3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,488 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Owner Comments

problem #11

Jan 182019

PT Cruiser

  • miles

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

My exterior front lights are very dull and aren't bright when turn them on.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #10

Mar 142018

PT Cruiser

  • 155,000 miles
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

- Maquoketa, IA, USA

problem #9

May 212007

PT Cruiser

  • miles
The lower control bushings have been replaced 3 times in 46,197 miles over 12 years. The last time control arm and bushing were replaced. First time was 5-21-07 with 20,204 miles on the car. Second time was 5-21-08, only one year later, 22,309 miles on the vehicle, just over 2000 miles from a year ago when it was done. The dealer covered it because it was warranty from a year ago. Wonder if it was ever done the first or second time. We just had the control arm and bushings replaced 5-27-2015 at 46,197 miles. Now the dealer originally told my wife this does not happen until the vehicle has about 80,000. Wow looks like a major issue for them.

- Lockport, NY, USA

problem #8

Apr 262013

PT Cruiser

  • 47,897 miles

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

I purchased the car and right from the start I've had to replace the wheel bearings, I have had to do so 3 times already within the short amount of time I have had the car, there has been no unusual stress on the bearings to make them wear out, now in my experience I have never had to replace a wheel bearing on a car with anything less than 100K mi on it, let alone 3 times, I don't know what to make of it, also im having stalling/rough idle problems that no one can seem to figure out it has stalled 5 times already and regularly idles rough, these problems are not normal and cannot be figured our, I've replaces several parts including the erg valve pvc valve spark plugs and wires the iac cleaned the throttle body and the carb and im still having these issues.

- Willowick, OH, USA

problem #7

Apr 032009

PT Cruiser

  • 49,000 miles
Two PT CRUISER, 02-03, both needing tie rods, control arms, watts linkage, wheel bearings at around or less then 50,000 miles. Basically the entire suspension needed to be replaced. This is unheard of.

- Cedarburg, WI, USA

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problem #6

Dec 172008

PT Cruiser

  • 45,000 miles
I own two PT CRUISER, both have had control arm bushing failures at 45K miles. This is a known problem to Chrysler, all over internet, failures at earlier mileage as well. They do nothing. $650/car to replace control arm.

- Cedarburg, WI, USA

problem #5

Aug 102008

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact continued to hear a clunking noise and stated that the vehicle would "get away from her" while driving various speeds on the highway. The dealer repaired the tire, but an independent mechanic stated that control arm bushings and tie rod end repairs were common. The dealer offered to repair the vehicle at the cost of more than $600. They also stated that a front end alignment would be needed following the repairs. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 65,000. Updated 11/17/08 updated 11/24/08.

- Winsted, CT, USA

problem #4

Jan 042008

PT Cruiser

  • miles
I read on the internet that a great deal of owners of Chrysler PT CRUISER have had problems similar to mine. My 2003 has only 50,000 km. (not miles) and I have to replace the wheel bearings. This seems much too soon to replace such an item.

- Rusagonis, 00, USA

problem #3

Dec 132007

(reported on)

PT Cruiser

  • 45,000 miles
2003 Chrysler PT CRUISER with defected control arm bushings. Consumer stated that the bushings are wearing prematurely. The consumer stated he has had problems with the transmission, steering column, front bearing and water pump.

- Canada, DC, USA

problem #2

Oct 242006

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,245 miles
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.

- Newport, KY, USA

problem #1

May 012005

PT Cruiser

  • 38,231 miles
2003 PT CRUISER sway arm link bar broke. The vehicle was 2231 miles over the warranty when this occurred. The dealer told the consumer that this failure likely occurred due to a design flaw.

- Bainbridge, NY, USA

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