MEANT to post this yesterday. A neighbor is interested in one ....

he'll have a serious issue if he runs over those ducks! oh wait,... thats PETA. never mind

mine had a couple of recall issues dealt with. check out the recall list for specifics. http://www.auto123.com/en/used-cars/recalls/chrysler/pt-cruiser?make=chrysler&model=PT+Cruiser outside of the work done for recall, my dream cruiser has had no issues, other than maybe being a bit underpowered, but for a cruiser or grocery getter, it's fine.

I would look for a turbo model. Gas milage is about the same if not a little better and has alot more power. Reliability shouldn't be an issue on the turbo motors either. My SRT-4 has almost 112k and the reliability has been great.

Since you asked;
NA motor, have to remove top of intake to get to plugs

Balljoint issues on some

Timing belt service is supposed to be a PITA, do it from below due to body.

Battery is under the air cleaner (no biggie)

The high end ones with all the bells and whistles have had strange stuff happen, usually draining the battery.

They eat halfshafts for lunch...power on vibration...starting around 30K or so. Lower control arm bushings fail quick as well...squeeking over bumps, then knocking over bumps... Horn pad sticks in applied position, so your "toot, toot" turns into a long honk....
Curt

I haven't seen any issues with cv axles. I've sold parts to our local repair shops for the last six years. That could be due to a motor mount issue. The top mount on the passenger side is usually the first to go. It is very easy to replace though.

I personally have installed multiple sets, our shop has installed many more than me. It shows up as a power on imbalance. Like a universal joint worn, or improper driveshaft angle. Shakes under acceleration, goes away under coasting, noticeable around 45 MPH plus or minus. When they get real bad they show up at less than 10MPH.
Curt

front wheel bearings..

I have two of them one a 2003 Limited na bought new has never been back to the dealer for anything and has 60,000 miles on it. The second is a 2005 GT convert and again never been to the shop for anything in 78,000miles. Plugs, oil echanges, brakes and tires and a battery each under normal maintance. Never had an axle or bearing problem and it gets raced both 1/8 and 1/4 mile. I think they are great little cars.

The wifes has over 100k on it.She got it with 12k on it.Had to replace the A arm bushing and frt pads and rotors.The rear brakes are a noise problem.Ive had hers apart probally 5 times.They sound like metal to metal cold.Its a problem Ive had on quite a few at work also.Remove the drums clean them and the shoes with brake clean and they are god for a while.Timing belt is a real pain.Gas mileage is so so with about 24 highway.My old 96 Concord gets 31 highway.Rocky

- eat lower control arm bushings on a steady basis (not a bad job UNLESS the caged nut breaks inside the frame rail)

- 2 speed cooling fans burn out

- trans issues if not serviced

if your buying a used one find out if the trans and timing pump and water pump have been done, if not it is a expensive job to pay someone to do it.


Just turned 92K on mine (bought new)- spent last weekend replacing timing belt-water pump - tensioner- idler - radiator- and cooling fan.

It all started with a occasionally seeping radiator and no high speed fan , since I had to pull so many components I just gave it the 100K mile tuneup while I was in there.