Is the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser a bad year?
217 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other PT Cruiser years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser are in line with other PT Cruiser years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 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 75,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 44 (20%) | 41k–114k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 32 (15%) | 20k–120k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 24 (11%) | 43k–108k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Exterior lighting | 23 (11%) | 50k–75k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 12 (6%) | 38k–112k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (5%) | 46k–112k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (3%) | 24k–101k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Tires | 7 (3%) | 16k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (3%) | 32k–130k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 36 (17%) | 32k–53k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 21 (10%) | 18k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 13 (6%) | 20k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 11 (5%) | 25k–73k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 6 (3%) | 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 75,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 217 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 15 mention a fire · 14 report an injury.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in May 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
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.
While driving down the freeway, my 2004 Chrysler pt Cruiser lost all the oil out of my engine. This caused my engine oil light immediately came on and I pulled off the freeway.
2004 pt Cruiser began to idle rough, sometimes shaking the whole vehicle. It seemed like it wanted to stall, but never did.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 75,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser: 3
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.
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: 23
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 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
MIL Illumination - DTC P1776 Solenoid Switch Valve Latched in LR Position
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Engine compartment fires
Neighbouring years
2003 PT Cruiser: 258 complaints, keep it · 2005 PT Cruiser: 187 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 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser a bad year?
217 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other PT Cruiser years. At 75,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (44), engine (32), steering (24), exterior lighting (23), air bags (12).
How many recalls does the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000), Suspension (NHTSA 08E033000), Steering (NHTSA 04V-268). 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.