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2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 618 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, most often about the wheels and tires (13% of complaints, typically around 42,000 miles). It is the most complained-about PT Cruiser model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
Wheels and tires
80 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim, tread/belt, sidewall, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
On saturday aug 13, 2005 my wife and I had a flat on our 2001 PT Cruiser on the right front. On monday aug 15, 2005 I took the tire and had it fixed. The problem was that the chrome on the inside of the rim was peeling and the tire was not adhering to the rim. On tuesday aug 16th I took the car into the Chrysler…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving 45 MPH, the front passenger side tire deflated. As a result, the tire detached from the rim. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that all four rims needed to be replaced. The contact did not notice any differences beforehand. The current and…
Electrical
78 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, horn, 12v/24v/48v battery.
For weeks (or months) prior to failure, I experienced occasional instances of fog lights activating upon engaging the right turn signal. Fog lights would go off after completing turn and signal automatically disengaged. It is noted that I virtually never make use of the fog lights. On day of failure, there was a…
Defective fog light switch suddenly fails & goes off and on at random running down the battery totally. This electrical problem results in owner being stranded and destroying the battery. Dealer also does not stock part & says it will be a week to get parts. Fog lamp is wired direct, therefore fuse slot shown in…
Engine
74 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
There is a chronic problem with 2001 to 2003 Chrysler pt cruisers overheating to the point of disabling the car, and sometimes damaging the car beyond repair. There appears to be no solution to the problem. The following discussion thread has over 250 people complaining about this problem, and only a small fraction of…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact purchased the vehicle in november of 2007 and the wiring harness was replaced due to electrical failures. In april of 2008, while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they replaced the brake…
Body and structure
67 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Upon inspection during a repair for another problem it was discovered that the front suspension crossmember known as the k-frame is severely corroded and will likely not pass another safety inspection. The rest of the underneath of this car is relatively rust-free and this is a low mileage vehicle for its age. If this…
The front suspension cross-member is severely rusted and will require replacement before the car will pass inspection. The car was in for routine service when my mechanic pointed out that the only rusted part on the vehicle was the front suspension cross-member and that it was bordering on unsafe. This car has…
Suspension
66 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 55,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
The front wheel bearings are squealing and need replaced. The dealer said that it was normal... They expect to replace them all at about 50,000 miles. They quoted $550 per axle, the bearings are $60 if not from the dealer!!! Should be no reason for wheel bearings to be "typical replacement" items! 2001 Chrysler pt…
While slowing down to stop for a red light my car suddenly veered to the right. I had to turn the steering wheel to the left to keep the car straight while I stopped. I had the car towed to a garage and upon inspection they found the crossmembers under the engine were completely rusted and broken. I bought the car new…
Steering
61 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, hydraulic power assist system, rack and pinion, steering wheel/handle bar.
My 2001 PT Cruiser which I purchased in august 2005 suddenly caught fire on deember 27, 2005 and was a total loss. There had been a recall for sudden engine fires caused by leaking power steering fluid. The dealer where I purchased the car, reseda dodge in reseda, ca, had records showing the recall repair had been…
I had no advance warning that my water pump was failing. Luckily, I was just pulling in at home when the temperature bell sounded and the thermostat was advancing near the red area. When I shut the car off, I heard a noise and looked under the hood. The water in the reservoir was down to the add lin and was boiling…
Fuel system
52 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, carburetor system.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact received a recall notice pertaining to the fuel system. After the recall repairs were performed, the instrument panel failed. The engine and all the electrical components shut off while idle as well as driving various speeds. While driving less than 70 MPH, the…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact received a recall notice pertaining to the fuel system. After the recall repairs were performed, the instrument panel failed. The engine and all the electrical components shut off while idle as well as driving various speeds. While driving less than 70 MPH, the…
Lights
49 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles. Parts named most often: fog lights, headlights, turn signal, hazard flashing warning lights.
Multifunction light switch in PT Cruiser is poorly designed, resulting in unreliable exterior light operation. Either can turn on fog lights, or lights remain on when car is off and switch is off and drains battery. Mine has occurred 5x. Internet search finds this to be common to pt's, with others reporting electrical…
I am the original owner of this PT Cruiser, purchased on november 22, 2000. My multi-switch will not turn on my fog lights and the indicator in the instrument cluster does not light. I have read many online articles from owners with the same problem. Why won't Chrysler fix this on going problem?
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls
Steering: hose, piping, and connections
Risk: Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underhood fire.
Fix: 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 should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
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 damaging the hose.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel line for abrasion and install a clip to ensure isolation. In cases with evidence of fuel line abrasion, the fuel line will be replaced. Owner notification began august 12, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel supply line could contact the air-conditioning tube service port. This can cause chafing of the line resulting in a fuel leakage.
Fuel system: delivery
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: 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 and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump module mounting flange could leak fuel if the vehicle is involved in a rollover crash.
Seats: recliner
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the right rear seat center anchor and, if necessary, resize the anchor to meet the diameter specified within the standard. Owner notification began november 4, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the right rear "65%" seat center lower anchor was manufactured with a wire diameter that is greater than the maximum allowable dimension as specified in the standard.
Child Seat
Risk: In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Fix: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly attaching a child restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorage.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine compartment fires
Summary
Pe04-028 was opened to investigate seven complaints alleging that the engine compartment caught fire on my 2002 pt cruiser vehicles.on june 3, 2004, daimlerchrysler (dcc) notified NHTSA of a safety defect in my 2001-2005 pt cruiser vehicles equipped with naturally aspirated 2.4l engines and automatic transaxles (recall 04v-268).the notification identified variation of the high pressure power steering hose routing, which allowed the hose to contact the transaxle differential cover, as the factor contributing to this defect.contact between the power steering hose and the transaxle differential cover can cause hose damage and power steering fluid leakage, which can potentially result in a fire.
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Summary
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. Additionally, the report rate is low (1.60/100k).the information available fails to establish the existence of a defect trend at this time.further allocation of agency resources to this issue is unwarranted and the preliminary evaluation is being closed.
Fuel hose abrasion
Questions about the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: wheels and tires (80 complaints, typically around 42,000 miles); electrical (78 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); engine (74 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 3, 2004 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Chrysler PT Cruiser?
- It is the most complained-about PT Cruiser model year since 2000, with 618 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.