2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Chrysler PT Cruiser 2008

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2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser repairs by problem area

Engine (41%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (16%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)

Other (5%)

Chart based on 124 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (11%)

$500 - $999 (8%)

$100 - $499 (46%)

< $100 (35%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 100 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Engine not specified

Chrysler PT Cruiser in Michigan, United States
Nov 2011 - Jan 2012
Jan 2012 The lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The sway bar needed to be retorqued and the bushings on the sway bar needed to be replaced. 

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2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 180hp 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Chrysler PT Cruiser in California, United States
Aug 2014 - Jun 2022
Nov 2014

50000 mi

US $630
Remove and replace radiator due to leak 
Feb 2016

61000 mi
Replaced timing belt, tensioner, and water pump 
Jul 2017

76000 mi

US $600
Worn right side lower engine mount 
Mar 2018

83000 mi

US $85
Horn stuck. Unknown part replaced, which fixed the problem. 
Nov 2018

88000 mi

US $100
Replaced powertrain control module and electrical harness (not in stock-had to wait) 
Feb 2019

91000 mi
Rack and pinion leaking. Inner and outer tie bars replaced. Inner and outer sway bar cracked. Replaced. Replaced timing belt. 
May 2021

105000 mi

US $100
Condenser leaking. Under lifetime service contract. A/C condenser and hoses Horn stuck 
Oct 2021

107000 mi

US $100
Horn stuck. 
Jun 2022

111000 mi

US $544
Pads worn due to faulty calipers. Replaced under lifetime service contract and dealer warranty. $100 deductible. Two rotors replace (maintenance) $211.88. Cam and crank sensor. Replaced under warranty. Car often would not start. Needed new key fobiks. Needed steering column for the key fobiks to work. 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Massachusetts, United States
Jul 2011 - Apr 2014
Aug 2011

47000 mi

US $251
repaired driver side tie rod. Common on this car. 
Apr 2014

74000 mi
Sway bar bushings & links, tie rods, control arm bushings Radiator replacement Water pump failure, timing belt replaced, thermostat replaced Heater core failed. Not fixed, traded vehicle in 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Texas, United States
Sep 2008 - Oct 2014
Oct 2008

4200 mi
Repaired water leak around windshield. Harsh 1-2 shift fixed with ECM reprogram per TSB. 
Sep 2011

27000 mi

US $34
Windshield washer nozzles broke apart after becoming brittle due to engine compartment heat. Nozzles replaced. 
Mar 2013

39000 mi

US $1064
Front lower control arm bushings starting making loud noises over bumps and in low-speed turns. Replaced lower control arms on both sides. 
Aug 2013

42000 mi
Knocking noise from transmission that followed engine speed. Transmission required rebuild (banner kit, input clutch hub/retainer, overdrive clutch plate, torque converter) due to broken overdrive/reverse reaction plate. 
Nov 2013

44000 mi

US $260
Loud scraping noise from front suspension while steering. Suspected left outer tie rod. Replaced but noise returned several days later. 
Oct 2014

50000 mi
Front suspension still making loud creaking noises when turning, but only when moving. Not sure if problem due to inner tie-rod or other component. Decided to sell vehicle. 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in California, United States
Aug 2012 - Jun 2022
Mar 2013

42000 mi
Radiator developed small leak at 41,000 miles. Replaced radiator and thermostat.  Engine mounts were worn, so had all three engine mounts replaced at the same time.. All work done under extended warranty. 
Nov 2015

72000 mi

US $98
Power Steering pressure switch on the bottom of the power steering pump had a small leak from worn o-ring. Had switch replaced. 
Aug 2016

78000 mi

US $21
The brake taillight switch failed...small switch at the top of the brake pedal arm. When you push the brake pedal, it pushes a button on the switch that makes the brake lights go on. Popped new switch in in 10 minutes... 
Jan 2018

91000 mi

US $400
Replaced pads and rotors on all four wheels. Front rotors were grooved and could not be ground down at all. Better to replace all four rotors. 
Sep 2021

99800 mi

US $253
After 13 years and 99,000 miles, the starter failed. Had it quickly replaced in one day at the local repair shop. 

