2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  2
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  17%
• 25k–50k
  17%
• 50k–75k
  429%
• 75k–100k
  536%
• 100k–150k
  321%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Problems reside in the total integrated power management module. TPIM whereas vehicle will shut off while driving. No indicator lights to give warning before the vehicle shuts off. Has on occasion shut off and recovered power multiple times within a minute This is a very dangerous scenario to conduct a road test or have someone confirm the issue on the road.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked back and forth as if the brakes were being depressed and released. In addition, the vehicle began to smoke without warning. The contact was an independent mechanic and repaired the vehicle; however, the diagnosis was unknown. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.

Vehicle was moving at approximately 30 MPH when a vehicle was hit crossed into my lanes and I hit the vehicle head on, police report was filed. Injuries to knee, chest and lap from belt. Airbags did not deploy.

Tl contact owns a 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While stopped with the vehicle shifted into park, the contact began to see smoke being emitted from the instrument panel. The contact then popped the hood and noticed a fire in the engine compartment. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was told a heat shield was missing from the wires under the hood. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 35,474 and the current mileage was 35,674. Updated 03/31/11 the consumer stated the first time the vehicle caught on fire, it was due to a missing cover on the catalytic converter. Updated 05/06/11

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the gauges would suddenly malfunction and display erroneous information before the vehicle stalled. After restarting the engine, the vehicle would operate normally before the failure recurred. Also, the contact indicated that an electrical burning odor was present inside the vehicle during the incidences. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 106,000.

All lights and gauges flash or go to zero , engine fails and car stalls while going at highway speed. This has happened many times. Three times it has stalled to a halt, many times it just shudders. Car is almost undriveable.

There are a few issues with my car and the local dealer says they May be related. Stalling while driving: this has happened twice within 2-3 months. First time I was on a highway off ramp slowing to stop. Not sure of my speed, but I noticed it stalled as I was almost to the light. I stopped and the car started up fine. The second time was 1-2 months later in jan. 2017. I was driving in town about 30 MPH and shifted (automatic) from 3rd to drive. I pushed the gas to speed up and realized the car had stalled. Once again it started back up just fine. Malfunctioning instrument cluster: this has been an intermittent problem since probably 2011 or 2012. The dials on the gauges will swing back and forth wildly. Dash light will flash on and off. Sometimes the cluster makes a popping sound like it is popping popcorn inside there. …

I bought this PT Cruiser from a local dealer, the first time it turned off I was at a stop sign and thought it just stalled from not being warmed up. About a week later I was driving down a local road doing 50 miles per hour when I bumped the key in the ignition with my knee. The car turned off. Luckily it was a straight road with no traffic and I was able to guide the car to a stop then restart it. This has happened a few times more, all with bumping my knee against the ignition key. It instantly turns the car off. With the GM recall in the news I wasn't paying attention since I don't have a GM car but decided to look when I heard it involved the ignition turning the car off. I saw that it is similar yet nothing being done about my ignition so I am filing this complaint. I have notified Chrysler of this problem I am experiencing. …

My 2008 PT Cruiser has a bad #3 valve. I had the car tuned up due to a misfire code of the #3 valve. After driving for two days with new spark plugs and wires, the car idled rough and the same code for #3 misfire valve came up on the dash. My mechanic checked the pressure in the valve and #1,2, & 4 had a pressure of 175 with # 3 having pressure of 110. My car only has 77,135 miles on it. I found another complaint with the same valve on the same year and their car only had 38000. Seeing how more than one car has the very same problem, doesn't this need looking into. My mechanic told me the only way to fix it was to replace valve or replace the engine head which costs around $1500.00.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the seat belt warning light would illuminate, followed by the illumination of the every warning light on the instrument panel, and then the vehicle would stall. The vehicle was able to be restarted after a few moments. The contact stated that the failure would occur on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

Engine complaints in other PT Cruiser years