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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system46
  2. Suspension32
  3. Engine and engine cooling30
  4. Exterior lighting25
  5. Steering24
  6. Visibility19
  7. Tires17
  8. Wheels17
  9. Power train16
  10. Air bags15
  11. Engine15
  12. Fuel system, gasoline11
  13. Structure10
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20043
200518
200620
200721
200826
200921
201027
201120
201217
201312
201427
201513
20167
20177
20186
20195
20200
20211
20221
20230
20242
20251
20261

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2019Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11267038

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2018Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline, Structure, Service brakesODI 10919533

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2014Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, StructureODI 10631275

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lightingFire reportedODI 11114205

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2026SteeringODI 11719373

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2024VisibilityODI 11620681
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.