VehicleVerdict

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 658 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.5 times the median PT Cruiser year — the 2002 model ranks #2 of 10 PT Cruiser years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 65 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (105), body & structure (69), and engine (61), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

658

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

54

Crash-involved

47

Fires reported

65

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other PT Cruiser years?

PT Cruiser NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted799 complaints2001: 799 complaints2002: 658 complaints2003: 354 complaints2004: 291 complaints2005: 244 complaints2006: 512 complaints2007: 203 complaints2008: 171 complaints2009: 158 complaints2010: 30 complaints
PT Cruiser NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all PT Cruiser years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System10516%
Body & Structure6910%
Engine619%
Lighting589%
Brakes508%
Steering497%
Airbags467%
Suspension416%
Transmission365%
Tires & Wheels365%
Other345%
Fuel System213%
Visibility & Wipers152%
Speed Control132%
Seats91%
Seat Belts81%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Latches & Locks30%

Does the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. 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.

Consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

04V268000SteeringJune 3, 2004 · 438,391 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RELOCATE, OR REPLACE AS NECESSARY, THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND CONFIRM TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

02V215000Fuel SystemAugust 8, 2002 · 345,436 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE MOUNTING FLANGE COULD LEAK FUEL IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY SEAL OVER THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

01V288000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2001 · 43,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A SOFTWARE ERROR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MICROPROCESSOR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLUSTER, WITH THE MAJORITY OF ITS GAUGES, ILLUMINATION, AND WARNING LAMPS, COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence

DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH AN INOPERATIVE CLUSTER COULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RE-FLASH THE CLUSTER SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 8, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNAL CONTROLS CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 17, 2013 · fire

“VEHICLE PULLED OUT OF BUSINESS COMPLEX TURN IN LEFT ABOUT A CAR LENGTHS AWAY FROM ME WHEN HE PULLED OUT..ATTEMPTED TO STOP BUT VEHICLE WAS TOO CLOSE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 30, 2014 · crash

“2002 PT CRUISER, WAS SERVICED ABOUT 3-4 MOS PRIOR, RUNNING FINE, ALL OF A SUDDEN SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE INSIDE OF THE CAR VENTS, I PULLED OVER WHEN I EXIT THE CAR, I SAW SMOKE AND HEARD SOMETHING IGNITE IN THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, THERE WERE NO WARNING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 1, 2008 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE FOG LAMP ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE A SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. SOME TIME LATER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · April 12, 2010 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING TO MY NEXT CLIENT ON ICY PAVEMENT AT 35 DEGREES BELOW ZERO. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT HAD A HARD PEDAL, NO ABS BRAKING, NOTHING. CRASHED INTO PICK-UP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WHO WAS ABLE TO STOP AT LIGHT. HIS TRUCK WAS 1996 AND DID NOT HAVE ABS. IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FLUID AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 13, 2005 · crash

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser — common questions

Is the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 658 complaints put the 2002 model at #2 of 10 PT Cruiser years. It is one of the PT Cruiser years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 PT Cruiser problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (105 complaints), body & structure (69 complaints), engine (61 complaints).

Does the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chrysler PT Cruiser years should you avoid?

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

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.