Complaints
290
Crashes
23
Fires
20
Injuries
22
Fatalities
5
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#138 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:80,308 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:8
#218 complaints
Steering Defects
Avg mileage:91,809 mi
Crash-related:2
#317 complaints
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Avg mileage:66,864 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 38 | 2 | 8 | 80,308 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 18 | 2 | — | 91,809 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 17 | — | 1 | 66,864 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 17 | — | — | 40,202 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 13 | — | 1 | 106,481 mi | |
| Airbags | 11 | 6 | 1 | 218,067 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 10 | — | — | 54,648 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 10 | — | — | 56,144 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 8 | 1 | — | 45,218 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 | — | — | 26,232 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 7 | — | — | 65,303 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 7 | — | — | 52,380 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 6 | — | — | 78,107 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | — | — | 36,187 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | — | — | 12,575 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 5 | — | 1 | 7,550 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | 1 | 1 | 116,475 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Hub | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Rim | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Driveline | 2 | — | — | — |
Electrical Faults
38
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
8
Avg Miles
80,308
Steering Defects
18
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
91,809
Headlight/Taillight Failures
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
66,864
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,202
Engine Problems
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
106,481
Airbags
11
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Avg Miles
218,067
Engine & Cooling
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,648
Suspension Failures
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,144
Suspension:Front
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
45,218
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
26,232
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,303
Wheel Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
52,380
Transmission / Drivetrain
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,107
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
36,187
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
12,575
Structural Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
7,550
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
116,475
Suspension:Front:Hub
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Rim
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Driveline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chrysler Pt Cruiser Years
2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser has 290 NHTSA complaints, 23 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 38 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (38 complaints, avg 80,308 mi); Steering Defects (18 complaints, avg 91,809 mi); Headlight/Taillight Failures (17 complaints, avg 66,864 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 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 74,693 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser include 23 crash-related reports, 20 fire reports, 22 injuries, and 5 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 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 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 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
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 2004 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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