Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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 contact owns a 2003 Chrysler equipped with Douglas, Tire line: Dug Xtra-Trac II, Tire size: 205/55R/16 91T and DOT number: N60FN11R. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that the vehicle started to perform slowly when the front passenger side tire inadvertently exploded. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Walmart where the tire was replaced. The contact stated that the front passenger side tire started to leak air. The contact then stated that she noticed that a bubble had developed on the sidewall of the tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157920.
Repeated wheel failures causing tire seals to leak air. Multiple tire replacements (5), multiple seal failures resulting in air replacement. I am forced to check my tire pressure every time I use my vehicle since I cannot trust that the seals have held or failed at any given time. Every auto repair and tire specialist I have spoken with is well aware of this issue. So far I have spoken to 3 different auto repair specialists and 4 tire specialists. The "when did this happen" option below only affords me 1 entry, but, this has been happening since I purchased the vehicle in 2013.
I have a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser with chrome plated wheels. I had a flat tire and brought the vehicle to a tire store for repair. They said there was nothing wrong with the tire but the wheels were corroded to the point that the air leaked out around the valve stem. I took the vehicle to the local Chrysler dealer and they ordered new wheels and said they would be replaced under warranty. When the wheels came in they called me and I setup an appointment to have them installed. I took the car there and they said they would call me when it was done. They called three hours later and said they could not replace the wheels under warranty because Chrysler recently changed their policy. They said the corrosion was due to enviornmental reasons due to the area I live. Southwestern new york. The car has only been through one winter and part of another. …
Cracks appeared on all four tires. Consumer replaced the tires. Dealership was notified. Goodyear, Eagle, 205/50r17. When consumer called dealer, consumer was told to contact Goodyear. Consumer reported incident to Goodyear and they acted as if it weren't there concern. Consumer was then told to take vehicle to kauffman tire. At this time only two front tires have splits in them and were replaced. 6 to 8 months later the other two developed splits and were replaced by mcnabb tire in rockmart, georgia. Consumer feels Goodyear should have been concerned about this problem and done something about it, because by the tires first splitting in the front it could have caused an accident.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the front passenger side rim was rotting from the inside out and causing excessive wear on the tire. As a result, he has placed air in the tire at least once a day for the past four months. The dealer and manufacturer were notified. The current mileage was 84,655 and failure mileage was 80,000. The consumer stated now has a 2nd tire that he has to maintain air in every other day. The consumer stated the problem is the center hub cover because it snaps in place and leaves space for sail and other materials to enter. Updated 10/23/07
Dt: the spare tire did not fit on the rim of the front tires. The car has been taken to the dealership and they would not replace the tire. The manufacturer has been contacted also and they were not any help either. The owner has tried to put the spare tire on the front when she had a flat, but that did not work. The spare also doesn't fit the front. This has been a problem since 2004, when the owner noticed it. The owner went and bought brand new tires, but did not buy a 5th tire to make a new spare. It is the rim that is the problem, not the tire itself.
Tires are Firestone Eagle p205/55/16. I have had trouble with a front shimmy since I purchased the vehicle. I have had it looked at and had re-balancing and wheel alignment to no avail. The reason I suspect the tires is that I had some Firestone tires in the past do exactly what I am expereincing.I purchased the car used with 15000 miles on it.the original owner was expereincingthe same shimmy. The car at slower speeds begins to rock from side to side.I was told the last time that I had it looked at, that there was something wrong with the tires.
Dt: the wheels are cast aluminum with a metal chrome plate put on it, allowing air leakage around the rims. There was corrosion between the wheels and axle. A mechanic told the consumer that he had seen other similar vehicles with the same problem. There was a high chance that the wheel and axle will separate. The problem first started on December of 2004. There have been no accidents as of yet. Updated 12/07/05.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that all of the original rims are rusting and flaking on the inside. The rims destroy any tire that is placed on the vehicle. The dealer stated that nothing could be done. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 62,000 and failure mileage was 42,000.
OEM 17" chrome wheels on 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser gt corrode, flake off, and tires lose pressure overnight. Low tire pressure can cause the vehicle to go out of control or skid. The consumer is forced to check tire pressure twice a day. Forgetting to do this, even once, can lead to an unsafe driving condition.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 9% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is rim (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 41% before 25,000 miles.
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.