Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
While driving the vehicle I could begin to smell a strong odor of gas them almost like the smell of plastic melting and the vehicle engine started running hot temperature so I immediately turned off the engine as I pulled over to the side of the road and as I stepped out of the car aflame began under the hood and ended up burning my entire engine. Fire department had to come and extinguish the car.
OK maybe 4th time is a charm on trying to get PT Cruiser off road. I had a fire in this vehicle due to overheating which was reported but dumb me put it out and replaced grill and radiator and had to take seperate loan out for $2500 in repairs and now vehicle won't start and now being told is computer well that explains why when we were trying to get out of car when was on fire the door locks didn't won't to work first time. The car is a 2002 with 100,000 miles on it and I have already put new tires on it and battery and had all these repairs done trying to save the car because I am a single mom on disability maybe since Chrysler is under investigation for injuries and deaths not being reported you can add me because I was burned during the fire trying to put out. …
OK this is the 10th complaint filed on this vehicle both by myself and mechanics who have worked on it in last 6 months. My vehicle caught fire beside my house this morning at 6 am. Nobody in car and the only thing that alerted me was when my dogs went out and were barking like crazy. I will have the fire investigator report on Monday or Tuesday. I suggest Chrysler who has all the same complaints as you do pay attention when you are told a car is unsafe. I could have lost everything this morning so Chrysler better be glad was just car. I am still shaking and I am a single disabled mom thank god fire department got here when they did. I want answers!
Drove the vehicle 12 miles to get home. (the vehicle was stationary) immediately turning off engine after making it home. Power steering fluid leakage (big leak) from hose and smoke smell from under hood. (engine looks chard)
OK I am so upset I bought this car 2 years ago it is a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser with a back check from my disability cause I had to have something low to the ground to get in and out of. I have had nothing but problems and I can't afford anymore on this car this is like a brand new car with such low miles I can't get to therapy, doctor's appointments and when you go on all these sights it is the same report overheating for model tears 2001-2005. I have had to take out a loan to have a radiator installed,sensor for fan, thermostat,fan,hoses and it still overheats and now being told that it is a cracked head gasket now tell me how the couple of times it did overheat and was immediately turned off and towed it got into this bad of shape and why so many cruisers have the overheating problems? …
OK this is my 3rd complaint on this vehicle the first problem was overheating and yes caught fire after a month of that everytime temperature gauge would rise I pulled car over and had towed I have 7 tow bills on that well last time caught fire was able to put out had to replace radiator,hoses,had a cracked head,fan,fan sensor and thermostat and grill that was $2000 for all that. I got car back and now have had back for a month and car won't start had battery changed out,had 25 point inspection done and now saying alarm system is triggering something or possibly computer going bad. This is a 2002 with only 100,000 miles on it. I owe $2300 to chase for purchase then have 2nd lien because of all these other problems of $2000. I bought the car back in 4/2013 and had to have all recalls done on it and I have reported all this before and Chrysler refuses to admit it is a lemon. …
My check engine light goes off and on. Crankshaft and camshaft sensors were reading as the issue according to the odometer code system.. My car shuts off at anytime even while driving in the middle of the road. My battery terminal seems to be weak possibly having shortage moments from time to time. My vehichle will pull one way or the other. My breaks feel like there going to give out or are brand knew . My vehichle makes a noise as if the front cv axels or ball joints need to be greased. My wiring and engine is my main concern. My ac doesn't work my radiator seal has been replaced my car will make a guzzling noice due to the coolant . The list goes on. I bought my vehichle approx. 4months ago. The issues have progressed over the past month.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving 55 MPH, the contact noticed smoke under the hood of the vehicle. She then noticed flames under the hood through the dashboard of the vehicle. The engine turned off, which forced the contact to coast the vehicle to a stop. The passenger of the vehicle injured her nose and wrist while attempting to exit the vehicle. The driver was not injured. The vehicle was diagnosed by the manufacturer and they stated that the failure was not caused by a vehicle defect. The fire department extinguished the fire and a police report was filed. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The current and failure mileages were 71,300.
202 PT Cruiser - engine fire - car totalled - reported to Chrysler and got a letter saying they were checking into it - notified the general manager at the dealership - notified the service manager at the dealership - tried to Chrysler several times by e-mail, fax and phone - as of today I am still waiting to hear from them. Saw an article in the sac bee this weekend about other engine fires - want to report this one - want Chrysler to make this right - please help. I have a fire department report and pictures. Thanks, wendy donom.
Engine cradle, or front subframe, is rusted to the point I've stopped driving the car. I'm in the process of finding a replacement but Chrysler no longer makes the part! Nothing has happened to this point because of my caution but the front end was starting to make popping noises when I started out from a dead stop. The problem is on the front passenger side. I understand from reading articles, many other pts have this same problem. For years, I have tried to prime and spray oil on the part to extend it's life. Time has come....
Engine complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 12% of the model year's 511 complaints. The component named most often is engine (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 14 fires and 5 injuries and 1 death to engine & cooling 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.