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 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
So I had been having issues with the car overheating well I'm almost home and my daughter says she smells smoke so pull over and rush to get my babies out of the car because under the hood it had caught on fire
It started with the dashboard lights and the middle stick lights (p,d,r,n++) I can't see at night what speed I'm going or my levels or anything bc the lights quit working, I had the battery replaced I've had the battery changed twice, I've had the thermostat changed twice but it still over heats not too long ago with both of my toddlers in the car on a 3 lane highway locked up on me couldn't use the steering wheel or brakes had to pull the emergency break it's just been repetitive I bought the car from my sister who's grandmother got tired of putting money into it it stutters sometimes like it's slow to shift into gear to accelerate it can happen anywhere. It was my first car it's never been wrecked, I never thought to check for any recalls, I bought it in July of 17. It's only had a total of 2 owners. It used to shake real bad I couldn't go over 55miles an hour but even 55 was iffy. …
Vehicle accelerated on its own, up to 4,000rpm with my foot off the gas pedal. When I stomped on the brakes car would not slow down, engine continued to run at 4,000rpm. To save my life and others shifted car into neutral, pulled over and turned off ignition. After a minute or two restarted the car and same symptom were present, engine reviving to 4,000rpm, foot off the gas pedal, on the brake pedal as a precaution. Note that when this first happened the car was not in cruise control mode, simply driving around town running errands. This situation is scary because I do not know when, how, if it is going to happen again, totally unprovoked and non-sensical as to why it is happening, what triggers the problem. This has now occurred twice recently and because of this nightmare scenario I am hesitant, very very hesitant to drive the car. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible. Immediately after placing fuel in the vehicle, it began smoking. While driving 45 MPH, the RPM's increased to approximately 6,000. When the contact eased up on the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stopped smoking and the RPM's returned to normal. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and they performed a diagnostic. The mechanic stated that the turbo was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the VIN was not related to any recalls; therefore, they were not liable for the repairs. The current mileage was 61,000 and failure mileage was 60,950.
While driving, sometimes when driving, the car will jerk to the left or the right without probacation. Vechile accelerates without foot being on the pedal. One time I was at a stop light. My foot was on the brake, but the car lurched forward and the engine starting reving. I had to use both feet with extreme force to slow the car down. Finally, I just threw the car into park; once in park, the car kept reving. The pedal was not pressed.this has happened on three occasions. This makes for unsafe driving, and only due to my good driving skills did I avoid an accident. This has been occuring for the past three months.
While driving the engine will sputter and die. When pulling up to a stop light the check engine light will come on and the engine will immediately die. While driving on the freeway at 65mph the engine will suddenly die.
Just under 78,000 miles turbo goes out, took to dealership, replaced turbo (took 6 mos) finally returned the vehicle and within 1 month head gasket goes out (blowing white smoke), while driving at 35 MPH on a side road (dealer says known problem, wants another $2000 for head gasket, local dealer says "the head gaskets for that car are the weak point, when you return the comp ratio to new/normal with a new turbo. It will blow the head gasket out") replaced myself (cant afford dealer) new head gasket (multi layered pos), new bolts (required), new timing belt, now it wont start, tested all sensors, cam, crank, o/p, water, throttle pos, replaced coil, replaced PCM, chased and inspected all wiring, still nothing engine cranks over, but-it will not start. …
Within a few months of purchasing the new 2004 PT, the engine began to idle very rough. Before, I could sit at a red light in drive and never feel the car vibrate. Now anytime I start the engine or am driving down the road it vibrates and runs very rough. The engine light would also come on and I was able to get the computer code p0303 from the odometer (using the key on/run, off trick). P0303 is a misfire in cylinder number 3. I have taken it to the dealer 6 times now and I still have the same problem!!! It still runs very rough but the engine light does not come on anymore. They keep telling now they cannot do anything if the engine light does not come on. But it still runs very rough! Sometimes the light flashes when I start the engine. The dealer has blamed/replaced everything from bad gas, spark plugs, cables and now they want to replace the motor mounts! …
Engine light came on, it acted like it was misfiring. Car shut off at around 60mph. Drifted off road and restarted and went a mile or so and it shut off again we kept doing that until we got home. The next day we took it to our mechanic it ran fine on the way there, around 15 miles. He put it on his computer, it read bad injectors so he replaced them. Then he took it for a ride and it acted like it was misfiring again he put it back on his computer and it read bad coil so he replaced the coil pack,plugs and plug wires. It ran fine for about 4 months . Until now 10/30/2012. . Took back to mechanic, he replaced o2 sensors. Ran for 2wks. Same thing again! Once again took back to mechanic . He put it on his computer once again and it read fine. He said we should take it to our Chrysler center. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving approximately 70 MPH the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was pulled over and upon restart drove as normal but the check engine light continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken directly to an authorized dealer. The failure recurred several times during this drive. He was unsure if the authorized dealer performed any repairs. The failure began to recur intermittently. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where the crank sensor was replaced. The failure continued to recur and the vehicle was again taken to an authorized dealer where the cam shaft sensor was replaced. The failure continued to recur so the vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where the pmc was replaced. The failure has not recurred. …
Engine complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 17% of the model year's 217 complaints. The component named most often is engine (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, though it has 1 recall 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 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries 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.