VehicleVerdict

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine problems

The 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 84 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

84

Engine complaints

11%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

PT Cruiser engine complaints by model year92 complaints2001: 84 complaints2002: 61 complaints2003: 43 complaints2004: 38 complaints2005: 35 complaints2006: 92 complaints2007: 51 complaints2008: 21 complaints2009: 30 complaints2010: 6 complaints
PT Cruiser engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

THE ENGINE STARTING MAKING A TICKING SOUND WHILE I WAS DRIVING UPHILL ABOUT 40 MPH. I STOPPED TO CHECK OIL WHICH WAS ABOUT 1/2 QUART DOWN. I PROCEEDED TO CONTINUE DRIVING I WENT ABOUT ANOTHER MILE AND THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER. UNKNOWN TO ME BUT THE CAR WAS ALREADY ON FIRE. SOMEONE BEHIND ME…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 1, 2011 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?

NHTSA has 84 complaints about the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.