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2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 148hp 2.1L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD

Chrysler PT Cruiser in Great Britain
Jan 2011 - Nov 2019
Dec 2012

35000 mi

£400
Fault of some kind with the tensioner/roller on one of the auxiliary drive belts causing belt to slip off/snap/be damaged repeatedly. Required replacement of the tensioner and belt. 
Dec 2013

43000 mi

£300
Serpentine belt pulley/tensioner failed (again - same as 12 months ago). Apparently this is a known issue and a modification recommended, but my vehicle had already *had* the mod, nevertheless it failed again. 
Feb 2014

43300 mi

£500
Alternator clutch seized, breaking serpentine belt and damaging pulleys etc. Possible that this was the problem all along. Alternator replaced, belt replaced, pulleys replaced. 
Jun 2014

45000 mi

£2000
Clutch slave hydraulic cylinder failed completely, clutch inoperable. Cylinder replaced, and clutch replaced while it was stripped down. 
Aug 2014

46100 mi
Engine mountings failed/loosened, probably due to clutch problems. Mechanic packed them with silicone bathroom sealer and tightened them. 
Mar 2015

50000 mi
Car now has a distinct knock or 'clunk' when changing up gears and when going over uneven road. Mechanic thinks it may be a bush on a 'torsion bar' (sp?). Not replaced yet as the part is hard to obtain and garage wants to look at car again 
Sep 2015

54000 mi

£500
Electric cooling fans failed so engine was overheating when vehicle was stationary. 
Feb 2016

56900 mi

£300
Another belt tensioner failed, snapping belts. 
Mar 2016

57000 mi

£300
Stabiliser bar replaced. 
Apr 2016

58000 mi

£500
Tie-rods/ends replaced Glow plugs replaced. 
Nov 2016

60900 mi

£1000
Alternator and/or belt linkage failed; alternator replaced 
Sep 2017

66000 mi

£200
Wheel bearing made loud squealing noise after rumbling for a while. Replaced. 
Mar 2018

69000 mi

£200
Serpentine belts and alternator overdrive failed AGAIN. Replaced, and this time the mechanic observed that there was an oil leak on the crankshaft seal dripping oil on the overdrive. Possible this has been the problem all along, so why didn't previous mechanic ever notice??? 

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2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4dr Wagon

150-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Chrysler PT Cruiser in British Columbia, Canada
Sep 2012 - Aug 2014
Aug 2014

86800 mi

C $400
Tie Rod popped out while driving. Needed to replace Tie rods and Bushings. 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Nevada, United States
Jan 2014 - Oct 2016
Feb 2014

53000 mi
Passenger seat air bag sensor faulty 
Mar 2015

59000 mi

US $130
Check engine light came on due to a bad camshaft position sensor. 
Nov 2015

63100 mi

US $100
Replaced crack vacuum hose 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Iowa, United States
Aug 2016 - Jun 2018
Sep 2016

34000 mi

US $200
Left front caliper brake replaced. It was dragging from a stuck piston. 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in New York, United States
Mar 2016 - Apr 2016
Mar 2016

131000 mi

US $200
Horn and horn switch failed. Spark plugs, wires and PCV and air filter Camshaft position sensor 
Apr 2016

131000 mi

US $1300
Rear wiper Cooling not working AC Damper Selector knob not turning Airbag light on Tire pressure monitoring light blinks indicating a problem with the system when it is cold outside. 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in California, United States
Mar 2015 - Apr 2017
Jun 2015

212000 mi

US $100
The radiator cooling fan had to be replaced. 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in New Jersey, United States
Jul 2012 - Oct 2015
Feb 2013

38700 mi

US $120
Two tire pressure sensors replaced. Make sure to keep the valve caps tightly screwed in place! Water corroded the sensors. 
Jun 2014

