2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 14%of 258 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,270miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 14% of the 258 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,270 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I saw a story on abc news concerning deceleration on bmw vehicles and I had a similar experience in a Chrysler Pt Cruiser. I was traveling at interstate speed and experienced a sudden deceleration of my vehicle. If someone was behind me I would have been hit. I had the vehicle towed to a Chrysler dealership and was told it was a sensor in the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10362371, filed 2010-10, 55,000 miles“Car is manual trans, my wife drives it and has complained for quite a while of car jumping I told her it was her, the car never did it for me during test drives. In january switched cars with her it took 2 weeks for it to happen. Coming to a stop clutch would not disengage. Has also tried to engage on its own at lights. Went to dealer they said no recalls are open on car and recall for same problem was already done so you are on your own. Seems like newer of the same part was installed. Car is off the road and I have said my sorries to my wife. Please advise. Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #10447045, filed 2012-02, 49,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10162940, filed 2006-07, 77,500 miles“The local dealer thought that the sound from the engine was that the turbo was blown. After 2.5 weeks they then determined that the transmission pump had gone bad along with some sort of sensors. So then for the next 2 weeks plus they worked on that problem. Four days laterafter getting the car back, the front axle fell off the car!!!!! If I would have been on the freeway or traveling on a surface street, I or possibly others could have been killed and the manufacturer will only repair under warranty???!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10086501, filed 2004-08, 7,777 miles“I bought my 2003 Pt Cruiser turbo oct 13th 2002, in feb 2003 I took it in for service because I had noticed red fluid leaking . I was alarmed 2 c atf leaking from a car with less than 9,000 miles on it. Anyway I took it in & they replaced the seal & bearing on the left side. On may 28th I took it to a bodyshop 2 get ghost flames painted on it. June 12th came along and they called me to come see the car finished. It took my breath away. I proudly approved of the work they could then buff and detailed it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10025990, filed 2003-07, 14,000 milesRelated recalls
- 03V076000Mar 10, 2003On certain passenger vehicles, manual transmission models only, a welded pin internal to the dual-mass flywheel (dmf) assembly can unseat and become lodged…Covers: Chrysler PT Cruiser 2003
Related service bulletins
- 10121886Nov 23, 2016Flash: Powertrain Diagnostic And System Enhancements (X70 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with the latest available…
- 10021239Aug 25, 2006Powertrain control module initialization.
- 10013731Mar 2, 2005Powertrain control module initialization.
- 10012813Feb 19, 2005Transmission gear rattle sound at idle.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 7 | 7% |
| 2008 | 10 | 9% |
| 2007 | 17 | 11% |
| 2006 | 28 | 8% |
| 2005 | 13 | 7% |
| 2004 | 21 | 10% |
| 2003 | 35 | 14% |
| 2002 | 35 | 7% |
| 2001 | 47 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
45 complaintsSuspension
35 complaintsExterior lighting
34 complaintsEngine cooling
29 complaintsSteering
29 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsBrakes
14 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