Model year record
2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls & problems
The 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 115 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (45 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible w/SAB
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4-DR. w/SAB
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
PT Cruiser Convertible
| City / highway | 21 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
PT Cruiser
| City / highway | 21 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
PT Cruiser Convertible
| City / highway | 20 / 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
PT Cruiser
| City / highway | 20 / 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
PT Cruiser Convertible
| City / highway | 18 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
PT Cruiser Convertible
| City / highway | 19 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
PT Cruiser
| City / highway | 18 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
PT Cruiser
| City / highway | 19 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Horn | 45 | 57,123 mi |
| Air bags | 24 | 72,000 mi |
| Engine | 15 | 88,510 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission | 10 | 89,000 mi |
| Exterior lightingBrake lights | 7 | 47,634 mi |
| Seat belts | 7 | 54,600 mi |
| Service brakes | 7 | 78,510 mi |
| VisibilityGlass, side/rear; Windshield | 6 | 48,268 mi |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 51,500 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor | 6 | 35,474 mi |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 61,500 mi |
| TiresPressure monitoring and regulating systems; Valve | 5 | 24,970 mi |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Electrical system
TIPM. Faulty Module, causing ignition/run power loss while driving.
- Electrical system
Problems reside in the total integrated power management module. TPIM whereas vehicle will shut off while driving. No indicator lights to give warning before the vehicle shuts off. Has on occasion shut off and recovered power multiple times within a minute This is a very dangerous scenario to conduct a road test or have someone confirm the issue on the road.
- Air bags
AIRBAGS LIGHT AND DING SOUND THAT DOESN'T GO OFF FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THERE'S NO PROTECTION FOR EITHER SIDE.
- Air bags
THE AIRBAG SIGN FOR PASSENGER 2 TURNS ON AFTER A WHILE OF DRIVING, SPEEDING PROBLEM WHEN WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE CAR TAKES FOREVER TO SPEED UP
- Air bagsCrash4 injuries
TAKATA RECALL THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY. AN OBJECT WAS STRUCK IN THE ROAD AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ONLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *BF *JB
- SteeringFire
WHILE DRIVING ON 10/7/2018 THE STEERING BECAME HARD AND UPON STOPPING THERE WERE FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON PT CRUISERS IN THE PAST, 04V268000. WHEN I CONTACT DAIMLER CHRYSLER I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VIN. BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR ON 10/7/2018 THERE WAS NOT ANY STEERING FLUID UNDER THE CAR. LUCKILY THE FIRE WAS NOTICED PRIOR TO LEAVING THE CAR OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I WILL LIKE CHRYSLER TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN CARED FOR VERY WELL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP WITH THIS CLAIM. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT…
- Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MARX AUTO CENTER (132 ROCKDALE AVE, SOUTH DARTMOUTH, MA 02748, (508) 997-2377), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
- Air bagsCrash1 injury
VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE WAS HIT CROSSED INTO MY LANES AND I HIT THE VEHICLE HEAD ON, POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. INJURIES TO KNEE, CHEST AND LAP FROM BELT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TT *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.