Chrysler PT Cruiser Reviews

BOUGHT MY 2001 PT Cruiser Feb 2002, drove it for 349,000 miles, sold it in 2015. For me it was a great car with plenty of versatility. I DROVE IT EVERYWHERE AND DID THE Standard maintenance to keep the vehicle running p

Listen, I’m young, so maybe I’m inexperienced so my knowledge may not extend as far as most peoples, but I just want to say that I LOVE this car. I have a 2007 Touring Edition (Signature Series) with 115,000 miles on it now, and it runs like a dream, has very seldom problems with anything at all, and it very inexpensive to maintain (and buy, lol). But I will tell you that if you’re interested in purchasing a PT, you HAVE to find one that has been maintained well. They aren’t like Honda’s in the way that you can treat them like crap and they’ll keep going forever, these cars treat you good if you treat them good.

This car has no bells and whistles as well as no road noise reduction. While it is roomy inside any repairs outside requires removal of non related parts making self repairs a nightmare and too expensive to hire a mechanic. The tail and headlights need a new design of keeping them in their respective place because I have had to tape mine in place due to rattling and bulb breakage. Gas per mileage is acceptable and have no issues there.

I have had a "01" and a "02" almost identical 2.4 automatic Limited Edition, Black and all options. If you ever have a problem; Take it to the dealer. It is more expensive but you get what you pay for. If you buy a used one take it to the dealer to evaluate it to see if it has been maintained properly and it's condition. Maintenance is the key here!!! No car runs maintenance free.

2006 PT Cruiser has steered me from ever, ever, purchasing Chrysler again. Bought the car, needed passenger motor mount, control arms right off. Then, the water pump, did timing belt then too, cause why not?? Then, the drum brakes went bad. Then, tie rod ends, thermostat, cam seals, valve cover, spark plugs, CV axles, whole strut mount assembly needs replaced, oil ignition switch, two different oil sensors, part after part, camshaft sensor last week and NOW, 10 months later, I have to replace the water pump AGAIN! I want blow this POS up! It never ends. PT stands for Part Time. Cause this junk wagon is only on the road that long until it's back in shop.

We bought the 2005 PT Cruiser used in 2007. Clearly the original owner LOVED his handsome Cruiser, but traded when problems started. The A/C developed an issue that the dealer couldn't find but WB Motors in Fairfax, Va. found and fixed. (This is a keepsake vehicle kept after my Brother died because he also LOVED it.) WB Motors spotted an aged head gasket leak and VERY IMPORTANTLY pointed out that at 80,000 miles the timing belt can go without symptoms and take the engine with it. The Cruiser had 82,000 miles on it and I did both repairs. Rust underneath is the current issue. The little cutie pie has the turning radius of a dump truck and is a gas hog, but if you bought one of these, especially the 2005 model, you'll realize it has Daimler Benz quality built in and worth repairing. Keep an eye on the rust underneath before deciding the timing belt repair, but if rust is no issue, keep driving that little guy, you will also LOVE him.

I have had 2 PT Cruisers and am currently looking for my 3rd one. I absolutely love these cars! I bought one new in 2001 and had no issues with it, other than it being repossessed. 3 years ago I bought a used 2003 PT with 50,000 miles on it. It had its share of problems. 3 times overheating on the highway and had to be towed. Thank God for AAA! Unfortunately, the mechanic I used wasn't a good one. It took 3 times for them to figure out that it needed the water pump and timing belt kit with accessory belts. $1,100 later, they still hadn't fixed it right and they had to put a new radiator in it as well. I know now, that the water pump/timing belt is a common issue with these cars and should be done at around 80,000 miles, so I am looking for one that is already had that done.

This is a spacious hatchback that handles like a 2 door. It's not that fast, but it will get from point a to b with not that much gas usage. Back seats remove for even more space and the "trunk" has a shelf to help organize. The body doesn't look too... "modern", and the parts can be either a pain or a breeze to replace, depending on how Chrysler felt that day of designing. Overall, driving it till it blows up, which doesn't seem like any time soon.

