2010 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Chrysler Pt Cruiser, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine620.7%
- Interior & seats413.8%
- Airbags310.3%
- Electrical310.3%
- Steering310.3%
- Suspension310.3%
- Exterior lighting26.9%
- Body & structure13.4%
- Other / unspecified13.4%
- Driver assistance13.4%
- Tires & wheels13.4%
- Brakes13.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The engine blew up! Under 70,000 mileage but after 10 years. Mechanics can’t figure out what’s wrong with it. The try this and that. The catalytic converter, spark plugs… everything you can imagine. Just started to cost more than it was worth.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side seat inadvertently moved forward toward the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic was able to adjust the front driver's seatback to its original position; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT CONTROL BECAME FRACTURED, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE AROUND INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO ORDERED AND REPLACED THE CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE NEW CONTROL PANEL WOULD NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE DUE TO THE WAY THE CONTROL PANEL WAS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 10/17/13*LJ
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT MAKES A DING NOISE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE DRIVERS AIRBAG IS BAD.
THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON AFTER ALL OTHER LIGHT GO OUT. WHEN THE CAR GETS UP TO 20 MPH MAKES A DING RING SOUND BUT LIGHT STAYS ON. I WAS GOING TO TAKE TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT. THEN I SAW MORGAN FREEMAN ON TV ABOUT THE AIRBAG RECALL, BUT I DID NOT SEE MY CAR. PLEASE ADVISE IF I SHOULD TAKE TO SHOP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THANKS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE WERE MANY INSTANCES WHERE THE GAUGES WOULD MOMENTARILY GO TO ZERO, AND ENGINE WOULD ALMOST QUIT, ONLY TO RETURN TO NORMAL WITHIN A SECOND OR 2, IN MOST CASES. ON RARE OCCASION, ENGINE WOULD QUIT, AND NOT RESTART FOR A WHILE, THEN EVERYTHING OK AGAIN. I FOUND THAT I COULD DUPLICATE THE SYMPTOMS BY QUICKLY TURNING THE KEY TO "OFF" THEN BACK TO "RUN", AND BY DOING THIS QUICKLY MANY TIMES, THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT RE-OCCUR FOR A FEW WEEKS. SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER DID NOTHING EXCEPT COST ME MONEY. I HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE START SWITCH LOCATED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAD TALKED TO CHRYSLER DIRECT SEVERAL TIMES, AND I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THE REMEDY. I AM MOST DISAPPOINTED THEY WERE NO HELP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE ACCELERATION AND POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THEY WOULD RESPOND BACK TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE ACCELERATION AND POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THEY WOULD RESPOND BACK TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TURNING, THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD EMIT A LOUD NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CAUSED A LEAK. THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE PART BEING ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I DROVE 15 MILES AN PULLED AT 55 MPH INTO OSKALOOSA IA REDUCED SPEED TO 35 DOWN TO 25 AN THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING LIKE WIRES AN ANTIFREEZE ,BLACK SMOKE ROLLED OUT FROM UNDER NEATH MY HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE PUT IN PARK POPPED HOOD OPENED HOOD FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH ENGINE IN FRONT OF ALTERNATOR GRABBED SNOW THROWING IT ON FLAMES CALLED 911 GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER SPRAYED GOT FIRE OUT FIRE DEPT.SHOWD LOOKED THEY SAID SMELT LIKE WIRING& ANTIFREEZE BURNT SMELL .THEN LOOKED IN SIDE OF CAR KEYS IN MY HAND DASH LIGHTS ALL LITE UP AN FLASHING .FIREMAN SAID ELECTRICAL MELTED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CONTAINER .CAUSE CAR WAS OFF WE DISCOUNTED BATTERY TOOK NEG OFF LAID IT WHERE NOTHING TOUCH AN WENT TAKE POS.OFF SPARKS SHOT OUT OF NEG.CABLE END. THE DAY BEFORE AT NITE I PUT BRAKE ON IN CAR AN HEAD LIGHTS FLICKERED NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE .THEY'D DIM BRIGHT WHILE DRIVING.FOG LIGHTS KEPT BURNING OUT THEY CAME ON WHEN CAR WAS OFF.SEVERAL TIMES.I REPLACED ALTERNATOR/ STARTER/BATTERY/ VALVECOVER/ ALL 3 SENSORS/ NEW HEADLAMPS THEY WERE SO DIM WITH NEW EVEN.UD EVEN GET SCKED JUST CHECKIN ENGINE OIL DIP STICK. REPLACED STRUTS &SCHOCKS AN BOTH TIE ROD ENDS BEARINGS. ALL SINCE NOV 2013. *TR
FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILED ON BOTH SIDES OF CAR. REPORTED BY DEALER REPAIR TECH WHILE REPLACING FAILED HEAD GASKET. BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED. DEALER REPORTS ENTIRE CONTROL ARM MUST BE REPLACED WHEN BUSHINGS FAIL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAILLIGHT SOCKET MELTED CAUSING LAMP TO BURN OUT, AND BURNT SOCKET. A NEW LAMP WAS PURCHASED A MONTH PREVIOUS, AND WAS CLEAR. LAMP NOW APPEARS LIKE MERCURY IN COLOR, AND CRACKED UPON REMOVAL.
