2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/27/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE FOG LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SWITCH FOR THE FOG LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

• 12/27/2010· SUSPENSION

  THUMPING NOISE FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF BRAKES IN A SHORT DISTANCE (30 MILES) WHEEL BEARING FAILURE WHICH DAMAGED AXEL AND DESTROYED BRAKES' BRAKES AND AXEL AND BEARING REPLACED ON DRIVERS SIDE - NOW PASSENGER SIDE IS DEFECTIVE TOO AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT - CAR HAS ONLY 30K MILES- BEARINGS ARE SEALED TYPE,CANNOT BE RELUBED, CAR IS 2005 CHRYSLER P T CRUISER CONVERTIBLE. *TR

• 12/26/2008· STEERINGFire

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN HER STEERING COLUMN. SHE ALSO SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR EMANATING FROM HER VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION AND STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V268000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS). THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,000.

• 12/19/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD SMELL SMOKE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

• 12/14/2011· SUSPENSION

  MY PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE STARTED MAKING A THUMPING NOISE WHEN I WOULD TURN. THE NOISE WOULD COME FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. LIMPED IT TO LES SCHWAB AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE STRUTS AND SOME PLATE THING THAT GOES ON TOP. I WILL HAVE TO $750.00 OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

• 12/12/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT 50-55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TURBO AND IT WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS FLOODED BY HURRICANE WILMA AND WAS TOTALED. *AK

• 12/07/2006· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  2005 PT CRUISER (TURBO) WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION AND OIL CHANGE. INSPECTION WAS NOT GRANTED. VEHICLE WAS PRONOUNCED "UNSAFE TO DRIVE" AS THE BEARINGS ON THE SPINDLE (ON AXLE) WERE DESTROYED AND BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE WOBBLING. MECHANIC SAID ONE OR BOTH WHEELS COULD COME OFF. IN THE NEXT BAY WAS ANOTHER PT CRUISER (TURBO) WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE MECHANICS DISCUSSED WHETHER THE DESIGN WAS SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE POWER OF THE TURBO. UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVE (WE HAVE TO PAY THE $600+ FOR THEM) WE HAVE A RENTAL AT THE DEALERS SUGGESTION AND OUR COST. *JB

• 12/05/2015· STEERING,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  IN JULY 2014 NOTICED BACK WINDOW ON PASSENGER WAS LOOSE, WINDOW FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING 11 2014... HAD TIMES WHEN CAR WAS ACTING LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING GAS WHILE DRIVING AND CHECK ENG. LIGHT CAME ON BUT WOULD GO OUT AFTER IT QUIT. FINALLY MADE IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR TO HAVE IT SCANNED AND PART REPLACED AFTER 9 MOS. SETTING. RAN GOOD FOR ONE WEEK THEN STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN DOING THE SAME THING. IN AUGUST OF 2015 I WAS APPROACHING MY HOME GOING DOWN A BIG HILL ON MY RD. WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 45 MPH WITH A SEMI RIGHT BEHIND ME. THE CARS SPEED WAS 45 THENWENT DOWN TO 20 IN A MATTER OF SECONDS FAST ENOUGH FOR THE TIRES TO SQUEAL. I HAD MY 2 YR. OLD GRANDSON IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I KNEW I COULDN'T MAKE IT IN MY DRIVEWAY SO I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON MY 4WAYS AND PULLED IN MY NEIGHBORS HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET SO I DIDN'T GET RAN OVER BY THE SEMI TRUCK. ALSO WHEN I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED IN JUNE OF 1915 THE STEERING IN THE CAR WAS REAL STIFF AND STILL IS ONLY WHEN TURNING BUT HAS POWER STEERING FLUID. BOUGHT MY OWN SCANNER AND IT SAYS I NOW NEED TO REPLACE A TRANS. CONTROL UNIT PART # P0700 ALONG WITH THE PART THAT WAS JUST REPLACED. I'M AT WITS END, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS ON ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS . PLEASE HELP ME BECAUSE I REALLY NEED MY CAR AND FEEL RIGHT NOW IT IS A DEATH TRAP AND DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN.

