VehicleVerdict

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine problems

The 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 21 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

21

Engine complaints

12%

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED BACK AND FORTH AS IF THE BRAKES WERE BEING DEPRESSED AND RELEASED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 14, 2016 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?

NHTSA has 21 complaints about the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine — 12% 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.