World production totaled around 1.35 million PT Cruisers. Now that production has ended, a PT Cruiser can be a nice little car to collect or a used car to transport your family.
You may be wondering which model year you should invest in.
About the Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler produced the PT Cruiser between 2000 and 2010. It is a compact car in two body styles. Most PT Cruisers are 5-door hatchbacks, but they made a 2-door convertible version from 2005 to 2008.
Read on for a definitive guide to the best and worst years of the PT Cruiser.
PT Cruiser Life Expectancy
PT Cruisers are reasonably good little cars. Owners on a forum consistently reported that they had around 130,000 miles on them and were still going.
A well-maintained Cruiser can last up to 150,000 miles. The average American puts about 11.5 thousand miles on their vehicle each year. That averages out to about 13 years.
Customers give massive mixed reviews for PT Cruisers. However, some years are more prone to problems than others.
Common PT Cruiser Problems
Some car models are known for their particular problems. Chrysler struggled to build high-quality cars in the early 2000s, so it’s no surprise that some problems are common to PT Cruisers.
Most problems with PT Cruisers are minor inconveniences that aren’t expensive to fix. Some problems can cost you several hundred euros.
The engine does not turn
Many PT Cruisers had a faulty Wireless Control Module (WCM) that caused the engine to not crank. Static electricity was the culprit for the WCM failure.
Replacing the WCM is a minor, but inconvenient repair that many owners have reported.
excessive heating
The cooling fan has two speeds. Commonly, one will stop working. Replacing the cooling fan is a problem you need to fix right away to prevent damage from overheating the engine.
A bad radiator cap, clogged radiator, or bad thermostats are other possible culprits for your PT Cruiser overheating.
suspension problems
Many owners complained about noise and rattle. Drivers expect a sleek little car like the PT Cruiser to be quiet. What was causing all the fuss?
Bad control arm bushings are a usual suspect in this problem. Many owners also replaced CV axles, struts, or ball joints on a high mileage model.
Peeling on chrome wheels
This problem appeared most often on 2002 PT Cruisers. However, other models also had this problem. The chrome on the wheels came off and the tires lost air.
Chrysler purchased the wheels from a third party, rather than manufacturing them. They never issued a recall or service bulletin on wheels. Many customers replaced the wheels at their own expense.
PT Cruiser Years to Avoid
Eventually, the PT Cruiser will take its place among collectible cars. It is too early to say which years and variations will be the most sought after. However, these years were especially difficult for Chrysler.
Collectors or drivers looking for an inexpensive pre-owned vehicle, these are the years to avoid the PT Cruiser.
2006
A common problem with PT Cruisers peaked with the 2006 model. Engine stalling and stalling while driving were the main complaints for this model year.
2001
This model year takes the prize for most recalls, which is unfortunate considering it was the first model year. He reached seven withdrawals for various reasons.
Another frequent complaint from owners was that the chrome on the wheels was flaking, leading to air leaks.
The only engine available for the first model year had timing belt problems. It needed replacement at regular intervals which were expensive and labor intensive. The average timing belt replacement costs between $500 and $750 with parts and labor.
2002
The 2002 PT Cruiser saw a spike in the problem with the wheels. The chrome came off and the tires lost air. Chrysler never recalled the wheels, but this was a common problem for drivers.
2007
Hundreds of reports about a faulty WCM affected 2007 model year drivers as well. Similar to the debut year of the PT Cruiser, this car had trouble starting the engine.
Chrysler issued a recall on this model to reposition a high pressure power steering hose. Poor positioning of the hose caused it to come in contact with the transaxle differential cover and wear out prematurely.
The dealers inspected and repositioned the hoses. They replaced the already damaged ones.
Best years for PT Cruiser
A few years of production brought a more powerful engine and other improvements. Chrysler never really perfected the PT Cruiser, so keep the above issues in mind if you decide one of these unique cars is for you.
Top model years are highlighted by customer ratings for reliability and fewer reported problems compared to the other models.
2003
Chrysler released a turbocharged edition of the PT Cruiser that sported a 2.4 L 16 V Turbo. The turbocharged model continues through the last model year in 2010.
Lack of power was a constant complaint about the Cruiser. However, the turbocharged versions did not completely solve the problem.
2005
Chrysler put a new spin on its quirky compact car by offering a convertible model. Aside from the new styling, the 2005 rates well in customer satisfaction. Many buyers rated it four out of five stars for comfort, performance, and reliability.
That puts this model above average among other PT Cruiser model years.
2008
Another model year that scores better than other models in customer satisfaction is 2008. It doesn’t score as well as 2005, but it still stands out among the ten model years produced.
2009
Interest in the PT Cruiser began to wane after the 2006 model year. The 2009 models remained popular and well-rated with drivers before Chrysler stopped work the next year.
The 2009 rates around four stars for performance, value for cost, and reliability.
Pros and cons of the PT Cruiser
Despite the problems of the first model year, the PT Cruiser quickly gained a fan base. There are some commendable qualities in these quirky little hatchbacks that endear them to their dedicated fans.
advantages
Styling: Designer Bryan Nesbitt blended contemporary and vintage styles for the PT Cruiser. Drivers who love them frequently cite styling as one aspect that drew them to this car.
Space: It looks small to the eye, but the PT Cruiser seats five and has a roomy cargo area under the hatchback.
Convertible: The convertible body configuration available on 2005-2008 models draws fans to the PT Cruiser.
Affordable: The PT Cruiser is likely to become a collector’s car despite the problems. As of now, you can get a used Cruiser for a fairly cheap price.
cons
Poor Fuel Economy: A common complaint from early owners was the lack of power and fuel economy considering the small 2.4 L engine.
Low Front: The design makes the PT Cruiser instantly identifiable to everyone, even if they are not car lovers. However, it is easy to scrape the bottom at the front going uphill.
Below Average Reliability: The number of reported complaints, service bulletins, and recalls put the PT Cruiser in the less reliable category. Fans of this car love the features in addition to its reliability.
Is the PT Cruiser a reliable car?
Based on customer ratings, reported problems, and recalls, the PT Cruiser is below average in reliability. You can get around pretty well in a good model year Cruiser if you want an inexpensive used vehicle.
Just be prepared to run into some of the problems mentioned above.
Frequently Asked Questions about the PT Cruiser
One day, the PT Cruiser will be a fun and offbeat collectible car. Buying now allows you to pick it up early. However, the Cruiser is a pretty good used family car if it’s in a good year.
Here are some more facts to help you know if the PT Cruiser is a good buy for you.
Why are PT Cruisers so cheap?
Reviews of PT Cruisers are very mixed. People either love them or hate them. You will find high mileage models known for many problems at rock bottom prices.
Was the PT cruise discontinued?
Chrysler stopped producing PT Cruisers in 2010. The company struggled to produce high-quality vehicles in the early 2000s. The Cruiser has a loyal fan base.
However, popularity waned after a problem-plagued 2006 model.
Are PT cruisers expensive to repair?
Some problems, like timing belt replacements, cost hundreds of dollars. Many common PT Cruiser problems are cheap to fix. The main problem you will run into is finding parts.
Is a PT Cruiser worth fixing up?
Usually a PT Cruiser is worth fixing up. Most problems in all model years are minor annoyances that don’t cost much to fix.
The biggest expense issues are the timing belt and peeling chrome wheels. Both can cost hundreds of euros to replace.
How much is a used PT Cruiser worth?
You can find used PT Cruisers from very cheap €3000 up to about a respectable €18,000. Mileage always affects the value of a car.
You will also find that the best years models cost more than years with various problems reported.
