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Engine coolingPart report

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
24about this part
Share
13%of 187 total for the year
Median mileage
55,402miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 13% of the 187 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,402 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10631275, filed 2014-09, 89,000 miles

“The windshield of my 2 year old Pt Cruiser has a very large crack which is getting bigger every day. The cooling system failed and the vehicle overheated after driving a few miles. The diagnostic engine light came on and remained on. The AC stopped working. Huffines Chrysler charged me over $500 to repair the cooling system.”

NHTSA complaint #10213402, filed 2008-01, 55,000 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

“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

“I purchased a 2005 Pt Cruiser in june 2008. Several months later I noticed that my car would shake once I turned on my AC. While it was under warranty, I took it back to the car dealership and they advised me that I needed a tune up. So I had my car serviced for a tune up to only find out that the problem on persisted. I took the car to several mechanics and no one could figure out the problem. They all said I needed spark plugs although I just had them replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #10421667, filed 2011-08, 80,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201015%
200944%
200854%
20072718%
20063610%
20052413%
20042311%
20032911%
2002387%
20016210%

Other parts of the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Electrical system
27 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaints
Steering
18 complaints
Suspension
18 complaints
Exterior lighting
17 complaints
Fuel system
16 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
13 complaints
Engine
11 complaints
Wheels
11 complaints
Air bags
10 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Vehicle speed control
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology