CarComplaints.com Notes: Chrysler has taken the boring small car frame of the Neon, grafted a 1930s-era roadster body on top and named it the PT Cruiser. While the new look may appeal to some, the vehicle has unfortunately also inherited many of the same problems as the Neon.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,333 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine problems

engine problem

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2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Owner Comments

problem #6

Apr 202008

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have not yet had a failure but was directed to this site by www.ptcruiserproblems.com to submit a complaint regarding high oil consumption of a quart every 1000 miles potentially leading to engine failure on PT CRUISER. I'm not entirely sure this is the right Agency, though. If not, please advise.

- Halstead, KS, USA

problem #5

Jan 132006

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles
2001 PT CRUISER had been at dealership for repair because fog lights would not turn off, thus killing the battery. Service dept. Reported that car "overheated" during repair and they replaced fan. Three weeks later, car engine oil light sounded suddenly on freeway with no prior warning and then the engine failed. Dealership refusing repairs under extended warranty due to alleged "sludge" in the engine they say was caused by poor maintenance when I know this to be untrue.

- Newbury Park, CA, USA

problem #4

Aug 082002

PT Cruiser

  • miles
Engine died without any warning - power control module failed killing engine - on major hwy without a shoulder - put on flashers but still rear ended by another driver after fully stopped who was passing on right.

- Hazlet, NJ, USA

problem #3

Jan 032002

(reported on)

PT Cruiser

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When vehicle is driven between 25-55 mph engine completely shuts down without warning. Also, when engine shuts down oil light illuminates. Dealer replaced wiring harness which did not correct the problem.

- Wapakoeta, OH, USA

problem #2

Jun 252001

PT Cruiser

  • miles
My pt used 1 quart of oil in the first 2700 miles and the another quart in the next 2000 miles and so on. Carmax first visit said normal for break in period and wanted to do consumption test. Brought back after 2K miles, quart low again. This time they said can't do anything since DC says allowable tolerance is 1 quart every 1K miles. I am calling DC tomorrow, dealer refused to call.

- Duluth, GA, USA

problem #1

May 242001

PT Cruiser

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Since purchase of vehicle engine has been burning oil internally. Dealer had been contacted to remedy problem. Dealer rebuilt engine at 2100 miles, but vehicle is experiencing same problem. Since engine has been rebuilt, when vehicle is started, a huge puff of smoke comes out from exhaust pipe. Consumer is very upset with dealership who vehicle was taken to first, she feels that they gave her the runaround and is concerned that the engine had to be rebuilt instead of given a new one.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

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