Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
"Takata recall" I was driving a 2003 PT Cruiser when my wife and I were hit head on by a truck that went left of center when a van turned left in front of him. We were hit again on the drivers side and the airbag deployed and the steering column fell on my left leg. My granddaughter stopped at the scene because she was driving past and saw us. She saw I was bleeding from my head and put pressure on it as soon as she could. Upon being taken to the hospital I had both of my ears nearly severed off. It was determined that the shrapnel from the air bags had cut both my ears and severed them. Also it has been two years and I am still getting material out of my head from them. I have big sore spots where the material has risen and came out of my head.I also got mersa in my leg and my wife got 4 broken back ribs. They also determined I received a concussion. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving 35-40 MPH, the front amber head lamps failed, which resulted in a front end passenger collision. The front passenger wheel detached from the vehicle during the crash. The contact stated that the glove box fractured and separated upon deployment of the air bags, which caused facial injuries to the front seat passenger. The front seat passenger sustained lacerations to the face, a fractured eye socket, and a fractured nasal passage. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 09e012000 (exterior lighting) and NHTSA campaign number: 08e033000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 112,450.
Details of accident listed in police report.I was driving my2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser when being chased by another vehicle in road rage which caused my car to get hit by another car which is listed in police report.my passeger and I received bodily damages sustaoned by these airbags my passenger was struck by an object that was intact with the airbag ..laceration above left eye, broken eyesocket,broken nasal passage,fractured ribs passenger will need facial surgery due to airbag impacts seatbelts where worn at time of accident.I also have photos and hospital records of passengers injuries.please contact mr.arthur ingram or jacob patterson at number provided.
We owned a 2003 PT Cruiser and I had a wreck on April 18, 2008 and the air bags didn't deploy and the shoulder strap did not catch to hold me from being thrown forward. I was stopped at a red light and a car rear ended me at approximately 50 MPH. It threw me forward into the steering wheel and I injured my left shoulder where I had my had resting on the steering wheel. I had to have surgery and I feel that this would not have happened if the shoulder strap had caught when the collision happened. We bought another PT Cruiser, a 2007 and my husband and his friend who was driving had an accident on January 21, 2009. They swerved to keep from hitting a dog and hit a guard rail almost head on and again the air bags did not deploy and the shoulder straps did not catch. I feel that this could be a bad problem with the PT cruisers. Have you had any other reports of this sort of problem?
Tl contact owned a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving approximately 60-65 MPH, he remembered changing lanes and there was shaking in the steering wheel. The vehicle accelerated off of the ground per a witness since the contact doesn't recall the details of what occurred. He does remember that the engine was smoking and that the air bags never deployed. One passenger sustained head and hip injures. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000. Updated 02/02/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. After the vehicle was started, the check engine and air bag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic on multiple occasions where the catalytic converter, cpu, spark plugs, and fuel cap were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 30 MPH, with prior braking, the front end of the vehicle made impact with an SUV. When this occurred the airbags did not deploy. There was a police report taken at the scene. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and has been deemed totaled by the insurance company. The vehicle has not been inspected by a mechanic and the manufacturer was not alerted.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 MPH a side impact accident occurred however, the airbags failed to deploy. Even though the contact was wearing his seat belt injuries were sustained. Although, the vehicle was taken to the dealership the airbags were not inspected. The passenger side door was replaced. The police were alerted and a report was filed. Updated 05/04/06.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 50 MPH on the highway, another vehicle pulled out unexpectedly causing a rear end collision. There was braking prior to the impact however, the air bags did not deploy. The occupants of both vehicles sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop and the dealer was notified. A police report was taken.
My 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, gt model, has had problems since I have had it. First, the engine light came on and they replaced a hose, then it came on again, and they said they didn't know what was wrong with, and they would have to wait until it went completely out. It did, at 28,000 miles, it was the turbo charger. Secondly, the airbag malfunctioned, they had to replace the seat, took three times to get the right seat. Third, now, I would put the car in drive or reverse, and it just sit there, then jerks into gear. Sometimes if you give it gas it would just rev up. They said it was the pump in the transmission, they took 4 plus days to replace it. When I picked it up I heard a noise and smell something burning. When I took it out there they didn't hear or smell anything so I was sent on my way. Then it started doing the same thing it did when you put it in reverse or drive. …
Airbag complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 8% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 2 fires and 16 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.