I have had a 2007 PT Cruiser since 2008 (bought a rental that was abused, go figure), and it's needed very little repairs in the ten years I've had it. It's true, you have to keep up on the maintenance. I use reliable shops and the dealer who sold me the car, so they have the history of it. Maintenance is the key with any auto. All will eventually stop if you don't keep up the maintenance. I take mine in to the same two shops, or the dealer, every autumn to make sure I will have no problems over the winter. Sometimes, the shop catches a mistake THEY did, like changing the battery without changing the bad cable. I hold onto my repair receipts so I can keep a history overall of the repairs and replaced parts. Overall, my car is great and should last for many years.

This car has been a delight. It's been the most reliable car I've ever owned. It has never broken down. I've owned it for 6 years and the only thing I've ever done to it is change the oil, replace the battery and bought new tires. It's a convertible so it's particularly fun to drive in warm weather. It's a four cylinder engine but it has plenty of pep when handling the hilly roads in my area. I chose the Chrysler PT Cruiser because I really liked the appearance of the car. It is a silvery lavender color with black convertible top and it has a retro look to both the body and the interior. The top goes up or down very easily, smoothly and with a minimum of noise. It handles nice and it's enjoyable to take on road trips.

I love my little car. It is an older model with low miles. I like the style and the way it handles. It is great in the snow and in the inclement weather. I like the four doors and hatchback. The back seats go down to create extra room for hauling if needed. However the car is a gas hog. Even when using high grade gasoline it still eats up gas. I also wish it had power-locks. And it does not have Bluetooth which I miss.

I like that the PT Cruiser 2006 is American made, because it is something I consider an attractive feature when it is affordable to support my countries economy. The car's shape is cute and it is a bright aqua color that caught my eye. I also like the height of the seat as well as the overall look. But it was not a great experience and I had expected problems and too many issues buying a recovered title. The car has had problems locking and had constant problems and even leaking. I'd give it a new engine all together but the system it is built on may be a major flaw on its function. And the car takes a few seconds too long to start up after turning the ignition. It has been more problematic in 3 years than it was worth.

PT Cruiser was crappy and falling apart no matter how good you took care of it. The window switches were in wrong. The CD player didn't work. It was the worst car I have ever owned and I regret spending that kind of money on the car that did not last a year and will look for something better and will do all the work on it to keep it going. I will never purchase that kind of car again.

PT Cruiser is a very great car. Perfect for me not to big not too small. Had a 02 and a 07 previously. I liked the 07 better because of the royal blue color, the updated radio with an aux cord and the very nice leather seats. It is also low cost in gas. It lasts longer. All in all, it is great to cruise around and go on drives.

Three weeks ago I was driving my 2003 PT Cruiser and had just got onto the highway when all of a sudden my car just dies and now won't do anything and batteries won't work once they have been installed into the car. Please help me figure out what the cause of this may be. The car won't even make any noise at all when you turn the key over. No power to anything even after putting new battery in. I do believe the alarm light came on right as it was during as I was getting onto the highway and it died right on a bridge at 9:30-10 pm and I'm a female so I was scared to death.

This is by far the worst vehicle I have ever had, I'm still making car payments on it and it has been one problem after another. Already spent well over a thousand dollars to fix different parts and it has to have more work done on it and I have only had this vehicle a year and a month. Wouldn't ever want another Chrysler, now I'm stuck looking for another vehicle so I can give this one back. Not putting money into this vehicle.

This car tries to kill me, literally! It shuts off for no reason at any time even 75mi/hr down interstate. Alarm goes off for no reason all hours. Horn honks for no reason while driving.

