VehicleVerdict

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser transmission problems

The 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 37 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

37

Transmission complaints

10%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

PT Cruiser transmission complaints by model year50 complaints2001: 50 complaints2002: 36 complaints2003: 37 complaints2004: 22 complaints2005: 13 complaints2006: 28 complaints2007: 18 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 7 complaints
PT Cruiser transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

03V076000TransmissionMarch 10, 2003 · 816 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODELS ONLY, A WELDED PIN INTERNAL TO THE DUAL-MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) ASSEMBLY CAN UNSEAT AND BECOME LODGED BETWEEN THE FLYWHEEL AND THE CLUTCH DISC.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE CLUTCH MAY NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES WITH THE UPDATED DESIGN PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners report

2003 PT CRUISER GT PURCHASED BRAND NEW APRIL 29, 2003. CLUTCH HAS FAILED 3 TIMES OVER 10 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS. MARCH 8, 2004 MILEAGE ? 19,842: DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT ENTERED ONTO THE 60 FWY EAST THE CLUTCH GOES OUT ON THE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC! HAVE TRUCK TOWED TO JAMMIN DODGE CHRYSLER THAT NIGHT. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 22, 2005 · crash

Common questions

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

NHTSA has 37 complaints about the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser transmission — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 03V076000.

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.