2001-2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
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2001-2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser ▼
- Price Range: $3,100 - $13,900
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2001-2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Entry/exit
- Handling/roadholding
- Passenger and cargo room
Cons
- Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)
Vehicle Highlights
Even before the PT Cruiser went on sale in spring of 2000, it had become a big hit in the marketplace. Customers eagerly forked over well above sticker price to get one of the early examples of the retro-styled front-drive compact wagon, which looked like nothing else at any dealership. PT stood for Personal Transportation, and the four-door Cruiser provided precisely that--plus a lot of enthusiastic responses from other motorists on the road. Minor changes took place in fall 2000, including availability of heated front seats and yellow pearl paint. Classified as a truck under federal fuel-economy regulations, the five-passenger PT Cruiser was designed to blend carlike comfort and roadability with practical features borrowed from minivans and SUVs. In size, it compared to the Honda CR-V, with a similar wheelbase and only 2 cubic feet less cargo volume--despite standing some 2 inches lower and measuring nearly 9 inches shorter overall. An all-new unibody platform was used, but some mechanical components were similar to those in the subcompact Neon sedan. Sole engine was a 150-horsepower version of the familiar 2.4-liter four-cylinder, linked to a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment included a removable 65/35 split folding rear seat, multi-position rear parcel shelf, air conditioning, tilt wheel, floor-shift console, and rear wiper/washer on a one-piece liftgate. An optional Touring Group included a firmer suspension and 16-inch tires, rather than the usual 15-inchers. With optional antilock braking (bundled with traction control), four-wheel discs supplanted the standard rear drums. Side-impact airbags were an option. Limited Edition models included the Touring Group, leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and fold-flat front passenger seat. Front and rear power windows were standard. In early models, rear windows were controlled by console switches. Later examples got dashboard controls. Rivals include the Honda CR-V, Subaru Outback, and Volkswagen Passat wagon.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 6 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 8 | |
| Total Score: | 58 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2001-2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2001-2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser.
Year to Year Changes
2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser:
Still a hot seller in its second season, the PT Cruiser got newly optional flame accent decals for the hood and front fenders. Base, Touring and Limited Editions were offered. Base models added some previously optional items as standard equipment, including a CD player and underseat storage bin. Adjustable driver's lumbar support went on the Limited. Side-impact airbags were standard on the Limited and optional on others. Antilock braking remained an option.
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser:
A new turbocharged GT had 215 horsepower and 17-inch wheels. Chrysler markets it as the "PT Turbo." Manual transmission is standard, automatic optional on. Flame decals, a chrome-trim package, or a woodgrain-body-applique "woodie" look were optional.
2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser:
New for '04 was a 180-hp 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylider engine, optional on Touring and Limited models.
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser:
The PT Cruiser is unchanged for 2005.
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser:
All '06 PTs got revised front fascias and dashboards.
2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser:
PT Cruiser carried over unchanged.
2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser:
The 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser dropped the high-performance GT models from its roster. Available on base wagons was a new Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Edition package that included a sunroof and unique interior and exterior trim.
Our road test for the 2001-2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2001-2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2001-2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Not only does the PT Cruiser look great, it feels solid and stable, with no top-heavy tippiness. Pleasant and fairly refined, with predictable front-drive handling, it's adaptable and fun to drive. Steering is responsive, with just the right amount of power assistance. The firmer Touring/Limited suspension delivers surprisingly flat cornering and a comfortably controlled ride--except on washboard surfaces, where it tends to jiggle. Turbo models have slightly better road holding, but offer a stiffer ride. Noise levels are generally low, but coarse pavement induces some road roar from the Touring/Limited tires. Wind noise starts to intrude at 65 mph or so, and the engine note rises above 4000 rpm. Though smooth, the base engine is not very muscular, especially when trudging up a long grade or passing with more than two aboard. Performance is fine in around-town cruising. Turbo models move out with much more authority, but suffer slightly from "turbo lag." The automatic transmission is responsive, though it sometimes shifts with a lurch. Chrysler's manual gearbox has a light but positive shift action. Braking feels strong with good pedal modulation, especially with the available ABS. Chrysler claimed 26 seating/cargo configurations with the available fold-flat front passenger seat, but the rear bench must be folded or removed to get much cargo space. Tall and fairly wide back doors ease access. Interior storage is plentiful. The load floor is low and flat, and rear wheel arches don't steal much space. The cabin is roomy enough for four adults on chair-height seats. A high body gives all riders abundant head clearance. Even 6-footers have good leg space. Rear head restraints are a minor obstruction.
Value for the Money
It's hard to beat this affordable vehicle's impressive combination of room, comfort, versatility, and driving pleasure. Mediocre acceleration is the only real flaw, though performance is actually on par with other small wagons. High demand has outstripped supply since the Cruiser went on sale, and they're not cheap secondhand.
