VehicleVerdict

Chrysler PT Cruiser years to avoid

The Chrysler PT Cruiser years to avoid are 2001, 2002, 2006 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2010 is the cleanest year on record.

3,420

Total complaints

11

Recall campaigns

2001–2010

Years covered

3

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Chrysler PT Cruiser NHTSA complaints by model year799 complaints2001: 799 complaints2002: 658 complaints2003: 354 complaints2004: 291 complaints2005: 244 complaints2006: 512 complaints2007: 203 complaints2008: 171 complaints2009: 158 complaints2010: 30 complaints
Chrysler PT Cruiser NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

PT Cruiser years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2001High complaint rate799
2002High complaint rate658
2006High complaint rate512

Every PT Cruiser year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2010300
20091580
20081710
20072030
2006avoid5121
20052445
20042913
20033544
2002avoid6585
2001avoid7997

Common questions

What are the worst Chrysler PT Cruiser years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the PT Cruiser years to avoid are 2001, 2002, 2006. The cleanest year on record is 2010.

What is the best year for the Chrysler PT Cruiser?

By complaint volume, 2010 has the cleanest NHTSA record among PT Cruiser years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Chrysler PT Cruiser have?

Across all model years, the PT Cruiser has 11 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 3,420 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.