2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
353
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
18
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
The 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER has received a total of 353 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SUSPENSION, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. 18 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (34 complaints), Exterior Lighting (20 complaints), and Steering (19 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, potentially affecting up to 462,380 vehicles.
Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 08E033000 — SUSPENSION
| 6,903 vehicles affected
Defect: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Consequence: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
View full details →Recall 04V268000 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
| 438,391 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 03V076000 — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
| 816 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
353 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
WHen the fog lights are engaged, smoke and burning smell appears to be coming inside the steering wheel on the left side.
Front seat belt doesn't engage after many attempts.
The clutch will not disengage every time and never fully disengages. I noticed my car had a recall for this problem in the past, so before doing the work, I called a dealer for Chrysler and was informed that the recall had already been performed. So I took it upon myself at my own expense to have the clutch replaced. It worked fine for a few months, but it started doing the same thing again.
The clutch will not disengage every time and never fully disengages. I noticed my car had a recall for this problem in the past, so before doing the work, I called a dealer for Chrysler and was informed that the recall had already been performed. So I took it upon myself at my own expense to have the clutch replaced. It worked fine for a few months, but it started doing the same thing again.
The contact owns a 2003 Chrysler equipped with Douglas, Tire line: Dug Xtra-Trac II, Tire size: 205/55R/16 91T and DOT number: N60FN11R. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the vehicle started to perform slowly when the front passenger side tire inadvertently exploded. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Walmart where the tire was replaced. The contact stated that the front passenger side tire started to leak air. The contact then stated that she noticed that a bubble had developed on the sidewall of the tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157920.
Safety Rating for the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 18 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
D-16-26 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
(X70) Reprogram Powertrain Control Module (PCM) - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser (PT)
18-112-16 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Flash: Powertrain Diagnostic And System Enhancements (X70 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with the latest available software. The following software enhancement is available: Prevent Catalyst Monitor From Clearing OBD Readiness.
2304304 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TRANSIT FILM REMOVAL. 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, AND 2005-2006 RAM TRUCK *SC
1900104 — STEERING
WHISTLING SOUND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. *TT
0700104 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT SQUEAKING/CHIRPING SOUND. *TT
0803403 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NEW SPARK PLUG FOR 2.4L ENGINE. *MJ
0700103 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE OVERHEAT. *TT
080503 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REPROGRAMMING OF THE ENGINE CONTROLLER (NGC) IN ORDER TO AVOID AND/OR CORRECT ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TT
1802903 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SLIGHT ENGINE MIS-FIRE ABOVE 5200 RPM. *TT
070303 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE OVERHEATING. TURBO MODEL. *TT
Showing 10 of 18 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
- 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER — 799 complaints
- 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER — 658 complaints
- 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER (current)
- 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER — 290 complaints
- 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER — 244 complaints
- 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER — 512 complaints
- 2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER — 203 complaints
- 2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER — 170 complaints
Other CHRYSLER Models
- CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY — 18,996 total complaints
- CHRYSLER PACIFICA — 10,103 total complaints
- CHRYSLER 200 — 6,913 total complaints
- CHRYSLER 300 — 6,453 total complaints
- CHRYSLER SEBRING — 4,094 total complaints
- CHRYSLER CONCORDE — 2,991 total complaints
- CHRYSLER 300C — 1,758 total complaints
- CHRYSLER LHS — 1,430 total complaints