RoadVitals

2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
43
Latest Feb 12, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 618 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
19
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
17

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 43 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 43, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Feb 12, 2025

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID
11642120
Incident
Nov 9, 2024
Airbags
Filed Oct 28, 2019

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING..... STOPPED OR MOVING

NHTSA ID
11271661
Incident
Oct 21, 2019
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 16, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE, WAS TURNED AROUND 180 DEGREES AND THEN STRUCK AGAIN IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND SEVERAL BRUISES AND CONTUSIONS AND SORE RIBS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TOWING FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. *AS *TR

NHTSA ID
11232217
Incident
Jun 14, 2019
Mileage
171,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 21, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10917975
Incident
Oct 10, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jan 26, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER DID NOT LOCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM A BRUISED CHEST, HANDS, SHOULDER PAIN, NECK PAIN, AND LEG PAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000. UPDATED 05/04/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10822378
Incident
Jan 22, 2016
Mileage
53,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Oct 23, 2014

CENTER OF STEERING WHEEL (WHERE AIRBAG IS LOCATED) BECAME SO HOT THAT IT COULD NOT BE TOUCHED WITH YOUR BARE HAND. PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. WAITED UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN TO NORMAL TEMPERATURE THEN GOT BACK IN AND RESTARTED VEHICLE AND MOVED SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK FROM THE STEERING WHEEL JUST IN CASE. THE HEATING PHENOMENON DID NOT RECUR IN THE SHORT DRIVE HOME (5-10 MINUTES). HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. SCHEDULING A VISIT TO LOCAL DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NOTHING FOUND ON CHRYSLER RECALL INFORMATION AND EMAIL TO CHRYSLER GOT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH PACKAGE 28G THAT INCLUDED SUPPLEMENTAL SIDE AIRBAGS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649477
Incident
Oct 20, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 19, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE WALL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON HER LEFT FOREARM AND A BLACK EYE DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10626449
Incident
Jul 22, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 7, 2010

AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. CODE INDICATE PASSENGER SIDE SQUIBB LINE OPEN. SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10347957
Incident
Jun 16, 2008
Mileage
45,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 26, 2009

AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND GOES OFF. SOMETIMES WILL BEEP EVERY FEW MINUTES UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP TRIED 3 TIMES IN A ROW UNSUCCESSFULLY TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT IT WOULD NOT HINDER FROM PASSING INSPECTION, WHICH IT DIDN'T. HOWEVER I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY MAKING IT A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WILL NO LONGER PASS INSPECTION. THERE ARE QUITE A NUMBER OF REPORTS ONLINE OF PT CRUISER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10289913
Incident
Aug 15, 2007
Airbags
Filed Dec 29, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

DRIVERS SIDE - SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ON CRASH TO DRIVERS SIDE OF 2001 PT CRUISER. PT CRUISER T-BONED OVER CAR SPEED APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10253023
Incident
Dec 17, 2008
Mileage
107,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Dec 3, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN PROPERLY AND FORCED THE DRIVER INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES AND THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE COLLISION CENTER AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 151,000.

NHTSA ID
10250647
Incident
Oct 27, 2008
Mileage
151,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 16, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF AND THE WARNING CHIMES CONTINUE TO SOUND. SHE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO CHRYSLER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR BAG MODULE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AT A LOCAL GAS STATION AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPONENT, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL OCCURS. THE COST TO HAVE THE AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED WAS $300. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HEARD FROM THE MECHANIC SINCE THE REPLACEMENT WAS MADE. SHE STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GAS STATION TO BE SERVICED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ID
10196446
Incident
Jun 27, 2007
Mileage
49,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 6, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATOR CHIMES IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON OR OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MODULE, HOWEVER, THE INDICATOR CONTINUES TO CHIME. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY UNAWARE OF HOW TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB THE ARI BAG MODULE WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10195461
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 2, 2007
Crash reported

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AT 35 MPH IT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AFTER THE CRASH THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS BLINKING, AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG ALARM. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE REASON THE LIGHTS CONTINUED TO BLINK, AND WERE UNABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 148500 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10184029
Incident
Dec 21, 2006
Mileage
148,500 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Feb 13, 2007

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON ALL WINDOW & AIRCONDITION & REAR DEFROSTER STOP WORKING DEALER SAID UNDER DASH WIRING HARNESS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10182433
Incident
Feb 8, 2007
Mileage
57,277 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed May 8, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 3-5 ALSO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE HORN FAILED. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 06/05/2006. *AK *TS

