Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl-the contact owned a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Started the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. Fuel odor, vehicle would not start for an additional hour vehicle restarted and caught on fire, fire department stated that the fire started along the firewall manufacturer not contacted, fire report filed, fire extinguished by fire department stated that upon start up the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor. The vehicle was then restarted almost an hour later. The contact then noticed fire coming from under the hood of the vehicle on the passenger's side of the vehicle. The fire department was contacted and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. The fire marshall stated that the fire seemed to have originated in a wiring harness installed behind the fuel lines for the fuel injectors. There was no injuries sustained in the fire. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While the vehicle was stationary, the contact noticed smoke coming from the root of the turn signal switch. The contact immediately pulled the fog lamp switch, which diffused the smoke. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that the fog lights were illuminated at the time of the failure. An unknown Chrysler dealer was made aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Car went completely dead at car wash at night leaving me and my young granddaughter stranded until we could get a jump. This happened several times with the battery not having any problems nor any lights being left on in interior. Happened to notice the other day the fog lamps were on but the switch was not turned on. It was draining the system. Had to pull the fuse to fog lamps in order to stop the drainage. This has left me stranded with small children forcing reliance upon strangers in order to restart the vehicle, on more than one occasion. Now the fog lamps are inoperative until a fix can be found, which could lead to a potential collision if driving in foggy conditions which could prove fatal due to it being a convertible. This is a gt turbo edition...updated 09/28/15
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.
Car intermittently will not start. We had the car towed so many times that the insurance rate went up and we paid for repairs that we did not need because it never fixed the problem. Repairs include (battery, starter, ignition, spark plugs and wires) we now believe that the problem is the TIPM. The other problems we encountered are window won't go up or down. Dealerships do not know how to diagnose the problem so they continue to charge us for unneccesary repairs.
Dt*: the contact stated while moving from a stop sign at 10 MPH on normal road conditions, fire was noticed coming out of the hood. The contact evacuated the vehicle. The fire department was present to extinguish the fire however, the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The fire department determined a short circuit from the battery cable was the source of the fire. There was no police report taken. The dealership nor the manufacturer were contacted.
Es un PT Cruiser touring 2.4 l turbo no silve MPH gas no tiene luz de dentro no silve el convertible hay que hacerlo manual tienes montones de defecto un carro 2005 PT Cruiser touring estan saliendo defecto fui a donde un mecanico dijo que que era la computadora sensol exijo mi areglo att sr cordova o lo llevare a las noticias
Dashboard lights go out at will and engine lights show codes even after replacing sensors now 02 sensors not working .look like this had been a ongoing problem for years now and Chrysler fails to address the problem. Please help myself and other PT drivers having the same problem.
2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser touring ed. - purchased at Dodge dealership, extended warranty contract purchased, and veh. Was a certified veh. At time of purchase, within the first 30 days veh. Was in for a new headgasket, less than 13K miles, replaced front brakes and shoes within the first 15K miles, now driving to work in heavy traffic conditions, and as I was coming to a congested intersection, the car went completely dead, total loss of pwr, cars were slamming on brakes swerving to not rearend my veh. That was pwr less. No brake lights, no hazz. Lights, and nowhere to go but sit frantically in the middle of cars near missing me as each one passed by, it must have been 3 min. As I continually tried to start the veh, and now power at all, not a sound, then out of nowhere it started up as if there was never a problem at all, 73K miles and now this. …
PCM chip in 2005 PT Cruiser convertible identified by Chrysler dealership as being the problem. PCM causes myriad of electrical & transmission problems which Chrysler won't admit to. When any engine light or other alarm indicator goes on in vehicle and I bring it to Chrysler-they simply say there's nothing wrong with vehicle. Then the troubles start. The PCM causes stalling at a red light or at low speeds--got rear ended twice, vehicle not turning over/won't start, drains batteries (replaced it 3 times),(car was towed to Chrysler because it wouldn't start) power steering mechanism leaks (replaced twice) causes electrical problems on dashboard, radio & cd player wont work (cd is stuck in player), causes car lock/alarm system to malfunction (replaced twice) car lock/system has locked me out of my car and fog lights/head lights won't turn off which then drains battery. …
Electrical complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 18% of the model year's 256 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › fuses and circuit breakers (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.