If the mechanically non-inclined women says she want a PT Abuser then by all means buy the women a PT Bruiser. Never mind the $1300.00 transmission leak that did not work or the $1200.00 dollar water pump and while we have engine out, replace the timing belt or the rims that according to Chrysler said were very unsafe, or the electrical nightmares or the suspension in rear falling apart, this car is a testament on how much you love the lady you call buster. Oh did I mention it was bought new and drove about twice a month, and maintenance was perfect? Oh well car cost 23k new then about 10k in expenses so I figure if I keep it another 35 yrs it will pay for itself, being the little women is near 70 and me maintaining my 29 yr old body (in my mind) and we continue to not drive it should hopefully not break down.

I have a 2002 PT Cruiser Limited. I love my car...absolutely love my car...but it is a piece of junk. As soon as I drove it off the lot, (it was used when I bought it) it needed a battery, alternator, brake lights replaced, thermostat, and a transmission panel. Not even a month later and the car is dead as a doornail in my driveway. Plus there is thick, pink liquid pouring out of the car. I've already put over $1,000 into it within the last month. I am at a loss because I can't (and don't want to) put any more money into it. Please people...save your money and buy something dependable. Yes, the PT Cruiser is a cute car...but it is not worth the headache or the money.

I have a 2006 got... this car is nothing but problems after problems... turbo gone bad, running hot, they designed the antifreeze reservoir so close to the ending and it did melt from touching the motor. The instrument cluster keep on and off all the time. You cannot tell any difference from the turbo and the non turbo cruiser in performance, only it sounds different. These kinds of junk is a big waste of money and made me hate all Chrysler brands. Never ever touch Chrysler again. You will never lose with GM.

Great cars. Love the ones I have had. Have had them since 2001 and use them on my mail route perfect. Because things go wrong does not mean they are POS. Me I will bash Ford all the time because I do not like them lol. I own a 2007 PT and yes money gets put into them when we drive them. I replace brakes every 3 months etc. Motor mounts once a month and change the oil. I go through tires and front hubs and other problems but does not bother me because I know the reasons these things happen.

2 years ago check engine light came on. My son spent $2,000 to get it fixed. Not fixed. Was told it was some problem in the PCM. A few months later, engine light comes on again. Take to another mechanic. Again, thought fixed. No, light comes on again. Took to a third mechanic. Changes the sensors and installs a "used" PCM. Cost, $2,000. Light comes on again 10 months later. PCM bad again. Paid $1,700 for another factory refurbished PCM. Now the engine light does not come on but the left rear window will not work. I love this car, but I obviously got the LEMON. It does not even have 70K miles on it. Fiat/Chrysler should give this old lady of 76 a new car. I certainly cannot buy on social security.

I bought my 2007 Cruiser PCH in March of 2009, when my Ford acquired an electrical gremlin. It was a new car with 30 miles on it. During the test drive the original battery in it failed, no surprise it just sat for 2 years. A replacement battery was put in it. Many reviewers here complain about fuel economy, I cannot. With the 17' rims and a 5 speed I averaged between 30-33 mpg on my long drives to college about an hour each way. I touched 36 mpg twice while on road trips from Ohio to Virginia Beach. I attribute that economy to me driving sensible on flat Ohio land. I have now 167,000 miles and live in the mountains of Virginia. My economy has gotten worse albeit not bad. My last tank I averaged 27.3 MPG.

We have 6 PT Cruiser that are use for our installers, we change the oil every 4k miles, replace the transmission fluid every 50k miles and they are all running and getting close to 180k to 200k. No major problems, they are very good small vehicles. Problems, we have replace 4 fans, 2 crankshaft sensors, 4 engine mounts, 1 shifter cables, all these parts in 6 different vehicles they are all 2005 and 2006 models, now we are looking for 6 PT Cruisers 2010 models. If you are looking to buy a used PT Cruiser make sure the timing belt and water pump service was done, we did it before they reach 90k. Cost was $600 per vehicle

I purchased my 2005 PT Cruiser in July 2006. It was the PT Cruiser Limited Edition. Had less than 25,000 miles on it. I drove it happily for a few days shy of 11 years until an elderly man pulled out smack-dab in front of me with his minivan. No matter how hard I tried to stop, he just appeared too rapidly and I slammed right into him. Thankfully, no one was horribly injured - I just have damage to my neck and hips, as I was steeled, with my foot on the brake. My front bumper took most of the impact, which shoved the left fender and side of the car into my door and of course, the front left wheel.

