Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 149 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 23 | 15% |
| Air bags | 17 | 11% |
| Engine | 13 | 9% |
| Power train | 10 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 5% |
| Steering | 6 | 4% |
| Air bags | 5 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 3% |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I'm driving along, cruise set to 65. Ac on. Radio on. No sounds or weird feels from the car. Every light on the dash comes on. They went off after two seconds, with the seatbelt light being last to shut off. Then the c
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO I-10 CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP R
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I ACCELERATED TO GET UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE GAS PEDAL STUCK GOING 65MPH. I PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AT FULL PRESSURE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. I PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND BRAKED, THEN PULL THE E-BRAKE AND PULLED O
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED AN
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS (6) TIMES, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CONTACT MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND IN PAR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CONV. HAS 85,300 MILES ON ODOMETER. CAR DEVELOPED A SEVERE ENGINE OIL LEAK PROBLEM. INVESTIGATION BY ME REVEALED A WELL KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE 2.4L ENGINE. COMPLETE OIL LOSS CAN HAPP
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO SLOW DOWN HOWEVER THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT,
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
BACK HATCH COMES OPEN RANDOMLY ON ITS OWN. SITTING STILL WHILE OFF OR ON, DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT DOESN'T MATTER, IT TRIGGERS TO OPEN RANDOMLY.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 149 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 23 of them (15%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.