Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (13.2% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 34 · 13.2% | not available | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 20 · 7.8% | Recalled | Recall 09E012000 |
| Steering | 19 · 7.4% | Recalled | Recall 04V268000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 17 · 6.6% | not available | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 13 · 5% | Recalled | Recall 03V076000 |
| Suspension:front | 13 · 5% | Recalled | Recall 08E033000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 258 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 08E033000 · 2008 · reported 04/14/2008
THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V268000 · 2004 · reported 06/03/2004
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V076000 · 2003 · reported 03/10/2003
IF THIS OCCURS, THE CLUTCH MAY NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 PT GT TURBO CRUISER AND HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE LIGHTS…”NHTSA complaint 10185444 — filed 03/18/2007 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2003 PT CRUISER GT TURBO. WE REALLY LOVE IT. HOWEVER, THERE IS AN ISSUE WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE…”NHTSA complaint 10170711 — filed 10/12/2006 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“2003 PT CRUSIER BOUGHT BRAND NEW. HEAD LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND DASH LIGHTS ALL FLICKER HARD TO PAY ATTENTION WHEN DRIVING. CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF…”NHTSA complaint 10164934 — filed 08/08/2006 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 34 of 258 NHTSA complaints (13.2%), followed by exterior lighting (20), steering (19), engine and engine cooling (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
258 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 22 involved a crash, 15 involved a fire, and 20 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08E033000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
