Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
The electrical system is malfunctioning the fans do not kick on at all,even after reaching temperature.Even when the "Air" condition is turned on full blast or the "Heater" it doesn't matter which one is used it still doesn't engage the "Fan".
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact smelled a burning odor and discovered a plug melted and that the fog lights were not illuminating. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic and repaired. The contact did not have the name of the parts that were replaced. The failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000. Updated 04/07/15 updated 9/21/2017
1) our fog lights had been going on and off intermittently for a couple of weeks. 2) my wife was driving down a local street coming home when smoke started billowing out from under the steering column, filling the car with smoke. She happened to be at the local dealership (it's on the way home from her work) and pulled in their parking lot. The car was left at the dealership. The problem was diagnosed as being a shorted fog light switch. Instead of a fuse blowing the wire harness acted as a fusible link and began melting down. We are now responsible for the replacement of a $2500.00 wire harness. I asked the service writer why a fuse had not blown and he told me that the circuit is protected by a forty (40) amp fuse. Being an electrician I know that a forty amp fuse or breaker protects an electric range oven and is on 8 awg wire. …
Was driving vehicle going 55 MPH and dashboard faults out with incoherent readings and transaxle shifts self into neutral. I shift gear selector into neutral and back into drive. Dashboard readings go back to normal and transaxle goes back into drive. 15 seconds later battery light comes on. Continue driving to find a place to park. After about 10 seconds engine stalls out. Shift gear selector into neutral and try to restart vehicle but it won't start. Coast to a stop and open hood. Notice an odd smell. Open hood and alternator is on fire. Close hood and grab personal belongings (except for phone charger) out of vehicle. Call 911 as vehicle burns up. Fire and police arrive and extinguish fire but vehicle badly destroyed by being engulfed in flames.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The vehicle speed control was previously disconnected. While driving 25 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the steering column. The dealer stated that the failure was electrical and related to the vehicle speed control. The high and low beam switch was also burned. The manufacturer stated that there was no existing recall. The contact allowed the vehicle to cool down and was able to drive home. A mechanic will repair the vehicle since the manufacturer stated that they were unable to offer any assistance. She is unable to drive the vehicle due to the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 65,100.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the fog light warning indicator illuminated and smoke appeared from the steering column. The contact was able to pull the vehicle off the roadway, turn off the engine, and restart the vehicle. The contact smelled burning wires, but there were no flames. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact found a recall for the fog lights online, but was unable to provide further information. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact, a certified mechanic, replaced all of the sensors on the vehicle, the relays, and the electrical fuses; however, the vehicle would not start when prompted. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
For weeks (or months) prior to failure, I experienced occasional instances of fog lights activating upon engaging the right turn signal. Fog lights would go off after completing turn and signal automatically disengaged. It is noted that I virtually never make use of the fog lights. On day of failure, there was a pronounced odor about 1 hour into a long trip (like nylon rope burning). Fog lights activated and could not be turned off regardless of controller setting for other lights. Fog lights would not turn off even after car was shut down and key removed. After brief rest stop (during which manual was researched to learn what fuse must be pulled to avoid draining battery), returned to car to find that lights had gone off on their own. Neither fog lights nor high beams worked any longer, once car was started. …
On March 14, 2005 my vehicle was stalling and actually hopping. I was unable to drive the car and had it towed to a service facility that I have used over the past 10 years. The mechanic determined the wiring harness in my 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser was defective at 56000 miles. He notified me that the wires inside the harness were frayed and several bare wires were actually touching, creating a severe safecty hazard, I instructed him to replace the defective part. I did not know that the wiring harness was a warranty covered part because the manual supplied me from daimler Chrysler does not contain information about the wiring harness. I subsequently found out it was a warranty covered item under the california emissions warranty. Chrylser has refused to reimburse me for a part that was defective because I had it replaced at an a.s.e. Certified facility by a master technician. …
Let me start by saying I just bought this 2001 limited edition PT Cruiser three days ago from a private dealer. I was on the highway, heading home from work in the middle of the night, and wanted to try the cruise control. I turned it on and set it for 67mph to see if it worked first. Then I went to reset it to my actual desired speed by tapping my brakes, then I tried the switch on the arm of my steering wheel but the cruise control wouldn't shut off. I got off at the next exit and was able to slow down to 40mph before my brakes locked up and I was forced to run the stop sign at the end of the off ramp. (thank god it was at 3 am and my baby wasn't with me!). I was able to pull over doing 20mph before the brakes locked up again. I quickly shut it off, put it in park, and waited a few minutes to turn it back on. …
Electrical complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 78 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 13% of the model year's 618 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 7 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.