Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
Answers and explanations to all of the above questions: My power steering assembly is leaking pretty bad and is only getting worse. I have a bad shoulder that I had surgery on and if it goes completely out I am afraid i wont be able to turn the steering wheel & cause an accident. The rims on the vehicle are cracked/cracking & I believe one has a hole or 2 & another 1 is forming one. It's also scratching & ruining the rotors. Its not the pads they are fine but I need at least 1 new rotor & can't because the rims are defective causing it to happen again which can easily damage the calipers locking up the wheel causing a crash plus sometimes theres a loud crunching noise not grinding like the pads are bad cause they are not. I know the difference. …
I purchased 4 new douglas extra-trak ii tires at walmart and within only a few months was having major "alignment" type issues. I thought maybe the tires needed to be balanced and rotated and have the pressure checked. Walmart tech had one of my tires that was a few lbs low and it blew out after he put it back up to appropriate levels. Blow out was out the side and not visible from the outside of the tire. Other side bulges were found on the other tires. Since the tires had been driven, walmart only gave me a "discount" on replacing the one that blew out - the others were my problem according to them. These tires are obviously defective and not safe.
After replacing the original tires on the auto we had a series of problems with keeping the tires inflated. We were told that the chrome on the rims was oxidizing and it was a problem with all Chrysler corp. Chrome rims. We had five (5) flat tires with in a two week period and decided to talk to the Chrysler dealer regarding the problem. We were told that they could do nothing about this safety problem because the auto was out of warranty. We then contacted Chrysler customer service phone number and were told they would not stand behind there product because it was out of warranty. We then sent a letter to Chrysler corp. And have not had any response. Again we were told that there are many Chrysler vehicles on the road with rims that will cause a flat tire at any time and no one at Chrysler seems to want to correct this safety issue.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. When the vehicle was at 32,000 miles, the contact noticed that the tires constantly lost pressure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer several times. The dealer replaced the valve system and cleaned the wheel. The failure continued. The contact called the manufacturer who advised her to take the vehicle back to the dealer who stated that the metal was corroded. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 62,000.
I have had to replace or repair the front and rear wheel bearings several times: front-April of 2005 at 64690 miles, front-April 2006 at 89223 miles, front-May 2006 at 91750 miles, front wheel bearing-July 2009 at 153048 miles, front wheel bearing-April 2011 at 182684 miles, rear wheel bearing-October 2011 at 191072 miles. I have replaced or repaired the suspension parts: front bushing control arm, ball joint lower control arm-March 2006 at 86643 miles, left inner tie rod had excessive play-January 2007 at 107087 miles, two outer tie rods replaced-January 2008 at 127121 miles.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45 MPH on normal road conditions, the vehicle had difficulties with the steering. Upon inspection, the tires appeared flat. This became present after the renewal of all four tires at a tire shop. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who balanced the tires and performed an alignment. The problem reoccurred and the dealership did not assume any responsibility about the defect. The vehicle remained inoperable. The manufacturer was contacted who declared the problem occurred on vehicle's operated in snow belt states but provided no solution.
2 of the alloy rims leak air at an increasing rate. 2 years ago it was fill more air once a month, last year every 2 weeks or less and last 2 months every 2 days. The other day I lost a tire from low air after driving 50 miles over a 7 hour time frame. I lose about 20 lbs overnight on these 2 tires because the corrosion of the base metal and the chrome is happening at an unbelievable rate. The tire dealers have scraped off the old corrosion but to no avail as it quickly recurs. I am lucky it was only a flat the other day and not a loss of steering in busy traffic.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The vehicle has cooper tires, size at205/55/r16 (na). While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle vibrated moderately and the front driver's side tire blew out. The vehicle was towed to a local rest stop and the tire was replaced. The manufacturer stated that the dot number was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 08t029000 (tires:tread/belt). The cause of the failure has not yet been determined. The failure and current mileages were 20,000.
Was losing massive amounts of air from left rear tire. Took it to sears, for tire repair, and was told that the tire was fine, but that the chrome plated wheel was severely corroded at the bead. Then took car to dealer, where the mechanic said that the wheel was beyond repair, and ordered a new one. Replaced a week later. OK since, however I now have two more wheels doing the same thing. Warranty has expired, not sure what to do. I am afraid that the wheels May fail.
Dt*: the contact stated, on 3/1/05 all tires were low. Upon inspection by the service dealer, corrosion was found on the rims of all four tires, causing the seal between the tire and rims to be broken. The tires were removed and all tires and rims were cleaned and placed back onto the vehicle. The manufacturer was alerted. The manufacturer determined there was no liability on the manufacturer because the vehicle's warranty was expired. Updated 11/3/2006 -
Wheel & Tire complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 7% of the model year's 511 complaints. The component named most often is rim (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to wheels & tires 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.