2003 Chrysler PT CRUISER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
258 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
49,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 189 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 34 of 258 complaints (13.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 34 | 13.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 30 | 11.6% |
| Braking behavior | 29 | 11.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 27 | 10.5% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 6.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 34 |
| Exterior Lighting | 20 |
| Steering | 19 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 17 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 13 |
| Suspension:Front | 13 |
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Suspension | 11 |
Electrical System: 34; Exterior Lighting: 20; Steering: 19; Engine And Engine Cooling: 17; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 13; Suspension:Front: 13; Air Bags: 12; Suspension: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 55 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 42 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 38 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 20 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 21 |
| 150,000 and above | 13 |
Under 25,000: 55; 25,000 to 49,999: 42; 50,000 to 74,999: 38; 75,000 to 99,999: 20; 100,000 to 149,999: 21; 150,000 and above: 13
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (55). 69 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 36 |
| 2005 | 29 |
| 2006 | 33 |
| 2007 | 23 |
| 2008 | 21 |
| 2009 | 20 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2002: 2; 2003: 17; 2004: 36; 2005: 29; 2006: 33; 2007: 23; 2008: 21; 2009: 20; 2010: 11; 2011: 7; 2012: 4; 2013: 4; 2014: 10; 2015: 14; 2016: 7; 2017: 5; 2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 30 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 29 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004035 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
WHEN CONSUMER BRAKES, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. THIS CAUSES A DISTRACTION AT NIGHT TIME. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH THIS ALSO OCCURED WHEN WINDOW SWITCH AND AUTO DOOR LOCKS WERE ENGAGED. DEALER CHECKED WIRING TO PCM, ALLG ROUNDS AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. NOTHING FOUND. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 2,416 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006768 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY UNREADABLE IN SUNLIGHT AND/OR "RAINY" WEATHER. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006768 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015342 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN. THE RECALLED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. *NLM *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015946 · 2003-04-15 (April 15, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED ON THEIR OWN.. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015946 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017886 · 2003-04-30 (April 30, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, ALSO THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER PROPERLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022410 · 2003-06-05 (June 5, 2003)
NHTSA#03-V-076-000: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. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON MAY 23/2003 AND ON MAY 25/2003 THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022410 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025990 · 2003-07-13 (July 13, 2003)
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. ANYWAY I TOOK IT IN & THEY REPLACED THE SEAL & BEARING ON THE LEFT SIDE. 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. ON JUNE 14TH AFTER BEING BUFFED OUT THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029903 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT LOCKING SYSTEM PROBLEMS. WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING, AND IF THE CONSUMER LEAVES THE VEHICLE OR STANDS OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS WILL AUTOMATICLY LOCK. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029903 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V076000 · Power Train:Clutch Assembly
Reported: 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
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.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE CLUTCH MAY NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V268000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
Reported: 2004-06-03 (June 3, 2004)
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.
Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