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 activated. The failed heated seat component has been retained and is available for inspection. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer or service center because the incident occurred at our residence and the vehicle is currently undriveable due to burned electrical wiring. Attempting to start or operate the vehicle could result in an electrical short because of the exposed and damaged wiring caused by the fire. Both the local police department and fire department responded to the scene and inspected the vehicle. There were no warning lights, warning messages, unusual odors, or prior symptoms indicating a problem before the fire occurred. This incident represents a significant fire hazard because the heated seat ignited without being turned on. Had this occurred while the vehicle was being driven or while occupants were seated in the vehicle, it could have resulted in serious injury or death due to burns, smoke inhalation, or loss of vehicle control. Likewise, had the vehicle been parked inside an attached garage, the fire could have spread to the residence and placed lives at risk.
The worst 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical45
- Engine39
- Suspension35
- Transmission35
- Lights34
- Steering29
- Airbags20
- Brakes14
- Acceleration12
- Fuel system11
- Tires11
- Wheels11
- Body8
- Seat belts7
- Seats6
- Locks3
- Driver assistance2
- Visibility2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Headlights 24Ball joint 22Check engine light 20Fire or smoke 16Stalling 16No deployment 10Grinding brakes 7Engine failure 7Transmission failure 7Hesitation 6Loss of power 6Fuel smell 5Jerking 5
Recalls 2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is 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.
Recall number 04V268000 · Recall details
Power train: clutch assembly
- What is 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.
Recall number 03V076000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Defect investigations
Engine compartment fires
Pe04-028 was opened to investigate seven complaints alleging that the engine compartment caught fire on my 2002 pt cruiser vehicles.on june 3, 2004, daimlerchrysler (dcc) notified the federal safety agency of a safety defect in my 2001-2005 pt cruiser vehicles equipped with naturally aspirated 2.4l engines and automatic transaxles (recall 04v‑268).the notification identified variation of the high pressure power steering hose routing, which allowed the hose to contact the transaxle differential cover, as the factor contributing to this defect.contact between the power steering hose and the transaxle differential cover can cause hose damage and power steering fluid leakage, which can potentially result in a fire. (note: the failure data in this resume is limited to my 2001-2003 vehicles per dcc's pe04-028 information responses.)this condition was limited to vehicles with automatic transaxles as vehicles with manual transmissions have substantial clearance between the transaxle differential cover and the power steering hose due to a smaller transaxle design.this condition also does not adversely affect vehicles with turbo engines, which have a different power steering hose routing that provides substantial clearance between the transaxle differential cover and hose.daimlerchrysler will instruct owners to bring their vehicles to a dealer to have the power steering hose assembly inspected and relocated, or replaced, as necessary, and to confirm the torque of the hose fastener at the steering gear end.
PE04028
Safety belt cinching latch plate
There are no injuries or fatalities associated with this alleged defect.while conducting this investigation, odi found that the subject cinches meet the load bearing requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, and that many of the reported failures were due to incorrect child safety seat installations. Additionally, the report rate is low (1.60/100k).the information available fails to establish the existence of a defect trend at this time.further allocation of agency resources to this issue is unwarranted and the preliminary evaluation is being closed.
PE02082
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 74
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
- Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts
- Use of Aftermarket Parts
- (X70) Reprogram Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
- Flash: Powertrain Diagnostic And System Enhancements (X70 Warranty Extension)
- Wiper If Mopar OE wipers are unavailable, the below alternatives can be offered instead
- Return: Wiring Assy
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 17-19 | 23-26 | 19-22 |
What 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 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.
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. After 3 attempts with Firestone and them consulting with Chyrsler Service Department in Fairflied, California I had my vehicle towed to my mechanic. He also had trouble getting the new hose to fit on my vehicle. My mechanic also consulted with the Chrysler Service Department in Antioch, California. They assured him that was the correct replacement hose that Chrysler had replaced because the original hose had been recalled and they no longer carried the orignal hose. The only problem is my mechanic nor the Firestone mechanics could get it to fit. I have contacted Chrysler several times with them not taking reponsibility for the non fitting hose as the claim my VIN is not one of the vehicles affected. Attached you will find the original recall notice sent to me in 2011, the letter I sent to the address on the recall notice and all the receipts of attempts to fix my vehicle. The letter I sent to the address on the recall notice was returned as "unable to forward". I'm hoping other PTs with VIN not listed had the same problem as I and can cause Chrysler to repair and reimburse such vehicles.
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.
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 been frequently bouncing between 14.1v -16.7volts. This increase of voltage to a unsafe level causes all electrical accessories that are in connected to the charging system and are operational to flash/ flicker. Extremely distracting at night with headlights and dashboard flashing/ flickering. After a lot of research I found out the PCM needs to be reprogrammed with the proper updated firmware in order to fix the factory weak parameters. I spoke with a service manager today(nov 14,2019) at my local chrysler dealership (central jeep chrysler dodge ram fiat @ 56 boston providence tpke, norwood, ma 02062) about the problem and asked to have my PCM reprogrammed since only that specific model car manufactures service shop will have the capability and PCM firmware to repair it. The manager refused to do any work on my car since he said, "I wont touch cars older than 10years and close to 100,000miles". Then asked if I was even a customer at that specific location, saying no again after I said I wasn't. There is no other option than the factory dealership to fix a factory flawed PCM, which makes the risk of my battery exploding due to the increased regulated voltage very likely. This problem isn't new to chrysler since they have issued several tsb(s) in my specific vehicle and this exact problem: 18-112-16 18-026-03 rev.a 18-016-03 18-020-04
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 get it home, but it's not drivable since the car died as I was pulling into my driveway. When I went to put it into park it was like park was not an option. Amd the car kept moving so I put the e break on.
My exterior front lights are very dull and aren't bright when turn them on.
Compare the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Other model years
Questions about the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Is the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
Owners have filed 258 complaints about the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 1.2 times a typical PT Cruiser model year.
What is the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser year score?
The 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser scores 68 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chrysler PT Cruiser: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Electrical system, with 45 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles. Next is engine (39).
How many recalls does the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
2 recalls, covering steering and power train.
What year does the Chrysler PT Cruiser have the most electrical problems?
The Chrysler PT Cruiser model years with the most electrical complaints are 2006 (138 complaints), 2002 (97 complaints) and 2001 (78 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser range from 19 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 17-19 city and 23-26 highway.
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