2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Fuel System Problems

Which parts fail

• Delivery
  16
• Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  10
• Delivery › Fuel pump
  6
• Storage › Tank assembly
  3
• Carburetor system
  2
• Storage › Auxillary tank
  1

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  15%
• 25k–50k
  732%
• 50k–75k
  627%
• 75k–100k
  15%
• 100k–150k
  418%
• 150k+
  314%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed white smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle then became engulfed in flames. The contact exited the vehicle and rushed away from the scene. The contact stated that the vehicle exploded. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. It was not indicated if a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent a technician to inspect the vehicle. No further assistance was offered. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was 107,000. The VIN was not provided.

2001 PT Cruiser -- known issue involving fuel line chaffing against metal ac lines. Vehicle was sent to dealer for recall, several months later the fuel line leaks anyway and causes moderate damage via engine fire. Fuel explosion occurred upon switching off the ignition after the vehicle was parked.

Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact received a recall notice pertaining to the fuel system. After the recall repairs were performed, the instrument panel failed. The engine and all the electrical components shut off while idle as well as driving various speeds. While driving less than 70 MPH, the failure recurred and caused an 18-wheel vehicle to swerve over the median to avoid crashing into her vehicle. The dealer reprogrammed the transmission controller module. On July 10, 2007, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the same failures. The etax relay and the controller software was updated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on August 30, 2007. The flash controller was replaced and the air bag sensor was reprogrammed; however, the repairs did not remedy the failures. …

Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact received a recall notice pertaining to the fuel system. After the recall repairs were performed, the instrument panel failed. The engine and all the electrical components shut off while idle as well as driving various speeds. While driving less than 70 MPH, the failure recurred and caused an 18-wheel vehicle to swerve over the median to avoid crashing into her vehicle. The dealer reprogrammed the transmission controller module. On July 10, 2007, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the same failures. The etax relay and the controller software was updated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on August 30, 2007. The flash controller was replaced and the air bag sensor was reprogrammed; however, the repairs did not remedy the failures. …

The fuel line was recalled in 2002 under PT Cruiser fuel line leaks against air conditioner and I had that repaired in 2002. I have done nothing to the fuel line since then. On July 25 2009, the fuel line sprung a leak. Upon further investigation I noticed the line rubbed against the top of the engine which caused the hole in the fuel line. Obviously fuel was leaking onto the engine the consequences of the leak could have been catastrophic and life threatening to myself and family. The fuel line is threaded under the power steering pump hose and over the engine to the fuel injection rail. Over the miles the line rubbed the top of the engine which caused the hole in the fuel causing gas to squirt and leak in the engine compartment. I replaced the line to repair. I did keep the old fuel line and took pictures of the engine where it rubbed. …

I have a 2001 PT Cruiser. I had an incident in wisconsin 11/24/03 where my steering wheel locked and could not be unlocked, thus I could not start the car. I had it towed to the dealership the next day. They found nothing wrong. On 2/26/04 the steering column was clicking. I took it to a dealership in st. Louis. The steering column had to be replaced a bearing went out at 38913 miles. Then 8/31/04 I had just pulled into my subdivision after a long trip and the car would rev but did not accelerate. I took it to a local garage due to the mechanics strike at the dealerships. The front pump of the transmission is out and needs a new transmission at 47066 miles. In addition, neither of the two dealerships mentioned a fuel system recalls the were issued in 8/02 and not completed on my car.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, a strong odor of gasoline fuel emitted inside of the vehicle. The failure occurred thirty minutes after refueling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where they noticed a large amount of fuel leaking from the fuel tank return line. The mechanic installed two clamps as a temporary repair. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 02V214000 (fuel system, gasoline) but was advised that the VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

Consumer stated that the engine light came on, when the consumer went to have an oil change, the light went off. A week later the engine light came back on and stayed on. The consumer then called the mechanic/dealer and was told to bring the vehicle in. After the was examined, the consumer was told that the leak detector pump needed to be replaced. The consumer stated that last year there was a recall on the fuel pump and she thinks that this problem could be related. She said she was told by Chrysler that they would not help with the repairs. The engine light had come on again. The service dealer suggested that the light would go off then the problem would correct itself. Recall# 0345436

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact received recall notice id number: 02V214000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings) and had the vehicle towed to the dealer for the recall repairs. The dealer stated that because the fuel line was missing from the vehicle, they were unable to perform the recall repairs. The contact stated that since he was in possession of the recall notice which was addressed to him that he should be able to have the recall repairs performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would escalate his request. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 63,000.

Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact noticed an odor of gasoline emanating from the vehicle. Upon further inspection, he noticed fuel leaking from the hose. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 02V214000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings); therefore, they would not assume financial responsibility for any repairs. However, according to safercar.gov, his VIN was included in the recall. He took the vehicle to a local repair shop and had the component repaired according to the remedy referenced in the recall. The failure mileage was 87,629 and current mileage was 110,000.

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints in other PT Cruiser years