10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,908 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Owner Comments

problem #15

Feb 062016

PT Cruiser

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated that the dashboard exhibited a long crack which originated on the front driver's side windshield that crossed over the dashboard vent and extended to the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #14

Sep 022008

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • miles
2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER recall notice for instrument cluster. Consumer states that the dealership told her that there was no recall for the instrument cluster. The consumer sent in a copy of the recall letter. Recall # 01V288000

- Geneva, IL, USA

problem #13

Apr 102008

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,755 miles
I have a 2002 Chrysler PT CRUISER and have noticed the fog indicator light on the dash is lit. When I looked in the front indeed the lights were on. The switch was off but the lights were still on. I noticed a smell of smoke in the car and it drained my battery to zero volts. The auto alarm also seems to engage for no reason. After checking the web I found out that this is quite a big problem and some people have actually had fires and smoke from under the dashboard. It would appear that there is a short in the switch. The problem is that the fog lights have never been used so the switch cannot be worn out.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #12

Jun 072007

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Dashboard cracked in 2 locations. Potential safety hazard if wires are exposed. Could potentially ruin cables for headlights, break lights and turning signals

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #11

Feb 062007

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Fog light switch is faulty. This switch leaves the lights on at all times which drains battery and leaves the driver stranded. This problem has been documented in hundreds of PT CRUISER. www.topix.net/forum/autos/Chrysler-pt-cruiser/tf81khbdldvt92ah2.

- Laramie, WY, USA

problem #10

Oct 192006

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,130 miles
: the contact stated while driving 40 mph, all the warning lights around the speedometer illuminated intermittently. Each time the warning lights illuminated, the headlights dimmed. The fourth time the problem occurred, the illumination was followed by the entire instrument panel failing. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, who determined that the instrument cluster had become completely inoperative. There was a NHTSA recall # 01V288000, pertaining to the under dash wiring. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 11/30/2006 -

- Crystal Lake, IL, USA

problem #9

Jul 262002

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

From the first month that I purchased my vehicle the engine light has been on more than off. I read the owners manual and it said that it was a vacuum issue and it would correct itself. The dealership charged me to diagnose and to fix it but now I see that there was a NHTSA 01V288000 on a cluster panel issue. Why was I charged for something that a dealership should check for to see if it is a known defect?

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #8

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

problem #7

Aug 112004

PT Cruiser

  • 39,000 miles
NHTSA recall 01V288000. Daimler/Chrysler issued an instrument cluster recall. This vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN although it was experiencing the same problem as mentioned in the recall.

- Lenoir City, TN, USA

problem #6

Oct 312004

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,180 miles
Your campaign number NHTSA 01V288000. On October 31st the cluster panel in my 2002 PT CRUISER failed - air bag, brake and engine light lit up on panel and won't go off. Called Chrysler, they deny there is a recall. Car is in shop and they want to charge me $692 to fix.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

problem #5

Sep 152004

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

01 V 288 000/instrument cluster: Consumer has a concern that the dealer requesting authorization from the consumer for an 11/2 hours for diagnostic check at consumer cost. Recall notice mention nothing concerning a charge to the consumer.

- Saint Albans, VT, USA

problem #4

Jul 062004

PT Cruiser

  • 50,000 miles
Upon starting the vehicle consumer noticed that gas gauge was on empty. Consumer then took the vehicle to a gas station and filled the gas tank but the gas gauge still was on empty when the vehicle was restarted. Vehicle was then taken to a repair shop. Mechanic indicated that when the vehicle got hot from the sun the dashboard components become inoperative. When this occurred the driver was unable to determine the speed he was driving, and how much fuel was in the gas tank.

- New Martinsville, WV, USA

problem #3

Jun 082004

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
Just paid for an issue with a vehicle that was addressed by NHTSA recall # 01V288000, back in 9/01. (the vehicle was returned to the selling dealer at that time, for the recall. Now, the exact problem explained in the recall happened to the car, and the dealer charged for the repair, claiming a hard wiring issue that he refused to show me.

- Bay Shore, NY, USA

problem #2

Apr 222004

(reported on)

PT Cruiser

  • 50,000 miles
Consumer complained about a problem with electrical failures in the dashboard, including the speedometer. When driving at speeds in excess of 50 mph speedometer dropped to 0 and the rpms did likewise. Every light and warning signal came on at once.

- Flemington, NJ, USA

problem #1

Jan 032002

PT Cruiser

  • miles
NHTSA recll#01V28800/ manufacturer's recall 994. Got recall, and took vehicle into dealer be repaired. Dealer indicated recall could not be done because program has not been installed on computer.

- Live Oak, FL, USA

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