Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The clutch will not disengage every time and never fully disengages. I noticed my car had a recall for this problem in the past, so before doing the work, I called a dealer for Chrysler and was informed that the recall had already been performed. So I took it upon myself at my own expense to have the clutch replaced. It worked fine for a few months, but it started doing the same thing again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the clutch did not disengage when the clutch pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V076000 (power train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
I bought my 2003 PT Cruiser turbo oct 13th 2002, in feb 2003 I took it in for service because I had noticed red fluid leaking . I was alarmed 2 c atf leaking from a car with less than 9,000 miles on it. Anyway I took it in & they replaced the seal & bearing on the left side. On May 28th I took it to a bodyshop 2 get ghost flames painted on it. June 12th came along and they called me to come see the car finished. It took my breath away. I proudly approved of the work they could then buff and detailed it. On June 14th after being buffed out the car was being driven to the detail shop on the freeway when all of a sudden the front left tire seized up and threw the car across 4 lanes of traffic and into an embankment where it came to rest.the driver got out of the car after collecting himself. The front left wheel was broken off, fluid everywhere. …
2003 PT Cruiser gt purchased brand new April 29, 2003. Clutch has failed 3 times over 10 consecutive months. March 8, 2004 mileage ? 19,842: driving home at night entered onto the 60 fwy east the clutch goes out on the freeway in traffic! Have truck towed to jammin Dodge Chrysler that night. The car is almost 12 months old! March 12, 2004 removed and replaced clutch module assembly. Car picked up. December 17, 2004 mileage ? 35,930: this is just 9 months after the clutch was first repaired! Clutch goes out. While attempting to start the car; it launched forward because it was in first gear. It misses the concrete walkway to my office building by less than a inch. December 21, 2004 star Chrysler repairs clutch January 22, 2005. Mileage ? 37,275: just one month since last repair to clutch! I am driving to bank in morning. I come to stop at the end of my street at the stop light. …
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. …
I have a 2003 PT Cruiser with 82000 miles on it. In March of 2005 with 47765 miles on it, I took the vehicle to a Chrysler dealer to repair a vibration while braking. The Chrysler dealer noted there was a grinding noise coming from the transmission and stated the compressor was rubbing against the front frame due to some kind of collision and stated there was a broken motor mount. We took the vehicle to the dealer where we purchased the vehicle to address this diagnosis since this was a new vehicle when we purchased it. The dealer claims they found no broken motor mounts, no signs of accident and did not even address the transmission noise. On 11/17/2006 I was traveling on a two lane highway with my 3 year old daughter at night, and without warning,noise, hesitation, or lack of power, my transmission went out. I was not able to move in any gear. …
I have a 2003 PT Cruiser with about 30,800 miles on it. This car when stopped in gear and your foot on the break suddenly goes into gear and it takes two feet on the break pad to hold it. This only lasts about 3 seconds and then stops. On 03-28-06 I was dropping off my daughter and as she went to cross in front of this car it jumped into gear and I almost hit my daughter. I took it to the local dealership and told them about this problem. They said they did a road test and drb test and showed no codes. They said wait until it gets more regular and bring it back in. I did email Chrysler corp. On this and have not heard back from them yet. I don't feel this car is safe to drive until this get fixed. It seams they could rebuild the transmission instead of waiting for me to run someone over. My 3 year/36,000 will be up sometime this April. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact heard a loud humming noise coming from her vehicle. She took the vehicle to a dealer and they stated that the power steering pump failed. Power steering fluid leaked out and caused the air conditioner to fail. The unit was replaced at the cost of $1,583. The technician stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V268000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections); therefore, they would not assume financial responsibility for the repair. Several weeks after the repair, the air conditioning unit failed again. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions, in which she had to replace the water pump, the throttle body, the radiator, and various components in the powertrain and steering unit. The repairs cost $4,000. …
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicle with an automatic transmission with 56,414 miles on it began lurching when accelerating or slowing down on interstate. Problem started with no prior warning of transmission problems. Vehicle later died in the middle of a side street. Could not get vehicle to move in any gear, and check engine light came on and stayed on. Finally got vehicle to limp around the corner in drive, then vehicle died. No transmission fluid found in reservoir. Fluid noted on ground under vehicle. Had to tow vehicle 30 miles to dealership, who could not repair it after three days of waiting, due to lack of transmission service technician. Vehicle was ultimately repaired at aamco transmission, requiring another 20 mile tow. Vehicle had to have transmission replaced. …
There is no one specific incident date. (see related correspondence 10161568.) date unknown: remedy for recall 03v-076 provided by goeke Dodge. No transmission problems noticed prior to this date. 07/20/05: clutch failed to disengage during unrelated warranty work at goeke Dodge. Recall remedy provided for the second time, at no cost to owner. 05/01/06: clutch intermittently failing to disengage. Clutch fluid found leaking at improperly connected quick disconnect by kahlo Chrysler, fluid and labor $91.98. 06/07/06: clutch intermittently failing to disengage. Clutch kit and input shaft replaced under extended PT warranty by champion Chrysler. Date unknown: clutch failing to disengage. Clutch line slave cylinder replaced by champion Chrysler.
Related recalls
Power train › Clutch assembly
On certain passenger vehicles, manual transmission models only, a welded pin internal to the dual-mass flywheel (dmf) assembly can unseat and become lodged between the flywheel and the clutch disc.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the flywheel and clutch assemblies with the updated design parts. Owner notification began on April 14, 2003.
Transmission complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 14% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-076 (clutch assembly, Mar 10, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 37% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.