2008 Chrysler PT CRUISER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
115 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
55,699 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 95 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 42 of 115 complaints (36.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 20 | 17.4% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 12.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 10.4% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 7.0% |
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 | 42 |
| Air Bags | 24 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Seat Belts | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
Electrical System: 42; Air Bags: 24; Engine: 15; Power Train: 9; Seat Belts: 7; Service Brakes: 7; Exterior Lighting: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 23 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 27 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 23; 50,000 to 74,999: 27; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (27). 20 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 25 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 4; 2010: 17; 2011: 6; 2012: 12; 2013: 7; 2014: 25; 2015: 16; 2016: 10; 2017: 7; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2023: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 20 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 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 10200595 · 2007-08-23 (August 23, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER (NA). THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE REAR WINDOW AND HAD THE WINDOW REPLACED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WINDOW MOTOR REINSTALLED AND, WHEN SHE ARRIVED BACK HOME, THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN. SHE HAS BEEN ATTEMPTING TO NOTIFY THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, POWERTRAIN, NHTSA RECALL NUMBER, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10200595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10241222 · 2008-09-07 (September 7, 2008)
FOG LIGHTS TURN ON AN OFF BY THEMSELVES, DOES NOT MATTER WEATHER THE CAR IS TURNED ON OR OFF, OR EVEN IF THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. CAME OUT OF WORK TO FIND MY BATTERY WAS DEAD BECAUSE THE FOG LIGHTS WERE ON. IF YOU GO TO THE FOLLOWING LINK, YOU WILL SEE OVER 300 POSTINGS REGARDING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER/[VIN removed]. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10249207 · 2008-11-19 (November 19, 2008)
THIS IS THE REQUEST TO FIND ALL UNITED STATES, FOREIGN AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURERS IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL STATUTES. PLEASE INCLUDE IN THE INSPECTIONS ANALYSIS TOYOTA, MITSUBISHI, HONDA MOTOR CARS. PLEASE INSPECT ANALYZE FOR DEFECTS IN ENGINE, ELECTRICAL, FUEL, EMISSIONS, SUSPENSION, COOLING, TIRES DEFECTS, AND ANY,ALL OTHER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS. PLEASE FIND TO ELIMINATE AUTOMOTIVES THAT ARE NOT SAFE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10249207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10254935 · 2009-01-14 (January 14, 2009)
A COUPLE MONTHS AGO MY PT STARTED ACTING UP. THE VOLUME ON THE RADIO WILL TURN UP AND DOWN WITHOUT TOUCHING ANYTHING. ALSO THE RADIO WILL CHANGE STATIONS BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT TOUCHING A BUTTON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS TO THIS DAY, JUST AT RANDOM TIMES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10254935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10260231 · 2009-02-27 (February 27, 2009)
WINDOWS GO DOWN ON OWN OR WON'T GO DOWN AT ALL. HEAD LIGHTS COME ON WHEN NO ONE IN CAR. WIPERS COME ON WHEN DRIVING DOWN ROAD ON OWN AND GO OFF ON OWN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10260231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10273235 · 2009-06-09 (June 9, 2009)
ON APRIL 8TH, THIS YEAR, I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT IN MY 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AND BROKE MY BACK; THERE IS A CHANCE I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO WORK AS A HOSPITAL INPATIENT NURSE EVER AGAIN BECAUSE I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LIFT 100 POUNDS. MY 6 AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED (IT LENGTHENED DURING THE FLIPPING OF THE CAR) ALLOWING MY BODY TO TURN AROUND, FACING THE REAR, AND CRUSHED MY SPINE AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD JUST FINISHED A 12-HR NIGHT SHIFT AT THE HOSPITAL, WAS JUST ONE MILE FROM HOME, SWERVED TO THE SHOU…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,147 miles reported. Look up ODI 10273235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10281526 · 2009-08-24 (August 24, 2009)
MY DAUGHTER WAS ON HER WAY TO NURSING SCHOOL WHEN HER 2008 PT CRUISER ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, WITH HER FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, TO APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH SHE HAD TO USE BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES TO STOP IT. I ARRIVED ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, STARTED THE CAR, THE ACCELERATOR WAS STILL STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION. CHRYSLER TOWED THE AUTO TO OLATHE CHRYSLER, THEY SAID NO CODES WERE STORED AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AUTOMOBILE. AFTER A EXTENDED CONVERSATION, THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED TO REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND THE THROTTLE BODY. …
Owner-reported narrative. 33,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281526 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10307467 · 2010-02-08 (February 8, 2010)
THE CHECK TIRE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. UPON FILLING THE TIRE, THE AIR-HOSE POPPED OFF AND HIT ME. I FOUND THAT THE THREADED PORTION OF THE STEM WAS BROKEN OFF ALONG WITH THE VALVE. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER ABOUT THE SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS "COMMON WEAR AND TEAR" AND THAT THEY DID NOT COVER THIS. I HAVE CHECKED WITH MULTIPLE TIRE SALES COMPANIES AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HOW THE PROBLEM OCCURS. THE AIR HOSE HAS TO BE PLACED AND HELD TOTALLY STRAIGHT ON TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,970 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307467 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.