Model year record

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 355 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V268000

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections

Component: Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
Manufacturer: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected: 438,391
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-06-03
Owners notified: 2004-09-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V076000

Power train: clutch assembly

Component: Power train: clutch assembly
Manufacturer: DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected: 816
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-03-10
Owners notified: 2003-04-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system	34	65,000 mi
Exterior lighting	20	91,900 mi
Steering	19	85,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	17	51,747 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	13	14,000 mi
Suspension: front	13	41,500 mi
Air bags	12	61,000 mi
Suspension	11	47,897 mi
Engine	10	96,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	9	29,902 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	8	30,186 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	7	32,208 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	7	85,000 mi
Power train	7	49,000 mi
Tires	7	16,000 mi
Unknown or other	7	28,584 mi
Wheels	6	33,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	5	35,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	5	5,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	5	4,500 mi
Power train: manual transmission	5	59,712 mi
Seats	5	202,078 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	5	35,326 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	5	35,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	4	45,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	4	35,326 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	4	29,000 mi
Steering: column	4	10,400 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	4	69,000 mi
Wheels: rim	4	42,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	3	30 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	3	70,000 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights: switch	3	5,000 mi
Seat belts	3	55,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	2	11,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly	2	30 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	116,000 mi
Equipment	2	7,777 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights	2	75,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	2	151,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	2	7,695 mi
Seat belts: front	2	77,500 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler	2	100 mi
Service brakes	2	33,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	2	50,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections	2	12,000 mi
Structure: body	2	40,390 mi
Structure: body: bumpers	2	57,977 mi
Suspension: rear	2	—
Tires: sidewall	2	14,954 mi
Tires: tread/belt	2	41,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	2	49,870 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	66,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	25 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables	1	18,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	1	—
Electrical system: ignition	1	—
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay	1	30 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	1	1,765 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger	1	8,733 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	1	70,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	1	48,780 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices	1	10,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch	1	70,234 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices	1	30 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	1	138,528 mi
Interior lighting	1	4,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock	1	77,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	1	40,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly	1	7,777 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft	1	14,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal	1	7,777 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage	1	—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	1	77,566 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	1	19,379 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders	1	—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device	1	—
Steering: linkages	1	—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	1	60,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	1	2,375 mi
Structure	1	112,450 mi
Structure: body: door	1	4,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars	1	30 mi
Structure: frame and members	1	30,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	6,000 mi
Visibility	1	35,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	1	—
Wheels: hub	1	13,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	—

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.