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2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Recalls, Complaints & Specs

1 safety recall lists the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser, and owners have filed 217 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

1
safety recall
217
owner complaints to NHTSA
16 / 15
complaints citing a crash / fire
19–22
MPG combined (EPA)

1 safety recall for the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Hose, piping, and connections (steering)

    NHTSA 04V268000 Reported 438,391 vehicles potentially affected DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION

    On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.4l non-turbocharged engines and automatic transaxles, the power steering pressure hose may contact the automatic transaxle differential cover, potentially damaging the hose.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and relocate, or replace as necessary, the power steering hose and confirm torque of the hose fastener at the steering gear end. The recall began on september 20, 2004. Owners should contact…

217 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser have filed 217 complaints with NHTSA; 16 describe a crash and 15 describe a fire. Reports cite 18 injuries and 3 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 59,752 miles. Complaints peaked in 2008 with 30 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“So I had been having issues with the car overheating well I'm almost home and my daughter says she smells smoke so pull over and rush to get my babies out of the car because under the hood it had caug”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 17, 2026 · Engine

“I purchased the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser on 1/10/2024. I learned that the Chrysler Dealership does not make keys for the vehicle when locked out, nor does it Service the vehicle. They will "address" a”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 12, 2024 · Unknown or other

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined19–22 mpg
City / Highway17–19 / 24–26
FuelPremium, Regular
EPA classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engine4 cyl, 2.4 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Chrysler Pt Cruiser model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chrysler Pt Cruiser model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser5618
2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser3511
2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser2258
2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser1217
2005 Chrysler Pt Cruiser3187
2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser1349
2007 Chrysler Pt Cruiser0150
2008 Chrysler Pt Cruiser0115
2009 Chrysler Pt Cruiser097
2010 Chrysler Pt Cruiser022

Checking a specific 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

How do I know if my 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser; your car may already have been repaired under it.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chrysler dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V268000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Chrysler models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.