50000 mi

US $133
Replaced worn out passenger side front engine mount hoping to eliminate loud banging noise when turning or hitting bumps. We have already replaced the upper control arms hoping to eliminate the noise. 
Oct 2014

54000 mi
Dashboard turns itself off then back on while driving and engine hesitates. We still have the loud banging noise from under the passenger seat area. broken strut on passenger side 
Nov 2014

55500 mi

US $100
The electrical problem that shut the dashboard down relates to the position of the electric powered seat. The seat is run way up close then the problem happens. We solved it by putting a pillow behind my wife when she drives. 
Oct 2015

65000 mi

US $500
Replaced dashboard cluster to end false trouble messages. 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Nova Scotia, Canada
Oct 2013 - Nov 2014
Nov 2014

48980 mi
intermittent wipers stop for no reason-have to get out and manually start cannot duplicate problem when you want to 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Alabama, United States
Jun 2011 - Jun 2013
Apr 2012

75700 mi

US $54
Camshaft Position Sensor malfunctioned causing check engine light to come on while driving and once stopped, caused engine to not turn over. Easy replacement of part by mechanic - problem solved. 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in New York, United States
Sep 2009 - Jun 2018
Aug 2009

27000 mi
Front lower control arm bushings replaced on both sides. Warranty covered 
Aug 2011

34500 mi

US $250
Cam position sensor failed 
Nov 2011

39500 mi

US $210
TPM sensor failed due to corrosion. Am told others will fail in the future. TPM failed due to corrosion 
Mar 2012

39000 mi

US $350
Bushings split on both rear strut rod and stabilizer bar assemblies. Both replaced 
Apr 2013

50800 mi

US $150
Thermostat gasket leaking. Replaced 
Jun 2013

55000 mi

US $170
Car would not start. Had to jockey shifter to engage starter 
Apr 2014

66300 mi

US $350
Complete lower control arm and sway bar replacement 
Jun 2015

72000 mi

US $120
Shifter was difficult to move and to completely put into the Park position. 
Jun 2016

74000 mi

US $215
Camshaft sensor failed again 
Jun 2017

75000 mi

US $375
Shifter cable frayed. Replaced 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Alabama, United States
- Sep 2009
Sep 2009

24000 mi
Car would not start and would not take a jump either. Had it towed in and service dept said one cell of battery was not charging. Replaced it under warranty in about 30 minutes. No problems since 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Florida, United States
Sep 2011 - Jun 2018
Aug 2017

112000 mi

US $60
Replace alternator 
Mar 2018

130000 mi

US $25
Replaced orifice line 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Texas, United States
Sep 2010 - Feb 2014
Feb 2014

60000 mi
The air conditioner quit working. 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Tennessee, United States
Sep 2010 - Dec 2011
Jan 2010

16000 mi
Reset/flashed transmission software to solve jerky downshifting. 
Jun 2011

32000 mi

US $325
I had to replace the PCV Valve and an internal sensor as well as have the software updated for the transmission. 
Dec 2011

34000 mi

US $1100
The transmission failed, causing severe vibration and then refused to shift out of first gear. The diagnosis included burned out clutch, damaged transmission control module, and solenoid. 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Arizona, United States
Sep 2008 - Jun 2011
Jul 2008

2000 mi
Windshield developed bubbles in glass. Dealer agreed it was defective and sent a glass company out to replace. New Mopar windshield is perfect. 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Alabama, United States
Sep 2010 - Jan 2015
Dec 2010

45000 mi

US $160
drivers seat side panel support tabs broke, causing seat switch to malfunction. Paid dealer $150 for replacement side panel but it failed within 8 hours. Looks like poor design. 
May 2013

102600 mi

US $20
replaced windshield sprayer nozzle 
Jul 2013

106500 mi

US $600
replaced water pump 
Feb 2014

111700 mi

US $1500
timing belt broke, shop recommened replacing water pump at same time.  also noted two motor mounts needed replacing 
Dec 2014