The PT Cruiser is the biggest piece of ** Chrysler decided to stamp their name on before Plymouth made the mistake --- new radiator, sensors, seat belts and sensors, trans and engine for ** sake not to forget all the towing, etc bills -- the only thing done right was that I bought a lifetime warranty so 13k out the door cash for this crap pile on a used car with over 12k in work. If Chrysler really gave as much ** about their consumers who committed caricide financially/Emotionally as they did their 1 bil yearly salaries, maybe we'd actually "get somewhere" driving a car --- I'd love a show of hands of who else would like to see photos of the French or whatever he is CEO of Chrysler now as well as board members that bend over for him of each standing next to their pt cruisers in their driveways... Oops... Forgot. They don't drive Chryslers... Tools.

2006 PT Cruiser Limited - I posted last year as to its positive amenities, and just updating same. Not to beat a dead horse, but maintenance is the key to the performance of any car. It just turned 135,000 miles, and the AC needed repair, as well as radiator, fan, and motor mounts. The cost was $1, 200.00. Yes, that is substantial. However, it equates to 4 car payments, which in the long run, is a bargain. Bottom line, and to reiterate, take care of a car, and you will have happy motoring.

The front bumper (PT Cruiser) is so very low that it hits the concrete blocks at the end of parking stalls. There was a crack on the passenger side of the bumper, there is a crack on the driver's side now. And the passenger side now is coming apart more & the front grill is off center now. Does anyone else have this problem? I get LOUSY gas mileage also! I cannot afford a new car but am afraid the front bumper may just fall off my car while I'm driving if I hit one of those famous huge potholes that we have all over our roads in California.

I have a silver PT Cruiser 2001 limited edition (thank God it's a limited edition). I purchased the car back in 2014 used. All I had with this car is issues. Yea perhaps I did not took the proper care of it, it's my first car. So the issues arise whenever I accelerate the engine too quickly. Engine overheats and leaks everywhere from every place. It's ridiculous people who made the car didn't think twice about how low it was from the ground. The car is so compacted it's too difficult to work on it.

2006 PT Cruiser is a great car! I have owned my cruiser since new in 2006. Great car. Been all over the country with it. 120,000 miles and going strong. Just regular maintenance, oil changes and timing belt at 100,000. You people whine and cry because you have to do a timing belt or other repair. Get a life. Any car will need some repairs. Don't like the car then sell it. Seems like half of you aren't smart enough to even own a car.

I've had my PT Cruiser 7 months. In that time, I've replaced the battery twice, the thermostat, the radiator cap, and had the gas leak "repaired" 3 times. The mechanic finally said it's manufacturer issue and that it's common for PT Cruisers and can't be fixed. It is a fire Hazard and Chrysler is well aware of the issue and refuses to do anything about it. I see a class action lawsuit in preparation.

Bought my 2006 PT Cruiser privately in October last year. Took it to mechanic for roadworthy. Mechanic rang me THAT DAY and tried to talk me out of buying it as he said "These cars are terrible and you will need to put aside $70 a week to cover repairs." I thought he was being ridiculous! Well, after paying $2000 for roadworthy, within 3 months I was forking out $1000 for new A/C (right in middle of summer with a young child!). Three months later another $1000 for new fuel pump. Last week clutch cable "snapped" in the middle of major highway with my young daughter in car. Almost had 3 cars run into me until pushed off road by 4 young helpful men! Another $700 to repair clutch cable which apparently just "burst!" Decided this pile of rubbish was not only expensive but dangerous!

