Major Problems with 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Derived from Complaints & Recalls

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Worst 3 complaints of 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser AIR BAGS Victims: 3 Mileage: 42000 miles

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser AIR BAGS Victims: 2 Mileage: 112450 miles

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser AIR BAGS Victims: 2 Mileage: 500 miles

Browse 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser complaints by category

Problems with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING and STEERING are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Chrysler PT Cruiser owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM when consumer brakes the headlights would flicker. this causes a distraction at night time. dealer has been notified. ph this...	33 ~ 56380 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING dt*: the contact stated the interior and exterior lighting flickers and there is wind noise noticed near the passenger side	20 ~ 66554 miles
STEERING tires are firestone eagle p205/55/16. i have had trouble with a front shimmy since i purchased the vehicle. i have...	18 ~ 77498 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING while driving at an undetermined speed vehicle stalled causing the consumer to drift off the road. consumer had the vehicle	17 ~ 41816 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN i bought my 2003 pt cruiser turbo oct 13th 2002 in feb 2003 i took it in for service because...	13 ~ 24770 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION the front end of my 2003 pt cruiser is set too low. even with care the underside of the front...	13 ~ 40181 miles
AIR BAGS dt*: the contact stated while traveling 30 mph with prior braking the front end of the vehicle made impact with...	12 ~ 81121 miles
SUSPENSION 2003 pt cruiser sway arm link bar broke.*mr the vehicle was 2231 miles over the warranty when this occurred. the	11 ~ 45488 miles
ENGINE tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. the contact stated the power steering hose was leaking on the...	10 ~ 85970 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL when coming to a stop driver would press on the brakes and vehicle would accelerate.*ak...	8 ~ 44414 miles
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN the vehicle would suddenly accelerate while stopped at a light or a stop sign. the recalled clutch assembly was replaced.	8 ~ 22482 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE vehicle made a rattling noise when accelerating. consumer stated gas was leaking into the engine. *ak...	7 ~ 60373 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING vehicle is a new 2003 pt-turbo gt w/auto stick air etc. vehicle is the very first new vehicle that my...	7 ~ 26458 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER consumer states that vehicle's dashboard is completely unreadable in sunlight and/or "rainy" weather. ph...	7 ~ 33400 miles
WHEELS i have a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser with chrome plated wheels. i had a flat tire and brought the vehicle...	6 ~ 64558 miles
TIRES while driving 65 mph rear passenger side tire blew out. *ak...	6 ~ 10833 miles
POWER TRAIN 2003 chrysler pt cruiser with defected control arm bushings. consumer stated that the bushings are wearing prematurely. *kb the consumer	6 ~ 77535 miles
LOWER ARM > CONTROL ARM > FRONT rear bushing on front-right lower control arm of suspension failed at approximately 35 000 miles causing slop in control arm...	5 ~ 40429 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the power steering hose and brakes failed. the consumer received a recall for the hose but the dealer would not	5 ~ 50991 miles
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM check engine light came on regularly prompting visits to the dealer. was told i wasn't "clicking" the gas cap enough...	5 ~ 27948 miles
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as stated in nhtsa recall 03v076000: on certain passenger vehicles manual transmission models only...	5 ~ 27722 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS the vehicle was involved in an accident and the passenger air bag did not deploy also the seat belt failed	5 ~ 42600 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING while driving consumer noticed that headlights and dashboard light were flickering off and on. vehicle was serviced three to four	5 ~ 3643 miles
WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION dt*: the contact stated a noise was coming from the front end while driving straight. an independent repair shop determined	4 ~ 45844 miles
RIM > WHEELS dt: the spare tire did not fit on the rim of the front tires. the car has been taken to...	4 ~ 60132 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC reported on 11/18/2003 to service advisor 15 timothy m coy sr of nick abraham chrysler that parking brake will not...	4 ~ 24672 miles
COLUMN > STEERING when turning the steering wheel towards the left the steering wheel skipped. consumer notified the dealer about this issue. *ak...	4 ~ 13850 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT odor or smell in a/c system. dealer tells us that it is mold and there is nothing that can be	4 ~ 21762 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING vehicle is a new 2003 pt-turbo gt w/auto stick air etc. vehicle is the very first new vehicle that my...	4 ~ 25500 miles