It's hard to beat this affordable vehicle's impressive combination of room, comfort, versatility, and driving pleasure. Mediocre acceleration is the only real flaw, though performance is actually on par with other small wagons. High demand has outstripped supply since the Cruiser went on sale, and they're not cheap secondhand.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 6 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 8 | |
| Total Score: | 58 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Chrysler PT Cruiser includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Chrysler PT Cruiser .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Cruise control:
An annoying surge at cruising speeds between 45-60 mph during warm weather can only be corrected by reprogramming the powertrain control module; look for modification decal under the hood. (2001-02)
Fuel gauge:
The fuel gauge may not read full despite the tank being full on early production models and a countermeasure fuel pump module is available to correct this. (2001)
Hard starting:
Difficulty starting may also require replacement of the fuel pump module with one that has a screen to prevent contamination of the integral pressure regulator. (2001)
Seat:
The rear seats may not unlatch due to a problem with the cable and its attachments. (2001)
Sunroof/moonroof:
If the sunroof deflector vibrates (usually above 40 mph), there is a deflector mounting kit that relocates the mounting attachments. (2001)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $485 |
| Alternator | $360 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,110 |
| Brakes | $360 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $570 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $770 |
| Exhaust System | $310 |
| Radiator | $450 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $590 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $280 |
Our price chart for this generation Chrysler PT Cruiser details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2008 | |||
| PT Cruiser | $10,800-13,000 | $9,700-11,700 | $5,800-7,000 |
| PT Cruiser Limited | $12,400-13,800 | $11,200-12,400 | $7,100-7,900 |
| PT Cruiser conv. | $13,200-15,000 | $12,000-13,700 | $7,700-8,700 |
| 2007 | |||
| PT Cruiser | $9,200-10,500 | $8,300-9,500 | $4,800-5,500 |
| PT Cruiser GT | $12,500-14,000 | $11,300-12,600 | $7,100-8,000 |
| PT Cruiser GT conv. | $13,800-15,300 | $12,600-13,900 | $8,300-9,200 |
| PT Cruiser Limited | $10,500-11,500 | $9,500-10,400 | $5,600-6,100 |
| PT Cruiser conv. | $11,000-12,800 | $9,900-11,500 | $5,900-6,900 |
| 2006 | |||
| PT Cruiser | $8,100-10,800 | $7,300-9,700 | $4,100-5,500 |
| PT Cruiser GT | $11,000-12,200 | $9,900-11,000 | $5,900-6,600 |
| PT Cruiser GT conv. | $12,300-13,500 | $11,100-12,200 | $7,000-7,700 |
| PT Cruiser conv. | $9,800-11,300 | $8,800-10,200 | $5,100-5,900 |
| 2005 | |||
| PT Cruiser | $7,100-9,100 | $6,300-8,100 | $3,400-4,400 |
| PT Cruiser GT | $9,500-10,500 | $8,600-9,500 | $4,900-5,500 |
| PT Cruiser GT conv. | $10,500-11,800 | $9,500-10,600 | $5,600-6,300 |
| PT Cruiser conv. | $8,500-10,000 | $7,700-9,000 | $4,400-5,200 |
| 2004 | |||
| PT Cruiser | $6,200-8,500 | $5,400-7,400 | $2,700-3,700 |
| PT Cruiser GT | $8,200-9,200 | $7,400-8,300 | $4,200-4,700 |
| 2003 | |||
| PT Cruiser | $5,300-6,800 | $4,600-5,800 | $2,200-2,800 |
| PT Cruiser GT | $7,000-8,000 | $6,200-7,100 | $3,300-3,800 |
| 2002 | |||
| PT Cruiser | $4,500-5,800 | $3,700-4,800 | $1,600-2,100 |
| 2001 | |||
| PT Cruiser | $3,800-4,700 | $3,100-3,900 | $1,200-1,500 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Chrysler PT Cruiser include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door wagon | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 103.0 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 168.8 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 67.1 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 63.0 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3123 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 64.2 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 15.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.4 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 40.6 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.6 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 40.8 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Base engine in the PT Cruiser was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that developed 150 horsepower. In 2003 Chrysler added a turbocharged version that had 220 horsepower. Both engines could have either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic. Optional for Touring and Limited models in 2004 is a 180-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| Turbocharged dohc I4 | 2.4 / 148 | 220 | 245 | 5-speed manual: 21/27 4-speed automatic: 19/25 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 19 |
| dohc I4 | 2.4 / 148 | 150 | 162 | 5-speed manual: 20/26 4-speed automatic: 20/25 |
5-speed manual: 21.7 4-speed automatic: 23 |
| Turbocharged dohc I4 | 2.4 / 148 | 180 | 210 | 4-speed automatic: 19/25 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Mexico
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Chrysler PT Cruiser include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2001-2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2001:
Fuel supply line could contact the air-conditioning tube service port, causing a fuel leak which would increase the risk of fire.
2001:
Some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions for properly attaching a child-restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorage.
2001:
The right rear seat center lower anchor was manufactured with a wire diameter greater than the maximum specified. If child-seat connectors are not properly secured, the occupant will not be fully restrained.
2001-02:
The fuel-pump-module mounting flange could leak fuel in a rollover crash, increasing the risk of vehicle fire.
2001-05:
w/2.4-liter non-turbo engine: Power steering hose may contact automatic-transmission differential cover, potentially damaging the hose and causing fluid leakage that could result in underhood fire.
2002:
A software error in the instrument-cluster microprocessor may render gauges, illumination, and warning lights inoperative.
2003 manual transmission:
Faulty flywheel and clutch assemblies were installed in some vehicles with manual transmissions, possibly leading to a disengaged clutch. Dealer will inspect and replace affected part.
2005:
w/ABS, high-output turbo engine and manual gearbox: Contact between brake tube and transaxle housing over extended time period may eventually lead to perforation of brake tube, which could result in loss of braking force in left front/right rear circuit.
2005-06:
The rear quarter glass attaching fasteners may pull through their mounts and allow the glass to separate from the vehicle. Dealers will replace the rear quarter glass.
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