7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
114,300 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replace starter (1 reports)
  3. replace steering column, ignition (1 reports)
  4. tap starter under engine with hammer (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chrysler dealer.

problem #9

Dec 122016

PT Cruiser Touring 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

PT began to have battery issues a few years after the warranty expired. It would fail to start when the weather turned cold in the winter—around freezing and below. I had the battery replaced half a dozen times, because no battery ever lasted an entire year, no matter how expensive. A local shop claimed the alternator was bad, and replaced that, but the batteries kept dying, regardless. The same shop replaced the starter, next, but the batteries kept dying. Another mechanic found the replacement starter was bad, and replaced with with a remanufactured starter. After that, the car would start every morning, no matter how cold it got.

- Brian A., Muncie, US

problem #8

Mar 172017

PT Cruiser

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

My PT Cruiser is doing what everyone else has griped about. For the last 3 months, I would need a jump to start it about every other day. Got new battery. Fine for a few weeks. Now she is dead, dead, dead. I have driven this baby all over the USA 3 times from Arizona to NY to Florida to California. She was magic. Every Sunday, I'd check her vitals. Now she does not keep her power steering fluid in but I don't see any puddles on ground. So it must be leaking into engine? Oil seems OK. Transmission fluid OK. I am 18 miles off the grid and my car decides to break down here! People tell me I am lucky I am home after all those Dead and Company Shows. To be grateful. But I am frustrated and sad and now must hitchhike. I am with all of you in the sympathy department for I surely miss my good little ride. She looks so damn sad out there! Any input would be appreciated. Is there hope or is she done?

- ladylogwoman, Concho, US

problem #7

Aug 132013

PT Cruiser

  • Manual transmission
  • 7,000 miles

My birthday I leave work to go home for a nice dinner waiting for me. Car wont start. Turn the key and the car hums, what the heck. With a jump the car would start. Battery is less than 2 years old shouldn't be dead. Did this for a few days as middle of week and work schedule busy nobody in small town available to fix or look at car during my non-work hrs, I work 7am to 7pm. Finally get it to a local mechanic, tests all the relays all the fuses they register as being fine. We replace the battery and battery cables. starts when it dang well feels like it, a few times then nothing. Only way to start is to run a jumper from starter relay to starter. Can't do that forever, because have to have the air-filter cover and filter off to reach the stuff. One local mechanic tells me I need to get the computer re-booted after having my car for the week. 100 miles form nearest Chrysler dealer. Took to local electrical automotive repair but he doesn't have equipment for computer fix, has to be at the dealer, after almost a week, he finds the ignition switch in the steering column in pieces, dang thing made out of pot metal, what's up with that. So the fix is either replace the whole steering column and ignition, because you cant just get the ignition switch, or run a separate push button starter and hope for the best. minimum $500 to $3000. At any rate a crummy birthday.

- Julie E., Quincy, CA, US

problem #6

Sep 112009

PT Cruiser Limited

  • Manual transmission
  • 140,000 miles

So, here's the deal now. The car will only not crank some of the time. The machanic will only change the starter again if I can get the car to not crank for him. The car seems to only not crank when I am out of town or on the weekend when he is not open and I am stuck somewhere. It will crank EVERY TIME in his garage. BUT as soon as I pull out and he closes his shop, I stop for gas and my car would not crank!!

- Sandie B., Holly Ridge, NC, US

problem #5

Feb 142008

PT Cruiser Limited

  • Manual transmission
  • 135,000 miles

New starter lasted only 10,000 miles and the car went right back to not cranking. Thank God for the straight drive or I would have been very upset!!!!

- Sandie B., Holly Ridge, NC, US

problem #4

Jul 092007

PT Cruiser Limited

  • Manual transmission
  • 125,000 miles

1st time not so bad. With 125,000 miles you expect repairs to come up. With my car being a manual shift as long as you can get someone to push the car you can drop the clutch and crank the car.

- Sandie B., Holly Ridge, NC, US

problem #3

Jun 132010

PT Cruiser

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,010 miles

I had a problem with my PT Cruiser starting. Lights would turn on, ignition would "click", seat belt would "ding"...just wouldn't start. I had battery corrosion, but had that cleaned (twice). Battery tested and was "good" according to AAA. Turned out, it was the starter. AAA rep tapped on it with a hammer and the car started with the gentle turn of the key. I carry a hammer with me now and am scheduled to have starter replaced tomorrow.

Of course this happened on two of the HOTTEST days of the year (97 and 99 degrees outside) and both when I needed to be someplace else besides stranded in parking lot.

- mdunn, Millersville, MD, US

problem #2

Apr 292009

PT Cruiser

  • Automatic transmission
  • 193,000 miles

I have a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser and it has been working fine for the past 2 years, until now. While i was driving home from work on a normal day, as the car was in motion everything shut off; the gauges, lights, the whole car shut down. I managed to make it to the side of the road and it hasn't said a peep ever since. When i turn the ignition nothing happens, no lights, no sounds, nothing. If anyone had this same problem, please feel free to let me know what the deal is?

- Jerome B., Milwaukee, WI, US

problem #1

Apr 022009

PT Cruiser Touring 2.4L

  • Manual transmission
  • 75,450 miles

With a new battery, the car should start up immediately. Does anyone know if this model has a 'chip' problem with the key, or a possible ignition problem?

- rew357, Jacksonville, FL, US