Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was making a right hand turn from a main road onto a side street. While the car was turning, I heard a clunk and the steering wheel was jerked from my hands. The car pulled hard to the right and crashed into the curb. The car was towed to the repair shop and the service tech showed me the engine cradle was completely rusted out and the k frame was cracked all the way thru. It's to rusted to be welded and I was told this is a common problem with the Cruiser and Dodge neon, since they use the same frame. The tech also told me I was lucky that I wasn't moving at high speed or the results could have been fatal. He also told me that Chrysler is aware of this problem, they are completely out of replacement parts, and they basically ignore any complaints.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the service engine warning light flickered and suddenly remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the underbody prematurely rusted and could fracture at any moment. The vehicle was also taken to an independent repair who diagnosed that the casing for the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that power steering fluid had to be constantly added to the vehicle. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V268000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,621.
While driving the down the highway, the entire rear quarter window on the passenger side including the frame and the glass separated from the body of my vehicle and went into the roadway. This is already a recall issue for the 2005 and 2006 models of the PT Cruiser, but since it is not an existing recall issue with the 2001 models Chrysler refused to replace the window that fell out or the remaining rear quarter window on the drivers side, which could potentially do the same thing at some point. Fortunately, the window that fell off my car didn't injure anyone, but it certainly seems like a pretty serious road hazard.
I was not initially going to file a complaint until I seen others with the same problem. The dash cracked into many pieces. I originally thought that my wife had done something to crack the dash, and she thought that I had. The part remained basically intact until the service department at the local Chrysler dealer had to remove the dash for other repairs. At that time we had to pay for another dash because it fell completely apart and could not be re-assembled. I am not sure if this is exactly a highway traffic safety concern, but only because there was not an accident, nor an incident.
The dashboard has been cracking from the center defrost vent towards the drivers side area. The crack is approximately 8 inches in length. The crack continues to grow due to the fact that when the vehicle is being driven, road vibrations cause the cracks to open and widen. I am concerned because the cracks could cause the dash to cave in which could have an effect on the air bag or wiring, which could be a safety issue. I contacted Chrysler's assistance hotline and was told that nothing could be done since there was no recall on the vehicle and the vehicle was out of warranty.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the front and rear bumpers are faded out. The part of the bumpers nearest to the vehicle's body is surrounded by a one inch white line. The bumpers are a charcoal gray color. The bumpers were replaced under warranty, but the failure has recurred. Her warranty has expired and now she would have to pay for this repair herself. She spoke with a mechanic at the dealer who stated that they are aware of the failure, but no recalls have been issued. The current mileage is 41,000 and failure mileage was 20,965.
I have had to replace the entire front "engine cradle", also known as the "k-frame" or "front sub-assembly". It is the structural steel framework bolted to the underbody that the lower control arms attach to. The steering rack is bolted to the top of it. The lower engine torsion connector is mounted to it. The reason? Total rust out! The right wheel hub and lower control arm broke away from the k-frame because of rust. The car was being driven slowly at the time, and that was a good thing, because the car could barely be driven after. No accident occurred.
The front suspension cross-member is severely rusted and will require replacement before the car will pass inspection. The car was in for routine service when my mechanic pointed out that the only rusted part on the vehicle was the front suspension cross-member and that it was bordering on unsafe. This car has relatively low miles at 76K and is in excellent condition otherwise. This rusted part could fail with no indication that danger was imminent and cause loss of steering and ultimately a vehicle crash at any speed.
The dashboard has cracked in half from the center of the base of the windshield, through the oval defroster grating, and all the way back to where the dash meets the center console. The defroster grating has actually fallen into the dash, and other smaller cracks are forming off of the main one. I didn't complain about this problem when it happened until I recently discovered that other owners were having similar problems. Chrysler has been most unhelpful and has has denied any culpability.
Dashboard cracks - 3 total. First one appeared late 2007 on the left side of the center vent. Then, shortly after another one popped up from the back of the center vent. Approximately one month later a 3rd on (the largest one) appeared from the front of the vent straight to the front edge of the dash board. Part of the center vent spokes are breaking now and when I put the armourall on the dash I have to be very careful not to put too much pressure on it as I'm wiping it on.
Body complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the body & structure of the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 11% of the model year's 618 complaints. The component named most often is body (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.