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2009 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Chrysler Pt Cruiser are lower than the model-year median of 202.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

86 reports with mileage · 11 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

26 reports
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26,000 miles · Jul 19, 2015
Engine

LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING & CAR STOPPED ON MORE THEN 1 OCCASION

NHTSA ODI #10734981

98,000 miles · May 28, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY POST, AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY POST, AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10721999

135,000 miles · Jan 29, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

ENGINE DIES AT SPEED, AND WILL RESTART IN A SECOND OR TWO (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). GAUGES GO HAYWIRE. CAN SOMETIMES RESET CONDITION FOR A WHILE (MINUTES TO AN HOUR) BY TURNING KEY OFF-ON, OR RESTARTING WHILE AT SPEED - SOMETIME NOT. HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE, CAR NOW HAS 185,000 MILES. REPLACED ENGINE PCM - NO EFFECT. REPLACED EN…

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ENGINE DIES AT SPEED, AND WILL RESTART IN A SECOND OR TWO (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). GAUGES GO HAYWIRE. CAN SOMETIMES RESET CONDITION FOR A WHILE (MINUTES TO AN HOUR) BY TURNING KEY OFF-ON, OR RESTARTING WHILE AT SPEED - SOMETIME NOT. HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE, CAR NOW HAS 185,000 MILES. REPLACED ENGINE PCM - NO EFFECT. REPLACED ENGINE TIPM - NO EFFECT. KIND OF SCARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. SOFTWARE DESIGN DEFECT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679858

45,000 miles · Dec 2, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10661565

41,000 miles · Nov 28, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

PURCHASED VEHICLE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WITH ABOUT 32,000 MILES, EVERYTHING HAS BEEN GREAT UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. AT ABOUT 41,000 VEHICLE HAS STARTED STALLING WHEN MOVING, HORN WILL NOT QUIT, STARTING ISSUES AND DASH LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I HAVE READ MOST OF THE PRIOR 60 COMPLAINTS DA…

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PURCHASED VEHICLE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WITH ABOUT 32,000 MILES, EVERYTHING HAS BEEN GREAT UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. AT ABOUT 41,000 VEHICLE HAS STARTED STALLING WHEN MOVING, HORN WILL NOT QUIT, STARTING ISSUES AND DASH LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I HAVE READ MOST OF THE PRIOR 60 COMPLAINTS DATING BACK TO 2010 AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY CHRYSLER . I HAVE HEARD ON THE NATIONAL NEWS THAT THERE IS FINALLY A RECALL WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT MY VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED FOR SOME REASON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10661227

4,585 miles · Nov 21, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSeat Belts

THIS IS THE 2ND PT CRUISER THAT I HAVE OWNED. THE FIRST ONE WAS GREAT! BUT...THIS ONE!! ONGOING PROBLEMS SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR!!!! SEAT BELT WOULDN'T UNLOCK COULDN'T GET OUT OF CAR. I WAS LOCKED IN. SOMEONE HAD TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE. LIGHTS ALWAYS FLICKERING. LOSS POWER. ACTS UP WHILE DRIVING. FINALLY GOT SO …

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THIS IS THE 2ND PT CRUISER THAT I HAVE OWNED. THE FIRST ONE WAS GREAT! BUT...THIS ONE!! ONGOING PROBLEMS SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR!!!! SEAT BELT WOULDN'T UNLOCK COULDN'T GET OUT OF CAR. I WAS LOCKED IN. SOMEONE HAD TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE. LIGHTS ALWAYS FLICKERING. LOSS POWER. ACTS UP WHILE DRIVING. FINALLY GOT SO BAD THAT THE CAR WOULD JUST STALL OUT. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY SAID...AND I QUOTE "REMEMBER WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING." WHY WOULD THEY SAY THAT? THE LATEST... LIGHTS FLICKERING, RADIO GOING ON AND OFF STOPPED AT A STORE. WHEN I CAME COULDN'T UNLOCK THE CAR WITH MY REMOTE. HAD TO USE KEY TO GET IN, ALARM WENT OFF, HAD TO JUMP IN AND START CAR TO TURN ALARM OFF. PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR QUIT. COMPLETELY STALLED OUT. TURNED EVERYTHING OFF, PUT IN PARK AND IT STARTED UP BUT I PARKED IT AT A FRIENDS THAT LIVED ONE BLOCK AWAY. WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. 3 HOURS LATER WENT TO PICK CAR UP AND NOTHING WORKED. NO LIGHTS NO JUICE NO CLICK NO NOTHING GOT IT JUMPED STARTED. WENT STRAIGHT TO ADVANCED AUTO BECAUSE IT WAS LATE. ALTERNATOR OK BATTERY OK I JUST WANT TO GET RID OF IT BUT DON'T WANT SOMEONE ELSE STUCK WITH THIS LEMON WHAT DO I DO????? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660159

41,000 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 12/03/14*LJ UPDATED 8/31/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10650697

36,700 miles · Jul 1, 2014
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

AS STATED IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. THE GAUGES START LIGHTING UP AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF, I HAVE FOUND THAT IF YOU WIGGLE THE KEY IT CAN STOP WHAT IS HAPPENING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY OR TRYING TO PASS THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. I REC…

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AS STATED IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. THE GAUGES START LIGHTING UP AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF, I HAVE FOUND THAT IF YOU WIGGLE THE KEY IT CAN STOP WHAT IS HAPPENING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY OR TRYING TO PASS THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT THIS ITEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY YOUR OFFICE FOR OTHER CHRYSLER AND DODGE VEHICLES BUT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE PT CRUISER. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V373 SOUNDS IDENTICAL TO WHAT MY VEHICLE IS DOING. I ALSO HAVE VIDEO THAT SHOWS WHAT THE VEHICLE IS DOING. PLEASE ADVISE IF THE PT CRUISER IS GOING TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AND IF NOT AND I PAY TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACE WILL I BE REFUNDED IN THE EVENT THAT THE PTA CRUISER IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. IN ADDITION I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE HORN ON MY VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY BY THE CHRYSLER DEALER BUT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN DEPRESSED IT STICKS OR DOESN'T WORK AT ALL WITHOUT ALOT OF FORCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607292

43,000 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND GOING ABOUT 35 MPH THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT ON AND ALL THE GAUGES WENT TO ZERO. I DIDN'T TOTALLY LOST POWER BUT SLOWED DOWN AND THE GAUGES POPPED BACK AND THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. IT HAS CONTINUED TO RUN OK FOR THE LAST 3 DAYS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD …

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AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND GOING ABOUT 35 MPH THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT ON AND ALL THE GAUGES WENT TO ZERO. I DIDN'T TOTALLY LOST POWER BUT SLOWED DOWN AND THE GAUGES POPPED BACK AND THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. IT HAS CONTINUED TO RUN OK FOR THE LAST 3 DAYS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNLESS THEY COULD DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2013 AT A MILEAGE OF ABOUT 39,100. THE CAR HAS RUN OK SINCE UP TO THIS LATEST INCIDENT ON JUNE 1, 2014. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596219

65,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

WHILE DRIVING ALL DASH LIGHTS GOING CRAZY, CAR ENGINE SHUT DOWN, DRIVING APPROX. 55 MILES PER HOUR. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES. TOOK TO CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF 18 WHEELER WHEN ENGINE JUST SHUT DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595824

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.