I DROVE 15 MILES AN PULLED AT 55 MPH INTO OSKALOOSA IA REDUCED SPEED TO 35 DOWN TO 25 AN THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING LIKE WIRES AN ANTIFREEZE ,BLACK SMOKE ROLLED OUT FROM UNDER NEATH MY HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE PUT IN PARK POPPED HOOD OPENED HOOD FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH ENGINE IN FRONT OF ALTERNATOR GRABBED SNOW THROWING IT ON FLAMES CALLED 911 GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER SPRAYED GOT FIRE OUT FIRE DEPT.SHOWD LOOKED THEY SAID SMELT LIKE WIRING& ANTIFREEZE BURNT SMELL .THEN LOOKED IN SIDE OF CAR KEYS IN MY HAND DASH LIGHTS ALL LITE UP AN FLASHING .FIREMAN SAID ELECTRICAL MELTED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CONTAINER .CAUSE CAR WAS OFF WE DISCOUNTED BATTERY TOOK NEG OFF LAID IT WHERE NOTHING TOUCH AN WENT TAKE POS.OFF SPARKS SHOT OUT OF NEG.CABLE END. THE DAY BEFORE AT NITE I PUT BRAKE ON IN CAR AN HEAD LIGHTS FLICKERED NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE .THEY'D DIM BRIGHT WHILE DRIVING.FOG LIGHTS KEPT BURNING OUT THEY CAME ON WHEN CAR WAS OFF.SEVERAL TIMES.I REPLACED ALTERNATOR/ STARTER/BATTERY/ VALVECOVER/ ALL 3 SENSORS/ NEW HEADLAMPS THEY WERE SO DIM WITH NEW EVEN.UD EVEN GET SCKED JUST CHECKIN ENGINE OIL DIP STICK. REPLACED STRUTS &SCHOCKS AN BOTH TIE ROD ENDS BEARINGS. ALL SINCE NOV 2013. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
EDGE OF PASSENGER SIDE REAR FENDER WELL PAINT IS BUBBLING UP WITH CORROSION DAMAGE UNDERNEATH PAINT. NO DAMAGE TO PAINT SURFACE. CHIPPING PAINT AWAY FROM BUBBLE REVEALS RUST. CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF FENDER WELL SHOWS SIMILAR SMALLER PROBLEMS ALONG EDGE OF FENDER WELL. NO OTHER EXTERIOR CORROSION PROBLEMS ON REST OF CAR. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE WATER IS WEEPING IN BETWEEN PAINT AND BODY SHEET METAL AT METAL EDGE INSIDE OF FENDER WELL. DAMAGE REPAIR NOT COVERED BY FACTORY CORROSION WARRANTY BECAUSE METAL IS NOT PERFORATED BY RUST. A THREE YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE TYPES OF FAILURES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 10/17/12*LJ
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE ACCELERATION AND POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THEY WOULD RESPOND BACK TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 10/17/12*LJ
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I STOPPED AT OUR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT MAIL CENTER. WHEN I BACKED OUT, THE BRAKING HAD LOST ITS POWER ASSIST AND I HAD TO APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL TO ACHIEVE A MINIMUM OR BRAKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NEARBY GARAGE AND THEY QUICKLY NOTED THAT THERE IS A 3 WAY CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM SYSTEM THAT GOES TO THE BRAKE CYLINDER AREA. FOR WHATEVER REASON, ONLY A 2 WAY VALVE IS NEEDED AND A RUBBER CAP IS PLACED OVER THE UNUSED PORT AND THIS CAP HAD SOMEHOW CAME OFF. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE MAIL CENTER, I FOUND THE MISSING CAP WHICH IS A SOFT RUBBER WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS INADEQUATE FOR THE PURPOSE. THE MECHANIC SAID HE DIDN'T SEE WHY CHRYSLER USES A 3 WAY WHEN A 2 WAY CHECK VALVE IS ALL THAT IS NEEDED. HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE TWO SUCH VALVES, BOTH WITH THE SOFT RUBBER CAP ON THE UNUSED PORT. HAD THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 2 MINUTES SOONER I MIGHT HAVE CRASHED INTO THE COMPOUND GATE AND IT CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS AT HIGHER SPEEDS SINCE SUDDENLY, YOUR BRAKES HAVE APPARENTLY STOPPED WORKING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .