Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
On the way home from work my vehicle began smoking. The next exit off the freeway I80 was taken. As I exited my vehicle became hard to steer. I was able to get it to the closest auto repair shop which was Firestone. The power steering hose had a leak which caused the smoke and my vehicle being hard to steer. After 3 attempts with Firestone and them consulting with Chyrsler Service Department in Fairflied, California I had my vehicle towed to my mechanic. He also had trouble getting the new hose to fit on my vehicle. My mechanic also consulted with the Chrysler Service Department in Antioch, California. They assured him that was the correct replacement hose that Chrysler had replaced because the original hose had been recalled and they no longer carried the orignal hose. The only problem is my mechanic nor the Firestone mechanics could get it to fit. …
Car stopped at red light. Engine died and smoke began to rise from engine compartment, then flames shot out. Driver could not get door open at first then after short time locks released and driver was able to escape. Fire department extinguished flames and said fire appeared to be started by fluid leakage. This model had been subject to recall due to fires. Car had recall fix on 9/23/04. It now appears the recall fixes were not permanent and the original problem can recur. It is potentially life threatening. Attempts to discuss the problem with Chrysler were unsuccessful. Chrysler stone walled and falsely rigged their response procedure so as to avoid any responsibility. Chrysler refused to allow me to speak with any person in a position of authority. The clerks I spoke with stated that someone would be in touch with me. …
I purchased the car and right from the start I've had to replace the wheel bearings , I have had to do so 3 times already within the short amount of time I have had the car , there has been no unusual stress on the bearings to make them wear out , now in my experience I have never had to replace a wheel bearing on a car with anything less than 100K mi on it , let alone 3 times , I don't know what to make of it, also im having stalling/rough idle problems that no one can seem to figure out it has stalled 5 times already and regularly idles rough, these problems are not normal and cannot be figured our ,I've replaces several parts including the erg valve pvc valve spark plugs and wires the iac cleaned the throttle body and the carb and im still having these issues.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and turning, the steering wheel failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering hose and auto belt transmitter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired twice for power steering failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V268000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated the power steering hose was leaking on the engine. The contact also heard a loud noise and the smell of burning fumes emitting into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the hose and motor mount needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance since her vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 37,000 and the current mileage was 42,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that power steering fluid was observed leaking from the front of the vehicle. The contact used two quarts of power steering fluid. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering pressure hose failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The viin was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V268000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
As my wife was driving the car she noticed a sudden loss of power assist in the steering. She was able to direct the car into a parking space, and upon exiting ,noticed large amounts of smoke coming from under the car. She asked others to call the fire department, and by the time they arrived, the car was totally engulfed in flames. Upon review at the accident scene there was a noticeable trail of power steering fluid on the road bed for approximately 4-500 feet before she came to a stop.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. In addition, there was fluid leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering return line hose had a hole. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,000.
Dt: the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact's wife was involved in an accident where the break away design of the steering wheel caused a fatal injury. The police ruled that the fatality occurred as overcorrecting. The contact stated he knew of another case within a ten mile radius where the same type of fatality happened.
Vehicle is leaking power steering fluid. Found recall notice for my year model but Chrysler says my VIN is not included in the recall. Added fluid about 3 months ago and steering was fine until a week ago. Since then, fluid only lasts a day before it has to be refilled.
Related recalls
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.4l non-turbocharged engines and automatic transaxles, the power steering pressure hose May contact the automatic transaxle differential cover, potentially damaging the hose.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and relocate, or replace as necessary, the power steering hose and confirm torque of the hose fastener at the steering gear end. The recall began on September 20, 2004.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Pe04-028 was opened to investigate seven complaints alleging that the engine compartment caught fire on my 2002 pt cruiser vehicles.on June 3, 2004, daimlerchrysler (dcc) notified NHTSA of a safety defect in my 2001-2005 pt cruiser vehicles equipped with naturally aspirated 2.4l engines and automatic transaxles (recall 04v-268).the notification identified variation of the high pressure power steering hose routing,…
Steering complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 11% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is column (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-268 (hose, piping, and connections, Jun 3, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death to steering 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.