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2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 202.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

164 reports with mileage · 53 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports15 fire reports14 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2024
Unknown Or Other

I purchased the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser on 1/10/2024. I learned that the Chrysler Dealership does not make keys for the vehicle when locked out, nor does it Service the vehicle. They will "address" a Recall Notice and will do an oil change and will do an inspection only. Chrysler Dealership told me to "Come back tomorrow" wh…

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I purchased the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser on 1/10/2024. I learned that the Chrysler Dealership does not make keys for the vehicle when locked out, nor does it Service the vehicle. They will "address" a Recall Notice and will do an oil change and will do an inspection only. Chrysler Dealership told me to "Come back tomorrow" when a Recall Notice was issued and they said it was not Safety Related, however a Power Steering Pressure Hose was found to be leaking/exploding oil and this IS a safety related issue. I was rear ended 1/23/24 with 2 dogs in the car. I did not purchase Uninsured Motorists Insurance because I thought under CA State Law that I was legally compliant with insurance I had purchased. I thought between two cars in a potential accident, one had to be able to cover fault for any reason if not both equally. I was told by my Insurance to go after the other Man's Insurance, even if he was not the driver and this did not seem right. The other Man's Insurance Policy had lapsed and I was told there is no coverage for being rear ended. The man said I hit him and said something about "not seeing" the light or turn signal which I demonstrated for functionality. Vehicle has been given different assessments and inspections from 1/10 when purchased to present. I paid $500 at one AAA ASE Facility and $15,000 out of Retirment plus hotel for 3 weeks for the vehicle "dying" and the problem cannot be identified. Car is doing weird things mechanically and no one can locate the problem. There is unaddressed Body Damage where the Rear Left Light (plastic and housing) broke. The vehicle has to have body repair and a new light ordered at a cost greater than what is available through an Auto Dismantler. Chrysler does not make parts for this vehicle. There was rust and corrosion in coolant and metal found in Transmission. I paid full price for a used Transmission. I need someone to review traffic footage to determine when the window went down and dog went out and why

NHTSA ODI #11576953

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2020
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

BALL JOINT ARE MISSING

NHTSA ODI #11349156

69,482 miles · Oct 26, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

REPLACED THE "LEAK DETECTION PUMP" ON MARCH 20, 2010 AND AGAIN ON OCTOBER 26, 2011 *TT

NHTSA ODI #10432966

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2010
Unknown Or Other

CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL STABILITY CONTROL IN VEHICLES *GR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT ADDING ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROLS AS A MANDATORY FEATURE WAS AN EVASIVE DECISION. *JB THE CONSUMER ALSO PROTESTED THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION OF EVENT DATA RECORDERS. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS W…

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CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL STABILITY CONTROL IN VEHICLES *GR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT ADDING ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROLS AS A MANDATORY FEATURE WAS AN EVASIVE DECISION. *JB THE CONSUMER ALSO PROTESTED THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION OF EVENT DATA RECORDERS. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/21/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10328529

21,000 miles · Mar 7, 2007
Unknown Or Other

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING NEW CAR PURCHASE SCAM (BOGUS WARRANTY ILLEGAL ACTIVITY) THAT IS MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES ON A CHRYSLER WEBSITE DISCUSSING HUNDREDS OF CORPORATE SAFETY, CONTRACT AND WARRANTY ISSUES. YESTERDAY A WOMAN FROM CHRYSLER CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TOLD ME THAT WHEN YOU PURCHASE A NEW CAR…

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LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING NEW CAR PURCHASE SCAM (BOGUS WARRANTY ILLEGAL ACTIVITY) THAT IS MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES ON A CHRYSLER WEBSITE DISCUSSING HUNDREDS OF CORPORATE SAFETY, CONTRACT AND WARRANTY ISSUES. YESTERDAY A WOMAN FROM CHRYSLER CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TOLD ME THAT WHEN YOU PURCHASE A NEW CAR FROM THEM AND IF IT IS TWO YEARS OLD (BUT BRAND NEW NEVER SOLD TO AN ACTUAL CUSTOMER) THAT THE WARRANTY BEGINS THE DAY THAT IT IS BUILT VS. WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY SOLD. SO WHEN I PURCHASED A NEW CAR FROM THEM APRIL 2005 AND THE CAR WAS BUILT IN DEC 2003 THEY TRICKED ME AND CHANGED THE PAPERWORK TO SAY THAT IT WAS A USED CAR, BUT NEVER OWNED BY ANYONE OTHER THEN A CHRYSLER DEALER. THINKING THAT YOU HAVE A NEW CAR WITH A 3 YEAR AND 36,000 MILE WARRANTY WHEN YOU DRIVE OFF THE LOT YOU ARE IN FACT SCREWED OUT OF 1 & A HALF YEARS OF A CAR WARRANTY WITHY NEW STICKERS STILL ON THE WINDOW. SEE COMMENTS BELOW. I COULD NOT GET IN TOUCH WITH ANYONE EXCEPT THIS WOMAN THAT HAD NO CLUE ABOUT WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT AND ENDED UP FAXING A COMPLAINT TO DAIMLER CHRYSLER IN STUGGART, GERMANY VS. DETROIT, MI. .

NHTSA ODI #10184402

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2006
Unknown Or OtherVisibility

THE KNOB ON THE DASH THAT CONTROLS THE POSITION FOR CIRCULATION OF HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONING FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT MOVE TO ANY POSITION TO THE LEFT. TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY PLAYED WITH IT BUT IS STILL A LITTLE STIFF WHEN TURNING TO LEFT. THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE HOW LONG IT WILL LAST. ALSO WAS INFORMED I…

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THE KNOB ON THE DASH THAT CONTROLS THE POSITION FOR CIRCULATION OF HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONING FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT MOVE TO ANY POSITION TO THE LEFT. TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY PLAYED WITH IT BUT IS STILL A LITTLE STIFF WHEN TURNING TO LEFT. THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE HOW LONG IT WILL LAST. ALSO WAS INFORMED IF AND WHEN IT GOES IT WILL BE AN $800 JOB. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH DOESN'T COVER THIS JOB. SO SINCE WE WERE TOLD THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADJUST WERE WE WANT THE HEAT OR AIR TO CIRCULATE. ALSO MY SISTER HAS THE SAME YEAR PT AND SAID HER KNOB HAS BEEN STIFF LIKE THAT SINCE SEE PURCHASED IT NEW. SO I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. ALSO I'M NOT USUALLY ONE TO COMPLAIN THIS IS OUR SECOND PT, AND IT ISN'T OUR DEALERSHIPS FAULT THEY ARE REALLY GREAT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10159294

3,000 miles · Jul 18, 2004
Unknown Or Other

CAR CONTINUES TO MISS, DUE TO FAILURE OF IGNITION OR GAS OR MAYBE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. ITS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES WITH NO HELP. THIS STARTED AFTER 3000 MILES ON CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10081284

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2004
Unknown Or Other

MISSING TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR DOWN PAYMENT FOR 2004 PT CRUISER. (NAR) *PH PLEASE REVIEW FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS. *CB

NHTSA ODI #10071630

Official recalls

1

04V268000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Jun 3, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE04028 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Mar 15, 2004 · Closed Jun 18, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Steering

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.