2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 4%of 258 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the wheels of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 4% of the 258 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,500 miles.
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.
“Repeated wheel failures causing tire seals to leak air. Multiple tire replacements (5), multiple seal failures resulting in air replacement. I am forced to check my tire pressure every time I use my vehicle since I cannot trust that the seals have held or failed at any given time. Every auto repair and tire specialist I have spoken with is well aware of this issue. So far I have spoken to 3 different auto repair specialists and 4 tire specialists. The when did this happen option below only affords me 1 entry, but, this has been happening since I purchased the vehicle in 2013.”
NHTSA complaint #10903742, filed 2016-09, 95,350 miles“I have a 2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser with chrome plated wheels. I had a flat tire and brought the vehicle to a tire store for repair. They said there was nothing wrong with the tire but the wheels were corroded to the point that the air leaked out around the valve stem. I took the vehicle to the local Chrysler dealer and they ordered new wheels and said they would be replaced under warranty. When the wheels came in they called me and I setup an appointment to have them installed. I took the car there and they said they would call me when it was done. …”
NHTSA complaint #10102618, filed 2004-12, 20,000 miles“Dt: the wheels are cast aluminum with a metal chrome plate put on it, allowing air leakage around the rims. There was corrosion between the wheels and axle. A mechanic told the consumer that he had seen other similar vehicles with the same problem. There was a high chance that the wheel and axle will separate. The problem first started on december of 2004. There have been no accidents as of yet. Updated 12/07/05.”
NHTSA complaint #10138351, filed 2005-10, 13,000 miles“Dt: the spare tire did not fit on the rim of the front tires. The car has been taken to the dealership and they would not replace the tire. The manufacturer has been contacted also and they were not any help either. The owner has tried to put the spare tire on the front when she had a flat, but that did not work. The spare also doesn't fit the front. This has been a problem since 2004, when the owner noticed it. The owner went and bought brand new tires, but did not buy a 5th tire to make a new spare. It is the rim that is the problem, not the tire itself.”
NHTSA complaint #10128494, filed 2005-07, 39,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. The contact stated that all of the original rims are rusting and flaking on the inside. The rims destroy any tire that is placed on the vehicle. The dealer stated that nothing could be done. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 62,000 and failure mileage was 42,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10218508, filed 2008-02, 42,000 milesWheels: other model years
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 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsTires
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 29, 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