Representative model. Photo: Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2003 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 258
Latest campaign: Apr 7, 2009

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Exterior lighting	1	Apr 7, 2009	09E012000
Suspension	1	Apr 14, 2008	08E033000
Steering	1	Jun 3, 2004	04V268000
Power train	1	Mar 10, 2003	03V076000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Apr 7, 2009Latest campaign


Apr 7, 200909E012000	Exterior lighting DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 09E012000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
Apr 14, 200808E033000	Suspension THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. DetailsHide details for campaign 08E033000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 08E033000 · Apr 14, 2008
Jun 3, 200404V268000	Steering: hydraulic power assist hose, piping, and connections POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. DetailsHide details for campaign 04V268000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 04V268000 · Jun 3, 2004
Mar 10, 200303V076000	Power train: clutch assembly IF THIS OCCURS, THE CLUTCH MAY NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. DetailsHide details for campaign 03V076000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 03V076000 · Mar 10, 2003

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Mopar recall lookup (Chrysler). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component258

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

258Complaints filed

22Involving a crash

15Involving a fire

20Injuries reported · 1 death

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Electrical system	45	17	1	5	2
Power train	35	14	2	0	0
Suspension	35	14	1	0	0
Exterior lighting	34	13	1	0	2
Steering	29	11	1	3	0
Engine and engine cooling	29	11	1	1	1
Air bags	20	8	14	2	16
Service brakes	14	5	2	0	1
Vehicle speed control	12	5	1	0	1
Tires	12	5	0	0	0
Hydraulic	12	5	2	0	1
Wheels	11	4	0	0	0
Equipment	11	4	0	0	0
Engine	10	4	0	3	0
Fuel system	10	4	0	1	1

11 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names PT Cruiser, PT Cruiser W/Sab.

Latest reports

Seats
“The front passenger seat heating system experienced a catastrophic electrical malfunction.”
Filed 06/28/2026 · ODI 11747003
Seat belts
“Front seat belt doesn't engage after many attempts.”
Filed 09/15/2024 · ODI 11614718
Electrical system
“WHen the fog lights are engaged, smoke and burning smell appears to be coming inside the steering wheel on the left side.”
Filed 09/15/2024 · ODI 11614720

Other Chrysler PT Cruiser model years

All years: 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003 · 2002 · 2001

Other Chrysler models

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2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser recall questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The most recent, 09E012000 (reported April 7, 2009), concerns exterior lighting. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 45 complaints out of 258 filed with NHTSA (17%). Across all complaints, owners reported 22 crashs and 15 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Mopar recall lookup (Chrysler). That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Chrysler dealer.

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