• 12/03/2013· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  APPROXIMATELY 3 -4 MONTHS AGO I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC BECAUSE THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON. A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC WAS COMPLETED AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT "NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT." A WEEK LATER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT BECAME COMING ON. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THAT, I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN ALL OF THE LIGHTS (BATTERY, TRACTION OFF, ABS, BRAKE, AIRBAG, OIL, ETC) CAME ON AND BEGAN FLASHING AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS. MY HEADLIGHTS AND DASHLIGHTS ALSO BEGAN TO FLICKER BEFORE THE CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY JUST WEEKS PRIOR, SO THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. I AGAIN TOWED THE CAR TO THE SHOP WHERE I WAS AGAIN TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. I'VE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND TRYING TO IGNORE THE BATTERY AND AIRBAG LIGHTS FLASHING. LAST NIGHT WHILE TRAVELING ON A MAJOR ROAD AT 50 MPH, THE CAR'S LIGHTS AGAIN BEGAN FLASHING, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT, AND THE CAR EVENTUALLY DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME AND AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR, IT RESTARTED, BUT THE LIGHTS WERE STILL FLICKERING. *TR

• 12/03/2012· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID CRASHING INTO AN ANIMAL, ABRUPTLY MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER FOUR TIMES BEFORE LANDING UPSIDE, ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE NECK. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER, RIGHT KNEE AND A FRACTURED STERNUM. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 5/22/13 *CN UPDATED 05/30/2013 *JS

• 12/02/2004· SEAT BELTSCrash

  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

• 12/01/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I HAVE A CHRYSLER 2005 PT CRUISER. IT HAS BEEN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME THING. ON NOV. 5, 2005 THE BRAKES FAILED, THE CAR ACTED LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN GEAR. IT WENT TO THE SHOP BY WRECKER. I GOT THE CAR BACK ON NOV 9, 2005 NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE CAR, WAS TOLD IT RUNS BEAUTIFUL. ON NOV. 30, 2005 GOING HOME STOPPING IN TRAFFIC THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN, ALMOST HIT A TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. IT IS RIGHT NOT SETTING AT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THEY CALLED ME THIS MORNING AND SAID THE CAR IS RUNNING FINE AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE RODE AROUND FOR A WEEK WITH A CO-PILOT IN IT AND NOTHING SHOW UP ON THAT. I HAVE LOST OVER 100 MILES PER TANK IN GAS MILEAGE. NO CHRYSLER DEALER CAN SEEM TO FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR. WHAT CAN I DO. *JB

• 12/01/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I AM WRITING TO ASK HAS THERE HAVE BEEN ANY REPORTS OF THE 2002 PT CRUISER HAVING AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM? ON 11/30/2005 AS I WAS MAKING A U-TURN WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THAT CAUSED ME TO HIT A CURB AND BLEW OUT MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE, IT ALSO LEFT ME IN A DISORIENTED STATE OF MIND. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THAT CAR UNTIL IT HIT THE CURB. PLEASE AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE CAN YOU LET ME KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THIS. *JB

• 11/30/2012· EQUIPMENT,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THE AIR CONDITIONER ACCUMULATOR LEAKS WATER ONTO THE FUEL LINES. THE FUEL LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND A SHIELD WOULD HAVE TO BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE AIR CONDITIONER ACCUMULATOR AND THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,086.

• 11/28/2014· TIRES

  DRIVING ON ENTRANCE RAMP TO HIGHWAY WHEN THERE WAS A VIOLENT SHUDDER. CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER (SEVERE VIBRATION). PULLED OFF ON EMERGENCY SHOULDER. THERE IS A LARGE HOLE IN TIRE SIDEWALL. SIDEWALL WAS SHREDDED. TREAD WAS NOT AFFECTED. 4500 MILES ON TIRES. TIRE WAS REMOVED AND SPARE TIRE WAS MOUNTED. *TR

