Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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 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. …
I have been experiencing shifter problems, that has made it occasionally difficult to shift into or it would drop out of reverse gear. While doing a battery check I noticed the shift linkage appeared to be lying on top of the transaxle. Upon further investigation after removing the air box I noticed that indeed linkage was lying there without being secured in position. There appears to be an indentation for retainer clip, there was no evidence that one had been used or if it had it came off early on. I realize more automatic PT?s were sold than manual 5-speed units. I also realize that it is possible that only my vehicle May have this problem. Although I believe that to be unlikely, therefore I am filing a formal complaint, based on the initial response I received from the local dealership service and parts department. …
I was travelling east on the 91 freeway in los angeles at about 5:10 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2005. I was in very heavy traffic travelling at about 35 miles per hour when the (automatic) transmission disengaged. There was no unusual noise preceding the disengagement except that the engine revved, of course. Fortunately, I was in the right-hand lane approaching the bellflower offramp. The car rolled to a stop near the end of the offramp in the middle of traffic. I had to have the car towed to donavee Chrysler in placentia, ca. We took delivery of the car on May 27, 2001 and it only has 37,230 miles on it. The service department told me that the car was out of warranty and that it would cost $850 just to remove the transmission before they could even begin to determine what went wrong - parts and repairs will be extra.
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.
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, original owner, 36,633 miles. Driving in heavy traffic on hwy 280 east in birmingham, al April 28, 2005 when transmission froze up. Was able to move to shoulder to avoid accident. Had vehicle towed to shop. Transmission control module had gone out - vehicle was one year and 633 miles out of warranty. Repair costs - $575. Chrysler corporation refused to provide any warranty assistance. Driving on hwy 280 east in birmingham, al on September 14, 2005 when transmission went out again. Mileage at this occurrance 40,827. Had vehicle towed to shop. Transmission control module had gone out - again. Part was replaced at no charge but had to pay labor charges plus cost of rental vehicle for 1 week. Total cost this round - $500 including rental car.
Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle began leaking transmission oil while traveling on the highway at 65 MPH uphill on a hot day and on dry roads. Smoke was observed coming from the rear of the vehicle, so the vehicle was pulled over. The front hood was raised and the transmission's left driver side, exhaust, and rear tires were observed to be covered in transmission oil. The vehicle was towed to an auto repair shop who determined that the transmission cooler hose clamps were not installed properly. The auto repair shop replaced the hose clamps with stainless steel wormgear clamps, and filled the vehicle up with transmission oil. At the time of the incident, the operating temperature of the vehicle was hot. The vehicle is a Chrysler PT Cruiser.
During the first couple of minutes of operation, during closed phased of engine operation the vehicle will hesitate during acceleration. This is most noticeable in first, second and third gear and during cooler damp conditions. Also during this closed phase, there is popping noise in exhaust system upon deceleration using the engine. The other major concern is a vibration from the engine and or transmission upon full accelerations in 4th gear. This even occurs when the engine is at or above 2500 RPM(recommended speed for starting 4th gear), and dissipates as the car speed increases. It is particularly a concern when entering express ways from on ramps. ****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis****761677
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact purchased the vehicle in November of 2007 and the wiring harness was replaced due to electrical failures. In April of 2008, while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they replaced the brake pads and calipers. Recently, the engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer's diagnostic indicated that the transmission solenoid switch needed to be replaced, along with the power steering pump. The dealer stated that the warranty does not cover the parts. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls that applied to her VIN. The failure mileage was 68,000 and current mileage was 75,551.
Transmission complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 8% of the model year's 618 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.