2005 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11719373

Incident

Jan 20, 2026

Mileage

71,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11674679

Incident

Jul 18, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11620681

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

Mileage

194,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11620679

Incident

Jun 30, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

11476715

Incident

Jul 22, 2022

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).

NHTSA ID

11422896

Incident

Jun 8, 2021

RECENTLY IN A ACCIDENT, TRAVELING AT SPEED THAT IMPACTED FOUR OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIRBAG S DID NOT GO OFF.*DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11270843

Incident

Oct 17, 2019

Mileage

78,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11267038

Incident

Jul 2, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

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*JB

NHTSA ID

11207986

Incident

May 11, 2019

Mileage

145,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11124347

Incident

Aug 30, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID

11114205

Incident

Jul 27, 2018

Mileage

106,000 mi

CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES WONT START.

NHTSA ID

11102983

Incident

Jun 20, 2018

Mileage

85,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10919533

Incident

Sep 15, 2016

Mileage

39,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF. AFTER REMOVING PRESSURE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11075818

Incident

Jan 15, 2018

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND OBSERVED FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE LEAK ORIGINATED FROM THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11033993

Incident

Oct 16, 2017

Mileage

135,000 mi

DRIVERS SIDE REAR QUARTER WINDOW CAME OFF WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID

11022457

Incident

Sep 1, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi

PURGE CONTROL VALVE IS FAULTY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AFTER FUELING. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. THIS OCCURS BOTH AT THE PUMP IMMEDIATELY AFTER FUELING AS WELL AS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, PULLING INTO TRAFFIC FROM THE FUEL STATION. THE LATTER HAS CAUSED SAFETY HAZARDS & NEAR-ACCIDENTS COUNTLESS TIMES.

NHTSA ID

11019155

Incident

Aug 22, 2017

Mileage

70,000 mi

STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING, CAR COMPLETELY STOPS AND YOU CAN'T GO FORWARD, HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND BACK IN DRIVE MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER TO EVEN BE ABLE TO DRIVE... CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD...

NHTSA ID

10992738

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

133,000 mi

REAR QUARTER WINDOW IS POPPING OUT, IT IS LEAKING AND HAS A GAP ALIGN THE TOP I HAVE DUCT TAPED IT IN PLACE TO PREVENT IT FROM COMING OUT

NHTSA ID

10970101

Incident

Mar 30, 2017

Mileage

161,580 mi

THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURN TO EITHER SIDE. I HAD THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACE TWICE AND THE RACK AND PINION REPLACE AND THE CAR STILL MAKES A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURN. DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE PART AND AN INDIVIDUAL MECHANIC HAS REPLACE THE SAME SWITCH. TO NO AVIL , I'M HAVING THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10968508

Incident

Feb 6, 2017

Mileage

99,000 mi

THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN GENERAL IS FAULTY. WE HAVE PAID TO FIX THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE SWITCH & THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE & NOW THE PUMP ITSELF HAS GONE OUT. WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS WHOLE LINE OF VEHICLES RECALLED. WE WERE DRIVING WHEN ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS PERSISTED & I KNOW THAT OUR VEHICLE ISN'T THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10940440

Incident

Jan 6, 2017

Mileage

152,530 mi

SHIFT LEVER GEAR CONTROL SNAPPED BACKING OUT STUCK IN STREET WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE VEHICLE IN MOTION

NHTSA ID

10924665

Incident

Nov 7, 2016

Mileage

156,000 mi

MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE

NHTSA ID

10914085

Incident

Oct 2, 2016

Mileage

180,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 95 THE LEFT REAR QUARTER WINDOW SEPARATED FROM MY CAR. I VERY THANKFUL ANOTHER CAR WAS NOT FOLLOWING CLOSING. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN UGLY. CHRYSLER HAD A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. REFERENCE: NHTSA IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 07V-149.

NHTSA ID

10893932

Incident

Aug 7, 2016

Mileage

52,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE FAILED AND CAUSED POWER STEERING FLUID TO SEEP INTO THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10821540

Incident

Jan 14, 2016

Mileage

100,000 mi