KnownCarProblemsHome › Chrysler › PT Cruiser › 2004
2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 217 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, most often about the electrical (20% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles). It is 5th of 10 PT Cruiser model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
Electrical
44 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, starter assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving 35 MPH, the contact smelled an electrical burning smell coming from the instrument panel. Shortly afterwards, the instrument panel indicators stopped working. The contact then smelled burning plastic. The Chrysler dealer pulled the instrument cluster and…
After shopping for 1/2 hour, I returned to my car in the parking lot. I opened the driver's side door and discovered gray colored smoke coming up from the steering column hazard button. It smelled odd. Not like wood smell. The auto club towed my car to my local mechanic and disconnected the battery connections as he…
Engine
37 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible. Immediately after placing fuel in the vehicle, it began smoking. While driving 45 MPH, the RPM's increased to approximately 6,000. When the contact eased up on the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stopped smoking and the RPM's returned to normal. The vehicle was…
I took my 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser in to have the motor mounts replaced at 55,000 miles, which is one of my complaints, the shody construction of these mounts is insane. When investigating the mounts my mechanic spotted a coolant leak which he traced to a crack in the engine block itself. The level of corrosion from…
Suspension
36 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
2004 PT Cruiser, multiple wheel bear failures in less than 80k miles 1st at approx 40k and second at approx 80k. Both times left side front wheel bearing.
Vehicle only had 40k miles and both front wheel bearings are bad. These vehicles are notorious for front wheel bearing failure. This could result in diminished or no steering control. Safety or defect recall should be considered by Chrysler.
Lights
24 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 55,500 miles. Parts named most often: fog lights, headlights, brake lights, turn signal.
In july 2008, our 2004 PT Cruiser fog lights started to come on for no reason. Internet forums claim that this is a widespread problem caused by a defective switch. The cost is $70 for the part plus labor. Failure to fix the problem will cause the battery to fail.
In april 2008, our 2004 PT Cruiser turbo fog lights started to come on for no reason. Internet forums claim that this is a widespread problem caused by a defective switch. The cost is $70 for the part plus labor. Failure to fix the problem will cause the battery to fail.
Steering
24 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, column, column locking, hydraulic power assist system.
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the power steering hose fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the power steering hose on two occasions but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed that the power steering hose needed to be…
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while making a turn, there was a grinding noise coming from the steering wheel. On one occasion, the vehicle was started and the steering wheel seized. The contact discovered that the power steering fluid was leaking. The vehicle was towed to an…
Transmission
21 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, manual transmission, driveline.
After my 30,000 mile major maintenance, I noticed a leak on the the driver side front of the car. I took it back to the dealer and they said it was a transmission oil leak. It was under the $100 deductible warranty so I paid the $100 and they "fixed" it. The leak continued after 3 other attempts to fix it over a 6…
Front wheel bearings worn ,extremely clearance(wheel moves approximately 1 inch top to bottom when shaking it). Will replace bearings soon. Noticed while replacing front brakes at 35,508 miles. A sealed wheel bearing should not wear out at this low mileage unless defect in bearing or manufactures design.
Wheels and tires
16 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles. Parts named most often: rim.
Approximately 10-12 days after purchasing the vehicle, all four tires began to get flat. This has occurred every two weeks since that time. Every time I fill the car with fuel, I have to put air in all four tires. I contacted Chrysler online in early february 2012 and received a rather flip response... Thanking me for…
- the contact has a 2004 PT Cruiser, the chrome is lifting off the wheel. The dealership said there is nothing they can do about it and advised him to call NHTSA hotline to file a complaint. The chrome was noticeable when he purchased the car. The automobile is two years old and he is the second owner.
Brakes
13 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 18,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
Dt: the consumer took the vehicle to a dealership for poor brake performance. The brakes were mushy. When he applied the brakes, the vehicle would kind of glide. The dealership said brakes had already been replaced before 15,000 miles. This was normal on this vehicle.
Our brakes needed replaced for inspection the company replaced the brake pads we didn't drive more the 15,000 miles and brakes started grinding and making noise they needed replaced again it seems that this has been an ongoing problem with these pt.cruisers since they were made. Having talked to several owners of this…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 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.
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.
Questions about the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (44 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); engine (37 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles); suspension (36 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
- 1 recall 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 2004 a bad year for the Chrysler PT Cruiser?
- It is 5th of 10 PT Cruiser model years by number of complaints, with 217 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.