Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
NHTSA data on file today
The 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 618 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08E033000 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V268000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V215000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FUEL PUMP MODULE MOUNTING FLANGE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V214000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FUEL SUPPLY LINE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V162000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FMVSS 225/REAR CHILD SEAT ANCHOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V366000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FMVSS 225/CHILD SEAT ANCHOR NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 77 complaints
- Structure 67 complaints
- Suspension 66 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 61 complaints
- Steering 61 complaints
- Wheels 61 complaints
Of the 618 complaints on file, 36 report a crash and 17 a fire; across all 618 complaints, owners report 36 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$13,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser shows below-average reliability, evidenced by 618 owner complaints and seven recalls. Key issues involve the electrical system, structure, and suspension. While some components are mentioned frequently, the breadth of complaints across various systems suggests potential weaknesses in overall durability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | Unknown | $300–$1,000 | common |
| suspension | 70,000–100,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | common |
| engine cooling | 80,000–110,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections and service
- Tire rotations and replacements
- Coolant system flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Air filter replacement
- Spark plug change
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Electrical issues or warning lights
- Suspension noises or instability
- Overheating or coolant leaks
- Steering difficulties or noises
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.