Started with a brand new PT in February 2001 ( automatic transmission ) ordered from the factory. In the 15 years and 230,000 miles I have been driving it, it has never let me down. The service costs have been low normal and my experience has been nothing short of fantastic. The car has been all over North America, through tough Canadian winters, overloaded for vacation trips and so on. It has performed well at every turn. I accept that every brand can have a lemon or two, but based on the PTs I see on the road there still a lot of loyal drivers out there that enjoy driving a PT Cruiser. The only beef I have is that Chrysler could have made it more fuel efficient. I will continue to drive my PT for the foreseeable future.

POS. 2003 with only 65,000 miles on the car. I hardly drive it. Why you might ask? Because every time I get in the vehicle I know that trip is going to end up costing me another trip to the auto shop! New battery (twice!), the dock where the battery lays is missing a bolt so the entire battery "shakes, rattles, and rolls"; new A/C everything--every single part, new power steering, the oil leaks, new paint job, and I could go on and on. I am a disabled veteran and have been waiting for my disability award since 2009. I needed a vehicle so my mother "gave" me hers to drive.

I just love my Chrysler Cruiser. Great runner really well made engine. And makes me and my partner Maureen feel good. Of course some people have had trouble but this seems to happen to any make of car but on the whole the only money I have spent is what you would spend on any car as in tires servicing brakes etc normal stuff. Can Cruise as well as drive fast. That's why it's called a cruiser because it feels just as good going slow in this car. Love it.

I have been diligently researching and cross-referencing all information I read but I am absolutely offended by the person who pretty much said we have not cared and maintained our vehicles in the manner he has done his, therefore that is why we have problems with ours. ** HIM! You have no idea how I have babied my car as a woman and what I have had to learn before any attempt of repair and I keep coming back to the same issue of the ** oil return line. I CANNOT STAND IGNORANT PEOPLE.

I bought it with 75,000 miles on it. It now has 130,000. I have had regular maintenance + changed the plug/plug wires, the timing belt, serpentine's, flushed and refilled the radiator and transmission, rotate the tires even 7,000.00 miles. I say all of this to counter the complaints on this website about this car. I would suspect that most of those dissatisfied have not performed suggested repairs, etc. In addition, as to the noted rusting transmittals. Look people, just washing a car is not enough to prevent that problem on this or any car. The doors, hatch, hood need to be opened to dry and then a polish or wax applied throughout to keep any car looking good. In closing, I have attached photos as proof positive to these claims.

I bought this car practically brand new (1 year old & 3000 miles). The fact that it even made it to 90,000 is a testament to my Dad and my other mechanics. What a lemon! Want to burn a quart of oil every week? This is your car! Want to replace the shifting cable right at 37,000 miles. Not a cheap repair (dealer only part of course and would have required a tow if we were crafty about getting it out of the driveway with a screwdriver). I've left the best for last: 2 engine fans plus 2 AC compressors (the fan problem cause the compressor problem) in a period of about 18 months.

I got my cruiser about a year ago and the day after I got it, it overheated as I sat in the drive-thru line at Rally's. Took it back to the dealership, they said it was the fan not properly coming on when needed. Claimed to have replaced it after keeping my car for a whole month. Got the car back, drove fine about another 2 months then oil light kept dinging every now and then. I had oil changed but it still did the same thing. A week after that, the airbag light kept dinging every ten minutes (very annoying)! Next, the car would start to jerk and wouldn't accelerate. The check engine light came on at this point so I would put it in neutral and turn off the engine. Wait about 5 minutes and crank it back up, no problem. This started to happen too often so I took it back to dealership, replaced sensor.

My son bought this car at CarMax a year ago, which was a lemon. All PT Cruisers are lemons for that matter. It's a 2007. Bought it in 2014. Put over 2500.00 into it and now with 91000 miles needs a timing belt and an in depth tune up including cleaning fuel injectors and ignition coils. That's why Chryslers suck.