Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, most recently filed April 2007. Owners have filed 256 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 07V149000 Filed Apr 4, 2007

REAR QUARTER GLASS FASTENERS

Visibility · glass, side/rear
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Repair progress not yet reported38,447 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 07V149000
Listed for 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 04V481000 Filed Oct 8, 2004

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM

Service brakes, hydraulic · antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Repair progress not yet reported115 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V481000
Listed for 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 04V268000 Filed Jun 3, 2004

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY

Steering · hydraulic power assist · hose, piping, and connections
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Repair progress not yet reported438,391 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V268000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (256)

256 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

15involved a crash
13involved a fire
24injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 256.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2005 compares with other PT Cruiser years

Best and worst PT Cruiser years →
2001200220032004200520062007200820092010
This year (2005)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined

22
mpg combined
19
city
26
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,050
CO₂ tailpipe
404 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$2,969per year
$247per month
682gallons a year

Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22$3,050404
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22$3,050404
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21$3,200423
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 21$3,900423
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21$3,200423
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 21$3,900423
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19$4,350468
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19$4,350468

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2005 PT Cruiser for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All PT Cruiser years

Where to next

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser FAQ

How many recalls does the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 07V149000 (visibility), 04V481000 (brake), 04V268000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems?

Owners filed 256 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (46), Suspension (32), Engine and engine cooling (30) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser get?

EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 19 city, 26 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2005 PT Cruiser compare with other years?

Among the 2001–2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (22) and the 2001 the most (618). The 2005 drew 256. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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