2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser, and owners have filed 258 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Hose, piping, and connections (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 damaging the hose.
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…
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Clutch assembly (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 upon service date…
258 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser have filed 258 complaints with NHTSA; 22 describe a crash and 15 describe a fire. Reports cite 20 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 57,827 miles. Complaints peaked in 2004 with 36 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The front passenger seat heating system experienced a catastrophic electrical malfunction. While the vehicle was started and parked in our driveway, the front passenger seat suddenly developed an extr”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 28, 2026 · Seats
“Front seat belt doesn't engage after many attempts.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 15, 2024 · Seat belts
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–22 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–19 / 23–26 |
| Fuel | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Chrysler Pt Cruiser model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chrysler Pt Cruiser model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser | 5 | 618 |
| 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser | 3 | 511 |
| 2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser | 2 | 258 |
| 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser | 1 | 217 |
| 2005 Chrysler Pt Cruiser | 3 | 187 |
| 2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser | 1 | 349 |
| 2007 Chrysler Pt Cruiser | 0 | 150 |
| 2008 Chrysler Pt Cruiser | 0 | 115 |
| 2009 Chrysler Pt Cruiser | 0 | 97 |
| 2010 Chrysler Pt Cruiser | 0 | 22 |
Checking a specific 2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser
How do I know if my 2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chrysler dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V076000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chrysler models
- Town and Country13,517 complaints
- Pacifica7,008 complaints
- 3004,925 complaints
- 2004,187 complaints
- Sebring2,833 complaints
- Concorde2,217 complaints
- 300C1,258 complaints
- Lhs968 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.