2010 Chrysler PT CRUISER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
25,229 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 22 complaints (22.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 27.3% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 22.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
Engine: 5; Seats: 4; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Suspension: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 5; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2021: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10364179 · 2010-11-05 (November 5, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ONCE STOPPED, THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10364179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10437813 · 2011-11-30 (November 30, 2011)
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 MILE…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10437813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10379997 · 2011-02-02 (February 2, 2011)
ON SATURDAY MORNING, AT ABOUT 11:40 AM, THE TEMPERATURE WAS 31 DEGREES F, AND I'D NOTICED THE DEW POINT WAS AT 33 DEGREES, ACCORDING TO ACCU-WEATHER. IT WAS SOMEWHAT SUNNY, AND THERE WAS VERY LITTLE FROZEN PRECIPITATION FLOATING THROUGH THE AIR. WE HAD JUST LEFT HOME AND DROVE TWO MILES THROUGH STOPS AND STARTS THROUGH LOCAL RESIDENTIAL ROADS. AFTER TURNING LEFT AT A STOP SIGN AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 1.5 MILES, THE ROAD WENT INTO A STRAIGHTAWAY. I GENTLY ACCELERATED, AS I USUALLY DO. THE SPEED CONTROL WAS NOT TURNED ON. MY WIFE AND I SHORTLY NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,690 miles reported. Look up ODI 10379997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10562539 · 2014-02-02 (February 2, 2014)
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 F…
Owner-reported narrative. 180,798 miles reported. Look up ODI 10562539 at NHTSA ↗