2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine and engine cooling problems
29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser — 11% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Car stopped at red light. Engine died and smoke began to rise from engine compartment, then flames shot out. Driver could not get door open at first then after short time locks released and driver was able to escape. Fire department extinguished flames and said fire appeared to be started by fluid…”
filed Jul 8, 2015
“I was driving my 2003pt cruizer and all of the sudden my water gauge went into red ,had to pull over later on changed thermostat and flushed radiator,ran fine for a day then overheating again following day seems to be nothing wrong no leaking,just had trani.fixed 2 months,husband drove car again…”
filed Jun 8, 2012
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other PT Cruiser years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 PT Cruiser | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 PT Cruiser | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 PT Cruiser | 5 | 4% |
| 2007 PT Cruiser | 27 | 18% |
| 2006 PT Cruiser | 36 | 10% |
| 2005 PT Cruiser | 24 | 13% |
| 2004 PT Cruiser | 23 | 11% |
| 2002 PT Cruiser | 38 | 7% |
| 2001 PT Cruiser | 62 | 10% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.