2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11747003

Incident

Jun 26, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11614720

Incident

Jul 1, 2022

Front seat belt doesn't engage after many attempts.

NHTSA ID

11614718

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11611825

Incident

Dec 14, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11534177

Incident

Jul 24, 2023

Mileage

157,920 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11459151

Incident

May 9, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID

11446547

Incident

Jan 5, 2022

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

NHTSA ID

11279975

Incident

Nov 12, 2019

Mileage

96,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11185656

Incident

Mar 7, 2019

Mileage

150,100 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11183941

Incident

Jan 18, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID

11183323

Incident

Dec 1, 2018

Mileage

113 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11165261

Incident

Sep 3, 2018

Mileage

170,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS PARKED. TURNED OFF. MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED PREVIOULSY MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. FOG LIGHTS JUST CAME ON OUT OF NOWHERE LUCKILY I TURNED AROUND AND NOTICED IT. WHEN I OPENED MY CAR DOOR I NOTICED THE SWITCH WAS SMOKING. AFTER SOME QUICK THINKING I PULLED THE FUSE. IF I HAD NOT THOUGHT OF THIS I BELIVE IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT MY CAR ON FIRE AND THE ONES PARKED NEXT TO IT. I HAVE HAD THE FUSE PULLED FOR A YEAR. FLASH FORWARD TO MY CURRENT STATE IN VA AND IT'S INSPECTION TIME. I FAILED FOR A FAULTY FUNCTION SWITCH. THE GUYS REPLACED THE SWITCH FIRST STOPLIGHT I COME TO NO SIGNAL. TOOK IT BACK TO GARAGE THEY SAID SWITCH WAS BAD OUT OF THE BOX. AFTER THIS EPIDEMIC THIS WILL BE THE 4TH MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH THAT I KNOW OF INSTALLED ON THIS CAR. HOW IN THE WORLD HAS THIS PART NOT BEEN RECALLED YET. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!

NHTSA ID

11097568

Incident

May 23, 2018

Mileage

140,000 mi

I HAD PURCHESED A USED 2003 PT CRUISER AND ON THE HWY HOME SHORT TIME LATER I HEARD CLUNKING SOUND THREE TIMES FIRST WHEN MERGING ONTO HWY FROM CAR DEALERSHIP. FUTHERMORE, ABOUT 10 MIN INTO MY HWY DRIVE HOME I BECAME FRIGHTEND WHEN MY CAR ENDED UP HAVING A MIND IF ITS OWN AND STARED GOING TO THE LEFT SO I TRIED TO TURN STEARING WHEEL TOWARDS RIGHT AND I WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT IT FOR FEW SECONDS AND ENDED ON THE OTHERIDE OF WHITE LINE JUST ABOUT OFF HWY AND INTO GRAVEL BUT AT THAT POINT I SEENED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF MY CAR STEARING AND PROCEEDING BACK BETEEEN YELLOW AND WHITE LINE ON THE HWY, FOLLOWING WAS ANOTHER INCIDENT WAS WHEN I CAME TO COMPLETE STOP FOLLOWING WITH LEFT TURN (STARTED TO MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND EVEN LOUDER).DURNING MY ROUTE I MADE A RIGHT TURN THE SOUND AGAIN. I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO TAKE A LOOK AT . THE MECHANIC SAID HE KNEW AT ONE POINT THEY HAD A SAFTY RECALL ON THE SUSPENSION FOR PT CRUSIERS BECAUSE THEY COULD CAUSE INJURY WITH MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL AS A RESULT OF LOWER CONTOL ARM /SWAY BAR / AND BAD BALL JOINTS WHICH I PERSONALLY PROB EXPERICEND ON MY WAY HOME FOLLOWING MY PURCHESE OF THE CAR. THE MECHANIC I SPOKE TO CHECKED MY VIN NUMBER AND IT DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON IT HOWEVER THERE WAS RECALLS FOR A SET AMOUNT AND THAT MINE WASNT ONE OF THEM BUT SHOUKD HAVE BEEN AND THAT I SHOULD INFORM " NHTSA "ABOUT MY SITUATION BECAUSE THERE COULD BE OTHERS EXPERIENCING SAME SITUATION DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING PARTS BECAUSE A MALFUCTION CAN HAPPEN TO EVEN AFTER MARKET PARTS CAN LEAD TO DEADLY ACCIDENTS EVEN DEATH BECAUSE OF LOSS OF CONTROL. I STRONGLY AGREE WITH MECHANIC THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE UPDATED EVEN ON THE AFTER MARKET PARTS FOR THE SUSPENION SUCH AS CONTROL ARM AND CALLED FOR EVERY 2003 PT CRUSIER GT BECAUSE OF LOSS OF CONTROL THAT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN ACCIDENT EVEN COULD OF BEEN FATAL. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11079804

Incident

Mar 14, 2018

Mileage

155,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. WHEN THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, SHE NOTICED FUEL AROUND THE ENGINE AND THE AREA WHERE THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOCATED, WHICH CAUSED A FUEL ODOR TO EMIT THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL, WHICH CAME FROM THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,528.