SWITCH > FOG LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING pt cruiser 2003 fog lights come on without warning battery runs dead defective parts etc. $75.75 new battery labor $110.05...	3 ~ 8333 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES cracks appeared on all four tires. consumer replaced the tires. dealership was notified. goodyear eagle 205/50r17. *ak when consumer called...	3 ~ 20000 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM check engine light came on regularly prompting visits to the dealer. was told i wasn't "clicking" the gas cap enough...	3 ~ 15010 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES goodyear eagle ls tire (p205/55r16) with under 15 000 miles mounted on a pt cruiser and driven on an interstate...	3
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT vehicle is a new 2003 pt-turbo gt w/auto stick air etc. vehicle is the very first new vehicle that my...	3 ~ 39904 miles
BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING the gasket on the third break light does not fit up to the rear windshield. there is about a 1/4	3 ~ 23333 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL details of accident listed in police report.i was driving my2003 chrysler pt cruiser when being chased by another vehicle in...	2 ~ 133050 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruise. the contact stated that while waiting at a traffic light the...	2 ~ 58695 miles
SERVICE BRAKES set cruise control and the car accelerated rather than set at speed. car continued to accelerate despite application of brakes...	2 ~ 85145 miles
FOG LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl*the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. the contact stated that the fog lights activate by themselves and cause...	2 ~ 37500 miles
SEAT BELTS 9/1/06 as i was parking my car my drivers side air bag deployed . after several phone calls and emails...	2 ~ 63500 miles
SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS my 2003 chrysler pt cruiser gt model has had problems since i have had it. first the engine light came...	2 ~ 35356 miles
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL while on cruise control and going up hill i have to step on the brakes and they would not release....	2 ~ 76648 miles
HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING the power steering hose and brakes failed. the consumer received a recall for the hose but the dealer would not	2 ~ 27000 miles
STARTER ASSEMBLY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM check engine light came on regularly prompting visits to the dealer. was told i wasn't "clicking" the gas cap enough...	2 ~ 9015 miles
EQUIPMENT the local dealer thought that the sound from the engine was that the turbo was blown. after 2.5 weeks they...	2 ~ 41040 miles
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS while driving a noise was heard coming from the rear. vehicle was taken to the dealership and mechanic determined...	2 ~ 25000 miles
SEATS while attempting to remove the right rear seat it became stuck then released suddenly causing the consumer to fall and	2 ~ 101039 miles
SEAT HEATER/COOLER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS heated seats went on by themselves and poor/dangerous location of on/off switch (on seat base between seat and door) is	2 ~ 11550 miles
FRONT > SEAT BELTS the vehicle was involved in an accident and the passenger air bag did not deploy also the seat belt failed	2 ~ 38750 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES while driving power door locks locked and unlocked on their own.. the dealer inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate	2 ~ 3848 miles
BUMPERS > BODY > STRUCTURE the front end of my 2003 pt cruiser is set too low. even with care the underside of the front...	2 ~ 28989 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION the complaint involves a missing part the real stabilizer bar. this model states on the window sticker that a rear...	2
FILLER PIPE AND CAP > TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE the gas tank filler pipe and cap broke while driving. gas nozzle slipped down near where the rear brakes were	2 ~ 75500 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. while driving approximately 35 mph the vehicle started to jerk and...	1 ~ 138528 miles
STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. while driving 35-40 mph the front amber head lamps failed which...	1 ~ 112450 miles
RADIATOR ASSEMBLY > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i was driving my 2003pt cruizer and all of the sudden my water gauge went into red had to pull...	1
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. the contact was driving approximately 45 mph when the engine exhibited...	1 ~ 70000 miles
VISIBILITY nhtsa 629139 exterior lighting headlights moisture inside vented headlamp assembly. headlights have hard water deposits on inside of lamp with	1 ~ 35000 miles
TIE ROD ASSEMBLY > LINKAGES > STEERING tl*the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. the contact continued to hear a clunking noise and stated that the...	1 ~ 60000 miles
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT i have a 2003 pt cruiser bought it used and since then have kept up with the maintenance on the...	1 ~ 82000 miles
CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 03 pt cruiser. sudden loss hydraulic pressure at shiftdown. within 7/70 000 powertrain warranty. chrysler refuses to stand behind warranty.	1 ~ 40000 miles
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY the driver's side fixed rear quarter glass flew off the window while driving on the interstate. i contacted daimler chrysler...	1
LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS > WHEELS the vehicle has oem chrome alloy wheels. due to corrosion the tires will not properly seal and the tires constantly...	1
