2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
The 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 149 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 149 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 41 complaints, typically surfacing around 54,790 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 PT Cruiser | 256 | 5 |
| 2006 PT Cruiser | 349 | 1 |
| 2007 PT Cruiser (this page) | 149 | 0 |
| 2008 PT Cruiser | 115 | 0 |
| 2009 PT Cruiser | 97 | 0 |
| 2010 PT Cruiser | 22 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 41 owner reports · tends to show around 54,790 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- airbags — 25 owner reports · tends to show around 79,349 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- electrical — 21 owner reports · tends to show around 79,618 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 13 owner reports · tends to show around 28,938 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 79,349 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~18,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~42,018 miengine~$3,100
- ~69,689 mielectrical~$850
- ~75,000 misteering~$700
- ~79,304 miairbags~$1,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Steering wheel moves by itself in a jerking motion, while driving and at times will locks in place. It's like when I'm driving the car is making moves and sharp turns on its own. Also when I turn loud noises are coming from the motor. My cruiser is a 2007, I've owned it from…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chrysler pt cruiser. The contact was traveling 45 MPH and exiting the highway from an off ramp. The steering wheel was turned, but the wheels on the vehicle remained straight. The failure caused the contact to continue traveling straight until…
On december 24, 2007 I took my 2007 pt cruiser, that is only 6 months old, to firestone to be checked on cause I noticed I was leaking oil. They proceeded to take my car put it on the lift and noticed it was leaking dramatically. They then told me that I had major engine trouble…
Passenger air bag stays illuminated and rings every 5 seconds even when a passenger is there or not.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 149 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
On the NHTSA data, the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 41 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,790 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 149 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 54,790 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 41 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,790 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 54,790 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chrysler PT Cruiser has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 149 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.