• 11/24/2008· WHEELS

  THE TIRE ON MY 2005 PT CRUISER WAS FLAT AND WHEN I WENT TO GET IT FIXED WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRE WAS FINE BUT THE FINISH WAS COMING OFF THE RIM AND THIS CAUSED THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. I WENT TO A NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CHAIN TO GET IT FIXED. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD PUT A TYPE OF SEALANT AROUND THE TIRE SO IT WOULD NOT GO FLAT. THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE IT WOULD NOT GO FLAT AS THEY STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR PT CRUISERS. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS AND LOOKED ON THE INTERNET IN REGARDS TO THIS AND FOUND THAT INDEED, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR MODEL. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT AND THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD REPLACE THE RIMS BEFORE A TIRE OR TIRES GO FLAT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. I WAS FORTUNATE AS THE CAR WAS PARKED. BUT TO BE STUCK IN WINTER WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING MULTIPLE FLATS WHILE DRIVING IS A VERY RISKY VENTURE FOR ME AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC. I WOULD APPRECIATE HAVING THIS MATTER LOOKED INTO AND WHAT MY FUTURE OPTIONS ARE IN REGARD TO MY PT CRUISER. *TR

• 11/19/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

  I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE AIR CONDITIONER IN MY 2005 PT CRUISER TOURING EDITION. WHEN I USE THE AIR OR THE HEAT OR DEFROST I CAN SMELL SOUR SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY CHECKED IT AND TOLD ME THE AIR CONDITIONER HAD MOISTURE BUILT UP IN IT. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO CLEAN AND DEODORIZE IT BUT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE CLEANER AND DEODORIZER AND THE EQUIPMENT TO FIX IT. I CALLED THEM BACK THE FOLLOWING WEEK THEY SAID THEY HAD EVERYTHING TO FIX IT, BUT WHEN I RETURNED ON NOVEMBER 11, 2005 THEY STILL DID NOT HAVE ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT TO FIX IT. *JB

• 11/18/2011· SEATSFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PT CRUISER TURBO CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT HEATER IGNITED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 11/14/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CAUSED THE SPEED TO INCREASE TO APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,293.

• 11/11/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I LOST CONTROL OF THE PT CRUISER ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND COULD NOT CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO RIDE THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET. THE ENGINE RPM WENT OVER 4000 RPM. WHEN I CAME HOME, I NEEDED ALL MY STRENGTH TO MOVE SHIFT INTO PARK WHILE KEEPING BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS ENTERING A ROTARY.

• 11/10/2011· WHEELS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN ONE OF THE TIRES BECAME FLAT. THE CONTACT COULD NOT RECALL WHICH EXACT TIRE WAS FLAT BECAUSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES AND EACH TIME, IT WAS A DIFFERENT TIRE THAT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE RIMS WERE CORRODED AND PITTED. THE RIMS WERE CLEANED BUT THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT AIR WOULD CONTINUE TO ESCAPE FROM THE RIM AND CAUSE THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

• 11/09/2011· VISIBILITY

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DETACHED FROM THE SEAMING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

• 11/08/2019· TIRES

  CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION - COOPER RESPONSE TOURING 205/55 R16 91H ON 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. TREAD DEPTH = 5/32, TIRES WERE NEW ON USED CAR PURCHASED IN 07/2014. NO DRY ROT OR VISIBLE CRACKING ON TIRES, 23K MILEAGE ON TIRES. IN 07/2018, TWO OF THE TIRES IN THE SET OF 4 WERE REPLACED DUE TO THE BEGINNINGS OF TREAD SEPARATION (WOULD NOT BALANCE). I AM A FORMER TIRE DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER FOR A MAJOR US TIRE MANUFACTURER AND I HAVE ANALYZED HUNDREDS OF FAILED TIRES RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER. BASED ON MY ANALYSIS, I BELIEVE THAT THIS TIRE FAILED BY DELAMINATION OF THE TREAD DUE TO IMPROPER CONSTRUCTION OR CURING AND NOT DUE TO A TIRE PUNCTURE. SINCE 3 OF 4 OF THESE TIRES HAVE FAILED, I BELIEVE THAT THE ENTIRE BATCH MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

