Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
Owners filed 115 complaints about the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser with NHTSA between Aug 2007 and Mar 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (45).
Complaints
115
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system45
- Air bags24
- Engine15
- Power train10
- Seat belts7
- Service brakes7
- Exterior lighting7
- Vehicle speed control6
- Visibility6
- Steering5
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Tires5
- Suspension4
- Structure3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
2
4
17
6
12
7
25
16
10
7
3
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 25 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
45 reports1 crash2 fires
“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.”
Air bags
24 reports9 crashes
“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. *TT *TR”
Engine
15 reports1 crash2 fires
“PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS OFF WHEN UNOCCUPIED, GOES ON AND CHIMES WHEN SOMEONE IS SEATED. HORN STICKS. OVERHEATS WHEN IDLED SHORT PERIODS (TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ETC.) BLOWS COLD AIR WHEN AT IDLE, ONLY PROVIDES HEAT WHEN ROLLING. ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE COMMON TO THIS VEHICLE.”
Power train
10 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARX AUTO CENTER (132 ROCKDALE AVE, SOUTH DARTMOUTH, MA 02748, (508) 997-2377), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.”
Seat belts
7 reports2 crashes
“RE: #10510796, PART RECEIVED FRIDAY 24 MAY 2013 PART INSTALLED FRIDAY 31 MAY 2013 PROBLEM RESOLVED. THANK YOU.[XXX] *TR”
Service brakes
7 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER ON A DIRT PATCH, WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND SMOKE ENTERED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PADS MELTED, WHICH CAUSED THE SMOKE TO RISE FROM BENEATH THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.