NHTSA ID
10157005
Incident
Apr 27, 2006
Mileage
8,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 10, 2006
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE ROADWAY WAS WET AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED ,THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THE CONTACT'S SHIRT AND UNDERGARMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND HELPED EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MAJOR BURNS TO THE STOMACH, HANDS, ARMS AND LEFT THUMB. UPDATED 05/16/2006. *AK

NHTSA ID
10154968
Incident
Mar 30, 2006
Mileage
110,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 29, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. HE INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND THE HORN DID NOT WORK. HE NOTICED THIS ON 9-5-05 AS HE WAS BACKING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE, AND THEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON .HE HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER YET. THERE WERE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM FILED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE CONTACT INDICATED VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND. THERE WAS RECALL 04V480000 ON CERTAIN 1998 DODGE VEHICLES PERTAINING TO THE CLOCKSPRING THAT THE CONSUMER THOUGHT MAY RELATE TO HIS PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE PART OR LABOR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10135394
Incident
Sep 5, 2005
Mileage
15,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 29, 2005
Crash reported2 injuries reported

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS 2001 PT CRUISER. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. IT WAS IMPACTED ON THE CENTER OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND WAS BROAD SIDED. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL/SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WERE NOT BE INTERESTED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, BUT THERE WERE CUTS AND BRUISES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PICTURES WERE AVAILABLE, BUT NO INSURANCE REPORT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10133022
Incident
Jul 10, 2005
Mileage
66,394 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 4, 2005

I OWN A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH 105K MILES. THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAIN ON WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING, ALSO THE HORN DOES NOT WORK OR THE CRUISE CONTROL. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND HAVE DETERMINED THE PROBLEM TO BE A DEFECTIVE CLOCKSPRING. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT CHRYSLER HAS RECALLED 1.2MILLION 1998 - 2000 MINIVANS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE PT CRUISER HAS NO RECALL BUT SHOULD SINCE IT IS CLASSIFIED AS A VAN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10109842
Incident
Jan 31, 2005
Mileage
104,900 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 31, 2005

PER INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNER'S MANUAL, I TOOK MY 2001 PT CRUISER WITH 51,700 MILES INTO THE COURTESY CHRYSLER/JEEP DEALERSHIP IN ROCKVILLE, MD AFTER THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD PANEL BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY LIGHTING UP WHEN TAKING TURNS. AFTER 3 DAYS, THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT THE LIGHT WAS GOING ON BECAUSE THE AIRBAG HAD FAILED. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, NOR HAS IT BEEN MODIFIED. THE CHARGE TO REPLACE THE FAILED AIRBAG IS $1,300. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO FAIL IF WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDIENT AND HAD NOT BEEN MODIFIED. I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WORK IT OUT WITH THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10108314
Incident
Oct 1, 2004
Airbags
Filed Jan 19, 2005

2001 PT CRUISER HAS AIRBAG LIGHT THAT KEEPS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THE ASSOCIATED "DING" SOUND COMES ON AT THE SAME TIME. DEALER CHARGED $90 TO TELL ME THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG HAD "FAILED". (NOTE: THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND ONLY HAS 34000 MILES ON IT.) DEALER WANTS $500 TO REPAIR THE "FAILED AIRBAG". COINCIDENCE THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ON LATE 90'S GRAND CARAVANS. SOUNDS LIKE I HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM THEY HAD - BUT NO RECALL TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. HELP! *NM

NHTSA ID
10107514
Incident
Jan 17, 2005
Mileage
33,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 20, 2004

MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THE DEALER SAYS I NEED THE ENTIRE MODULE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR BUMP OF ANY KIND. THE MODULE IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. WHY MUST THE ENTIRE MODULE BE REPLACED. ISN'T THERE A REPAIR? *LA

NHTSA ID
10082265
Incident
Jul 17, 2004
Mileage
89,954 mi
Airbags
Filed May 12, 2004

AFTER STARTING MY ENGINE, MY AIRBAG LITE CAME ON AND NEVER WENT OFF. EVERYTIME I HAVE STARTED MY CAR SINCE, THE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ID
10072520
Incident
May 8, 2004
Mileage
45,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 10, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10057787
Incident
Jan 21, 2004

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data on this page last refreshed .