10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
17 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
24 / 1
Average Mileage:
65,164 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.

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Jan 022021

PT Cruiser

  • 102,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag sensor warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not determined. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but, no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 102,000.

- Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

problem #28

Jan 012018

PT Cruiser

  • miles
Upon starting vehicle all warning test lights such as airbag, oil pressure etc. Come on as normal, but often the red "airbag" light stays on indefinitely or goes off then bells and "airbag" red light reappear and stay on 5 to 10, seconds then go off every few minutes for several seconds. This seems to occur when I am in 1000 to 1500, low rooms like when I'm slowing to make a stop.yesterday, the airbag light stayed on the entire 20 minute trip. I took car in for repair on my own $ but problem returned. Problem has occurred at all, highway and street speeds but mostly with deceleration turning the airbag off. Very dangerous. Why haven't you put the PT CRUISER on the airbag recall list? I bought the car new in 2002 and am, the sole owner.

- Modland, OR, USA

problem #27

Jan 272019

PT Cruiser

  • 150,000 miles
Takata recall this vehicle was involved in a T-bone accident in which drivers side back seat to rear hatch was T-boned. Both front airbags deployed at impact. The passenger side airbag was pristine white without any fray when deflated. The drivers side airbag was full of gun shot residue and bag frayed. The drivers seat belt was burned (belt was charred) onto drivers chest and there was an apparent puncture wound left of center chest and my significant other was deceased. This happened Jan 27, 2019. I'm waiting on certified reports from la county coroner and chp. Due end March, early April.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #26

Feb 102012

PT Cruiser

  • 90,000 miles

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

Takata recall: I was driving North, turning right on a 20 mph curve, when someone heading South, turned left on the curve, went over the line and hit me head on. When I came to, I heard myself screaming that I was on fire! ( but my car was not on fire.) then I didn't remember anything until I woke up in the hospital. I was covered in this hot powdery substance and I had burns where ever my skin was showing. I had cuts everywhere and dark marks in my skin for years. I had corneal scratches and irritated eyes too, along with dislocated jaw, seat belt injuries and a few other injuries. My tmj specialist realized I had metal in my face, looking at my mri. A few days after the mri, my face swelled up on the right side, my right eye was swollen shut and my face had a huge bump where the metal festered up from the mri, the er lanced it open, found particals but didn't do a biopsy, just threw it away. I never had face surgery or anything like that and it was too high on my cheek to be from dental work. I have documents on accident reports, drs documents, X rays, mri's showing the bloom of metal hiding my broken jaw. I have pictures too of me and deployed airbags. Although I don't have them here to scan. Hopefully I can come back to my form and update any information that is missing. Thank you. My tmj dr and my maxio facial specialist said it had to be shrapnel and they cannot make any proper diagnosis of my tmj or broken jaw. I still have pain and still have shrapnel that has been coming out of my eye area and face for some time. I knew of all of this prior to the takata issues, I haven't been well enough to follow through with you until now. Thank you for your time.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #25

Nov 122014

PT Cruiser

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owned a 2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER. While driving approximately 40 mph, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The air bag deployed and metal fragments struck the contact's face. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. The VIN was not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- North Sciuate, RI, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #24

Dec 292014

PT Cruiser

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER. While driving approximately 25 mph, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #23

Jun 052014

PT Cruiser

  • 120,000 miles

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

Wife was sitting in a line of traffic waiting at a light. Vehicle came from behind and hit her at approximately 40. M.P.H. car was thrown into car in front of her which was then thrown into car in front of them. Breaking hood latch system, radiator, A/C cooler/, and bending hood up. Air bags never deployed. Wife sustained whiplash and cervical sprain, and had to be transported from scene by ambulance due to accident. Our car had in excess of 2500 dollars damage.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

problem #22

Aug 082014

PT Cruiser

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, another vehicle crashed into the passenger's side and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact mentioned that no warning lights illuminated indicating an air bag malfunction. The contact sustained neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

- Richland , WA, USA

problem #21

Jun 302014

PT Cruiser

  • 84,000 miles
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.

