Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that this vehicle had a transmission failure on four occasions while driving 65 MPH. The hoses were repaired the first three times and the transmission was replaced the fourth time. During each failure the transmission shifted from low to second gear and then shut off. The mechanics stated that the gears malfunctioned and replaced everything inside the transmission. The current mileage is 61,000, and failure mileage was 13,000.
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser: complete transmission failure
7 of the 258 complaints about the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 23,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 13 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
I have a 2003 pt cruiser with 82000 miles on it. In march of 2005 with 47765 miles on it, I took the vehicle to a chrysler dealer to repair a vibration while braking. The chrysler dealer noted there was a grinding noise coming from the transmission and stated the compressor was rubbing against the front frame due to some kind of collision and stated there was a broken motor mount. We took the vehicle to the dealer where we purchased the vehicle to address this diagnosis since this was a new vehicle when we purchased it. The dealer claims they found no broken motor mounts, no signs of accident and did not even address the transmission noise. On 11/17/2006 I was traveling on a two lane highway with my 3 year old daughter at night, and without warning,noise, hesitation, or lack of power, my transmission went out. I was not able to move in any gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where I purchased it and they told me it has major transmission damage and the transmission needs to be replaced. The cost of the transmission replacement is $2715.00 and the dealer will not cover any of the cost.
I went to have my brakes checked and was told my right and left lower control arm bushings were broken. I took the car to the dealership (towed in because the transmission went out) and the bushings were replaced. The mechanic said he has very seldom seen bushings in the suspension break with only 60,000 miles on the car. My car is a 2003 chrysler pt cruiser. I complained numerous times about the transmission but was not acknowledged until the car was inoperable. I am quite happy that the mechanic who does my brakes noticed the control arms. I asked chrysler to check them while my transmission was being repaired, if not, they would never have checked. The suspension is of course, not covered by the warranty any longer. Repair costs were nearly $600.
I have a 2003 pt cruiser that just went out of power train warranty 7k miles ago-with no warning, no hesitation, lack of power, my transmission went out taking the converter, pump and torque converter-leaving me stranded in the middle of a busy intersection! I was not able to move in 1,2,3,d or r-now I am stuck with a $2643.50 bill. My right front tire constantly vibrates, been to shop numerous time to resolve but no body can find anything-tires are fine, cv joint, nothing can be found. I am absolutely terrified to drive this car anymore-my seat belt unbuckles by itself, possibly leaving me with no restraint in the possibility of a wreck. I am filing complaints with chrysler, bbb, district attorneys office, nhts, lemon law and anything else I can find-
Automatic transmission went out after 42,000 miles, mostly highway miles.
The transmission failed. A piece of the clutch broke off in the housing. Per the dealer. *jb the consumer has not heard anything from chrysler and would like to know the next step he needs to take.
While driving 70 MPH automatic transmission failed.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Flash: Powertrain Diagnostic And System Enhancements (X70 Warranty Extension)
- Powertrain control module initialization
- Powertrain control module initialization
- Transmission gear rattle sound at idle
- Front hub/half shaft click/pop sound
- Delayed or temporary loss of transmission engagement after initial start up on various models including...
- Powertrain control module (PCM) electrical connector seal customer satisfaction notification no
- Service action 03014 - powertrain control module (PCM) electrical connector seal inspection/repair procedure
Related recalls
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
Questions about the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
7 of 258 owner complaints about the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser (3%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
There is 1 recall and 13 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Headlights 24Ball joint 22Check engine light 20Fire or smoke 16Stalling 16No deployment 10Grinding brakes 7Engine failure 7Hesitation 6Loss of power 6Fuel smell 5Jerking 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history