Chrysler · PT Cruiser · 2002
5
Recalls
511
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 5 recalls and 511 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: electrical system (54 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy Status
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L NON-TURBOCHARGED ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, POTENTIALLY DAMAGING THE HOSE.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RELOCATE, OR REPLACE AS NECESSARY, THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND CONFIRM TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE MOUNTING FLANGE COULD LEAK FUEL IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY SEAL OVER THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A SOFTWARE ERROR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MICROPROCESSOR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLUSTER, WITH THE MAJORITY OF ITS GAUGES, ILLUMINATION, AND WARNING LAMPS, COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL RE-FLASH THE CLUSTER SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 8, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Remedy Status
FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the rear quarter glass fasteners on both sides of the vehicle had started to separate from the vehicle. The contact stated that the windows were violently shaking while driving at various speeds. The contact was concerned that the windows might fall out while driving and cause injury to a pedestrian. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, she could smell fuel in the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who located a fuel leak on the fuel trail line. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V215000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.
Hello My name is [XXX]. I own a 2002 Chrysler Pt cruiser and for some reason the power steering went out while I was driving! I was able to make it home because I wasn’t far away! My power steering stopped out of no where and my fluid is full and my belt is attached I was also told my pump was in great condition! I’m really concerned because I had my 6 year old child in the car! I now can’t make appointments work or even take my child to school I’m in need for help! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Answers and explanations to all of the above questions: My power steering assembly is leaking pretty bad and is only getting worse. I have a bad shoulder that I had surgery on and if it goes completely out I am afraid i wont be able to turn the steering wheel & cause an accident. The rims on the vehicle are cracked/cracking & I believe one has a hole or 2 & another 1 is forming one. It's also scratching & ruining the rotors. Its not the pads they are fine but I need at least 1 new rotor & can't because the rims are defective causing it to happen again which can easily damage the calipers locking up the wheel causing a crash plus sometimes theres a loud crunching noise not grinding like the pads are bad cause they are not. I know the difference. The trac off & airbag lights are on then they go off then come back on again.The dashboard is cracked and it caused the vent to break where anything can get in it.The clear coat is peeling and yet the paint under it is in great shape.I also believe that the instrument cluster is causing the lights to come on the dashboard.The vehicle can be picked up when ever you have a spot open for it. I would like 48 hours notice due to work. This is a safety issue if the power steering goes while driving I cant steer it because I didn't know it was leaking it went out and I was stuck blocking traffic and couldn't turn it the passenger had to do it for me, If the rims get worse or hole bigger it can crack or break in half while I am driving. The defrost vent is open to particles that can get in there that shouldn't. The airbag light on could be a defect or the air bags defective. Nothing has been inspected on it since I just found out when looking up this make, year and model a price on power steering to find out there's a recall on it as well as other issues. There were no warnings and the only code that came up was the high fan relay switch. Since then the trac off light goes on and off as well as airbag light and now is currently on.
While driving the vehicle I could begin to smell a strong odor of gas them almost like the smell of plastic melting and the vehicle engine started running hot temperature so I immediately turned off the engine as I pulled over to the side of the road and as I stepped out of the car aflame began under the hood and ended up burning my entire engine. Fire department had to come and extinguish the car.
TL* 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.
DROVE THE VEHICLE 12 MILES TO GET HOME. (THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY) IMMEDIATELY TURNING OFF ENGINE AFTER MAKING IT HOME. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE (BIG LEAK) FROM HOSE AND SMOKE SMELL FROM UNDER HOOD. (ENGINE LOOKS CHARD)
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON. CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT SENSORS WERE READING AS THE ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE ODOMETER CODE SYSTEM.. MY CAR SHUTS OFF AT ANYTIME EVEN WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY BATTERY TERMINAL SEEMS TO BE WEAK POSSIBLY HAVING SHORTAGE MOMENTS FROM TIME TO TIME. MY VEHICHLE WILL PULL ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. MY BREAKS FEEL LIKE THERE GOING TO GIVE OUT OR ARE BRAND KNEW . MY VEHICHLE MAKES A NOISE AS IF THE FRONT CV AXELS OR BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE GREASED. MY WIRING AND ENGINE IS MY MAIN CONCERN. MY AC DOESN'T WORK MY RADIATOR SEAL HAS BEEN REPLACED MY CAR WILL MAKE A GUZZLING NOICE DUE TO THE COOLANT . THE LIST GOES ON. I BOUGHT MY VEHICHLE APPROX. 4MONTHS AGO. THE ISSUES HAVE PROGRESSED OVER THE PAST MONTH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAM HEAD LAMPS WOULD ILLUMINATE RANDOMLY DAY OR NIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST SIX TIMES IN ONE WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH THAT CONTROLLED THE HEADLIGHTS WAS REPLACED BY HIM. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC CLIP HOLDING THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO THE SWITCH HAD BURNED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
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. *DSY
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.
MY LIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. NOT ONLY DID MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF BUT MY DASH BOARD LIGHTS AND THE LIGHTS ON MY GEAR SHIFT DID AS WELL. MY DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AS WELL.
