ChryslerPT Cruiser2010Overview/chrysler/pt-cruiser/2010/base/
PT platform

2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 PT Cruiser.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2010 PT Cruiser, built on the PT platform as a VAN body style, pairs a 5.0-quart oil capacity requiring 5W-30 API viscosity with an automatic 4-speed transmission and EPA ratings of 19 city, 24 highway, and 21 combined mpg. This final model year stands out in the vehicle’s reliability history: with only 22 total owner complaints—the lowest of any year from 2001 to 2010—and zero recalls, it represents the most trouble-free iteration of the PT Cruiser, though the top complaint area of seats suggests interior comfort remained a minor concern.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/24/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 26R · 510 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04105409AE. Note the factory engine air filter and spark plug are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 26R · 510 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-55R16OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04105409AE
Engine air filter04891691AA discontinued
Spark plug68303920AA discontinued
BatteryBB26R001AA
Front wiper blades05018430AA alt 05018431AA
Serpentine belt04668380AF alt 04891519AE
ThermostatP5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length168.9 in
Overall width67.3 in
Overall height63 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight3146 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 24 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the PT Cruiser of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.7–10.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 2003 GT Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2006GT Wagon 2.4L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.40 sec230 hpFWD
2006Limited Edition Wagon 2.4L I-49.00 sec16.60 sec150 hpFWD
2005GT Convertible 2.4L Turbo I-47.00 sec15.40 sec220 hpFWD
2005Touring Convertible 2.4L Turbo I-47.80 sec16.20 sec220 hpFWD
2004Touring CRD Wagon (Euro Spec) 2.1L Turbo Diesel I-49.80 sec17.30 sec121 hpFWD
2003GT Wagon 2.4L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.30 sec220 hpFWD
2003GT Wagon 2.4L Turbo I-47.20 sec15.70 sec220 hpFWD
2003GT Wagon 2.4L Turbo I-47.20 sec15.70 sec220 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 22 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts100 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub160 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.53-.65 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,900-14,700 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug GapWithout Turbo: 0.040, With Turbo: 0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.12 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number26R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance510 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression170
Engine Oil Pressure25-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 15 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle77 ft-lbs / 70 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in / 0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.005 in / 0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.099 in / 0.463 in / 0.902 in / 0.344 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.106 in / 0.482 in / 0.909 in / 0.364 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.039 in / 0.404 in / 0.843 in / 0.285 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
125.0 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
260.0 ft. lbs.60 ft. lbs
360.0 ft. lbs.60 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5122 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Bolts stamped with the letter B or the number 6 use the following torque procedure.

111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45 degrees; Bolts that are not stamped with the letter B or the number 6 use the following torque procedure.11 ft. lbs
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45 degrees11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 6,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 6,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
At 102,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 120,000 miDrive Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser closes the model run with just 22 complaints, zero recalls, and zero federal investigations, a dramatic decline from the 630 complaints and seven recalls recorded in 2001. The federal record traces a steady downward arc across the generation: high incident volume in the early years moderates through 2006, then falls sharply to a flatline of zero recalls and zero investigations from 2007 onward. As the final production year, 2010 sits at the bottom of that curve with the lowest complaint count of any year in the dataset and the same clean recall and investigation slate held since 2007. Reported 2010 issues cluster in seats, engine, air bags, and suspension, with one crash complaint and one fire complaint filed, though the data does not specify root causes. Given its dramatically reduced complaint volume and complete absence of recalls or investigations, the 2010 PT Cruiser represents the most favorable year to buy in this generation from a federal-record perspective.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
52
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
22
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 22 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seats4
Engine3
Air Bags3
Suspension2
Steering2
Electrical System,Engine1
Exterior Lighting1
Steering,Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 52 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91001962023-07-27EquipmentLubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily…
S22090000042022-04-02Engine And Engine CoolingIf a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36…
90045092022-03-30Fuel System, OtherOil Filter If a Mopar Oil Filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific PT Cruiser. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 PT Cruiser take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 PT Cruiser have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the PT Cruiser get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg.