Is the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser a bad year?
618 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other PT Cruiser years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser are in line with other PT Cruiser years. Electrical system, body structure, suspension and 3 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 PT Cruiser owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 66,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 78 (13%) | 40k–85k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 67 (11%) | 55k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 66 (11%) | 36k–69k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 61 (10%) | 36k–98k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 52 (8%) | 47k–118k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 48 (8%) | 53k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 55 (9%) | 45k–117k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 43 (7%) | 45k–109k miles · around this mileage | — |
| WheelsSTANDS OUT | 61 (10%) | 36k–62k miles · mostly behind | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 47 (8%) | 35k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 35 (6%) | 25k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 25 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 13 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 66,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 618 complaints: 36 mention a crash · 17 mention a fire · 24 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Feb 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
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.
The right side motor mount tore after only 40000 miles! Of course it was right after the warranty expired! It was replaced at my cost!
Overheating, steam rolling out from under hood and stalling. Repaired 9/2006 at the cost of $379.38. Problem has started again, 10 months later.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 66,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser: 7
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
The part numbers packaged with incorrect nuts are: K7147, K7329, K8683, and 104353. These parts were made for use on the various vehicles listed above. The nuts included in the packaging for these ball joint assemblies are missing the intended prevailing torque (Self-locking) feature.
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. Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underhood fire.
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump module mounting flange could leak fuel if the vehicle is involved in a rollover crash. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
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 leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
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. 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.
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." In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chrysler: 18
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Engine compartment fires
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Fuel hose abrasion
Neighbouring years
2002 PT Cruiser: 511 complaints, keep it.
Every Chrysler PT Cruiser year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · All PT Cruiser years side by side
Other Chrysler models: Chrysler 200 · Chrysler 300 · Chrysler 300C · Chrysler 300M · Chrysler Aspen · Chrysler Concorde · Chrysler Crossfire · Chrysler Crossfire Roadster · Chrysler Pacifica · Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid · Chrysler Sebring · Chrysler Sebring Conv · Chrysler Sebring Convertible · Chrysler Town and Country · Chrysler Voyager. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser a bad year?
618 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other PT Cruiser years. At 66,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (78), body structure (67), suspension (66), steering (61), fuel system (52).
How many recalls does the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Suspension (NHTSA 08E033000), Steering (NHTSA 04V-268), Fuel system (NHTSA 02V-215) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.