• 11/07/2016· POWER TRAIN

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

• 11/05/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

  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

• 11/04/2010· WHEELS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE ELEVATED UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE DUE TO THE WHEEL HUB STEAL BAND SPEARED CAUSING THE TIRE TO FAIL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WHEEL HUB BAND AND TIRE. ON OCTOBER 31, 2010 THE RIGHT WHEEL HUB STEEL BAND, BOLTS, AND BEARING SEPARATED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TIRE, FRONT AND REAR FENDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE RIGHT WHEEL HUB, STEAL BAND, BOLTS, BEARING AND TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

• 10/31/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE KEYLESS ENTRY AND ACTUAL KEY WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE WINDOW TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. ONCE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN WITH THE HANDLE OR THE DOOR LATCH. THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE REMOTE RECEIVER AND THE CYLINOIDS IN BOTH DOORS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,000. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED 01/15/08 *TR

• 10/30/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2005 PT CRUISER MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FAILED . FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF EVEN AFTER I REMOVED THE KEY. SMOKE CAME OUT OF SWITCH. *TR

• 10/28/2009· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS FOR THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON THEIR 2005 PT CRUISER. *NJ WHILE DRIVING RECENTLY, THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE FELT A VIBRATION IN THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB

• 10/26/2010· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CONTACT HER WITHIN 24 HOURS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

• 10/24/2019· AIR BAGSCrash

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

• 10/24/2013· EXTERIOR LIGHTINGFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ICON ILLUMINATED INDEPENDENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ACTIVATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TURN SIGNAL HANDLE. THE CONTACT DEACTIVATED THE FUSE BUT LATER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WINDOW CONTROL SWITCH ON THE DASHBOARD CONSOLE. THERE WAS ALSO AN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

• 10/24/2007· SUSPENSION

  MY 2005 PT CRUISER STARTED MAKING NOTICEABLE NOISES FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE DEALER HAS NOW TOLD US THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T KNOW THE ACTUAL MILEAGE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT IS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. THERE IS A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT ON THE NHTSA DATABASE FOR THE SAME MODEL YEAR, FOR THE SAME FRONT BEARING ISSUE, BUT I DID NOT CHECK OTHER YEARS. WHILE RESEARCHING ONLINE TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, I FOUND THE FOLLOWING LINK WHICH CONTAINS MANY INCIDENCES OF PT CRUISER FRONT BEARING FAILURES WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER/TIL09OD8D72ERULQA *TR

• 10/22/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY CHRYSLER 2005 PT CRUISER, BOUGHT IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, SUDDENLY LOSES ITS POWER WHILE I AM DRIVING (TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY). THIS LOSS OF POWER RESULTED IN MY NEARLY BEING IN A REAR END COLLISION FROM A TRUCK COMING UP BEHIND ME! IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO 2 CHRYSLER DEALERS ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY OR FIX THE PROBLEM ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAD TWO ADDITIONAL FAILURES DOCUMENTED BY THEM. THIS LAST TIME THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR OVER TWO WEEKS. IT HAS A SERIOUS DRIVEABILITY ISSUE. THEY HAVE ALREADY REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS INCLUDING THE ENTIRE ONBOARD COMPUTER PRIOR TO THIS MOST RECENT BREAKDOWN. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A NEW CAR AND CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE TOOK THE INFORMATION OVER A WEEK AGO HAS NOT GOTTEN BACK TO ME. *NM

• 10/21/2013· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  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. SO I WANTED TO DID FURTHER INTO THIS, AND FOUND A LOT OF DODGE, CHRYSLER, OWNER HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM.I PULL UP AND COPY THESE PROBLEM'S SOME P/T OWNERS SAID THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE THEM TO CHANGE THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF THE THRUST BEARING WAS TO FAR OUT OF SPECS.AND PUSHING THE FRONT SEAL OUT AND CAUSING LEAK. IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEEDS,THIS WOULD HAVE A TERRIBLE TERRIBLE PROBLEM. I THINK CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE ONE CHRYSLER TECH DID SAY HE KNOWS THE 2.4L HAS A CRANK SEAL ISSUE ON A HANDFUL OF THE VEHICLE. NOW OUR P/T ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE. MOST OWNER THAT I'VE READ ABOUT HAS MILEAGE NO MORE THAN 110.000.AND SOME HAVE HAD THE SEAL REPLACE TWO-THREE TIMES. I THINK CHRYSLER NEEDS TO STEP UP TO PLATE AND ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM NOW WE ARE STUCK WITHOUT A CAR. THIS COULD COST IN THE THOUSANDS,THIS PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE ADDRESS LONG AGO.THE HOLE UNDER CARRIAGE IS SOAK WITH OIL. *TR

