Problems · by component

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser electrical system problems

98 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser cite electrical system, 19% of all 523 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
98
19% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2019Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11242425
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAM HEAD LAMPS WOULD ILLUMINATE RANDOMLY DAY OR NIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST SIX TIMES IN ONE WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH THAT CONTROLLED THE HEADLIGHTS WAS REPLACED BY HIM. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC CLIP HOLDING THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO THE SWITCH HAD BURNED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2019Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11219448
“MY LIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. NOT ONLY DID MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF BUT MY DASH BOARD LIGHTS AND THE LIGHTS ON MY GEAR SHIFT DID AS WELL. MY DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AS WELL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2017Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11057044
“TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT I PULLED OVER AND I DIDNT HAVE DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. ALL THE FUSES ARE GOOD. I WAS RESEARCHING ONLINE AND ALOT OF PT CRUISERS ARE HAVING THE ISSUE IT SEEMS THAT THE CONNECTOR FOR THE FUSE BLOCK GOES BAD I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. I THINK ITS REDUNDANT THAT YPU HAVE TO PAY 150-250 DOLLARS EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS. WHEN NO ONE REALLY HAS THAT KINDA MONEY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2016Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 10919959
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND AN ALARM SOUNDED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALARM SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2016Electrical systemODI 10875997
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD EXHIBITED A LONG CRACK WHICH ORIGINATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD THAT CROSSED OVER THE DASHBOARD VENT AND EXTENDED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2016Electrical systemODI 10845519

Showing 6 of 98 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: interior

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A SOFTWARE ERROR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MICROPROCESSOR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLUSTER, WITH THE MAJORITY OF ITS GAUGES, ILLUMINATION, AND WARNING LAMPS, COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Electrical systemReported Sep 10, 2001NHTSA 01V288000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.