DefectRecord Public Record - Not a Government Site

Home / Chrysler / PT Cruiser / 2001

Model Year Problem Record

Chrysler PT Cruiser 2001 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

618Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
6Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
74Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine83 complaints

83 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System81 complaints

81 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension69 complaints

69 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure67 complaints

67 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering64 complaints

64 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V268000.

Wheels62 complaints

62 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting57 complaints

57 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System54 complaints

54 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 02V214000, 02V215000.

Power Train49 complaints

49 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes46 complaints

46 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags45 complaints

45 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats10 complaints

10 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 00V366000, 02V162000.

Latches, Locks and Linkages6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

00V366000Reported November 9, 2000 - 1,211,756 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on November 9, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 1,211,756 vehicles across all affected models.

02V162000Reported June 14, 2002 - 77,000 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on June 14, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 77,000 vehicles across all affected models.

02V214000Reported August 8, 2002 - 97,779 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on August 8, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 97,779 vehicles across all affected models.

02V215000Reported August 8, 2002 - 345,436 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on August 8, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 345,436 vehicles across all affected models.

04V268000Reported June 3, 2004 - 438,391 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on June 3, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 438,391 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE02058Opened July 19, 2002 - Closed October 4, 2002

FUEL HOSE ABRASION. Resulted in recall campaign 02V214000.

PE02082Opened November 6, 2002 - Closed April 23, 2003

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE04028Opened March 15, 2004 - Closed June 18, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V268000.

PE04028Opened March 15, 2004 - Closed June 18, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V268000.

PE04028Opened March 15, 2004 - Closed June 18, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V268000.

PE04028Opened March 15, 2004 - Closed June 18, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V268000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20007
200122
200275
200357
200470
200567
200641
200776
200859
200932
201019
201114
201214
201311
201422
201510
201610
20175
20181
20194
20221
20251
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.