CABLES > 12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM on the street engine stopped power steering inoperative smoke appeared from under the hood. turned the key off. raised the...	1 ~ 18000 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM not long after i first purchased my 2003 pt cruiser on new year's eve 2002 the engine light started coming...	1 ~ 25 miles
SWITCH > TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING pt cruiser 2003 fog lights came on without warning battery ran dead cost over $200 to replaces the turn signal...	1 ~ 70234 miles
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 mph on a highway on-ramp the transmission seized up stalling the vehicle. the...	1 ~ 77566 miles
LOCK > HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES dt*: the contact stated the spring inside the hood latch fractured causing the hood latch to become inoperable. the manufacturer	1 ~ 77000 miles
FLUID > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC my 2003 pt cruiser still under the original warranty has had a serious problem with oil leaks. the first time...	1
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE i just found a recall on my pt cruiser on the web and i haven't gotten a notice to date....	1 ~ 30000 miles
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE dt*: the contact stated the interior and exterior lighting flickers and there is wind noise noticed near the passenger side	1 ~ 4000 miles
INTERIOR LIGHTING dt*: the contact stated the interior and exterior lighting flickers and there is wind noise noticed near the passenger side	1 ~ 4000 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 mph a side impact accident occurred however the airbags failed to deploy. even...	1 ~ 66000 miles
CONCEALMENT DEVICES > HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl*the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. the contact noticed that the headlight lenses were scratched and discolored which...	1 ~ 10000 miles
LINKAGES > STEERING i have taken my pt cruiser into dealer 10-12 times for problems that they are unable to correct. there have...	1
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i have taken my pt cruiser into dealer 10-12 times for problems that they are unable to correct. there have...	1
CRANKCASE (PCV) > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM 1/30/03 engine check light came on started running rough. problem was crank sensor it was replaced it took 3 days...	1 ~ 48780 miles
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL vehicle experienced an acceleration problem. owner took the vehicle to the dealer on several occasions and had several adjustments made....	1 ~ 6000 miles
HUB > WHEELS dt: the wheels are cast aluminum with a metal chrome plate put on it allowing air leakage around the rims....	1 ~ 13000 miles
RELAY > STARTER ASSEMBLY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM check engine light came on regularly prompting visits to the dealer. was told i wasn't "clicking" the gas cap enough...	1 ~ 30 miles
ROOF AND PILLARS > BODY > STRUCTURE check engine light came on regularly prompting visits to the dealer. was told i wasn't "clicking" the gas cap enough...	1 ~ 30 miles
PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES > TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE check engine light came on regularly prompting visits to the dealer. was told i wasn't "clicking" the gas cap enough...	1 ~ 30 miles
AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN the local dealer thought that the sound from the engine was that the turbo was blown. after 2.5 weeks they...	1 ~ 7777 miles
SEAL > AXLE SHAFT > AXLE ASSEMBLY the local dealer thought that the sound from the engine was that the turbo was blown. after 2.5 weeks they...	1 ~ 7777 miles
ANTI-THEFT DEVICE > COLUMN LOCKING > STEERING consumer stated that after hearing that the pt cruiser was on recall he phoned the manufacturer to see if his...	1
WHEEL CYLINDERS > DRUM > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS while driving a noise was heard coming from the rear. vehicle was taken to the dealership and mechanic determined...	1
TURBO/SUPERCHARGER > GASOLINE > ENGINE hesitation in vehicle in all speeds (5 speed) took to chrysler at least 5 times (4 different dealers) to correct...	1 ~ 8733 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS when driving a noise was heard coming from the front end. each time i mention the noise to the dealership...	1 ~ 19379 miles
RACK AND PINION > STEERING while driving consumer heard a loud noise coming from the steering column. dealerships mechanic determined that the problem pertained to	1 ~ 2375 miles
ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM purchased 2003 pt cruiser in oct 02. march 03- check engine light came on and engine idled very rough. brought...	1
AXLE SHAFT > AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN i bought my 2003 pt cruiser turbo oct 13th 2002 in feb 2003 i took it in for service because...	1 ~ 14000 miles
FAN > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING vehicle is a new 2003 pt-turbo gt w/auto stick air etc. vehicle is the very first new vehicle that my...	1
ANCHORAGE > FRONT > SEAT BELTS locking mechanism broke during the instillation of a child seat. if this can break this part i feel that it	1
INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM while driving consumer noticed that headlights and dashboard light were flickering off and on. vehicle was serviced three to four	1
ANTI-THEFT DEVICES > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT consumer called complaining about locking system problems. while vehicle is running and if the consumer leaves the vehicle or stands	1

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