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Chrysler PT Cruiser 2003

The 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser came with 2 engines: 2.4 L 4-cylinder turbo, 2.4 L 4-cylinder. It gets 19 to 22 MPG combined depending on the engine, per the EPA. 4 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.

Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD Front-wheel (FWD)
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Chrysler PT Cruiser
Representative photo of the PT Cruiser. It may show a different year or version. Photo: IFCAR · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped

Specs

Engine
2,400 cc
4
Cylinders4
TransmissionAutomatic · 4 speeds
DrivetrainFront-wheel (FWD)
Dimensions (L × W × H)4,290 × 1,710 × 1,600 mm (168.9 × 67.3 × 63.0 in)
Wheelbase2,620 mm (103.1 in)
Curb weight1,411 kg (3,111 lb)
Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

Dimensions and weight: Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC).

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Safety

Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.

NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4-DR.
🇺🇸 Local data

Fuel economy (MPG)

🇺🇸 Local data
City
17 MPG
Highway
23 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
Emissions
291 g/km
CO₂

By version

EngineTransmissionDrivetrainCityHighwayCombined
2.4 L 4-cylinder turbo Automatic · 4 speeds Front-wheel (FWD) 17 MPG 23 MPG 19 MPG
2.4 L 4-cylinder Automatic · 4 speeds Front-wheel (FWD) 17 MPG 23 MPG 20 MPG
2.4 L 4-cylinder turbo Manual · 5 speeds Front-wheel (FWD) 18 MPG 25 MPG 21 MPG
2.4 L 4-cylinder Manual · 5 speeds Front-wheel (FWD) 19 MPG 26 MPG 22 MPG

EPA figures for each version sold in the U.S.

Recalls

4 campaigns🇺🇸 Local dataNHTSA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 09E012000 · 2009-04-07 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

SUSPENSION 08E033000 · 2008-04-14 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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.

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.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS 04V268000 · 2004-06-03 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

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.

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY 03V076000 · 2003-03-10 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

IF THIS OCCURS, THE CLUTCH MAY NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

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.

2 campaigns🇨🇦 CA dataTransport Canada

It may not apply to vehicles sold in your country. Check with your VIN at the source.

Other 2019420 · 2019-08-21 · Transport Canada
Details

Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. If the window breaks, the glass may separate into large pieces instead of very small ones. Note: This is a voluntary recall that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Safety Risk: Glass that breaks in to large pieces could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify consumers by mail and instruct them to inspect the designation code marked on the rear window glass. Products affected by this recall have the designation “DOT 287” along with the lettering “VMR” (Replacement Market) and a date code that is before July 2019. This information is printed on the bottom corner of the glass. Consumers should contact Vitro's customer service at 1-412-995-6457 or argbacklites@vitro.com to arrange for replacement of the glass.

Steering 2004186 · 2004-06-04 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.4L non-turbo engine and an automatic transaxle, routing variation in the high pressure power steering hose could allow contact with the automatic transaxle differential cover, potentially damaging the hose. Subsequent fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an under-hood fire. Correction: 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.

On the road

Cars of this model first registered in 2003, from official registers. Each figure belongs to its country.

🇳🇱 Vehicle register, Netherlands

131 still registered

No open recalls

RDW, CC0

Common problems

40 reports🇺🇸 Local data

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.

SEATS Fire 2026-06-28 · NHTSA

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 extreme hot spot and became engulfed in flames even though the heated seat switch was in the OFF position and had not been …

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2024-09-15 · NHTSA

WHen the fog lights are engaged, smoke and burning smell appears to be coming inside the steering wheel on the left side.

SEAT BELTS 2024-09-15 · NHTSA

Front seat belt doesn't engage after many attempts.

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2024-08-30 · NHTSA

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. …

TIRES 2023-07-24 · NHTSA

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 explode…

STEERING 2022-03-31 · NHTSA

On the way home from work my vehicle began smoking. The next exit off the freeway I80 was taken. As I exited my vehicle became hard to steer. I was able to get it to the closest auto repair shop which was Firestone. The power steering hose had a leak which caused the smoke and my vehicle being hard to steer. Afte…

SEATS Fire 2022-01-06 · NHTSA

Was warming my car up and drove 2 miles to my mom's house and turned it off. Came out about 30 minutes later and the car was full of smoke. Aired out the car and noticed a burnt hole in the middle of the passenger seat. The seat warmer had malfunction and started the seat on fire. Even with the vehicle turned off.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE 2019-11-14 · NHTSA

I REPLACED MY VEHICLES BATTERY 2 DAYS AGO(NOV 12, 2019)(VERY OLD BATTERY AND WITH THE COLD IN MASSACHUSETTS IT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED). NOW WITH A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING BATTERY THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR IN PCM (NOT ALTERNATOR) IS SIGNALING ALTERNATOR TO RAISE CHARGING VOLTAGE INTERMITTENTLY TO AS HIGH AS 17.1VOLTS, BUT HAS B…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) Fire 2019-03-10 · NHTSA

THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE WHERE THE RADIO CUP HOLDERS AND THE SHIFTER. CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO THE DAMAGE. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME. THE RADIO KEPT TURN ON AND OFF. I HEARD CRACKING WHEN I WENT INTO WORK. WHEN I CAME OUT I SAY THERE WAS A WHOLE LOT OF DAMAGE. I DID GET THE CAR STARTED AND WAS ABLE TO …

STEERING,SUSPENSION,EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2019-03-04 · NHTSA

MY EXTERIOR FRONT LIGHTS ARE VERY DULL AND AREN'T BRIGHT WHEN TURN THEM ON.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2019-03-01 · NHTSA

I DON'T TRULY KNOW WHAT'S HAPPEN TO IT N IF IT'S BEEN FIXED BUT I DO KNOW THAT PRIOR IT WOULD HAVE UNCONTROLLABLE SPEED CONTROL N STEERING PROBLEMS N GPS N VIDEO N AUTO RECORDING N RADIO FREQUENCIES.

STEERING 2019-01-04 · NHTSA

VEHICLE IS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. FOUND RECALL NOTICE FOR MY YEAR MODEL BUT CHRYSLER SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ADDED FLUID ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO AND STEERING WAS FINE UNTIL A WEEK AGO. SINCE THEN, FLUID ONLY LASTS A DAY BEFORE IT HAS TO BE REFILLED.

All 40 reports, grouped by component

Questions

What engine does the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
The 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser came with 2 engines: 2.4 L 4-cylinder turbo, 2.4 L 4-cylinder.
What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
It gets 19 to 22 MPG combined depending on the engine, per the EPA.
Does the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser have recalls?
4 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Exterior Lighting (2009-04-07).
What are the common problems of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Engine.

Other years

Which Chrysler PT Cruiser year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year

Other models by Chrysler

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