2004 Chrysler PT CRUISER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
217 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
52,719 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 164 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 38 of 217 complaints (17.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 36 | 16.6% |
| Braking behavior | 31 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 29 | 13.4% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 5.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 0.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 38 |
| Steering | 18 |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 17 |
| Engine | 14 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 10 |
| Suspension | 10 |
Electrical System: 38; Steering: 18; Exterior Lighting: 17; Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing: 17; Engine: 14; Air Bags: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling: 10; Suspension: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 39 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 38 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 35 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 21 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 23 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 39; 25,000 to 49,999: 38; 50,000 to 74,999: 35; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 23; 150,000 and above: 8
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (39). 53 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 19 |
| 2005 | 22 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2007 | 26 |
| 2008 | 30 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2004: 19; 2005: 22; 2006: 15; 2007: 26; 2008: 30; 2009: 18; 2010: 14; 2011: 10; 2012: 15; 2013: 7; 2014: 17; 2015: 5; 2016: 4; 2017: 6; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 29 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10059576 · 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)
EXHAUST PIPES ARE LOCATED SOMEWHERE UNDER THE CARRIAGE. DRIVER IS CONCERNED WITH CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING WHEN VEHICLE IS IDLING. *AK THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE TAIL PIPE EXTENDED PAST THE BUMPER. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067537 · 2004-04-20 (April 20, 2004)
PT CRUISER IDLES ROUGH AND SHAKES AND PULSATES. FEELS LIKE YOU'RE STANDING IN A BRISK WIND WHILE IT IDLES. DEALER TOLD ME " IT'S THE NATURE OF THE BEAST" THEN ON 2ND. SERVICE FOR SAME PROBLEM TOLD ME DAIMLERCHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT DEFECT AND DOESN'T HAVE A FIX TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. PCM AND 02 SENSORS DEALER STATED. LOOKING AT LEMON LAW RIGHTS AT THIS POINT. BOTH WANT TO BLAME THE OTHER FOR NON REPAIRABILITY.
Owner-reported narrative. 16 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071630 · 2004-04-23 (April 23, 2004)
MISSING TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR DOWN PAYMENT FOR 2004 PT CRUISER. (NAR) *PH PLEASE REVIEW FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074792 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)
05/19/2004, WHILE TRAVELING FROM KNOXVILLE TN, ON I-40 IN A RENTED PT CRUISER, A CHEVY BLAZER CHANGED LANES IN FRONT OF US AS TRAFFIC CAME TO A STOP. WE WERE ALREADY SLOWING FOR A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND WERE TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 45 MPH. WE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY LOCKED UP AND STARTED TO SKID, THE CAR ALMOST STOPPED IN TIME BUT THE BRAKES WENT SOFT AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD, PROPELLING US INTO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF US, TOTALING THE PT. WE LEFT 25 FEET OF SKID AND THE CAR ONLY HAD 500 MILES ON IT. WE RENTED THE CAR FROM BUDGET AND IT HAD…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074890 · 2004-06-06 (June 6, 2004)
THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR KEEPS LOCKING UP, ALL THE DASH EMER LIGHTS COME ON AND NO DASH COMPONETS WORK, SPEEDOMETER, MILEAGE INDICATOR, TACK0METER INSTRUMENT PANEL OFF . ONE DOESN'T KNOW IF CAR IS WORKING PROPERLY OR NOT. COULD SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR A PERSON TO BE STRANDED ANYWHERE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 61 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078321 · 2004-06-16 (June 16, 2004)
NORMAL WEAR WTHIN 3 MONTHS OF A NEW PURCHASE GT LEATHER SEAT CUSHIONS IN BOTH FRONT SEATS HAD THE STITCHING SPLIT IN THE CENTER. *AK DEALER REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE SEATS.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078737 · 2004-06-24 (June 24, 2004)
I AM WRITING TO YOU TO ALERT YOU TO A HORRIBLE HAZARD IN CARS WITH ELECTRIC WINDOWS. IN NOVEMBER 2003 MY FAMILY AND I WERE ON VACATION IN SAN DIEGO AND WE RENTED A PT CRUISER. AT ONE POINT WE WERE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE CAR RUNNING TALKING TO ANOTHER GROUP WHEN MY 6 YEAR OLD STUCK HER HEAD OUT THE WINDOWE TO JOIN THE DISCUSSION. WHEN SHE DID, SHE ACCIDENTIALLY KICKED THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON WITH HER FOOT. THE BUTTON WAS LOCATED NEAR THE FLOOR IN THE BACKSEAT ON THE MIDDLE CONSOL. SHE ROLLED THE WINDOW UP ON HER OWN HEAD AND WAS STUCK …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10078737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081284 · 2004-07-18 (July 18, 2004)
CAR CONTINUES TO MISS, DUE TO FAILURE OF IGNITION OR GAS OR MAYBE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. ITS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES WITH NO HELP. THIS STARTED AFTER 3000 MILES ON CAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081284 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V268000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
Reported: 2004-06-03 (June 3, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L NON-TURBOCHARGED ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, POTENTIALLY DAMAGING THE HOSE.
Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RELOCATE, OR REPLACE AS NECESSARY, THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND CONFIRM TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