2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 5%of 258 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,413miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 5% of the 258 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,413 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving with cruise control on I tried to press the brake pedal which would not move. I had to disengage the cruise control with the hand control. This is the third time I have had this happen. The brake pedal is frozen in place and will not move with any amount of force. After disengaging and re-engaging the cruise control, the brakes begin to work again.”
NHTSA complaint #10214859, filed 2008-01, 103,425 miles“When driving a noise was heard coming from the front end. Each time I mention the noise to the dealership during routine maintenance on 12/30/04 and1/7/04, I was told that the brakes made noise on the pt cruisers. On 4/6/004 the auto was taken to the dealership where it was determined that the rotors needed to be replace. The charge was $527.47. After the rotors were replace the nois continued. The vehicle was returned a second time for service on 6/15/04.”
NHTSA complaint #10078752, filed 2004-06, 19,379 miles“On july 30, 2005, I was driving home from work when I suddenly heard a horrible screeching/grinding noise. I managed to get my car to the nearest Chrysler dealership and was informed that there were no rear brake pads left and that there were grooves in the rotor (metal on metal). I recently had my front brakes replaced in may 2005 and the rear brakes were in good condition with 1/2 brake pads left on both sides. I primarily do highway driving so my brakes tend to last long. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130762, filed 2005-08, 50,000 miles“While on cruise control and going up hill I have to step on the brakes and they would not release. I had to step on the brake pedal several times with increasing force until the cruise control disengauged. I have done thistime on my drive home from work and it requires much more force going uphill then on level ground. The first time this happened there was almost an accident but I had the additional time to step on the brakes several time to get the cruise control to turn-off.”
NHTSA complaint #10108223, filed 2005-01, 49,870 miles“Reported on 11/18/2003 to service advisor 15 timothy m coy sr of nick abraham Chrysler that parking brake will not hold vehicle from moving. They adjusted brake.ife parked subject vehicle on 4 grade parking lot or slight grade. She set parking brake and left car parked, she returned to find that the vehicle had rolled 100 ft. Down the hill and was sitting against parking lot guard rail. Car was locked and parking brake lever was in same position as she had left it. After looking at car's damage I tried parking brake and I found that it would not hold as well, in same lever position”
NHTSA complaint #10078528, filed 2004-06, 19,819 milesBrakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 8 | 7% |
| 2007 | 6 | 4% |
| 2006 | 15 | 4% |
| 2005 | 10 | 5% |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% |
| 2003 | 14 | 5% |
| 2002 | 37 | 7% |
| 2001 | 39 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
45 complaintsSuspension
35 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsExterior lighting
34 complaintsEngine cooling
29 complaintsSteering
29 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsTires
11 complaintsWheels
11 complaintsEngine
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology