VehicleVerdict

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine problems

The 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 61 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

61

Engine complaints

9%

Share of year

1

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

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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?

NHTSA has 61 complaints about the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine — 9% 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.