Model Year Problem Record

Chrysler PT Cruiser 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

258Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

5Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

51Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Electrical System50 complaints

50 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine43 complaints

43 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train37 complaints

37 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V076000.

Lighting36 complaints

36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering29 complaints

29 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V268000.

Air Bags20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V076000Reported March 10, 2003 - 816 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on March 10, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 816 vehicles across all affected models.

04V268000Reported June 3, 2004 - 438,391 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on June 3, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 438,391 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE02082Opened November 6, 2002 - Closed April 23, 2003

SAFETY BELT CINCHING LATCH PLATE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE04028Opened March 15, 2004 - Closed June 18, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V268000.

PE04028Opened March 15, 2004 - Closed June 18, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V268000.

PE04028Opened March 15, 2004 - Closed June 18, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V268000.

PE04028Opened March 15, 2004 - Closed June 18, 2004

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 04V268000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20022

200317

200436

200529

200633

200723

200821

200920

201011

20117

20124

20134

201410

201514

20167

20175

20183

20195

20222

20231

20243

20261

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.