaign 02V162000 · 2002 · reported 06/14/2002

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

NHTSA campaign 02V215000 · 2002 · reported 08/08/2002

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 02V214000 · 2002 · reported 08/08/2002

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

NHTSA campaign 04V268000 · 2004 · reported 06/03/2004

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL LETTER, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURERED IN CANADA.”NHTSA complaint 10009326 — filed 02/25/2003 · UNKNOWN OR OTHER
“THE TIMING BELT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL.”NHTSA complaint 10007504 — filed 02/14/2003 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
“OUTCOME OF MY COMPLAINT #769146 DATED MAY 1, 2001. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CHROME WHEELS WAS FINALLY RESOLVED WHEN CHRYSLER REPLACED THE FRONT TWO CHROME…”NHTSA complaint 10005417 — filed 02/06/2003 · WHEELS:RIM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

8720078338200921152011211820133513201513102017142019212025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

Structure issues are the most-reported category, cited in 53 of 618 NHTSA complaints (8.6%), followed by electrical system (45), wheels:rim (35), unspecified/other issues (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?

618 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 36 involved a crash, 17 involved a fire, and 36 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser have any recalls?

Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08E033000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.