Is the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser a bad year?
511 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other PT Cruiser years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser are in line with other PT Cruiser years. Electrical system, body structure, exterior lighting and 1 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 2002 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 70,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 97 (19%) | 36k–101k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 67 (13%) | 38k–92k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 55 (11%) | 50k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 45 (9%) | 32k–98k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 50 (10%) | 36k–101k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 44 (9%) | 19k–87k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 40 (8%) | 30k–90k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 35 (7%) | 41k–84k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 20 (4%) | 46k–129k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 13 (3%) | 50k–125k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine and cooling | 9 (2%) | 46k–94k miles · around this mileage | Water pump replacement $400–$1,106 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 36 (7%) | 20k–30k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 21 (4%) | 36k–69k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Equipment | 17 (3%) | 25k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
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 70,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 511 complaints: 40 mention a crash · 34 mention a fire · 43 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jun 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The ignition key does not stay in when the engine is running. The mechanic who worked on the car in october said he has replaced several ignition switches in this model car.
Ok this is the 10th complaint filed on this vehicle both by myself and mechanics who have worked on it in last 6 months.
My 2002 pt Cruiser has been maintained properly, including oil changes, for the entire time that I have owned it.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 70,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser: 5
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.
Under certain conditions, the cluster, with the majority of its gauges, illumination, and warning lamps, could become inoperative. Driving the vehicle with an inoperative cluster could cause a distraction, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 2002 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: 2
Engine compartment fires
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Neighbouring years
2001 PT Cruiser: 618 complaints, keep it · 2003 PT Cruiser: 258 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 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser a bad year?
511 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other PT Cruiser years. At 70,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (97), body structure (67), exterior lighting (55), steering (45), engine (50).
How many recalls does the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
5 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.