2005 Chrysler PT CRUISER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
187 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
58,412 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 158 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 187 complaints (13.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 12.3% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 11.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 7.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 3.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 25 |
| Steering | 15 |
| Exterior Lighting | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 12 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Suspension | 9 |
Electrical System: 25; Steering: 15; Exterior Lighting: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling: 12; Engine: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Power Train: 9; Suspension: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 40 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 42 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 20 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 24 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 40; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 42; 75,000 to 99,999: 20; 100,000 to 149,999: 24; 150,000 and above: 8
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (42). 29 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2008 | 16 |
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2004: 3; 2005: 13; 2006: 16; 2007: 16; 2008: 16; 2009: 16; 2010: 17; 2011: 13; 2012: 14; 2013: 8; 2014: 19; 2015: 9; 2016: 6; 2017: 7; 2018: 5; 2019: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10080651 · 2004-07-09 (July 9, 2004)
LEATHER BOOT FOR COVER OF CONVERTIBLE TOP DAMAGED INSIDE AT TIME OF PURCHASE, ORDERED NEW ONE FROM DEALER AND RECEIVED ANOTHER DAMAGED ONE. CHRYSLER SAYS ALL OF THEM ARE LIKE THAT, AND WILL NOT REPLACE IT AGAIN!
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098336 · 2004-11-05 (November 5, 2004)
NEW 2005 PT CRUISER GT CONVERTIBLE PURCHASED 5/15/04. TO DATE, VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE FOR SAME DEFECT 4 TIMES, ONCE TOWED. VEHICLE NON-OPERATIONAL 14 DAYS AND NON-SERVICEABLE, PART NOW THOUGHT TO BE THE DEFECT IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER WITH NO REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF DELIVERY. VEHICLE UNSAFE, FAILING IN INTERSECTIONS AND ON HIGHWAYS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,960 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10102005 · 2004-12-02 (December 2, 2004)
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT AT 30 MPH. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAIL TO HOLD THE DRIVER. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND BACK INJURIES. CONSUMER'S FATHER TRANSPORTED HIM TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10102005 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109090 · 2005-01-27 (January 27, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN VEHICLE HYDRO PLANED, CRASHING INTO A BUS. WHEN EXPLAINING TO MANUFACTURER WHAT HAPPENED, SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD INCORRECT TIRES FOR THE RAIN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115202 · 2005-04-06 (April 6, 2005)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTREME VIBRATION DURING ACCELERATION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT WHILE ON THE ROAD. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND GOODYEAR DEALER WERE CONTACTED HOWEVER WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10115202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116919 · 2005-04-14 (April 14, 2005)
MY SON, WHO LIVES THE ORLANDO AREA, WAS SLOWLY TURNING RIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION IN HIS 2004 PT CRUISER WHEN HE SUSTAINED CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. THE AIR INTAKE FOR THE ENGINE IS LOCATED BEHIND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. HE SLOWLY WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER ONLY A COUPLE OF INCHES DEEP WHILE HAVING THE WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT. A FEW DROPS OF WATER OFF OF THE WHEEL GOT INTO THE AIR INTAKE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO IMMEDIATELY SEIZE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10116919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10119109 · 2005-04-25 (April 25, 2005)
WHILE STOPPING AT A LIGHT THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THEN, PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST AND RIB INJURIES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119109 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125062 · 2005-06-13 (June 13, 2005)
MY CAR HAS ONLY ABOUT 1,500 MILES ON IT, AND IT USUALLY DRIVES BEAUTIFULLY, BUT TODAY I SLOWED DOWN (FROM ABOUT 35 MPH) TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT A LIGHT AND THE BRAKES SEEMED SOFT SOMEHOW, THEN I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A FOUR-WAY STOP ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FURTHER ALONG AND IT WAS HARD TO STOP AND I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE RACING. IN FACT THE CAR JUMPED OUT INTO THE INTERSECTION A LITTLE WAYS AFTER IT STOPPED. I LOOKED THIS UP AND READ ABOUT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND I CAN SAY THAT I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR (IF I HA…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,522 miles reported. Look up ODI 10125062 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V268000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
Reported: 2004-06-03 (June 3, 2004)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V481000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Reported: 2004-10-08 (October 8, 2004)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V149000 · Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear
Reported: 2007-04-04 (April 4, 2007)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR QUARTER GLASS ATTACHING FASTENERS MAY PULL THROUGH THEIR MOUNTS AND ALLOW THE GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