YearToAvoid

2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Engine Problems

NHTSA has 40 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 41% of all 97 complaints for this model year. That is #4 highest engine complaint count among 6 PT Cruiser model years. These complaints report 2 crashes. Median mileage at failure: 56,875 miles.

Engine complaints
40
41% of 97 complaints
All complaints this year
97
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
56,875 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 9, 2010, latest Dec 28, 2020.

2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2010Nov 2011Aug 2013Jun 2014Dec 2014Jul 2015Sep 2017Nov 2018
40 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2010 to Dec 2020; peak Oct 2013 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by PT Cruiser model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200545 (24%)
  2. 200696 (28%)
  3. 200754 (36%)
  4. 200825 (22%)
  5. 200940 (41%)
  6. 20107 (32%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser have engine problems?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints about the engine in the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 41% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 56,875 miles.
Which Chrysler PT Cruiser year has the most engine complaints?
The 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser has the most engine complaints (96), compared with 40 for the 2009.
Is there a engine recall for the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.