- Niagara Falls, NY, USA

problem #20

Mar 032010

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The ignition key does not stay in when the engine is running. The mechanic who worked on the car in October said he has replaced several ignition switches in this model car. Could it have been manufactured by the same company as those involved in the GM recall? this problem has existed for several years.

- Tipp City, OH, USA

problem #19

Sep 302011

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • miles

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

I was driving the kids to school going about 20 mph and none of the airbags deployed. We hit the vehicle in front of us hard enough to break the bar behind the grill and smash into the radiator and ruin it. The bags should have deployed on that kind of impact.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #18

Aug 112009

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • 662,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER. While driving 30 mph he crashed into a parked vehicle. The vehicle was completely destroyed and none of the air bags deployed. He was transported to the hospital with severe injuries. The vehicle identification number was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 66,200. Updated 10/27/09. Updated 10/29/09.

- Hillview, KY, USA

problem #17

Sep 282009

PT Cruiser

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER. He rear-ended another vehicle while driving 40 mph. None of the air bag deployed. He sustained head injuries. The cause of the failure was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 108,000. Updated 10/19/09 the consumer stated an attachment that was mailed to her that included info about the vehicle was not her.

- Lawrence, MA, USA

problem #16

Sep 082003

PT Cruiser

  • miles
Horn and radio stopped working...I replaced the clock spring...and it started all over again after about a month. I have had to replace a radio and speakers because of the intermittent problem. It causes my radio display to "pop" in and out and when it goes out I have no horn. The problem started about a year after I bought the car in 03.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #15

Jul 152006

PT Cruiser

  • 42,279 miles
I purchased my 2002 PT CRUISER with only 34,000 miles on odometer in January of 2006. Within six (6) months, the airbag light came on for no reason. I paid $1,000 to have the airbag assembly replaced and once again within six months, the airbag light came on. I was told this time that it was the airbag sensors that needed to be replaced.

- Hixson, TN, USA

problem #14

Jul 302008

PT Cruiser

  • 70,000 miles
Airbag light comes on during tight right turns at speed.

- Cotati, CA, USA

problem #13

Jun 292006

PT Cruiser

  • miles
2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER air bags failed to deploy in an accident. Both occupants sustained multiple strains and bruises.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #12

Apr 272006

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,670 miles
: the contact stated that the airbag light illuminated. The vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic. Updated 7/5/2006 -

- Marion, OH, USA

problem #11

Apr 232003

PT Cruiser

  • 3,001 miles
The contact stated the driver's side and passenger's side air bags deployed while driving down the highway. There was no prior warning. Also, the right front brake had a loud popping and squealing noise, this caused the steering wheel to vibrate. The right front brake overheated, it turned the rim red hot. He could smell the brake dust from the right front brake. He contacted the dealer, they have repeatedly replaced the brakes, brake pads, disc caliper, and rotors. He was still having the same problem with the vehicle. Updated 12/7/2005. The battery had to be replaced at 14972 miles.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #10

Aug 302005

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The consumer stated that there was a recall on the air bag. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership. The consumer's were involved in an accident on August 30,2005. The consumer stated that she was hit in the front and right side of bumper. The vehicle had side, front and seat air bags. Upon impact the air bags failed to deploy. The dealership told consumer that if she was trapped by the doors then she was going fast enough for the airbags to deploy. The consumer went to website and printed a form that asked about the problem, mailed the form back to Chrysler and has not received any response back. The consumer stated that the vehicle had damage of more than $5000. The consumer sustained injuries. The dealership said that nothing was wrong with the air bags. A police report was taken which showed that accident was not the consumer's fault. The consumer wanted attention to get this matter resolved. The consumer did not want to drive the vehicle as it was. The consumer stated the seat belt did not restrain her enough. The consumer was told the reason why the air bags didn't deploy was because the vehicle was hit to the right of the sensor and not in the center.

- Elisabethton, TN, USA

Read the next 9 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?