122000 mi

US $725
replaced calipers, rotors, & pads; updated software in computer (dealer's recommendation) couldn't find source of noise coming from cooling system? 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in California, United States
Sep 2010 - May 2015
Apr 2015

86000 mi
Transmission is breaking down, apparently. Noise, vibration, hesitation in reverse. The car still runs. Initially there was a probability of smaller less expensive issue, which apparently is not the case. Opted to not do the work 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Tennessee, United States
Sep 2008 - Feb 2022
Oct 2008

4000 mi
Rear brake drums replaced under warranty, finally stopped all shudder when braking at over 60 MPH. 
Dec 2009

9900 mi
Air bag causing the horn to stick, replaced airbag under warranty. 
Aug 2012

32600 mi

US $100
On an earlier visit repair tech saw left shock absorber was leaking, ordered replacement part, replaced on this visit. 
Jan 2022

36000 mi

US $300
had to drain out some gas from a full tank to do a full emission test, replaced a little part and the gas cap. 

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2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2dr Convertible

turbocharged 180hp 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Chrysler PT Cruiser in Colorado, United States
Aug 2011 - Jul 2017
Sep 2016

78000 mi

US $1000
Replaced Starter, Starter Relay, Engine Module and Starter Switch. Both Oxygen Sensors will need attention ie. computer. 
Oct 2016

78300 mi

US $40
Replaced the cam position sensor. Car runs perfectly again. No need to replace oxygen sensors. 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in Georgia, United States
Mar 2011 - Mar 2012
Mar 2012

58000 mi

US $1058
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. REPLACE CAM AND CRANK SENSORS. REPLACE 4 SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION CABLES CLEAN THROTTLE BODY 
Chrysler PT Cruiser in California, United States
Sep 2008 - Jun 2014
Aug 2008

11851 mi
11851 miles - yellow engine light came on and stayed on. dealer informed me that it *might* be a loose gas cap (it definitely was not). light reset. 12,039 miles soft trim described in 4/08 is replaced. 
Oct 2008

14906 mi
soft trim has come loose again. this time replaced and *adhered*. seems like it has a much better chance of working "for keeps." rear rattle fixed! 
Jan 2009

24028 mi
engine light comes on again. shop claims they find leak in the gas cap and replace it. (this ends up permanently fixing the problem.) 
Jun 2009

35000 mi
roll bar trim has come loose *again*. repaired under warranty. 
Apr 2010

55000 mi
stone chip repaired in the windshield. 
May 2010

57000 mi

US $100
air conditioner has lost its fluid and yet the system isn't showing any leaks ... hmm ... first work done under my lifetime service contract -- i pay the deductible only. 
Aug 2011

70000 mi

US $100
back to the shop for my AC not working. the dye job from last time showed a leak in the AC discharge line. the total bill would have been $485, my warranty wrap was just a $100 deductible. fixed. for now. again. 
Dec 2011

77000 mi

US $238
a brake repair shop mentioned seeing a leak from the rack & pinon gear. on my 72K oil change the shop replaced the R&P gear as well as both control arms. $100 to me due to my service contract...would've been $1500 without. the windshield washers quit functioning (probably due to las vegas hard water clogs?) and had to be replaced. 
Sep 2013

111000 mi

US $100
Replacement of turbo charger to end ticking noise. Covered by original lifetime powertrain warranty. Transmission replaced. Covered by lifetime powertrain warranty. Do note, it's entirely possible that the dealer didn't know what they were doing. Replaced cam position sensor. Paid $100 out of my pocket for service contract deductible ... total cost would have been about $250. Replaced engine mounts. New battery. 
Dec 2013

115000 mi
Air intake hose severely cracked. Split vacuum line. $150 out of my pocket. 
Apr 2014

120800 mi

US $320
Spark plug seals leaking. Replaced plugs and seals. $320 out of my pocket. Replaced engine mounts. 

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2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.