2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 258 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (13% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 258 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The clutch will not disengage every time and never fully disengages. I noticed my car had a recall for this problem in the past, so before doing the work, I called a dealer for Chrysler and was informed that the recall had already been performed. So I took it upon myself at my own expense to have the clutch replaced. It worked fine for a few months, but it started doing the same thing again.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2023
“WHen the fog lights are engaged, smoke and burning smell appears to be coming inside the steering wheel on the left side.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2022
“Was warming my car up and drove 2 miles to my mom's house and turned it off. Came out about 30 minutes later and the car was full of smoke. Aired out the car and noticed a burnt hole in the middle of the passenger seat. The seat warmer had malfunction and started the seat on fire. Even with the vehicle turned off.”Owner report · Seats · Jan 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“There was an electrical fire where the radio cup holders and the shifter. Car is undriveable due to the damage. My car was stationary at the time. The radio kept turn on and off. I heard cracking when I went into work. When I came out I say there was a whole lot of damage. I did get the car started and was able to get it home, but it's not drivable since the car died as I was pulling into my driveway. When I went to put it into park it was like park was not an option. Amd the car kept moving so I put the e break on.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2019
“I don't truly know what's happen to it n if it's been fixed but I do know that prior it would have uncontrollable speed control n steering problems n gps n video n auto recording n radio frequencies.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2018
“Vehicle is leaking power steering fluid. Found recall notice for my year model but chrysler says my VIN is not included in the recall. Added fluid about 3 months ago and steering was fine until a week ago. Since then, fluid only lasts a day before it has to be refilled.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2018
“My car caught fire under the hood while I was backing out a driveway and then the whole car just burned to total loss of it and it caught fire down in the bottom of the engine.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. After the vehicle was started, the check engine and air bag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic on multiple occasions where the catalytic converter, cpu, spark plugs, and fuel cap were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and turning, the steering wheel failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering hose and auto belt transmitter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired twice for power steering failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v268000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2016
“Repeated wheel failures causing tire seals to leak air. Multiple tire replacements (5), multiple seal failures resulting in air replacement. I am forced to check my tire pressure every time I use my vehicle since I cannot trust that the seals have held or failed at any given time. Every auto repair and tire specialist I have spoken with is well aware of this issue. So far I have spoken to 3 different auto repair specialists and 4 tire specialists. The "when did this happen" option below only affords me 1 entry, but, this has been happening since I purchased the vehicle in 2013.”Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 20 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODELS ONLY, A WELDED PIN INTERNAL TO THE DUAL-MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) ASSEMBLY CAN UNSEAT AND BECOME LODGED BETWEEN THE FLYWHEEL AND THE CLUTCH DISC.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES WITH THE UPDATED DESIGN PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L NON-TURBOCHARGED ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, POTENTIALLY DAMAGING THE HOSE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RELOCATE, OR REPLACE AS NECESSARY, THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND CONFIRM TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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 1-909-598-7589.
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 ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact PT Cruiser by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
NHTSA has 258 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The most complained-about area is electrical system (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 51,747 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:clutch assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.