• 10/18/2024· STEERING

  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.

• 10/18/2024· VISIBILITY

  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.

• 10/18/2011· WHEELS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME WHEELS WERE FLAKING. AS A RESULT, THE AIR PRESSURE WAS SEEPING OUT AND CAUSING THE TIRES TO GO FLAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES A TOTAL OF SEVEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT WITH THE TIRES BUT WITH THE RIM ITSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

• 10/17/2017· STEERING

  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.

• 10/17/2010· WHEELS

  FIRST OCCURRENCE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED, 38,00 MILES. SECOND OCCURRENCE THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 50,706. BOTH TIMES WE HAD IT REPLACED. NEITHER WHEEL CAME OFF BUT THE MECHANIC'S SAID THE RIGHT FRONT WAS CLOSE. NO NOISE COMING ON THE RIGHT FRONT BUT THE LEFT FRONT DID AND WE TOOK IT IN. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO PREVENT THIS SINCE THE OCCURRENCE WERE WITHIN ONE YEAR OF EACH OTHER AND THEY ARE SEALED BEARINGS. SHOULD WE HAVE THEM REPACKED ANNUALLY OR WHAT. *TR

• 10/16/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  05 PT CRUISER HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE FEB 05 (BOUGHT NEW.) THE FIRST TIME I FILLED UP, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. REFERRING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, I RESTARTED THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. AT THE FIRST OIL CHANGE, I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE GAS CAP WAS PROBABLY LOOSE. OK -- MAYBE. THEY RE-SET THE COMPUTER AND DOWNLOADED A SOFTWARE UPDATE FROM CHRYSLER. WITHIN 3 DAYS, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK IT IN & RESET AND WAS TOLD AGAIN IT WAS PROBABLY THE CAP. NOT -- I MADE SURE THE CAP WAS TIGHT AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. OVER THE NEXT YEAR, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME ON AT LEAST ONCE BETWEEN EACH OIL CHANGE. SOME TIMES IT STAYS ON THE ENTIRE TIME, SOMETIMES IT COMES ON AND GOES OFF TWO OR THREE TIMES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS (2 DIFFERENT DEALERS) CAN FIND NO STORED CODE, NOR CAN THEY REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY -SET THE COMPUTER EACH TIME. I'VE ALSO HAD BOTH THE REAR WINDOWS OPEN WITHOUT NOTICE SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. ONCE, THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR WINDOW STAYED OPEN FOR NEARLY 40 MIN BEFORE CLOSING ON ITS OWN. USUALLY HAPPENS UPON FIRST STARTING THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE RACK & PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE OF A FAILED SENSOR EARLIER THIS YEAR. 3 MONTHS AGO, THE CAR STARTED STALLING WITHIN 5 MILES OF STARTING. SOMETIMES, THE ENTIRE MOTOR SHUTS DOWN; SOMETIMES I JUST LOOSE 1000-1500 RPMS. AFTER POPPING THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE IS FINE FOR HOWEVER LONG I WANT TO DRIVE. AGAIN, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS MONTH (10-07) A 3RD DEALER REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR AND A NEW FACTORY SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD, AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A WEEK. THE CAR SEEMED TO RUN MUCH BETTER FOR 10 DAYS, THEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. SO FAR, IT HASN'T STALLED AGAIN. I'LL TAKE IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE & HAVE THE COMPUTER RE-SET THIS WEEK. DO I HAVE A LEMON? *JB

• 10/11/2011· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED AND RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVEN TIMES BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DETECT A TROUBLE CODE DURING THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER TRAIN WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,278.

