2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of the 6 model years with data, and NHTSA lists no recalls for it. It ranks 6th worst (best) with a Best verdict, well ahead of the 2006 and 2007 model years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #6 of 6 PT Cruiser years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 22
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine7 (32%)
- Structure & Body5 (23%)
- Electrical System4 (18%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (18%)
- Airbags3 (14%)
- Steering3 (14%)
- Brakes1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Suspension components including tire pressure sensors, front wheel bearings, and lower control arm bushings failed, with the wheel bearing failure producing a loud growling noise when turning at highway ramp speeds.
- Engine oil consumption increased to about a quart per 1,000 miles, tied to a leaking head gasket that required dealer replacement.
- The steering wheel stiffened suddenly at highway speed in one case, and in another the steering column made a loud noise and became hard to maneuver at low speed due to a rusted, leaking power steering reservoir.
- The driver's seat control plastic covering detached, exposing the seat motor, wires, and clip, and in a separate case the seat control broke entirely and could not be adjusted.
- One vehicle caught fire near the alternator while driving at highway speed, producing black smoke and visible flames under the hood.
- Airbags did not deploy in a crash into a boulder at around 35 mph, though the driver's injuries did not require medical attention.
2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
- Among the 6 PT Cruiser model years with data, 2010 has the lowest complaint index at 0 and carries a Best verdict, with only 22 total complaints logged.
- Does the 2010 PT Cruiser have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2010 PT Cruiser, compared to 3 recalls on the 2005 model and 1 on the 2006 model.
- What is the top problem area for the 2010 PT Cruiser?
- Engine complaints make up 32% of reports, the largest share, including oil consumption and head gasket leaks, with a median failure mileage of 34,614.5 miles.
- What year PT Cruiser should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2006 (100) and 2007 (80) are rated Avoid, while 2010 (0) and 2009 (20) rank as Best and Good years respectively.
- Were there any crashes or fires reported for the 2010 PT Cruiser?
- NHTSA data shows 1 crash, 1 fire, and 1 injury reported for the 2010 PT Cruiser among its 22 complaints.