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2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser is engine and cooling, typically around 64,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical PT Cruiser model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
77/100
Owner complaints
187
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
66
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
19-22mpg

The worst 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Stalling 12Check engine light 9No deployment 8Fire or smoke 8Ball joint 5Engine failure 5Headlights 5

Recalls 3

Visibility: glass, side/rearReported April 4, 2007 · 38,447 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear quarter glass attaching fasteners may pull through their mounts and allow the glass to separate from the vehicle.
Risk
If the glass separates while driving, it could strike another vehicle or injure a pedestrian.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear quarter glass. The recall began on april 30, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 07V149000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported October 8, 2004 · 115 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 4-wheel antilock braking system (ABS), 2.4l high output turbocharged engine, and 5-speed manual transaxle, may exhibit inadequate clearance between the left front brake tube and the transaxle housing.
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 to a loss of braking force in the left front/right rear circuit of vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will install revised brake tubes. The recall began october 25, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 04V481000 · Recall details

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported June 3, 2004 · 438,391 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.4l non-turbocharged engines and automatic transaxles, the power steering pressure hose may contact the automatic transaxle differential cover, potentially damaging the hose.
Risk
Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an underhood fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and relocate, or replace as necessary, the power steering hose and confirm torque of the hose fastener at the steering gear end. The recall began on september 20, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 04V268000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Defect investigations

Rear quarter panel glass separationOpened February 16, 2007, closed April 5, 2007

Daimlerchrysler corporation (dcc) will recall model year 2005 and 2006 pt cruiser vehicles produced from 5/17/05 through 9/1/05 to correct a potential defect in the rear quarter panel glass that may separate from the vehicle.dcc will inspect the rear quarter panel glass and replace if necessary.dcc will begin notifying owners in may 2007. Vehicles produced prior to and after the above build dates are not affected.a change made by the assembly plant in may 2005 that modified the glass attachment LED to the potential for glass separation.in september 2005, subsequent changes to the process were made to correct this.this engineering analysis is closed.see recall 07v149 for additional details.

EA07004

Engine compartment firesOpened March 15, 2004, closed June 18, 2004

Pe04-028 was opened to investigate seven complaints alleging that the engine compartment caught fire on my 2002 pt cruiser vehicles.on june 3, 2004, daimlerchrysler (dcc) notified the federal safety agency of a safety defect in my 2001-2005 pt cruiser vehicles equipped with naturally aspirated 2.4l engines and automatic transaxles (recall 04v‑268).the notification identified variation of the high pressure power steering hose routing, which allowed the hose to contact the transaxle differential cover, as the factor contributing to this defect.contact between the power steering hose and the transaxle differential cover can cause hose damage and power steering fluid leakage, which can potentially result in a fire. (note: the failure data in this resume is limited to my 2001-2003 vehicles per dcc's pe04-028 information responses.)this condition was limited to vehicles with automatic transaxles as vehicles with manual transmissions have substantial clearance between the transaxle differential cover and the power steering hose due to a smaller transaxle design.this condition also does not adversely affect vehicles with turbo engines, which have a different power steering hose routing that provides substantial clearance between the transaxle differential cover and hose.daimlerchrysler will instruct owners to bring their vehicles to a dealer to have the power steering hose assembly inspected and relocated, or replaced, as necessary, and to confirm the torque of the hose fastener at the steering gear end.

PE04028

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser 66

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 66 bulletins for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.4L 4‑cylFWD17-1924-2619-22

What 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 20, 2026 · Steering · 71,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Jul 19, 2025 · TX

Unknown went to get an inspection and I got a paper with information for how to search up if there was any recalls with my car and it has 5 recalls it said

Filed Oct 18, 2024 · Visibility · 194,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Oct 18, 2024 · Steering · NY

The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started shaking with and an abnormal odor emanating through the vents. Additionally, the steering wheel became firm. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering system needed to be repaired because the hose was disconnected. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage unknown.

Filed Jul 30, 2022 · IL

The car (manual 5-speed) has issues going into reverse and hits hard shifting into other gears. I see where online it shows this issue happened quite a bit with the 2002 PT Cruiser. I don't drive my care every day and I keep it maintained very well. I have not had any accidents in it so I believe this may also be a recall issue.

Filed Jun 30, 2021 · Steering · WA

I bought this car and seen online there was a safety recall for the power steering/hoses malfunctioning. This cars power steering is non-existent and WILL NOT HOLD any power steering fluid. I'd like to file for the recall. This makes my car dangerous to drive. It's my only transportation. Thanks! [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Oct 24, 2019 · Airbags · 78,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Recently in a accident, traveling at speed that impacted four other vehicles. The airbag s did not go off.*dt

Filed Oct 8, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · 100,000 miles · NV

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.

Filed May 16, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 145,000 miles · OH · fire

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 filed, fire extinguished by fire department stated that upon start up the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor. The vehicle was then restarted almost an hour later. The contact then noticed fire coming from under the hood of the vehicle on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The fire marshall stated that the fire seemed to have originated in a wiring harness installed behind the fuel lines for the fuel injectors. There was no injuries sustained in the fire. The vehicle remained at the residence. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000. The VIN was not available. Piir = y. Ah *dt

Filed Sep 4, 2018 · Engine · OK · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 chrysler pt cruiser. Approximately ten minutes after parking and turning off the vehicle, it caught on fire. The contact noticed smoke and flames under the front driver's side of the vehicle where the engine was located. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was invalid.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Is the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?

Owners have filed 187 complaints about the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, close to a typical PT Cruiser model year.

What is the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser year score?

The 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser scores 77 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chrysler PT Cruiser: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

Engine and cooling, with 35 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles. Next is electrical (27).

How many recalls does the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?

3 recalls, covering visibility, service brakes, hydraulic and steering.

What year does the Chrysler PT Cruiser have bad engine?

The Chrysler PT Cruiser model years with the most engine complaints are 2006 (91 complaints), 2001 (74 complaints) and 2002 (60 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser range from 19 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 17-19 city and 24-26 highway.

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