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2005 Chrysler PT CruiserProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 187 owner complaints about the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year16% below the PT Cruiser median · #6 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints18735 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage54kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 20, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser has problems

187 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system275
Engine and engine cooling241
Steering181
Suspension180
Visibility170
Exterior lighting173
Power train130
Engine112
Wheels110
16 other systems7718

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Visibility: glass, side/rear

Recall 07V-149 · Apr 4, 2007 · 38,447 vehicles

Risk. IF THE GLASS SEPARATES WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR INJURE A PEDESTRIAN.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 04V-481 · Oct 8, 2004 · 115 vehicles

Risk. CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND THE TRANSAXLE HOUSING OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO PERFORATION OF THE BRAKE TUBE, WHICH COULD LEAD…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections

Recall 04V-268 · Jun 3, 2004 · 438,391 vehicles

Risk. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chrysler.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

54kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 21 electrical system complaints. 67% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
8under 30k miles14under 100k miles7100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2005 vs. every other PT Cruiser year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the PT Cruiser median. How we score

'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser safety ratings

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR QUARTER PANEL GLASS SEPARATIONEA07004 · closed Apr 5, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-149
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE04028 · closed Jun 18, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-268
In owners' words

What PT Cruiser owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHETHER IN MOTION OR STANDING STILL, TILT STEERING WHEEL CLAMPING MECHANISM HAS WORN THROUGH WIRES CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG AND ITS WARNING SYSTEM, CREATING INTERMITTENT (SHORT?) FAILURE OF AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT, PRESENTING POSSIBILITY OF SUDDEN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN AIR BAG…
Complaint 11267038 · Oct 8, 2019 · 100,000 miles
TL-THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. FUEL ODOR, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START FOR AN ADDITIONAL HOUR VEHICLE RESTARTED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED ALONG THE FIREWALL MANUFACTURER NOT CONTACTED, FIRE REPORT…
Complaint 11207986 · May 16, 2019 · 145,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ROOT OF THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE FOG LAMP SWITCH, WHICH DIFFUSED THE SMOKE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOG…
Complaint 11114205 · Jul 27, 2018 · 106,000 miles

Own a 2005 PT Cruiser?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.