Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
149 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
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.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
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'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.