2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,066 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 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser:

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

problem #4

Aug 202009

PT Cruiser

  • 59,106 miles
The turn signal/headlight control switch on my 01 PT CRUISER has failed in that my right hand turn signal to the front does not come on. I have investigated this and been told by Chrysler personnel that the probable cause is turn signal/headlight control switch on the steering column. This part is in backorder to the tune of approx 4600 parts and an after market company that I contacted said they are also in approx 30days backorder status trying to fill the need for replacements. In checking with on-line forums I've also found out that other problems with this particular switch involve headlight failure to operate and lights (fog lights) coming on without operator action. I believe this is a critical component failure and needs to be brought to someone's attention that there is a high probability of switch failing "un-announced" and causing serious injury not only to the operator of the PT CRUISER but to other vehicle operators as well.

- San Angelo, TX, USA

problem #3

Feb 182007

PT Cruiser 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles
Control switch for 2001 PT CRUISER headlights and fogl ights had intermittent short, causing repeated battery drain. Exact same problem noted by 20 other PT CRUISER owners this year on www.topix.net. some suggested a fuse replacement for $200 may fix the problem. No word from Chrysler on the subject. Why was there no recall?

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #2

Apr 252006

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,157 miles
The head light switches are defective and have been burning up. Some have stuck on and melted the switches. Not allowing the head lights to work or going out while driving down the road at night. The contact areas where the power is transfered to the fog or head lights are to small of a area. And are burning up or melting. The dealerships have been replacing a lot of them. But even some of the new ones they have installed are defective right out of the box and do not work.

- Champaign, IL, USA

problem #1

Aug 022005

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
Consumer owned three 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. Each of the vehicles had problems with the fog lights and turn signal light switch, which was replaced free of charge when one vehicle was out of warranty and the fog lights and headlights stayed on and would not go off. The second and third cruisers fog lights would not go off, consume R removed the fuse. There was a flaw in the design of the PT CRUISER headlight switch, which would run down the battery. The switch should be replaced at no charge to the consumer. Also, there should a be a redesigned switch, and a full recall/replacement after the switch was redesigned. In order to have two PT CRUISER pass va state inspection consumer removed fog lights bulbs, socket and wiring.

- Oak Hill, VA, USA