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY WIFE AND I AND IT ALMOST TOOK OUR LIVES BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF IT ALIVE AND THE INSURANCE AND THE ATTORNEYS GAVE ME SOME MONEY SO I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT ME A CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FOR $4, 700 FOR A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FROM LARRY H MILLER HONDA I STARTED HAVING OVERHEATING ISSUES RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED IT FROM THEM AND EVENTUALLY BLEW THE HEAD GASKET IN IT NOT KNOWING THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS ALSO GOING IN IT I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT I SPENT MY WHOLE $4, 700 FROM MY SETTLEMENT TO GET THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS ON IT'S GOT 60, 000 MILES ON IT AND IT'S IT'S IN MY BACKYARD MY WIFE AND I DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS OVERHEATED AND CAUSED IT TO BLOW THE HEAD GASKET I CHANGE THE WATER PUMP TIMING BELT EVERYTHING AND THEN IT BLEW A HEAD GASKET PLEASE HELP ME MY WIFE AND I ARE STUCK BECAUSE WE HAVE NO WAY TO GETTING AROUND AND I'M NOT ABLE TO WORK BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE WE STRUGGLED SINCE OUR AUTO ACCIDENT AND THIS IS JUST BEEN ONE HURDLE THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GET OVER IT PLEASE HELP ME
VEHICLE RECALLED IN 2004 FOR POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE LEAK POTENTIAL. RECALL WAS COMPLETED. POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE IS NOW LEAKING. CHRYSLER WILL NOT HONOR A REPAIR.
TAKARA RECALL. WHILE CHANGING UPPER AND LOWER MOTOR MOUNT I NOTICED SUB FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS ROTTED AND AFTER I PUT MOUNTS IN THE CAR PULLS WHEN ACCELERATING
ON RETURNING HOME FROM AN EVENT IN THE EVENING I PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. I TURNED OFF LIGHTS AND THEN THE IGNITION AND EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN EXCEPT THE FOG LIGHTS STAYED ON (THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF). I NEVER HAD THE FOG LIGHTS ON THAT EVENING. I TRIED VARIOUS A TEMPS I.E. PUSHING THE BUTTEN IN, TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN, ETC., BUT DID NOT HAVE ANY SUCCESS. MY WIFE WENT ONLINE AND FOUND (FROM MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR PT CRUSIERS) TO PUT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THEN PUSH THE FOG LIGHT BUTTEN IN. THIS WORKED SO THAT I DIDN'T WAKE UP TO A DEAD BATTERY. IF YOU GO ONLINE YOU WILL FIND MANY PEOPLE WHO OWN PT CRUISERS WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM INCLUDING SOME HAVING SMOKE COMING FROM THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE SOON!!
ENGINE CRADLE, OR FRONT SUBFRAME, IS RUSTED TO THE POINT I'VE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR. I'M IN THE PROCESS OF FINDING A REPLACEMENT BUT CHRYSLER NO LONGER MAKES THE PART! NOTHING HAS HAPPENED TO THIS POINT BECAUSE OF MY CAUTION BUT THE FRONT END WAS STARTING TO MAKE POPPING NOISES WHEN I STARTED OUT FROM A DEAD STOP. THE PROBLEM IS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I UNDERSTAND FROM READING ARTICLES, MANY OTHER PTS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. FOR YEARS, I HAVE TRIED TO PRIME AND SPRAY OIL ON THE PART TO EXTEND IT'S LIFE. TIME HAS COME.... *TR
..ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER HAS ROTTED SO BAD THAT IT BROKE IN A FEW PLACES CAUSING THE LOWER A ARM TO MOVE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL OUT OF YOUR HANDS ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT AND OR RIGHT,THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN MORE THEN 15 MPH,..AND THAT WAS WHILE HOLDING THE WHEEL TIGHTLY....IF THIS CROSS MEMBER WAS TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THERE WOULD BE A VERY BAD CRASH,..I SUGGEST ANY ONE THAT HAS A PT CRUISE HAVE IT CHECKED FOR THE CROSS MEMBER ROTTING BEFORE A CRASH TAKES PLACE,,,I WAS ABLE TO BUY A NEW CROSS MEMBER AND THE CHEAPEST PRICE WAS $514 PLUS TAX AND SHIPPING,..NOW COMES THE COSTS TO INSTALL IT...WHAT IS ODD THE CROSS MEMBER ROTTED OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ONLY,...I HAVE SOME PICS OF IT WITH THE A ARM OFF THE CROSS MEMBER..
STRUCTURE - NOTICED SLIGHT CLUNK FROM FRONT SUSPENSION ON BUMPS. ON MECHANIC'S LIFT, FOUND ALL SUSPENSION PARTS STILL GOOD OR RECENTLY REPLACED, BUT FRONT K-MEMBER SEVERELY RUSTED THROUGH. DECLARED UNSAFE AND UNFIXABLE, ALTHOUGH AT 112,000 MILES THE REST OF THE CAR IS STILL IN GREAT SHAPE.
ENGINE STARTS AND RUNS, BUT AS SOON AS I PUT IT INTO ANY GEAR BUT PARK, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY DIES. IT WILL RESTART, BUT AGAIN DIES WHEN PLACED IN A GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT. HE CHECKED FOR CODES AND THIS IS THE CODE THAT CAME UP (P0601). IT HAS 83500 MILES. HE SAYS IT NEED A NEW COMPUTER. THIS INITIALLY STARTED BACKING INTO TRAFFIC, THE CAR JUST QUIT. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND WENT TO PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT AGAIN QUIT. THIS HAPPENS OVER AND OVER, UNTIL SOMEONE PUSHED ME OUT OF THE STREET. CAR IS NOW PARKED UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 511 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser are electrical system (54 reports), structure (54 reports), air bags (35 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.