Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
There was an electrical fire where the radio cup holders and the shifter. Car is undriveable due to the damage. My car was stationary at the time. The radio kept turn on and off. I heard cracking when I went into work. When I came out I say there was a whole lot of damage. I did get the car started and was able to get it home, but it's not drivable since the car died as I was pulling into my driveway. When I went to put it into park it was like park was not an option. Amd the car kept moving so I put the e break on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and then caught fire without warning. The contact did not disclose if a police report was filed or not. The details of who extinguished the fire were unknown. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 201,561.
Vehicle was parked. Turned off. Multifunction switch that had been replaced previoulsy malfunctioned again. Fog lights just came on out of nowhere luckily I turned around and noticed it. When I opened my car door I noticed the switch was smoking. After some quick thinking I pulled the fuse. If I had not thought of this I belive it would have caught my car on fire and the ones parked next to it. I have had the fuse pulled for a year. Flash forward to my current state in va and it's inspection time. I failed for a faulty function switch. The guys replaced the switch first stoplight I come to no signal. Took it back to garage they said switch was bad out of the box. After this epidemic this will be the 4th multifunction switch that I know of installed on this car. How in the world has this part not been recalled yet. Please do something!
On the street engine stopped, power steering inoperative, smoke appeared from under the hood. Turned the key off. Raised the hood, had fire beneath the battery area. Dealer stated that a misrouted cable between the battery and starter shorted out, causing the fire which ruined the cabling, battery and starter. Chrysler's extended warranty will not cover this damage because the battery cable was not covered.
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.
I purchased a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser in July 2008 in oct we noticed lights flickering headlight switch started burning fog lights came on didn't work before took it Dodge new switch and 22 pin connector . New PCM reprogrammed it still same problem lights flicker and check engine light stays on.
The wiring harness melted, which caused the multifunction switch to burn out and running tail lights to not work properly. Replaced multifunction switch and burning smell came from steering column. Pulled new multifunction switch and noticed melted connectors.
WHen the fog lights are engaged, smoke and burning smell appears to be coming inside the steering wheel on the left side.
I have taken my 2003 PT Cruiser gt back to the dealer eight times to have a check engine light problem repaired. The first visit to the dealer occured on July 3, 2003 the second visit to the dealer occurred on July 9-12, 2003 the third visit to the dealer occured on August 15-18, 2003 the fourth visit to the dealer occurred on May 7-12, 2004 the fifth visit to the dealer occurred on May 26-27, 2004 the sixth visit to the dealer occurred on June 9th, 2004 the seventh visit to the dealer occurred on June 28th., 2004 (replace leak detection pump) the eighth visit to the dealer occurred on July 16th., 2004 (car towed) general syptoms leading to the light coming on were hard starting several days or weeks prior to light coming on, as well as hesitation under acceleration (occured twice), and the latest incident in which the car completely lost power while accelerating away from a stop sign …
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. …
Electrical complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 17% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 41% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.