ChryslerPT Cruiser20042.4L/chrysler/pt-cruiser/2004/2-4l/
PT platform

2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 PT Cruiser 2.4L. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.4L.

Body VANEngine 2.4LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.4L is a van-bodied model built on Chrysler's PT platform, powered by a 2.4-liter engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and serviced with 5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with filter. EPA fuel economy ratings come in at 17 city/24 highway/19 combined mpg. In the reliability record, the 2004 model accumulated 217 owner complaints and three recalls, with the suspension area generating the most reports. That places it well below the 2001 peak of 630 complaints but far above the 2010 low of 22, making 2004 a middle-of-the-road year in the PT Cruiser's 2001-2010 run.

Model year200920082007200620052004200320022001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/24/19 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 04781452BF. Note the factory engine air filter, spark plug and cabin air filter are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 sizeP205-55TR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04781452BF alt 04105409AE
Engine air filter04891176AA discontinued
Spark plug68307021AA discontinued
BatteryBB26R001AA
Front wiper blades05018430AA alt 05018431AA
Serpentine belt04668380AF alt 04891519AE
ThermostatP5278144AA
Cabin air filter05058040AB discontinued

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 weight3104 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

No 2004 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

6.7–10.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 2003 GT Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
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
2005GT Convertible 2.4L Turbo I-47.00 sec15.40 sec220 hpFWD
2005Touring Convertible 2.4L Turbo I-47.80 sec16.20 sec220 hpFWD
2002Wagon 2.4L I-49.20 sec16.90 sec150 hpFWD
2006GT Wagon 2.4L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.40 sec230 hpFWD
2006Limited Edition Wagon 2.4L I-49.00 sec16.60 sec150 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. 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
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Manual Transmission FluidATF +4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 21 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts100 Turbo ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsM8 nuts: 22 ft-lbs, M10 nuts: 36 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts20.8 Turbo ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.7 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 Order1-3-2-4
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance8500-11,500 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
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
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure25-80 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 15 ft-lbs / 77 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle77 ft-lbs / 70 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
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

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
125 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
250 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
350 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
490 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Import:

158 ft. lbs.58 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts.
315 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
490 degrees.90 degrees
590 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
125 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
250 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
350 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
490 degrees.90 degrees

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 at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 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 5,000 miSteering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 18,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)
At 102,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 miTiming 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.

From 2001 to 2004 the PT Cruiser’s complaint count fell steadily from 630 to 217, while recalls dropped from seven to three and investigations from three to one, indicating an improving trend in the early generation. The 2004 model year sits at the low point of this decline before complaints rise again to 256 in 2005 and peak at 349 in 2006, after which they decline through 2010. In 2004 the vehicle logged 217 complaints, three recalls, one investigation, 66 technical service bulletins, and the most frequent complaint areas were suspension (24), electrical system (22), steering (19), and engine/engine cooling (17). Additionally, there were 16 crash‑related complaints and 15 fire‑related complaints recorded for that year. Given its comparatively low complaint and recall figures relative to the surrounding years, the 2004 PT Cruiser represents a relatively reliable option among used models of this generation.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
66
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
217
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 15 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 217 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension24
Electrical System22
Steering19
Engine & Engine Cooling17
Exterior Lighting15
Power Train11
Air Bags10
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E033000SuspensionReported 14/04/2008

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS… Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 66 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S22080001362022-07-09Electrical SystemSecurity Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
S22080001362022-07-09Electrical SystemSecurity Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

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 2004 PT Cruiser 2.4L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 PT Cruiser have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.