ChryslerPT Cruiser20082.4L/chrysler/pt-cruiser/2008/2-4l/
PT platform

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 PT Cruiser 2.4L. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.4L.

Body VANEngine 2.4LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.4L is a front-wheel-drive van built on the PT platform, powered by a 2.4-liter engine and paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Its EPA fuel economy of 18 city, 24 highway, and 21 combined mpg places it as a modestly efficient compact vehicle for its era. With 115 total owner complaints and zero recalls, the 2008 model year sits in the middle of the PT Cruiser’s reliability history—far below the 630 complaints logged for the 2001 model, but still above the 22 complaints of the final 2010 year, indicating that while the platform had matured, electrical system issues remained the top concern.

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 economy18/24/21 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 04781452BF. Note the factory engine air filter and spark plug are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 sizeP195-65R15OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04781452BF alt 04105409AE
Engine air filter04891691AA discontinued
Spark plug68303920AA discontinued · alt 68307021AA
BatteryBB26R001AA alt BB34A901AA
Front wiper blades05018430AA alt 05018431AA
Serpentine belt04668380AF alt 04668444AE
ThermostatP5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length168.9 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height60.6 in
Wheelbase102.8 in
Curb weight3303 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 21 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 2008 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
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
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
2002Wagon 2.4L I-49.20 sec16.90 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 oil drain plug to 18.0-21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter
Manual Transmission FluidATF +4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity5.0-6.0

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-21.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-21.0 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
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 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 5,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 5,000 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 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 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 48,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
At 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 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.

The 2008 model year represents a sustained low point in federal activity for the PT Cruiser, recording only 115 complaints, zero recalls, and zero investigations, a sharp decline from the 630 complaints and seven recalls seen in 2001 and the 349 complaints logged in 2006. Compared with its immediate neighbors, 2008 sits between 2007’s 149 complaints and 2009’s 97 complaints, continuing a post-2006 downward arc that saw recalls and investigations disappear entirely from 2007 through 2010. The generation-wide trend shows elevated early-run activity through 2006 followed by a steep drop; 2008 falls squarely in this late-run calm, carrying 55 TSBs and a complaint count lower than every model year from 2001 through 2007. Federal data for 2008 lists Electrical System and Air Bags as the top complaint areas with 22 and 14 complaints respectively, though the data does not specify root causes; the year also generated 11 crash-related and 6 fire-related complaints. Because 2008 carries zero recalls and investigations alongside a complaint count well below the model’s early-year peaks, it stands as one of the more favorable model years to buy in the PT Cruiser lineup.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
55
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
115
Owner complaints
11 involved a crash · 6 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 115 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System22
Air Bags14
Seat Belts5
Unknown Or Other4
Electrical System,Engine4
Service Brakes4
Power Train4
Engine3

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 55 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…
90040092021-04-07Power TrainTransmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…

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 2008 PT Cruiser 2.4L take?

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

Does the 2008 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 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg.