VehicleVerdict

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine problems

The 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 43 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

43

Engine complaints

12%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

PT Cruiser engine complaints by model year92 complaints2001: 84 complaints2002: 61 complaints2003: 43 complaints2004: 38 complaints2005: 35 complaints2006: 92 complaints2007: 51 complaints2008: 21 complaints2009: 30 complaints2010: 6 complaints
PT Cruiser engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 3, 2016 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?

NHTSA has 43 complaints about the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.