Model Year Problem Record

Chrysler PT Cruiser 2004 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

217Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

44Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Electrical System44 complaints

44 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine38 complaints

38 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering25 complaints

25 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V268000.

Lighting24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

04V268000Reported June 3, 2004 - 438,391 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on June 3, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 438,391 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE04028Opened March 15, 2004 - Closed June 18, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V268000.

PE04028Opened March 15, 2004 - Closed June 18, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V268000.

PE04028Opened March 15, 2004 - Closed June 18, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V268000.

PE04028Opened March 15, 2004 - Closed June 18, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V268000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200419

200522

200615

200726

200830

200918

201014

201110

201215

20137

201417

20155

20164

20176

20182

20192

20202

20211

20241

20261

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.