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Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Chrysler PT Cruiser you are looking at. Then check its model year against 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefix3C83C43A43A8

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Chrysler PT Cruiser

About the Chrysler PT Cruiser

Chrysler sold the PT Cruiser in the US for model years 2001–2010. Across those years NHTSA lists 9 vehicle recall campaigns and 2,622 owner complaints. The 2001 has the most complaints of any model year (618). EPA rates it at 19–23 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2001–2010
EPA classSport Utility Vehicle
NHTSA recall campaigns9
Owner complaints2,622 at NHTSA
Chrysler PT Cruiser photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Chrysler PT Cruiser at a glance

One generation in the data, 2001–2010: 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,622 owner complaints.

1 / 1
PT Cruiser
2001–2010Sport Utility Vehicle
Chrysler PT Cruiser (2001–2010)

Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

200120052010
2001–2010

Chrysler PT Cruiser

EPA classSport Utility Vehicle
EPA combined mpg19–23
NHTSA recalls9

Engines (EPA)

  • 2.4 L 4-cyl · 2001–2010
  • 2.4 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2003–2009

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • FWD
  • manual (2001–2009), automatic (2001–2010)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (613)Engine and cooling (473)Exterior lighting (236)3 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 2,622 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · PT Cruiser3C8FY4BB?1T······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base, built in Toluca, State Of Mexico
Check a PT Cruiser VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which PT Cruiser model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 9 campaigns on file for PT Cruiser model years 2001–2010, and the 2001 shows up in more of them than any other year (5), ahead of the 2002 (3). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2001
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recall
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Chrysler PT Cruiser owners report

NHTSA data

Between them, the 2001 and 2002 hold 1,129 of the 2,622 complaints, or 43%. Tap any bar or generation.

2,622NHTSA complaints, 2001–2010
198mention a crash
111mention a fire
214injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearPT Cruiser: 2,622 complaints · most for the 2001 (618)

Top complaint areas · PT Cruiser

Mentions in 2,622 complaints, 2001–2010.

Electrical system613
Engine and cooling473
Exterior lighting236
Air bags235
Suspension234
Steering233
Crashes 198Fires 111Injuries 214

2001–2010

NHTSA data summary

The 2001 is the outlier. On its own it has 618 of the ’s 2,622 complaints (24%), more than any other PT Cruiser model year, and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (613 mentions), then engine and cooling (473).

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner complaints · by model year

PT Cruiser complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every PT Cruiser version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

2,622complaints, 2001–2010
198mention a crash
111mention a fire
214injuries reported
7complaints report a death
Most complaints: 2001 (618), 2002 (511), 2006 (373)
618’01511’02’05373’06’10

2001 · 618 complaints

Crashes 36 · fires 17 · injuries 36

Electrical system78
Structure67
Suspension66
Engine and engine cooling62
Steering61

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

PT Cruiser CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 48 PT Cruiser versions for model years 2001–2010. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 386 g/mi (2009). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

PT Cruiser2001–2010

19–23 mpg · CO₂ 386–468 g/mi

2009
23combined MPG
386CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,900EPA yearly fuel cost
5/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
not ratedGreenhouse gas rating
BIN 5 · LEV IIEmission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2009: Cruiser · Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L — 23 MPG · 386 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
300350400450500200520102001 · Gas: 4442002 · Gas: 4042003 · Gas: 4042004 · Gas: 4042005 · Gas: 4042006 · Gas: 4042007 · Gas: 4042008 · Gas: 3862009 · Gas: 3862010 · Gas: 423
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

PT Cruiser vs Volkswagen Jetta vs Toyota Corolla

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2001–2010. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the PT Cruiser, against 18 for the Volkswagen Jetta and 31 for the Toyota Corolla. Pick a range to compare.

Chrysler PT Cruiser

Model years 2001–2010

NHTSA recall campaigns
9
NHTSA owner complaints
2,622
EPA combined mpg
19–23
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.4 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 613
  2. Engine and cooling 473
  3. Exterior lighting 236

Volkswagen Jetta

Model years 2001–2010

NHTSA recall campaigns
18
NHTSA owner complaints
5,061
EPA combined mpg
19–39
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.8, 1.9, 2.0 L · 5-cyl 2.5 L · 6-cyl 2.8 L
Also listed
turbo, diesel
Drive (EPA)
FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 1,010
  2. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 946
  3. Engine and cooling 908

Toyota Corolla

Model years 2001–2010

NHTSA recall campaigns
31
NHTSA owner complaints
6,993
EPA combined mpg
25–31
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.8, 2.4 L
Drive (EPA)
FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Air bags 3,084
  2. Steering 874
  3. Speed control / acceleration 851

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a PT Cruiser

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Grey Chrysler PT Cruiser (2006-2010 facelift) hatchback, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The PT Cruiser was discontinued after 2010, placing all remaining examples well past the 15-year mark. The VIN sits at the lower driver's windshield, on the door jamb sticker, and on a B-pillar label.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser Owner's Manual: Vehicle Identification Number
  2. Driver door labelCertification label on the rear edge (shut face) of the driver's door.
    Source: Chrysler PT Cruiser service manual: Vehicle Certification Label (via Operation CHARM)
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN questions

Which Chrysler PT Cruiser model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2001 leads with 618, ahead of the 2002 (511) and 2006 (373). Those first two alone make up 43% of the 2,622 PT Cruiser complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Chrysler PT Cruiser had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 9 vehicle campaigns for model years 2001–2010, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 02V-214, 02V-215 and 04V-268. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Chrysler PT Cruiser get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2001–2010 PT Cruiser at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Chrysler PT Cruiser compare with the Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Corolla on recalls?

For 2001–2010 models the PT Cruiser has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Volkswagen Jetta has 18, the Toyota Corolla 31. Complaints run 2,622, 5,061 and 6,993 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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