Problems · NHTSA complaints
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
Owners filed 256 complaints about the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser with NHTSA between Jul 2004 and Feb 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (46).
Complaints
256
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
15
Reported by owners
Fires
13
Reported by owners
Injuries
24
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system46
- Suspension32
- Engine and engine cooling30
- Exterior lighting25
- Steering24
- Visibility19
- Tires17
- Wheels17
- Power train16
- Air bags15
- Engine15
- Fuel system, gasoline11
- Structure10
- Vehicle speed control10
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
18
20
21
26
21
27
20
17
12
27
13
7
7
6
5
0
1
1
0
2
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 20 |
| 2007 | 21 |
| 2008 | 26 |
| 2009 | 21 |
| 2010 | 27 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
46 reports1 crash5 fires
“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 WARNING LIGHT IS OFF, HORN WILL NOT SOUND BUT VENTILATION FAN RUNS. WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ON, HORN WILL SOUND, BUT IF ACTIVATED, VENTILATION FAN STOPS RUNNING. MUST CONSTANTLY ADJUST STEERING WHEEEL TILT TO MAKE FAN RUN OR HONK HORN - CREATING A DISTRACTED DRIVING HAZARD.”
Suspension
32 reports1 related recall
“2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE FUEL LEAK LOCATION ON THE INLET NOZZLE FUEL TANK. *SMD THE DEALER STATED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CRACKED TRIM AROUND A/C UNIT, TRUNK WILL NOT STAY OPEN, FRONT BRAKES NEED REPLACING, AND REAR SHOCK NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR”
Engine and engine cooling
30 reports1 fire
“I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, AND THE ROAD HAD A NATURAL "BUMP" IN IT, CAUSING A SLIGHT BIT OF LIFT WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE, AND I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN, AND COUNTER STEER IN ORDER TO KEEP IT IN MY LANE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TODAY, AND THE RIGHT LOWER MOTOR MOUNT IS BROKEN. I JUST REPLACED THAT SAME MOUNT LESS THEN 6 MONTHS AGO. MY MECHANIC SAID THEY KNOW OF A CRUISER THAT HAD 8 FRONT RIGHT MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. THERE IS AN ENTIRE SITE ON THE INTERNET DEDICATED TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH MOTOR MOUNTS GOING OUT OVER AND OVER AGAIN ON THEIR CRUISERS. *TR”
Exterior lighting
25 reports1 crash3 fires1 related recall
“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 LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. AN UNKNOWN CHRYSLER DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.”
Steering
24 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a service appointment, the contact was informed that the power steering fluid hose was leaking. The contact stated that at that time, it was a small leak; however, the power steering fluid hose then developed a severe leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not inspected. The contact was informed that a diagnostic test needed to be performed. The contact declined to pay for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure however, the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.”
Visibility
19 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while the A/C defroster was activated, there was no air blowing through the vents. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the blower motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 194,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.