2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser vs 2003 Ford Explorer
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 | 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser | 2003 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 258 | 1,131 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 74 | 122 |
| Investigations | 2 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 22 | 60 |
| Fire reports | 15 | 10 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–22 | 15–17 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 51,720 mi | 74,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chrysler PT Cruiser | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 35 | 335 |
| Structure | 8 | 354 |
| Electrical System | 45 | 54 |
| Suspension | 35 | 63 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 29 | 69 |
| Air Bags | 20 | 50 |
| Wheels | 11 | 56 |
| Visibility | 2 | 57 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 26 | 65 |
| Check engine light | 13 | 25 |
| Hesitation / surging | 10 | 20 |
| Rust / corrosion | 8 | 31 |
| Steering problems | 6 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 6 | 36 |
| Clunking / rattling | 6 | 18 |
| Loss of power | 5 | 7 |
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
2003 Ford Explorer
Compare all Chrysler PT Cruiser vs Ford Explorer 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.