AI Damage2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser: common problems
Owners of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser filed 258 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 258
- involving a crash
- 22
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 45 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 35 complaints (14% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 35 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 34 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 29 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 5 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 258 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 45 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 35 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 35 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 34 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 29 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 29 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 20 | 14 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 14 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 8 | 2 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
It pushed us into another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. My husband and son got whip lash.
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 smoking and that the air bags never deployed.
We owned a 2003 pt cruiser and I had a wreck on april 18, 2008 and the air bags didn't deploy and the shoulder strap did not catch to hold me from being thrown forward. I was stopped at a red light and a car rear ended me at approximately 50 mph.
There was braking prior to the impact however, the air bags did not deploy. The occupants of both vehicles sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop and the dealer was notified. A police report was taken.
Dt: brakes failed. Was stopping at stop light and the brake pedal went to floor, car did not stop. There was a crash. Vehicle hit a suv . There were injuries. The car is not drivable due to the brakes and crash. No inquires about recalls, but would like to search for recalls after complaint.
I was driving 40 miles an hour and tried to swerve to miss an animal, lost control of the car and pressed on the brake pedal and the car continued accelerating.
Reported on 11/18/2003 to service advisor 15 timothy m coy sr of nick abraham chrysler that parking brake will not hold vehicle from moving. They adjusted brake.ife parked subject vehicle on 4 grade parking lot or slight grade.
On may 28th I took it to a bodyshop 2 get ghost flames painted on it. June 12th came along and they called me to come see the car finished. It took my breath away. I proudly approved of the work they could then buff and detailed it.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,585 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 4% most complained about).
On average one model year of the PT Cruiser has 230 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 258, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, suspension. Total complaints: 258. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (11%), smoke, burning smell, fire (10%), headlights and tail lights (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2003 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.