• 10/10/2006· POWER TRAIN

  WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES MY 2005 PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE BASE MODEL EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE MANUAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 100 MILES OF OPEN HIGHWAY AND WAS ENTERING A MORE URBAN SETTING WITH FREQUENT STOPS AND STARTS DUE TO TRAFFIC LIGHTS. AFTER ABOUT THE 5TH OR 6TH LIGHT MY GEAR SHIFT LEVER WOULD MOVE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. LUCKILY I HAD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN SAVANNAH GA. IT TOOK 3 DAYS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND HOUSING HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH A MANUAL CLUTCH IS CLASSED AS A "CONSUMABLE" PART CHRYSLER AGREED TO SHARING HALF THE REPLACEMENT COST FOR THE PARTS DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE. I DROVE MY FIRST PT CRUISER ( AN EARLY PRODUCTION 2001 MODEL ) OVER 86,000 MILES AND NEVER HAD A CLUTCH PROBLEM. I AM NOW 18,000 MILES INTO THE LIFE OF THE REPLACEMENT CLUTCH WITH NO SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS. *JB

• 10/10/2006· STEERING

  I BEGAN HEARING A POPPING NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AT APPROXIMATELY 25000 MILES. AT 27000 MILES, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD RACK & PINION UNIT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UNIT UNDER WARRANTY. AT 30000 MILES, THE NOISE RETURNED. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHO RE-DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

• 10/09/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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. I WAS BEING TRANSFERRED TO DALLAS FOLLOWING WEEK, THEY SAID NO PROBLEM, IF ANYTHING WAS WRONG GO TO DEALER IN DALLAS. SEPT- CAR USED 1/2 QT OIL AGAIN, GAS/OIL SMELL GETTING STRONGER WHILE DRIVING- EFFECTING MY ASTHMA. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER FOR SERVICE- SERVICE SAID OIL USAGE NORMAL FOR UP TO ONE YEAR. SERVICE SAID THAT CHRYSLER WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT ISSUE UNTIL CAR WAS USING 1 QT OIL EVERY 500 MILES. SERVICE DID OIL CHANGE. SERVICE STARTED OIL USAGE REPORT ON CAR AND SAID TO BRING CAR IN EVERY 500 MILES FOR CHECK. I DROVE CAR 500 MILES AND CHECKED OIL. SERVICE HAS OVERFILLED OIL LEVEL AND IS 1/4 INCH OVER THE FILL LINE. RETURNED TO SERVICE AND THEY REFUSED TO CHECK OIL AND SAID THAT I NEEDED APPOINTMENT AND WOULD NEED TO LEAVE CAR AGAIN. CAR TO GO TO SERVICE FOR FOURTH TIME ON MONDAY, OCT 10. *NM

• 10/08/2019· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  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.

• 10/07/2015· AIR BAGSCrash

  CAR STOP AT RED LIGHT HIT FROM BEHIND BY 2016 CAR DRIVEN BY GIRL JUST GOT LISCENSE CAR WAS DRIVEN INTO A ULITEY TRUCK AIR BAG NEVER ENGAGED WAS HIT WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO SEND TRUCK FORWARD ABOUT 2 FEET

• 10/07/2005· TIRES

  DT: THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON JUNE 8, 2005 WHEN HE HEARD A PING SOUND COME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THEN THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. WHEN HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WAS A PUNCTURED MARK ON THE TIRE. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE TIRE. THE TIRE IS A GOODYEAR, SIZE I 205/50R17XL. THE CONTACT DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE PUNCTURE MARK DID NOT CAUSE THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. *AK UPDATED 11/16/2005 - THE TIRE WAS A GOODYEAR EAGLE RS-A. ON OCT 7,2005 THE CONSUMER HEARD THE SAME PING NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AN FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT. IT WAS THE SAME BRAND AND MODEL TIRE AS THE FIRST FAULTY TIRE WITH THE SAME DOT NUMBER. *NM

• 10/05/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)Fire

  MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE

• 10/05/2007· SUSPENSION

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,150.