NHTSA ID

11064139

Incident

Jan 8, 2018

Mileage

138,528 mi

THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED OR ELSE THE FOG LIGHTS REMAIN ON AND DRAIN THE BATTERY.

NHTSA ID

11014596

Incident

Aug 9, 2017

WHEEL BEARINGS KEEP GOING OUT. THIS TIME IT AFFECTED MY GEAR SHIFT.

NHTSA ID

11014250

Incident

Aug 9, 2017

Mileage

73,000 mi

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE I WAS BACKING OUT A DRIVEWAY AND THEN THE WHOLE CAR JUST BURNED TO TOTAL LOSS OF IT AND IT CAUGHT FIRE DOWN IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID

10966627

Incident

Mar 10, 2017

Mileage

168,000 mi

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS DRIVING A 2003 PT CRUISER WHEN MY WIFE AND I WERE HIT HEAD ON BY A TRUCK THAT WENT LEFT OF CENTER WHEN A VAN TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF HIM. WE WERE HIT AGAIN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND THE STEERING COLUMN FELL ON MY LEFT LEG. MY GRANDDAUGHTER STOPPED AT THE SCENE BECAUSE SHE WAS DRIVING PAST AND SAW US. SHE SAW I WAS BLEEDING FROM MY HEAD AND PUT PRESSURE ON IT AS SOON AS SHE COULD. UPON BEING TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL I HAD BOTH OF MY EARS NEARLY SEVERED OFF. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SHRAPNEL FROM THE AIR BAGS HAD CUT BOTH MY EARS AND SEVERED THEM. ALSO IT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS AND I AM STILL GETTING MATERIAL OUT OF MY HEAD FROM THEM. I HAVE BIG SORE SPOTS WHERE THE MATERIAL HAS RISEN AND CAME OUT OF MY HEAD.I ALSO GOT MERSA IN MY LEG AND MY WIFE GOT 4 BROKEN BACK RIBS. THEY ALSO DETERMINED I RECEIVED A CONCUSSION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION BUT GOING ABOUT 25 AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN AS THE VAN IN FRONT OF US WAS TURNING.WE DO HAVE PHOTOS AND MEDICAL RECORDS AS WE HAD A LAWYER WHO SUED THE DRIVER WHO TURNED IN FRONT OF US AND WE CAN GET PICTURES AND RECORDS IF YOU WOULD LIKE.I DO NOT HAVE THEM ON MY COMPUTER.

NHTSA ID

10955449

Incident

Oct 26, 2014

Mileage

163,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CPU, SPARK PLUGS, AND FUEL CAP WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

NHTSA ID

10949870

Incident

Nov 30, 2016

Mileage

151,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE THROTTLE MECHANISM SEEMED TO HAVE BECOME STUCK SEVERAL TIMES AT A HIGH THROTTLE SETTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10928629

Incident

Aug 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH, THE FRONT AMBER HEAD LAMPS FAILED, WHICH RESULTED IN A FRONT END PASSENGER COLLISION. THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLOVE BOX FRACTURED AND SEPARATED UPON DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS, WHICH CAUSED FACIAL INJURIES TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE, A FRACTURED EYE SOCKET, AND A FRACTURED NASAL PASSAGE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E033000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,450. *JS *JS

NHTSA ID

10920257

Incident

Mar 27, 2016

Mileage

112,450 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TURNING, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND AUTO BELT TRANSMITTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID

10917309

Incident

Oct 10, 2016

Mileage

110,000 mi

REPEATED WHEEL FAILURES CAUSING TIRE SEALS TO LEAK AIR. MULTIPLE TIRE REPLACEMENTS (5), MULTIPLE SEAL FAILURES RESULTING IN AIR REPLACEMENT. I AM FORCED TO CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE EVERY TIME I USE MY VEHICLE SINCE I CANNOT TRUST THAT THE SEALS HAVE HELD OR FAILED AT ANY GIVEN TIME. EVERY AUTO REPAIR AND TIRE SPECIALIST I HAVE SPOKEN WITH IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. SO FAR I HAVE SPOKEN TO 3 DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SPECIALISTS AND 4 TIRE SPECIALISTS. THE "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN" OPTION BELOW ONLY AFFORDS ME 1 ENTRY, BUT, THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2013.

NHTSA ID

10903742

Incident

Sep 5, 2016

Mileage

95,350 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, SMOKE WAS PRESENT UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE, THE DRIVER PULLED OVER, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, AND DISCOVERED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID

10872898

Incident

Jun 3, 2016

Mileage

85,000 mi