10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,181 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 #13

May 012010

PT Cruiser

  • 41,500 miles

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

2003 P T cruiser with 44000 miles am told it needs front bearings on the front.

- Rockland, MA, USA

problem #12

May 052010

PT Cruiser

  • 60,000 miles
Lower control arm bushings are bad at 60,000 miles and the car is wandering on the road. Chrysler needs to address this known issue before someone is hurt or killed.

- Superior, WI, USA

problem #11

Apr 172009

PT Cruiser

  • 40,054 miles
This is the second time, control arms have to be replaced on my car. May 2007, mileage 40,054, both lower control arm bushings worn out/control arm hole oblong: Both replaced. Again today, April 2009, mileage 55,000, car is in shop for same service. Also, April 2008, mileage 46,856 front left hub bearing failed, had to be replaced.

- Saugus, MA, USA

problem #10

Apr 102004

PT Cruiser

  • miles

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

We bought our 2003 pt GT cruiser in Jan.2004 with 600 miles on it. At 36,000 miles the front wheel bearings had to be replaced ( at our expense) for the first time. Dealer ( preston of Warren, Ohio ) said it wasn't covered under warranty. They were replaced again at 45,000 miles, and 6 more times since then. They are again needing replaced for the ninth time.I also replaced tierods and bushings once, and hubs twice. I have read hundreds of online posts from other pt owners with strikingly similar stories which prompted me to file this complaint.

- Petersburg, OH, USA

problem #9

Feb 262009

PT Cruiser

  • 53,000 miles
I have a 2003 PT CRUISER, I have 53,000 miles on this car, and the control arms need to be replaced. I have gone to the chyrsler forums, and there is a lot of complaints by alot of owners of Chrysler having the same exact problems. Some with less miles than mine. Chrysler needs to step up to the plate and recall this part. Thanks, darlene smith

- Ellenwood, GA, USA

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problem #8

Dec 042008

PT Cruiser

  • 38,000 miles
Lower front control arm bushings and front wheel bearings went bad at 38,000 miles. 2 water pumps went bad on the car and car only has 38,000 miles on it. Camshaft sensor went bad with only 25,000 miles on it. Oil pan on engine started leaking when car had 17,000 miles on it.

- Raytown, MO, USA

problem #7

Mar 262006

PT Cruiser

  • 30,000 miles

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

I just found a recall on my PT CRUISER on the web and I haven't gotten a notice to date. I took my car back to the dealer many times to complain about the problem and I think they knew about the recalls. My problems with my car are problems related to the recall issues.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #6

Jun 132008

PT Cruiser

  • 38,300 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT CRUISER. While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact felt roughness and vibrating. The vehicle was not operating properly. There were no prior warnings. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was discovered that the front end control arm bushings failed. The vehicle was repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was 39,300 and current mileage was 39,330.

- Sheffeield Lake, OH, USA

problem #5

Oct 012006

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
2003 PT CRUISER GT 2.4L 96K miles started to notice tire tread problems at 40K. Thought it was a bad alignment from ntb and they did another alignment for now charge. 10K later and I am having tires replaced again! also hear alignment problems and knocking coming from the front end. Took it in and service tech recommended alignment and front driver side bearing be replaced. He add the bushings on the driver side control arm was going bad but not necessary for immediate replacement. I had the front bearing replaced and alignment done. Front drivers side bearing went bad again but on both sides in the front at 88K. Now I am being told from the chrylser dealer that hub and bearing in the front on both sides need to be replaced. 600 bucks. Just spent 500 on new tires and I still hear knocking on control arm. Long story short....the lower control arms will need to be replace on both sides (front), followed by hub and bearing on both sides (front), followed by an alignment of the vehicle. Doing research online, there are hundreds of specific complaints dealing with the control arm bushings and/or bearings going bad at 15,000 miles and up on the 03 GT PT CRUISER 2.4L. Chrysler does nothing for the consumer in every case hence the complaints to forums and NHTSA.gov. To say the least, this should be addressed daimler Chrysler and fixed by their expense.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #4

May 072008

PT Cruiser

  • 60,000 miles
PT CRUISER lower control arm bushings need replacing at 60K miles. Have been told by mechanic that this is a common problem with this model and could cause loss of control of vehicle, added wear to brakes and tires, scraping of front end of car on pavement.

- Cambridge, MA, USA

problem #3

Jul 132006

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,500 miles

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

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-

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #2

Sep 052004

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles
2003 PT CRUISER was purchased new in 03 and shortly after had to have transmission work done. Now I have front end groaning noises that, after 5 visits to the dealer, cannot be fixed. Car sounds like an antique when going over bumps. Car also does not handle well and feels unsure. Galeana Chrysler in columbia, SC has tried 5 times (as of 9/8/04) to fix problem, has verified a problem, but cannot locate it. To date, struts, strut mounts, tie rod ends, sway bar bushings, and greasing has been replaced or taken place...all to no avail.

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #1

Mar 262003

PT Cruiser 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The front end of my 2003 PT CRUISER is set too low. Even with care, the underside of the front bumper snags on parking bumpers. It has now caused the entire front section (from the headlights forward) to crack in the side area and is now flopping back and forth. Is this a design flaw or, or is this supposed to be an an acceptable height on this front end.

- Miami, FL, USA

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