Is the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser a bad year?
150 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 50, 1.7× a quiet PT Cruiser year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 28k–76k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2007 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 47,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 50 (33%) | 28k–76k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 28 (19%) | 42k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 23 (15%) | 43k–92k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 17 (11%) | 30k–100k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 (6%) | 42k–109k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 8 (5%) | 25k–76k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (5%) | 26k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 6 (4%) | 35k–93k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 11 (7%) | 48k–95k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 5 (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 47,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 150 complaints: 18 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 13 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
After getting out of my car and noticing a oil leak on the driveway, I took it to my mechanic and he diagnosed it as a failed front crank seal.
1)massive oil leak. From front crankshaft seal being pushed out 2)Chrysler 2.4 have (Inner company memo)star 3)remove engine measure crankshaft endplay then replace with short block.
I am frequently experiencing the following problem which includes the check engine light coming on, the car not wanted to accelerate, feeling like the car is going to stall while driving down the road.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 47,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
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: 28
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Neighbouring years
2006 PT Cruiser: 349 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2008 PT Cruiser: 115 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 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser a bad year?
150 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 50, 1.7× a quiet PT Cruiser year. At 47,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 28k–76k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (50), air bags (28), electrical system (23), transmission and drivetrain (17), exterior lighting (9). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 28k–76k miles.
How many recalls does the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
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.