Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 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
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.
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. …
Malfunction on the headlight/foglight multifunction switch on a Chrysler PT Cruiser 2005, [redacted] (export vehicle, runs in brazi). It started unwittingly turning on the foglights even when the car ignition was off, it lead to drain car batteries and for me to think at first that was a problem with my battery, since when I saw the car the foglights were off because it drained the power. Then, after a hot day I was driving at night on a rainy and dangerous highway and my foglights went off and I felt a smell of burn cable and smoke inside the car, so I stopped the vehicle and saw smoke coming out ofthe multifunction switch and got really scared. After so many days and searching on the internet I finally discovered that the battery drain had to do with the foglights switch. I took almost 6 months to discover it and so my foglights reflector started to melt and loose there flexibility. …
I own a 2005 PT Cruiser convertible. I have had problems for the past year with the multifunction switch located on the steering column. The fog lights will not turn on as the switch is broken and sometimes there is visible smoke coming out of the column followed by the stench of burning rubber. I researched and found out this is a common problem with this make and model of car. The following link is a webpage devoted to the problem with the multifunction switch and will give you an idea of how many people this is effecting. Chrysler is aware of the problem as the part has been on back order. I have not gotten the part fixed as I see this as something that needs to be recalled and fixed at the cost of Chrysler. In the website you can see over 800 people with this same problem. There have been active posts since 2005.http://www.topix.net/forum/autos/Chrysler-PT-Cruiser/[VIN].
We own a 2005 PT Cruiser convertible and have had problems for the past year with the multifunction switch located on the steering column. The fog lights come on by themselves and will drain the battery dead. There must be a short in the steering column which is causing this problem. We turn our left blinker on before we shut off the ignition and this seems to keep the fog lights off. With this being a short, it could result in a fire which May cause an accident while driving - resulting in possible death. My expectations are high for the service that the NHTSA performs and I anticipate their action on this well known issue to be coming soon.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. He stated that whenever the vehicle was driven, the headlights would become cloudy which made it difficult to see at night. The contact is concerned about the safety risk while driving at night. The dealer was contacted and they stated that there were no related recalls. The dealer confirmed that the headlights appear to be cloudy during the day since the sun reflects on the lens and that the plastic on the lights has deteriorated. The headlights have not been replaced. The failure mileage was 14 and the current mileage was 47000. Updated 02/17/10 updated 02/17/10
It was discovered that the rear lights were not on with the headlights and the brake lights(same bulbs) were not working. Upon investigation, both light bulbs had burst. When taking it to the parts store, they felt that the bulbs had broken because water had gotten into the housing with the bulbs. The housing was not cracked, so it was not due to an accident. And the bulbs on both sides had failed similarly which would indicate a common cause which would seem to be a design defect. This could have easily resulted in a serious accident. Thanks to a stranger, I was informed about it before an accident occurred.
2005 PT Cruiser gt convertible with 50,000 miles.I looked out the window and noticed fog lights on. The fog lights cannot be turned on without the headlights being on. But here was the fog lights on and it drained my battery completely. The only way I could turn the fog lights off was to tape the universal switch, so that the fog light switch was forced to close. After see how many people have had the same problem for several years, I am wondering why the NHTSA doesn't do something about this.
Headlight complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the lights of the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 10% of the model year's 256 complaints. The component named most often is fog lights › switch (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 1 injury to lights 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.