Model year guide

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 52 on record.

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints525
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$1,381

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls 5

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #08E033000 · 14/04/2008

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash NHTSA Campaign #01V288000 · 10/09/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A SOFTWARE ERROR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MICROPROCESSOR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLUSTER, WITH THE MAJORITY OF ITS GAUGES, ILLUMINATION, AND WARNING LAMPS, COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL RE-FLASH THE CLUSTER SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 8, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-…

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery NHTSA Campaign #02V215000 · 08/08/2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE MOUNTING FLANGE COULD LEAK FUEL IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY SEAL OVER THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800…

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections NHTSA Campaign #04V268000 · 03/06/2004

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.

Fix: 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 DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 525 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,950

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser worth?

Low
$750
Typical price
$1,381
High
$2,300

From 46 comparable 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,750
Fuel only$14,750
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Touring Edition · Limited/Dream Cruiser
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicles on record

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B52T338368 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring Edition3C4FY58B32T258623 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B62T375302 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B12T343390 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B42T330567 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B42T346557 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring Edition3C4FY58B42T292392 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B62T355499 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48BX2T295033 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B32T377475 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B22T348842 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring Edition3C4FY58B12T254375 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B42T344811 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring Edition3C4FY58B62T280115 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B42T262514 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring Edition3C4FY58B22T262999 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring Edition3C4FY58B82T270881 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B52T383343 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B02T284302 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B02T290021 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B92T283276 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48BX2T255597 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B52T272226 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Base3C4FY48B22T267131

Other Chrysler PT Cruiser model years

2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2001

2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

Based on 525 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, engine, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser worth?

Comparable 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser listings run roughly $750–$2,300, typically around $1,381 (from 46 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.