10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,970 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Owner Comments

problem #10

Nov 122019

PT Cruiser

  • 96,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Norwood, MA, USA

problem #9

Mar 102017

PT Cruiser

  • 168,000 miles
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.

- Bedford, VA, USA

problem #8

Nov 302016

PT Cruiser

  • 151,000 miles
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.

- Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 042016

PT Cruiser

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Mountlake Terrace, WA, USA

problem #6

Jun 032016

PT Cruiser

  • 85,000 miles
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.

- Norwalk, OH, USA

problem #5

Dec 212015

PT Cruiser

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT CRUISER. After placing the vehicle into drive, the engine stalled and was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Lexington, NC, USA

problem #4

Sep 022015

PT Cruiser

  • 60,341 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine runs rough at idle and shuts off while driving. Cannot restart. Replaced cam sensor, air intake, plugs, etc. Has happened 8-10 times in the 3 months we have owned the car.

- Margate, FL, USA

problem #3

Feb 112015

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • 106,100 miles
Engine light came on, car shut down multiple times on freeway, terrifying...."we limped" home before car quit entirely. I had owned it for one night. Drove it 100 miles total. (bought it used, 106,000 mi on it.).

- Del Mar, CA, USA

problem #2

Feb 172014

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • 156,263 miles
Low voltage light came on, lost all power on the highway.I had to hit the shoulder quickly. I then tested code with key (3 clicks off/on) got code P0622 and P2403..towed to a shop, to find out the wires from alternator to the computer shorted out, it's a known problem, wiring harness runs along cv shaft and rubs against a bolt near the frame, thus shorting out the charging system and burning out the computer. So now the bill for repairs are almost $650 and lucky we got off the highway in time, almost got hit by a semi cause we lost power so quick. I am glad we didn't get killed. If Chrysler and the government knows this is a problem why is there no recall.....or a safety warning.

- Malinta, OH, USA

problem #1

Oct 052011

PT Cruiser

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated the power steering hose was leaking on the engine. The contact also heard a loud noise and the smell of burning fumes emitting into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the hose and motor mount needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance since her vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 37,000 and the current mileage was 42,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

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