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2010 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 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

20 reports with mileage · 2 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.

  • Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

22 reports
180,798 miles · Feb 2, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineExterior LightingFire

I DROVE 15 MILES AN PULLED AT 55 MPH INTO OSKALOOSA IA REDUCED SPEED TO 35 DOWN TO 25 AN THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING LIKE WIRES AN ANTIFREEZE ,BLACK SMOKE ROLLED OUT FROM UNDER NEATH MY HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE PUT IN PARK POPPED HOOD OPENED HOOD FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH ENGINE IN FRONT OF ALTERNATOR GRABBED SNOW THR…

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I DROVE 15 MILES AN PULLED AT 55 MPH INTO OSKALOOSA IA REDUCED SPEED TO 35 DOWN TO 25 AN THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING LIKE WIRES AN ANTIFREEZE ,BLACK SMOKE ROLLED OUT FROM UNDER NEATH MY HOOD ON PASSENGER SIDE PUT IN PARK POPPED HOOD OPENED HOOD FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH ENGINE IN FRONT OF ALTERNATOR GRABBED SNOW THROWING IT ON FLAMES CALLED 911 GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER SPRAYED GOT FIRE OUT FIRE DEPT.SHOWD LOOKED THEY SAID SMELT LIKE WIRING& ANTIFREEZE BURNT SMELL .THEN LOOKED IN SIDE OF CAR KEYS IN MY HAND DASH LIGHTS ALL LITE UP AN FLASHING .FIREMAN SAID ELECTRICAL MELTED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID CONTAINER .CAUSE CAR WAS OFF WE DISCOUNTED BATTERY TOOK NEG OFF LAID IT WHERE NOTHING TOUCH AN WENT TAKE POS.OFF SPARKS SHOT OUT OF NEG.CABLE END. THE DAY BEFORE AT NITE I PUT BRAKE ON IN CAR AN HEAD LIGHTS FLICKERED NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE .THEY'D DIM BRIGHT WHILE DRIVING.FOG LIGHTS KEPT BURNING OUT THEY CAME ON WHEN CAR WAS OFF.SEVERAL TIMES.I REPLACED ALTERNATOR/ STARTER/BATTERY/ VALVECOVER/ ALL 3 SENSORS/ NEW HEADLAMPS THEY WERE SO DIM WITH NEW EVEN.UD EVEN GET SCKED JUST CHECKIN ENGINE OIL DIP STICK. REPLACED STRUTS &SCHOCKS AN BOTH TIE ROD ENDS BEARINGS. ALL SINCE NOV 2013. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562539

5,000 miles · Aug 23, 2013
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT CONTROL BECAME FRACTURED, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE AROUND INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO ORDERED AND REPLACED THE CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE NEW CONTROL PANEL WO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT CONTROL BECAME FRACTURED, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO MOVE AROUND INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO ORDERED AND REPLACED THE CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE NEW CONTROL PANEL WOULD NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE DUE TO THE WAY THE CONTROL PANEL WAS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 10/17/13*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10536915

25,000 miles · May 21, 2013
Structure

EDGE OF PASSENGER SIDE REAR FENDER WELL PAINT IS BUBBLING UP WITH CORROSION DAMAGE UNDERNEATH PAINT. NO DAMAGE TO PAINT SURFACE. CHIPPING PAINT AWAY FROM BUBBLE REVEALS RUST. CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF FENDER WELL SHOWS SIMILAR SMALLER PROBLEMS ALONG EDGE OF FENDER WELL. NO OTHER EXTERIOR CORROSION PROBLEMS ON REST OF CAR. DEALER SE…

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EDGE OF PASSENGER SIDE REAR FENDER WELL PAINT IS BUBBLING UP WITH CORROSION DAMAGE UNDERNEATH PAINT. NO DAMAGE TO PAINT SURFACE. CHIPPING PAINT AWAY FROM BUBBLE REVEALS RUST. CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF FENDER WELL SHOWS SIMILAR SMALLER PROBLEMS ALONG EDGE OF FENDER WELL. NO OTHER EXTERIOR CORROSION PROBLEMS ON REST OF CAR. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE WATER IS WEEPING IN BETWEEN PAINT AND BODY SHEET METAL AT METAL EDGE INSIDE OF FENDER WELL. DAMAGE REPAIR NOT COVERED BY FACTORY CORROSION WARRANTY BECAUSE METAL IS NOT PERFORATED BY RUST. A THREE YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE TYPES OF FAILURES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512937

25,229 miles · May 21, 2013
Suspension

FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILED ON BOTH SIDES OF CAR. REPORTED BY DEALER REPAIR TECH WHILE REPLACING FAILED HEAD GASKET. BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED. DEALER REPORTS ENTIRE CONTROL ARM MUST BE REPLACED WHEN BUSHINGS FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512936

25,229 miles · May 21, 2013
Engine

CAR USING ABOUT 1 QUART OF OIL PER 1000 MILES OF OPERATION. HEAD GASKET LEAKING. HEAD GASKET REPLACED BY DEALER. NOW USES 1 QUART OF OIL PER 880 MILES OF OPERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512935

22,124 miles · May 21, 2013
Suspension

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED, MAKING LOUD GROWLING NOISE, ESPECIALLY WITH STEERING WHEEL TURNED ON INTERSTATE CLOVER LEAF EXIT/ENTRANCE RAMPS. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PT CRUISERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512934

30,000 miles · Sep 4, 2012
TiresWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 10/17/12*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10473777

9,000 miles · Apr 26, 2012
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC COVERING OF THE ELECTRONIC DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTER DETACHED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROL MOTOR, WIRES, AND CLIP TO BE EXPOSED AND LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC COVERING OF THE ELECTRONIC DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTER DETACHED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROL MOTOR, WIRES, AND CLIP TO BE EXPOSED AND LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,581.

NHTSA ODI #10456603

42,000 miles · Nov 30, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TURNING, THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD EMIT A LOUD NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS SEVERE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TURNING, THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD EMIT A LOUD NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANUEVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CAUSED A LEAK. THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE PART BEING ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10437813

5,080 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEAT CONTROL BROKE AND AS A RESULT SHE COULD NOT ADJUST THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED FOUR TIMES THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEAT CONTROL BROKE AND AS A RESULT SHE COULD NOT ADJUST THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED FOUR TIMES THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE AND REFERRED HER TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,080 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,708.

NHTSA ODI #10429494

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.