10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,736 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser:

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

problem #2

Mar 092006

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,971 miles
I was informed by service advisor james quinn at brunswick auto mall in brunswick, Ohio (330-273-3300) that the rear control arm(rubber bushings on my 2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER were worn out and need to be replaced at 44,971 miles. I did a web search and found numerous PT CRUISER user forums and found references to Chrysler changing the supplier of the bushings sometime after my vehicle was built. Chrysler changed the bushings supplier due to very early failure and also upgraded the quality of the bushings. My bushings failed due to having the older style bushings. 45K miles is very early for control arm bushings to wear out. I contacted chrylser warranty at 800-992-1997 to complain and was assigned reference number 14736996. After explaining the situation, the chrylser representative informed me that Chrysler would offer no customer good-will assistance with paying for the repairs since I was 1 year and 4 months out of warranty. The Chrysler service representative also informed me that I should have bought the Chrysler extended warranty in anticipation of unanticipated vehicle repair problems like my bushings. The "unanticipated" early failure of rear control arm bushings on older model PT CRUISER bushings is a severe safety threat to consumers who expect quality parts in their vehicles that should normally last at least 100,000 miles. The unanticipated failure of the PT CRUISER bushing can easily result in loss of control of the vehicle, accidents, or much worse. Thank you for taking the time to read my complaint. Best regards.

- Amherst, OH, USA

problem #1

Apr 022005

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,500 miles
Hello. I tried copying and pasting my letter into this box however, my letter is too long. Therefore, I am completing this online form and then will mail in my entire letter, documentation and the like to your mailing address along with a copy of this online form. The complaint is regarding my 2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER, VIN# [xxx] and it is relating to the fact Chrysler refuses to repair my vehicle under the current and active NHTSA recall # 01V288000 (instrument cluster problem). Today, 8/5/05 I will mail my letter detailing the entire problem but I am submitting this portion online to get the process started. Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely, [xxx]. the vehicle was in motion when a pop noise was heard caused by a spark within the dash above the speedometer. White smoke had come billowing out of the instrument cluster. The overhead lights in the headliner did not work properly. The circuit board was burned. Other problems: Transmission fluid leaked and squeaks were coming from the rear suspension. The sway bushings had worn out and were replaced. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Palmdale, CA, USA