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2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Crankshaft oil seal failure and excessive oil consumption.” Chrysler's Oil Change Indicator tracks engine load and duty cycle, then messages when oil life is used up — capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 (300, Pacifica, Town & Country, Voyager) is long-interval by design: spark plugs at 100,000 miles and no timing belt. Minivans in family duty count as 'severe service' more often than owners think — frequent short trips shorten the oil indicator's countdown, and that's the system working correctly.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Reported to NHTSA

Crankshaft oil seal failure and excessive oil consumption

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

24 NHTSA complaints · 2007-12 → 2018-06

“ON DECEMBER 24, 2007 I TOOK MY 2007 PT CRUISER, THAT IS ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD, TO FIRESTONE TO BE CHECKED ON CAUSE I NOTICED I WAS LEAKING OIL. THEY PROCEEDED TO TAKE MY CAR PUT IT ON THE LIFT AND NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING DRAMATICALLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10213046
“DEALER LOOKED AT THE OIL LEAK AND THE TECH INFORMED ME THE FRONT CRANKSHAFT SEAL WAS LEAKING AND THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF PLAY WITH THE CRANK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10425600
“2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, FRONT CRANK SHAFT SEAL BLOWN OUT 5 TIME SINCE 2/2008”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10392945

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front control arm bushing wear

SUSPENSION

6 NHTSA complaints · 2010-05 → 2017-02

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE TIRES WERE BEING ROTATED THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE WORN WHICH COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT TO FAIL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10343060
“INFORMED, DURING A STATE REQUIRED ANNUAL VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION THAT, AFTER ONLY 3 YEARS AND 37,000 MILES, THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON THE CAR ARE COMPLETELY GONE METAL IS RUBBING METAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10332699
“BALL JOINT BOLT FAILURE;CAUSING FRONT SUSPENSION FAILURE;SAME AS NHTSA RECALL OF 2005 PT CRUSIER;NHTSA REFERENCE #O8EO33OOO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10948962

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Manual transmission clutch failure in hot weather

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2008-08 → 2015-06

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CLUTCH WAS ENGAGED AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10463078
“PT CRUISER HYDRAULIC CLUTCH NOT WORKING PROPERLY IN HOT WEATHER. DEALER TRIES TO REPLACE ENTIRE CLUTCH AND SAYS THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE UNTIL THEY DO THE $1400 CLUTCH JOB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10348086
“I PURCHASED A 2007 PT CRUISER WITH ZERO MILES ON IT IN DECEMBER 2007,FROM LITHIA 5504 L ST, OMAHA NEBRASKA. I TRADED A 2006 JEEP COMMANDER FOR IT TO ECONOMIZE. AFTER 4500 MILES THE CLUTCH WENT OUT, THEY FIXED IT UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10240161

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear liftgate lock randomly releasing

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2018-12

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11155382
“THE LOCK ON THE BACK GATE WILL RANDOMLY DISENGAGE. THIS CAUSES THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT TO COME ON AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. I FIND THAT IT MAINLY HAPPENS WHEN CLOSING THE DOORS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10884382
“THE BACK GATE LOCK POPS OPEN BUT IT DOESN'T COME OPEN IT JUST CLICKS WHICH MAKES THE DOME LIGHT GO ON AND SAYS GATE AJAR IT DOES THIS RANDOMLY IN MOTION OR NOT I HAVE NO WAY OF A PICTURE TAKEN OR SENDING DOCUM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10853448

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden engine stall and loss of power while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

17 NHTSA complaints · 2009-07 → 2022-06

“OUR PT CRUISER HAS APPROX. 63,000 MILES ON IT. AS YOU'RE DRIVING OUR CAR, ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE GAUGES GO DOWN AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10999993
“WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE TURNS OFF AND ALL POWER IS LOST. THE IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT MOVE. ONCE THE CARE IS STOPPED, YOU HAVE TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10722559
“CPSC: I1430176A. 2007 PT CRUISER. CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE TURNS ITSELF OFF DURING DRIVING, THEN RESTARTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10578718

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag failure to deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

12 NHTSA complaints · 2008-10 → 2019-11

“ON AUGUST 12,2016 AT 12:37 PM WHILE DRIVING MY SAID CAR A DEER RAN OUT IN FROUNT OF ME CROSSING THE ROAD. I AVOIDED THE DEER AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CHRYSLER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND MY CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10905603
“ON 12/6/10, I WAS IN MY 2007 PT CRUISER WHEN I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS PROCEEDING STRAIGHT THRU AN INTERSECTION WHEN A 1993 NISSAN ALTIMA TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME (WAS COMING FORM DIRECTION OPPOSITE ME), STRIKING ME DEAD CENTER OF MY FRONT BUMPER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10374659
“I WAS IN A CAR IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007. I WAS DRIVING A 2007 PT CRUISER. I REAREND A TRUCK INFRONT OF ME DOING APPROXIMATELY 30-35MPH. MY SAFETY BELT DIDN'T LOCK AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10244544

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light illumination without deployment

AIR BAGS

11 NHTSA complaints · 2007-10 → 2017-11

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651372
“PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RED WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING WITH NO PASSENGER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11043074
“PASSENGER AIR BAG STAYS ILLUMINATED AND RINGS EVERY 5 SECONDS EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS THERE OR NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10810931

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change oil when the indicator message appears — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L uses 0W-20; PT Cruiser's 2.4L uses 5W-30. Short-trip city driving will trigger the indicator well before 10,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles or at every oil change. Front-heavy minivans (Pacifica, Voyager) chew front tires quickly without rotation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Loaded minivans and the heavy 300 wear rear pads faster than expected — check both axles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Timing Belt (2.4L PT Cruiser)

Every 100,000 mi

PT Cruiser's 2.4L is a timing-belt engine: replace around 100,000 miles (check your manual's exact interval for the year). Do the water pump and tensioner in the same job — the labor overlaps almost entirely.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Minivans (62TE six-speed): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles under family duty. 300 with the ZF/TorqueFlite 8-speed: Chrysler lists no normal-service interval, but specialists recommend fluid service around 60,000-100,000 miles. ATF+4 or the specified 8-speed fluid only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: iridium plugs at 100,000 miles. PT Cruiser 2.4L: roughly every 30,000 miles with conventional plugs — check the manual for your year.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. On the Pentastar it's a quick top-of-engine job; inspect sooner in dusty climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on evidence of cracking or glazing. A failed belt on the Pentastar takes the water pump drive with it — don't run it to destruction.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles — behind the glovebox on Pacifica, Voyager, and 300. Family-hauler duty (pets, gravel school lots) argues for yearly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant: first replacement at 10 years or 150,000 miles per the schedule; many shops suggest refreshing by 100,000 miles. Use OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing types gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually once the battery passes 3 years old. Pacifica's stop-start system uses a pricier AGM or dual-battery setup — weak batteries throw confusing electrical faults first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

148 crashes 1990–2024

How the 148 occupant deaths break down

113

driver deaths

33

passenger deaths

2

not recorded by seat

148

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

18

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser reflects Chrysler's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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