2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser vs 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser | 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 511 | 258 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 68 | 74 |
| Investigations | 2 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 40 | 22 |
| Fire reports | 34 | 15 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–22 | 19–22 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 51,869 mi | 51,720 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chrysler PT Cruiser | Chrysler PT Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 97 | 45 |
| Exterior Lighting | 55 | 34 |
| Structure | 67 | 8 |
| Suspension | 40 | 35 |
| Steering | 45 | 29 |
| Power Train | 35 | 35 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 38 | 29 |
| Air Bags | 44 | 20 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Overheating | 25 | 0 |
| Stalling | 23 | 26 |
| Vibration / shaking | 19 | 6 |
| Rust / corrosion | 18 | 8 |
| Check engine light | 9 | 13 |
| Hesitation / surging | 7 | 10 |
| Won’t start | 6 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 6 | 6 |
2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Compare all Chrysler PT Cruiser vs Chrysler PT Cruiser years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.