Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate and felt as if it was dragging. There was also a smell was coming from the front of the vehicle. It was towed to an independent repair shop who determined the front left brake was sticking. The caliper was replaced and bolts were tightened. One week later, the same thing occurred. This time the independent repair shop replaced the caliper with the original and suggested a visit to the dealer for further assistance. The dealer flushed the brake system and during a test drive the front left and the rear right brakes caught on fire. It was determined the rotors and pads and ABS system needed to be replaced.
Dt: the contact stated the driver's side and passenger's side air bags deployed while driving down the highway. There was no prior warning. Also , the right front brake had a loud popping and squealing noise, this caused the steering wheel to vibrate. The right front brake overheated, it turned the rim red hot. He could smell the brake dust from the right front brake. He contacted the dealer, they have repeatedly replaced the brakes, brake pads, disc caliper, and rotors. He was still having the same problem with the vehicle. Updated 12/7/2005. The battery had to be replaced at 14972 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact parked the vehicle and when he pulled the brake handle up, it went all the way to the top. There was no braking ability. He purchased a parking equalizer and clip because the cable was burned and frayed. He was informed at that time that he had to purchase the entire braking system assembly (lever, grip, handle) rather than just the 8 to 10 inch equalizer cable and clip. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 140,085.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the left and right front tires caught fire due to intense heat in the wheels. The brake caliper also locked which caused the left wheel to lock and melt the brakes. The dealer stated that they corrected the failure in April of 2006. A different dealer confirmed that the brake line was never replaced or repaired which is why the failure has occurred. The failure mileage was 21,000 and the current mileage was 37,800.
I was driving to my next client on icy pavement at 35 degrees below zero. I applied the brakes, but had a hard pedal, no ABS braking, nothing. Crashed into pick-up truck in front of me who was able to stop at light. His truck was 1996 and did not have ABS. Is there a problem with brake fluid at this extreme temperature?
After 23,000 miles the brake light began coming on only when taking off quickly from a stop. Brakes did not squeal and there was no other sign there could be a problem except for the intermittent light coming on. I went to the dealer to get my oil changed and had them check the light while I was there. They told me the brake pads were slightly worn, but the rotors were down to 30% thickness and must be replaced as soon as possible. This car is only a little over a year old with only 23,000 miles on it! Plus it's a manual transmission and I down shift a lot to slow the car instead of braking. Other than that occasional light, there was no indication whatsoever there was a problem with the brakes. I never imagined the rotors would wear out that quickly, therefore I might have just ignored the intermittent light. This is a safety and design issue I think chrylser needs to look into.
The consumer stated that since the vehicle was purchased, the brakes were defective and performed poorly when applied. The consumer suspects that the dealership did not work on the brakes at all. There was a screeching noise and the brakes would sometimes go almost to the bottom of the floor. The driver's seat belt did not always lock, the brakes would rub and hesitate to stop, the A/C did not get cold on high settings, the entire dashboard electronic system was off, the fuel, MPH and the RPM lights had come on, at the inside top of all four doors, the lining was buldging in and out, the driver's side seat belt needed several attempts before locking, the right signal had to be manually stopped, and the left signal light did not hold. There was also an issue with the odometer reading. (the consumer felt that it did not display the proper mileage)
Brake warning indicator light started coming on intermittently at 27,000 miles, of which 20,000 of those miles are freeway miles. Took the car to the dealer and was told that the brake pads and rotors were both worn out. I asked for the old parts and saw that the inside pads were nearly gone. When I questioned why 1.) there was never a warning from the brake pad chirpers and 2.) the brakes were worn out so soon, I was told by the dealer that Chrysler is using lesser quality materials in the rotors and pads. The dealer also said that only the outside pad has a chirper (a worn pad warning device) and that the inside pad will grind the rotor before the outside pad is worn enough to warn the driver. In other words, you will ruin your brake rotors before you are warned.
Dt*: the contact stated the brakes squeaked and brake dust was observed on the hubcaps. The brakes pads have been replaced and the rotors have been turned frequently at every 3,000 miles. The braking capability of the vehicle is defective and causes the vehicle to swerve all over the road. The dealer and the manufacturer determined the brake pads and the rotors are not compatible. Three dealerships and have admitted this is a design defect but because it does not affect the functioning of the brakes they are not qualified to issue a recall. According to the contact this failure does affect the function of the brakes.
Dt: the contact stated the driver's side and passenger's side air bags deployed while driving down the highway. There was no prior warning. Also , the right front brake had a loud popping and squealing noise, this caused the steering wheel to vibrate. The right front brake overheated, it turned the rim red hot. He could smell the brake dust from the right front brake. He contacted the dealer, they have repeatedly replaced the brakes, brake pads, disc caliper, and rotors. He was still having the same problem with the vehicle.
Brake complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 7% of the model year's 511 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, though it has 3 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 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 48% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 3 fires and 3 injuries to brakes 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.