MYRModel Year Report

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

◆ Worse than typical
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chrysler PT Cruiser Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 2001: 618 complaints 2001 2002: 511 complaints 2003: 258 complaints 2003 2004: 217 complaints 2005: 187 complaints 2005 2006: 349 complaints 2007: 149 complaints 2007 2008: 115 complaints 2009: 97 complaints 2009 2010: 22 complaints 2010
2003: 258 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2001618
2002511
2003258
2004217
2005187
2006349
2007149
2008115
200997
201022

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: electrical system — 50 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and wiring.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190310

Also filed under ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) and UNKNOWN OR OTHER

POWER TRAIN 14%

14% of complaints: power train — 37 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I BOUGHT MY 2003 PT CRUISER TURBO OCT 13TH 2002, IN FEB 2003 I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE I HAD NOTICED RED FLUID LEAKING . I WAS ALARMED 2 C ATF LEAKING FROM A CAR WITH LESS THAN 9,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030713

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240830

Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 14%

14% of complaints: exterior lighting — 35 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and switch.

CRASH INJURY
SUSPENSION 14%

14% of complaints: suspension — 35 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and lower arm.

CRASH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%

13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 33 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20021106 — PE (closed 20030423)

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 258
R 20030415 — power train

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

Campaign 03V076000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040315 — PE (closed 20040618)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20040920 — steering

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

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

Campaign 04V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080522 — suspension

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 WIT

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.

Campaign 08E033000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (50 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (37 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V076000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V268000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E033000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2009 ▲ 2008 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2001 ■ 2002 ◆ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.