Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system45
- Air bags24
- Engine15
- Power train10
- Exterior lighting7
- Service brakes7
- Seat belts7
- Unknown or other6
- Visibility6
- Vehicle speed control6
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 14 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 26 2008 PT Cruiser vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 18 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser failed the safety check 2.41% of the time — 3% less often than the average 2008 passenger car (2.48%). Median odometer at inspection: 97,124 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
64 first registered in 2008 are on Dutch roads; 17% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €27,710.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde40
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan27
- Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijk23
- Band onvoldoende profiel21
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen18
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld17
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)16
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht12
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
71 cars built in 2008 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 29 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
18 of these cars first registered in 2008 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 166,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
73 2008 cars are on the New Zealand register; 40% arrived as used imports, 59% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 10.2–11.2 L/100 km (about 21–23 mpg US), CO₂ 235–258 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| PT Cruiser · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.2 | 8.9 | 10.2 |
| PT Cruiser · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.5 | 9.6 | 11.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser.
| 2019420 21 Aug 2019 | Other Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempere… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Chrysler told its dealers about the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10248509 | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved. |
| 10244348 | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved. |
| 10229181 | Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine. |
| 10229178 | Part Description: Valve Body Assembly Issue Description: Valve body design was changed between 2010MY and 2011MY applications. To prevent mix matching valve bodies and solenoid packs the connectors are color coded.~ Valve bodies with a white connector can be used on 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Valve bodies with a gray connector can only be used on 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years.~ Solenoid packs with a white connector are used with 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Solenoid packs with a gray connector are used with 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years. |
| 10224693 | Restraints Information Sheet (I-Sheet) has been added to Star Parts. Print I-Sheet for technician use. |
| 10223602 | Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine. |
| 10223599 | Part Description: Valve Body Assembly Issue Description: Valve body design was changed between 2010MY and 2011MY applications. To prevent mix matching valve bodies and solenoid packs the connectors are color coded.~ Valve bodies with a white connector can be used on 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Valve bodies with a gray connector can only be used on 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years.~ Solenoid packs with a white connector are used with 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Solenoid packs with a gray connector are used with 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years. |
| 10221515 | Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine. |
| 10221512 | Part Description: Valve Body Assembly Issue Description: Valve body design was changed between 2010MY and 2011MY applications. To prevent mix matching valve bodies and solenoid packs the connectors are color coded.~ Valve bodies with a white connector can be used on 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Valve bodies with a gray connector can only be used on 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years.~ Solenoid packs with a white connector are used with 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Solenoid packs with a gray connector are used with 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years. |
| 10221097 | Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repair |
| 10220489 | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. |
| 10220101 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10220099 | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. |
| 10220097 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10219732 | HVAC Distribution Housing |
| 10219725 | Housing cover mounting bolt holes use self-tapping fasteners. New fasteners are required with housing replacement. |
| 10218307 | Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands Free Module (HFM). The customer may describe the following conditions: A complete loss of UConnect operation. A complete loss of Voice Recognition functionality |
| 10217517 | Restraints Information Sheet (I-Sheet) has been added to Star Parts. Print I-Sheet for technician use. |
| 10217510 | Restraints Remove I-Sheet from packaging. Correct information sheet (I-Sheet) has been added to Star Parts. Print I-Sheet for technician use. |
| 10216454 | 82212076, 82203694 - Fabric Cleaner This "fabric cleaner" is not intended for sale in California, the otc states (Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington dc), and some ladco states (Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio). Mopar offers an alternative product (82213192) which is a water based product approved for sale in the aforementioned states.~ ~ Please inform the customer & your prep dept that spraying excessive amounts of the fabric protector on load floors will result in the breaking down of the adhesive (glu |
| 10216395 | Gasoline Engine Diagnostic Inspection Procedure This bulletin provides a procedure to determine repair versus replacement of a gasoline long block engine assembly. This procedure is to be used prior to conducting any engine related repairs or removal of engine components. |
| 10215810 | This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module with new software. The Technician may discover that P0128 - Thermostat Rationality DTC is present. This DTC is a two trip code and is matured if a significant difference exists between the PCM predicted and actual engine coolant temperature during engine warm-ups. The PCM calibration may improperly mature a P0128 DTC because the airflow across the coolant temperature sensor during colder ambient temperatures, 50 F (10 C) or below, causes the predicted coolant temperature to deviate from the actual coolant temperature. |
| 10209647 | W5A580 (NAG1) Valve Body - complete |
| 10191460 | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. |
| 10188643 | This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module with new software. The Technician may discover that P0128 - Thermostat Rationality DTC is present. This DTC is a two trip code and is matured if a significant difference exists between the PCM predicted and actual engine coolant temperature during engine warm-ups. The PCM calibration may improperly mature a P0128 DTC because the airflow across the coolant temperature sensor during colder ambient temperatures, 50 F (10 C) or below, causes the predicted coolant temperature to deviate from the actual coolant temperature. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)