Complaints
658
Crashes
54
Fires
47
Injuries
65
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#156 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:88,964 mi
Fires:3
#247 complaints
Structural Problems
Avg mileage:68,446 mi
#334 complaints
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Avg mileage:89,781 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 56 | — | 3 | 88,964 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 47 | — | — | 68,446 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 34 | — | — | 89,781 mi | |
| Airbags | 29 | 17 | — | 99,460 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 24 | 1 | 1 | 62,593 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 22 | 1 | 7 | 114,943 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 19 | — | 2 | 92,101 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 18 | 1 | — | 107,745 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 15 | — | 1 | 48,965 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 | 13 | — | 33,067 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 12 | 1 | 1 | 31,567 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 12 | 1 | — | 66,372 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 11 | — | 3 | 60,936 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 11 | — | 3 | 51,029 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Fog Lights:Switch | 11 | — | — | 160,557 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 11 | — | 3 | 28,103 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 11 | — | — | 37,746 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 10 | 2 | 1 | 17,356 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 10 | 2 | 1 | 27,000 mi | |
| Wheels:Rim | 9 | — | — | 47,488 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 8 | — | — | 30,880 mi | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 7 | 1 | — | 10,992 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 7 | — | 1 | 78,783 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 | — | — | 27,140 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 7 | 1 | 1 | 26,020 mi | |
| Body Structure | 7 | 1 | — | 82,385 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 1 | — | 79,493 mi | |
| Instrument Cluster | 6 | — | — | 52,480 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 6 | — | 1 | 120,028 mi |
Electrical Faults
56
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
88,964
Structural Problems
47
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,446
Headlight/Taillight Failures
34
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,781
Airbags
29
complaints
Crashes
17
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,460
Automatic Transmission
24
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
62,593
Engine Problems
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
7
Avg Miles
114,943
Steering Defects
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
92,101
Suspension Failures
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,745
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
48,965
Air Bags:Frontal
13
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,067
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
31,567
Wheel Issues
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,372
Engine & Cooling
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
60,936
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
51,029
Exterior Lighting:Fog Lights:Switch
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
160,557
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
28,103
Tire Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
37,746
Hydraulic Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
17,356
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
27,000
Wheels:Rim
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
47,488
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
30,880
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
10,992
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
78,783
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
27,140
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
26,020
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
82,385
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,493
Instrument Cluster
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
52,480
Other Equipment
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
120,028
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chrysler Pt Cruiser Years
2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser has 658 NHTSA complaints, 54 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 56 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (56 complaints, avg 88,964 mi); Structural Problems (47 complaints, avg 68,446 mi); Headlight/Taillight Failures (34 complaints, avg 89,781 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 72,046 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser include 54 crash-related reports, 47 fire reports, 65 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chrysler Pt Cruiser reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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