Is the Chrysler PT Cruiser Reliable?

20012010 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.

58/100
Fair

Reliability Score

11
Total Recalls
1847
Owner Complaints
127
Reported Injuries
4
Reported Deaths

Own a Chrysler PT Cruiser? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Chrysler PT Cruiser Reliability by Year

Model YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliability ScoreRating
2010011
89
Excellent
20090913
69
Good
20080852
69
Good
200709114
63
Fair
20060273151
55
Fair
2005317915
48
Fair
20041167102
44
Poor
2003219015
53
Fair
20022337361
42
Poor
2001342317
47
Fair

Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.

How the PT Cruiser Compares to Similar Vehicles

Chrysler PT Cruiser58/100
Sedan Category Average72/100

The PT Cruiser scores 14 points below the average sedan. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.

Known Chrysler PT Cruiser Reliability Issues

The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
246
ENGINE
108
AIR BAGS
87
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
80
STEERING
70
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
65

Based on 1847 owner complaints across recent model years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?+

The Chrysler PT Cruiser scores 58/100 on our reliability index — rated "Fair." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 11 recall campaigns and 1847 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.

What year PT Cruiser is most reliable?+

Among the years analyzed, the 2010 PT Cruiser achieved the highest reliability score of 89/100 with 0 recalls and 11 complaints.

How many miles does a PT Cruiser last?+

With consistent maintenance, most Chrysler PT Cruiser owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used PT Cruiser will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.

More Chrysler PT Cruiser Research

Check a Specific Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN

Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.

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