PT Cruiser reliability - how does it compare?

[mkaresh]

PT Rich posted about my research months ago, but in the non-PT discussion area. Does everyone visit that forum? That thread:

Vehicle Reliability Research

Just in case people don't visit that forum, I should probably post something here.

In late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research. I'm reporting absolute stats like "times in the shop" that will make the differences between cars much clearer. Relative ratings obscure too much--how large is the difference between "better than average" and "worse than average"? I’ll also be updating results four times a year, so there will be information on new models sooner.

I'd like to start collecting data on the PT Cruiser because my wife happens to own a 2002 Dreamer I. But not enough owners have signed up to participate. 2001, 2002, and 2003 are all getting close, but aren't to the minimum of 25.

To encourage participation, panel members will receive full access to the results free of charge.

Details: Vehicle reliability research

Comments, questions, and suggestions welcome.

[mkaresh]

Still looking for more owners. Latest results for other models recently posted here:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

I'd like to have the PT in future sets of results.

[30coupe]

I would help out, but I just bought my 2001 yesterday. Hopefully it will be reliable.

[dave PT]

Originally Posted by 30coupe

I would help out, but I just bought my 2001 yesterday. Hopefully it will be reliable.

My 03 dream has 111000 and still going, and going , ect...

[rndmstar]

bought a 2001 i n 2003 no problems, traded in for 2006 convertible. still no problems except husbands magnum sxt gets better gas mileage. i get about 26 and he gets 29 on freeway .

[marvin]

I'm a original owner of a early edition 2001 limited edition. I have about 67k on her and as of right now I have replaced the spark plugs and wires, oil, coolant and tranny fluid; three sets of tires and I'm on my third battery. Florida heat and to many electronics. I will do the belts when I get her back.

Normal stuff nothing else. She is perfect.

Also a 2002 limited second owner. Replaced AC compressor, coil and hoses. (OUCH). all else is good.

[PTnut]

I have a 2001 Cruiser 5 speed.

So far I'm on my 3rd oil sending unit, 3rd PCV valve, new rear seal, head gasket, & valve cover at 35K. It has 52k on it now and still eats oil. Must have been made on a Monday or Friday. Chrysler wouldn't replace the engine so sued them with the Lemon Law. Still didn't get enough to replace the engine though. Can't seem to figure where the oil is going. Losing a quart between oil changes and more when driving long distances.

Chrysler said the oil burn was within acceptable limits. NOT! As far as I'm concerned, no brand new car should burn oil. None of my other cars ever did, but they were Toyota's, Honda's, and Suzuki's.

Hey, I'm still on the original brakes though and they still look new. Go figure. Did get rid of the crappy BadYear tires. Wore out at about 35K. Finally did have to get a new battery this year. Spark plugs have been changed numerous times too.

I just keep an eye on the oil. Other than that, it does really well.

[marvin]

yeah it kills me that the oil burn is "exceptable". Sound to me like there cylinder area needs a re-tool. They seem to be a little lax in their measurements.

[fritz t coyote]

With American engines you can expect oil consumption of about a quart every 2000 miles when new, more as they age.

When they get really old, one quart every tank of gas. Thats a sign it is getting on to replacement time.

[johnnylightning86]

Originally Posted by fritz t coyote

With American engines you can expect oil consumption of about a quart every 2000 miles when new, more as they age.

When they get really old, one quart every tank of gas. Thats a sign it is getting on to replacement time.

Where did you get this information from? My experience has been exactly the opposite - it was the imports that burned oil - one of mine was a 75 Datsun that burned 4 qts of oil evert 1000 miles almost from day one and was bought brand new. All of my American cars have been very normal and consistent on oil consumption with the exception of my 85 Dodge Ram in the past few years which I contribute more due to age than anything else - I am sure it's the valve stem seals simply getting old.

My 2004 PT has over 44K on the odo and I drive 80 miles every day. I am glad to say that since I got it in May and put over 3K miles on it, it has not burned a drop of oil and has averaged 30+ mpg. I have been driving FWD Chryslers since 1986 and none of them ever burned more than a 1 qt of oil between regular 5000 miles oil changes of which all of them were driven well over 100K miles. In fact, our 2000 Caravan just rolled 114K miles and the only problem I've had with it is the starter of which my wife does a lot of short trips into town with a lot of stops and starts - so I think that is pretty good considering the way it's driven. When I went in to get the starter, another guy was there that was getting a starter for a 99 Honda which had about the same mileage on it as our Caravan - price for the Honda starter was $280, price for the Dodge starter was $120 - and I'd bet good money that he paid more for the Honda than I did for the Caravan. So how's that for so-called import reliability and lower cost of ownership?