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 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I'm driving along, cruise set to 65. Ac on. Radio on. No sounds or weird feels from the car. Every light on the dash comes on. They went off after two seconds, with the seatbelt light being last to shut off. Then the car hits 113k miles about ten miles later and just... shuts off. All gauges drop to zero. Ac shuts off. Radio still playing. Full tank of gas. Headlights still on, brakes worked, power steering worked, and emergency flashers worked. I managed to get out of traffic and pull over without causing an accident. I turn the radio off and turn the key off for a few minutes. It cranked right back up and ran a little rough for a moment before smoothing out. I drove home without incident, but kept the radio and cruise off. And stayed under 65. Thankfully, traffic was light. The car has not been fixed as of this posting, nor has it been seen by anyone due to the weekend. …
My 2007 PT Cruiser with 17,340 miles (yes, that's correct), started leaking a good amount of oil. Researched and found this to be a common problem with some folks getting stranded on highway when car dropped all of its oil, brought to dealer. The invoice states the following: "customer states vehicle is leaking oil. Verified the concern. Found oil leaking from cam and crank seals. Disassembled engine to replace seals, and found excessive crank shaft end play, causing the crankshaft seal to push out. Inspected motor, found broken thrust washers and damage to the crankshaft. Replace the engine and recheck, no more oil leaks." and that's what they did...total cost, including tax was $6,055. This was not an easy decision. Checking online, I found it to be a common problem. Based on what I read, I asked dealer to replace with a short block. Said they are no longer made. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the check engine warning lamp was illuminated and smoke began emitting from under the hood area. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the crank shaft seal failed. The vehicle was repaired and the next day, the contact experienced an abnormal oil leak. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who advised that there was excessive movement in the crank shaft which caused the seal to be pushed outward. The manufacturer was contacted who stated that there were no recalls for the failure but they decided to extend a goodwill warranty that would cover the replacement of the engine block. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 69,100.
I drive a 2007 t Cruiser and have on and off again issues with my center dashboard lights coming on and gauges going up and down. Engine almost stalls in heavy traffic. This has happened several times and the mechanics cannot find any issues with wiring, grounding, battery, alternator, switches, etc. Happens at any time. Will be fine for a short period of time and then it will start to do it again. This takes place sitting still and in heavy traffic. Chrysler better take note and figure this out or they will have a huge lawsuit like what is going on with GM. Many people with the same complaints; how is it no one is concerned? Scared to drive my vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser. On several occasions (6) times, while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled. After several attempts, the contact managed to restart the vehicle in neutral and in park. The vehicle was taken to gary miller Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (located at 5746 peach st, millcreek township, pa 16509, [phone]) to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000. The VIN was not available. Invalid VIN
2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser conv. Has 85,300 miles on odometer. Car developed a severe engine oil leak problem. Investigation by me revealed a well known manufacturing defect with the 2.4l engine. Complete oil loss can happen very quickly and seize the engine resulting in a sudden stop in traffic. A dangerous event if traveling on a high speed road. Repair can cost up to $6000 for an engine replacement even if it does not seize. Chrysler acknowledges the defect in TSB # 09-001-13 / NHTSA # 10128948 but no recall has been issued.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the steering column started to lock up as the vehicle approached a stop sign. The steering column seized and the engine shut down. The contact stated that smoke appeared underneath the hood and the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was notified and a report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a collision yard. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to stop without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck and the engine revved. The vehicle was restarted but the failure continued. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000. The VIN was not available.
I noticed a sudden oil leak. I immediately had it checked to be told it was the front crank shaft and front seal needed to be replaced. My research showed it to be so common a problem in the PT Cruiser. Repair cost up to $1300.00. And problem would likely re-occur. Has not been repaired .
Iwas driving and entering the expressway from an on ramp when my check engine light came on after I heard a ding sound. I tried to excellerate and could not go over 20 miles an hour with out the car sputtering as if it was not getting gas. I drove to the nearest off ramp and preceded to a dealership where I had an oil change done on the same car a month prior. I had bought the car used from carmax just 4 months ago and it only had 44,000.the tech said it was probably something minor. When he called to tell me what was wrong it was not minor. The cam and crank position sensors had gone out. At the tune of $491.00 to fix it. I called the operations manager at carmax and all he wanted to say was thank goodness I had bought the extended warranty so it would only be $300.00 for the deductible. I saw that there were others with this same problem. …
Engine complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 33% of the model year's 150 complaints. The component named most often is engine (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser. 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 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 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.