Cooling-system leaks and overheating
SeriousCooling SystemRadiators, hoses and thermostat housings can age badly, and a PT Cruiser that has overheated even once is a much riskier proposition than the price suggests.
Est. Repair Cost: £150–£900
Reliability GuideCommon Problems with the
Common Problems with the
2000 Chrysler PT Cruiser
The PT Cruiser arrived in the UK in July 2000 with the 2.0-litre Neon-derived petrol engine, offering retro American styling at a budget price. Early UK models had chronic supply issues that pushed prices artificially high, but values have since normalised. The engine is underpowered and the interior feels cheap by modern standards.
What changed for 2000
- •UK launch with 2.0-litre 139bhp petrol engine
- •Retro 1940s styling
- •Classic, Touring and Limited trims
- •Manual gearbox more popular than automatic
Common MOT watch-outs
- !Front suspension bush and ball-joint wear
- !Cooling system leaks from radiator and hoses
- !Electrical sensor faults causing warning lights
3
Known Issues
1
Serious
2
Moderate
0
Minor
All Known Issues
Front suspension bush and ball-joint wear
ModerateSuspension & ChassisThe PT Cruiser is heavy for its size and wears front suspension parts regularly, which creates knocks, vague steering and repeat MOT advisories.
Est. Repair Cost: £180–£500
Body-control and crank-sensor electrical faults
ModerateElectrics & ElectronicsOlder PT Cruisers can suffer from random non-starts, warning lights and accessory failures caused by sensors, wiring or body-control-module faults.
Est. Repair Cost: £80–£500
Buying Tips for 2000 Chrysler PT Cruiser
- ✓The 2.0-litre engine is lethargic — test it thoroughly on motorway gradients
- ✓Check for any sign of overheating or coolant loss
- ✓The manual gearbox is more reliable than the automatic