2001 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 | 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser | 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 618 | 258 |
| Recall campaigns | 5 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 90 | 74 |
| Investigations | 3 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 36 | 22 |
| Fire reports | 17 | 15 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20 | 19–22 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 58,000 mi | 51,720 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chrysler PT Cruiser | Chrysler PT Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 78 | 45 |
| Suspension | 66 | 35 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 62 | 29 |
| Steering | 61 | 29 |
| Exterior Lighting | 48 | 34 |
| Power Train | 47 | 35 |
| Structure | 67 | 8 |
| Wheels | 61 | 11 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 39 | 26 |
| Rust / corrosion | 28 | 8 |
| Vibration / shaking | 20 | 6 |
| Clunking / rattling | 19 | 6 |
| Electrical failures | 17 | 0 |
| Airbag warning light | 17 | 0 |
| Overheating | 15 | 0 |
| Steering problems | 9 | 6 |
2001 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.