KnownCarProblemsHome › Chrysler › PT Cruiser › 2003
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 258 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, most often about the electrical (17% of complaints, typically around 59,500 miles). It is 4th of 10 PT Cruiser model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
Electrical
45 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring, starter assembly, alternator/generator/regulator.
My 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, gt model, has had problems since I have had it. First, the engine light came on and they replaced a hose, then it came on again, and they said they didn't know what was wrong with, and they would have to wait until it went completely out. It did, at 28,000 miles, it was the turbo charger.…
We recently purchased a used 2003 PT Cruiser gt turbo. We really love it. However, there is an issue we have been trying to figure out. The lighting flickers when you start the car. It is intermittent. After running awhile it decreases. Usually when first starting the car it is really bad. We didn't notice a…
Engine
39 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 53,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
- the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The vehicle would not start. The tow truck mechanic jump started the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to a repair shop, the vehicle began to smoke. During diagnosis the repair shop found the vehicle to be operating with our errors. The following day the vehicle…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving less than 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and was taken to the dealer. The failure could not be duplicated; however, an independent mechanic performed a fuel injector flush, cleaned the battery, installed fuel system cleaner in the tank, and also cleaned the…
Suspension
35 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
I purchased the car and right from the start I've had to replace the wheel bearings , I have had to do so 3 times already within the short amount of time I have had the car , there has been no unusual stress on the bearings to make them wear out , now in my experience I have never had to replace a wheel bearing on a…
Two pt cruisers, 02-03, both needing tie rods, control arms, watts linkage, wheel bearings at around or less then 50,000 miles. Basically the entire suspension needed to be replaced. This is unheard of.
Transmission
35 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, manual transmission, axle assembly.
03 PT Cruiser. Sudden loss hydraulic pressure at shiftdown. Within 7/70,000 powertrain warranty. Chrysler refuses to stand behind warranty. This is a known problem.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact heard a loud humming noise coming from her vehicle. She took the vehicle to a dealer and they stated that the power steering pump failed. Power steering fluid leaked out and caused the air conditioner to fail. The unit was replaced at the cost of $1,583. The…
Lights
34 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, fog lights, brake lights, turn signal.
PT Cruiser 2003 fog lights came on without warning, battery ran dead, cost over $200 to replaces the turn signal stalk. Chrysler mechanics were aware of this issue and clearly were enjoying the profits. They refused to cover the repair or participate in any way. I submitted a request for consideration to Chrysler…
Fog lights are turning on by themselves even when light switch is not on and when car is not running causing battery to drain and many headaches! This happens 3 or 4 times a day!
Steering
29 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 46,500 miles. Parts named most often: column, hydraulic power assist, linkages, rack and pinion.
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser with defected control arm bushings. Consumer stated that the bushings are wearing prematurely. The consumer stated he has had problems with the transmission, steering column, front bearing and water pump.
I purchased the car and right from the start I've had to replace the wheel bearings , I have had to do so 3 times already within the short amount of time I have had the car , there has been no unusual stress on the bearings to make them wear out , now in my experience I have never had to replace a wheel bearing on a…
Wheels and tires
22 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim, sidewall, tread/belt, hub.
Dt: the spare tire did not fit on the rim of the front tires. The car has been taken to the dealership and they would not replace the tire. The manufacturer has been contacted also and they were not any help either. The owner has tried to put the spare tire on the front when she had a flat, but that did not work. The…
Cracks appeared on all four tires. Consumer replaced the tires. Dealership was notified. Goodyear, eagle, 205/50r17. When consumer called dealer, consumer was told to contact goodyear. Consumer reported incident to goodyear and they acted as if it weren't there concern. Consumer was then told to take vehicle to…
Air bags
20 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Tl contact owned a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving approximately 60-65 MPH, he remembered changing lanes and there was shaking in the steering wheel. The vehicle accelerated off of the ground per a witness since the contact doesn't recall the details of what occurred. He does remember that the engine was…
My 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, gt model, has had problems since I have had it. First, the engine light came on and they replaced a hose, then it came on again, and they said they didn't know what was wrong with, and they would have to wait until it went completely out. It did, at 28,000 miles, it was the turbo charger.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls
Steering: hose, piping, and connections
Risk: Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underhood fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: clutch assembly
Risk: If this occurs, the clutch may not disengage when the clutch pedal is depressed.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine compartment fires
Summary
Pe04-028 was opened to investigate seven complaints alleging that the engine compartment caught fire on my 2002 pt cruiser vehicles.on june 3, 2004, daimlerchrysler (dcc) notified NHTSA of a safety defect in my 2001-2005 pt cruiser vehicles equipped with naturally aspirated 2.4l engines and automatic transaxles (recall 04v-268).the notification identified variation of the high pressure power steering hose routing, which allowed the hose to contact the transaxle differential cover, as the factor contributing to this defect.contact between the power steering hose and the transaxle differential cover can cause hose damage and power steering fluid leakage, which can potentially result in a fire.
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Summary
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. Additionally, the report rate is low (1.60/100k).the information available fails to establish the existence of a defect trend at this time.further allocation of agency resources to this issue is unwarranted and the preliminary evaluation is being closed.
Questions about the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (45 complaints, typically around 59,500 miles); engine (39 complaints, typically around 53,500 miles); suspension (35 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 3, 2004 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Chrysler PT Cruiser?
- It is 4th of 10 PT Cruiser model years by number of complaints, with 258 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.