2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
21 - 22 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(112 Total Reviews)
Little Big Criuser
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
Review
I bought this car because it was my wife2B's symbol of good luck. Good luck I won't comment on, but it has lived up to and fulfilled all my expectations. I had owned three turbo engined cars before the PT (Volvo 850, Mazda 626, Saab 700) and swear by the turbo technology and engine boost. The surprising thing about the PT is the versatility and expansiveness of the interior (can haul 8' 2x4s inside!) and grown people can fit comfortably in the rear seat. I have had no trouble with the turbo, indeed when the oil price went sky high I stopped using the recommended premium and switched to regular with hardly any power loss. I am at 70K mi. now and about to get my 2nd set of brakes & tires.
Favorite Features
Turbo fuel economy(26 mpg) and engine boost(like a jack rabbit). Comfort of rear seat for adults. Engine reliability. Road stability. I'd like to say, no problems at all, but I have a pesky break warning light that wants to ding every time I take off and I have blown 2 power steering hoses in 2 yrs.
Suggested Improvements
There was no automatic transmission option for the 2003 PT GT (which would have spoiled the get out and go image). But, after 5 years of shifting 5 gears I wish I'd have had the option. The sheet metal body is ultra thin. I barely tapped the rear panel with a 2x4 and it put a lasting dimple in it.
Another Chrysler Turb-woe
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
Review
Unfortunately, we purchased this car when it was on Consumer Reports "Best Bets" list. One year later this specific model is on the "Worst". We have had a major engine overhaul and replace numerous sensors. The 17" rims and tires have been another expensive problem. The paint and finish is the worst I have seen in my 35 years of driving. If this is the kind of product the American taxpayer is supposed to save Chrysler for then let them fold!
Favorite Features
Acceleration, braking
Suggested Improvements
Have the car built and engineered by Mitsubishi and maybe it will be worth something.
1 out 4 people found this review helpful
A trusted companion
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
Review
I've owned the car since new and haven't had a single problem. Driving experience increased immeasurably when I added 4 new high performance tires. Always use manual shift option in automatic and car responds nimbly. Front and back bumpers are poorly made (crack easily) but inexpensive (relatively) to replace. Solid commuter car
Favorite Features
Seating position, responsiveness in low gear, moonroof, space given its size
Suggested Improvements
Turning radius, Eliminate the plastic parts (shift knob is cute but low quality)
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
What's with the braking system?
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Had the car in 3 times to work on the brakes. They continue to squeak. Dealership says that's the way the PT brakes are (???). Should have gotten turbo because entering the high speed highway is a challenge. Body is great. But it is very noisy driving; drives me crazy. Wonder if I got the lemon? Disappointed. Not great on gas. Won't buy another Chrysler.
Favorite Features
Lots of headroom and sits higher than typical car. Interior is nice.
Suggested Improvements
Improve gas mileage, don't offer a PT with inadequate acceleration, improve braking system.
2 out 4 people found this review helpful
Lemon Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 4 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 4 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring Edition 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I have had nothing but problems with it since I bought it. The transmission has been slipping since 2 weeks after I brought it home! The dealer's computer can't find a problem, so they won't fix it. Now I'm past my warranty period and they tell me that the repair is at my cost! also, I had numerous problems with it that aren't supposed to happen. The Strut spring snapped in half, covered under warranty (but should never happen), the engine mounting bolt flew out and took out my power steering pump with it (that should never happen), the battery cable spontaneously burned up (mechanic was surprised my car didn't catch fire!) and that should never happen,either! I'm trading it for a Honda!
Favorite Features
I do love the feel of the ride of it. It's fun to drive when it's running
Suggested Improvements
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Ooohh my god
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
Review
Ok first of all I love my car it is cute and fun and I have enjoyed it till now. Brakes went out several times, the front bumper keeps falling off I replaces the head and gaskets and the oil is in the radiator again, I have replaced the thermostat three time as it keeps getting hot, I had to replace motor mounts twice, power steering is out again abs lights have been on a year and ac always leaked, service engine remains on, I have put a lot of money and it still it gets hot and oil still in the radiator, but it runs smooth for the two or three blocks before it gets hot again. Any recommendations? I can't afford to fix again nor get another car.
Favorite Features
It 's cute I love the royal blue, a lot fits in it too
Suggested Improvements
Send us rebates to help with the cost of replacing all that wrong especially if it's all the same problems we all have !
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
I used to love my car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This was the first car my husband and I bought new. I loved it right away. It was comfortable, fun to drive and it was so cute! But it started having problems at about 30,000 miles. It wouldn't start. The dealer replaced the battery. The day after we brought it back it wouldn't start again. Back to the dealer for something else to be replaced. We were told after taking it back to the same dealer for the 5th time to not come back! All in all it's been in the shop 14 times in a little over two years! It always seems to be something electrical. Don't buy a 2003 PT Cruiser if you need a reliable car.
Favorite Features
It's cute and is comfortable. The interior is nice and still looks new after 5 years. The gauges are cool.
Suggested Improvements
The electrical system needs major improvement. It's a little noisy and the back seat is a little small.
Buyer's Remorse
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Touring Edition 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Sad to say, this car has been a nightmare in repairs and mechanical problems. Chrysler customer service has been no help. At 40,000 miles I had to replace the engine, in the last year I have spent $7000 on repairs. Many PT owners have had the same bad experience. Shame on Chrysler for pawning off defective vehicles on customers.
Favorite Features
Nice look, good internal room.
Suggested Improvements
Terrible quality. Poor workmanship, poor customer service.
Had fun while I had it, but goodbye
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I had the car for about 4.5 yrs. The fuel pump just quit on me in my driveway and was replaced under warranty. The back liftgate wouldn't open so I had to take it in for that. The AC fan went kaput one summer in S. Alabama and shot out a lot of Freon on the H.P. discharge valve. I had that replaced 1 day short of owning it for three yrs. It wouln't idle worth a d, the dealer said the injectors were dirty and had that "cleaned" for a 180 bucks! (my bad) It started idling rough again shortly after that so I raised the idle speed myself with a little wire. I used it for a maintenance work car for three yrs and workrd great for that. It was fun to drive and held a lot of stuff, stereo was good
Favorite Features
Seats removeable and you can configure the interior in various ways. Tough sheet metal, built like a truck. Roof rack was handy in carrying a ladder etc. Good seating position like you were sitting up in a chair with good view of the road. Pool cue ball shifter was nifty. 5speed manual.
Suggested Improvements
Better turn radius, better gas mileage, I was getting about 18 in town and 25 in hwy. Tires wore out quickly and brakes too.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
We Won't Get Fooled Again
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited Edition 4dr Wagon (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
Review
We loved this car when we first bought it, and thought that maybe the curse of the American made car was finally put to rest (remember the "K Car"?). However, within 3 years, it feels like we've replaced everything in it! Transmission, air conditioner compressor, power steering, ball joints - and those are off the top of my head. Of course, none of these were covered by the warranty due to the high amount of highway miles we put on it from my wife's work commute, which means I've been basically making 2 car payments for the past 2 1/2 years. Regardless to say, we're going back Honda or Toyota when I trade this in next month.
Favorite Features
The stereo is amazing, the seats are comfortable no matter where you sit, and there's a lot of cargo room when you fold the seats down. Also, I still love the retro exterior design.
Suggested Improvements
First, maybe make a car that lasts! I've owned several Honda's that have never had these kinds of problems..... Also, this car is not made for tall people. Very poor headroom with a windshield is slanted so much that I have to either lean my seat back like I'm "cruising" or hunch down. I'm only 6'2
1 out 2 people found this review helpful
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