2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 PT Cruiser most often describe the rear quarter glass detaching from the vehicle while driving, fuel smell and leaks from the fuel line or pressure regulator at the firewall, and loss of power steering fluid from a leaking pressure hose. Many complaints involve low-mileage cars, but several recurring items (glass separation, steering hose, fuel line) also appear on higher-mileage vehicles, and complaints describe the faults as gradual until they become obvious.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Engine stalling, rough idle and no-start

   • 48 complaints (26%)
   • median 39,400 mi at 5.6 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2024

   Owners report the engine cutting out at speed or at idle, rough running and intermittent no-start conditions, with the check engine light on in some cases. Complaints mention the dealer replacing the fuel pump relay, crankshaft position sensor, spark plugs or the powertrain control module without a lasting fix. Some owners describe repeated trips for the same symptom. Reported from very low mileage (under 1,000 miles) up to about 116,000 miles, with no clear pattern.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records on relay, sensor, and PCM replacement or reprogramming, and check whether the check engine light comes on during a test drive including a cold start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Since new, feb. 2005, my 2005 Pt Cruiser shakes and stumbles at idle. At 180 miles, the engine stopped in freeway traffic. I was able to get the car restarted, but it ran extremely rough. The dealer replaced a crankshaft position sensor. The engine hasn't died since, but I still experience rough idle and stumble on acceleration. The dealer tells me they can do no more to correct the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10188959, filed 2007-04, 180 miles

   “The Pt Cruiser 2005 turbo was purchased new and currently has 68,296 miles. The vehicle has shut off on numerous occasions while we were driving. We immediately contacted cerritos dodge Chrysler jeep (cerritos, ca) and glen e. Thomas (signal hill,ca} and both serviced vehicle. Neither dealers fixed the problem.the last time we paid a service technician almost $100 to just ride around with us to see if vehicle would stop. Again nothing was done. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10428051, filed 2011-09, 64,040 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaks at the fuel line / pressure regulator

   • 9 complaints (5%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 8.1 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2019

   Owners describe a strong gasoline smell inside and around the car, with fuel weeping or spraying at the line and pressure regulator assembly near the firewall. Several complaints say the assembly was replaced more than once and the leak returned. In a couple of accounts the smell was followed by a fire after the engine stalled and restarted. Spread from about 30,000 to 145,000 miles in the sample, often noticed on startup or while driving.

   What to check: With the engine cold, smell around the fuel line and regulator at the firewall and look for wet or stained fittings; ask whether the fuel line/regulator assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The fuel line/pressure regulator assembly has been replaced for the third time because the pressure regulator leaks, spraying gas on the firewall. Including the original part, this is now the fourth assembly in this vehicle. We have had the service performed at an independent facility, not Chrysler, but the parts have been purchased form Chrysler. My service tech says he replaces 50 or 60 of these per year. This is a potentially dangerous problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10443900, filed 2012-01, 55,000 miles

   “I purchased new,2005 Pt Cruiser in el paso, tx. Returned car for service at 3 weeks with engine problems- missing, misfire. Dealer said nothing wrong & reset computer. Returned car following week- engine used 1/2 qt oil in one week. Could smell gas while driving car. Dealer said nothing wrong. I spoke with sales manager and tried to return car. They said no, this was normal. They said cars could use oil in first month of usage. They said this would never happen again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10139128, filed 2005-10, 681 miles
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Rear quarter glass detaching from the body

   • 13 complaints (7%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 8.9 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2006–2017

   Complaints describe the rear driver-side quarter window separating from the vehicle while driving, sometimes at highway speed, and breaking when it lands. Owners report the glass coming loose without any impact or damage beforehand. Some owners say the dealer told them the vehicle had already been repaired under a glass campaign, or was outside the affected build range, and would not cover it again. Reported from roughly 60,000 to 117,000 miles in the sample, usually at highway speed.

   Recall 07V149000

   What to check: Open and close the rear quarter windows and check that the glass sits flush with no movement at the fasteners; ask whether campaign 07V149000 was performed and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving yesterday, the left rear quarter window fell out. Chrysler had a recall no. G01 for this problem, and I was told by the Chrysler rep that the windows on this vehicle had been replaced under the recall and they could do nothing for me. The repair was not done properly or the window would have not separated from the vehicle, as vehicles should not have windows falling out of them driving down the road. I feel that Chrysler did not properly address this safety issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10704201, filed 2015-04, 109,800 miles

   “Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH. The rear driver's left side quarter panel window fell out. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.lj”

   NHTSA complaint #10565097, filed 2014-02, 117,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Crankshaft and front oil seal leaks

   • 11 complaints (6%)
   • median 61,306 mi at 5.6 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2006–2014

   Complaints describe oil appearing suddenly under the car, sometimes a steady stream from the crank or cam seal, with the seal found intact but no longer seated in the engine. Owners report the seal being replaced and the leak returning within a short distance, and in some cases the dealer recommended engine replacement. One owner links a blown oil cooler line to subsequent engine knocking. Reported from about 3,500 to 111,000 miles, often noticed as a fresh puddle after parking.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look for fresh oil under the front of the engine and check the oil level and condition; ask whether any seal or oil cooler line work has been done and whether the engine was replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After coming from the store I notice a big spot of oil on the garage floor,I wipe it up went inside the house the next day I went on some errands came back to the house and some more oil, at this point call my local parts house he came up with a bad front oil seal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10548718, filed 2013-10, 55,000 miles

   “Recently, I noticed a puddle of oil forming under my car when it was parked briefly. A check of oil showed that it was slightly below normal, but well within range. Topped up oil and started engine, and steady stream of oil was seen to be coming from crank oil seal. The day before this car did not drip a drop of oil. Mechanic found seal was in tact, but completely loose from engine. Had seal replaced by certified mechanic, and in less than 15 miles the oil leak returned. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10447313, filed 2012-02, 82,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Power steering hose leak and loss of assist

   • 15 complaints (8%)
   • median 69,500 mi at 6.8 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2026

   Complaints describe steering that suddenly becomes heavy and requires two hands, traced to a leaking power steering pressure hose or rack. One owner reports fluid seeping into the engine bay, another a severe leak found at the dealer. Some owners say the dealer declined repairs, including one whose vehicle was told it was excluded from the hose campaign. Mostly between about 13,000 and 100,000 miles, with the low-mileage cases appearing within the first years of use.

   Recall 04V2680002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for weeping or contact wear on the pressure hose near the transaxle; ask whether campaign 04V268000 applies to the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “- the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pt Cruiser. While driving at 10 MPH the contact had trouble steering. The steering wheel turned, but was stiff and she had to use both hands. The contact put power steering fluid into the vehicle and the steering became easier. The steering became stiff again and she realized that the power steering fluid was leaking. She was able to get the vehicle home and later had it towed to the dealer and repaired. The current mileage was 13,700. The failure mileage was 13,490. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10221770, filed 2008-03, 13,490 miles

   “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 complaint #10821540, filed 2016-01, 100,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the rear quarter glass fasteners, the fuel line and regulator at the firewall, and the power steering hose is worthwhile on this model year, and service records showing earlier repairs to those parts help. Ask about open campaigns by VIN and budget for recurring oil, fuel and cooling system plumbing work on a car of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.