Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 256 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 23 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 22 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 21 | 8% |
| Visibility | 16 | 6% |
| Steering | 15 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 15 | 6% |
| Wheels | 14 | 5% |
| Tires | 13 | 5% |
| Air bags | 12 | 5% |
| Engine | 8 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a service appointment, the contact was informed that the power steering fluid hose was leaking. The contact sta
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Unknown went to get an inspection and I got a paper with information for how to search up if there was any recalls with my car and it has 5 recalls it said
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 v
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 diagno
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
The car (manual 5-speed) has issues going into reverse and hits hard shifting into other gears. I see where online it shows this issue happened quite a bit with the 2002 PT Cruiser. I don't drive my care every day and
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
I bought this car and seen online there was a safety recall for the power steering/hoses malfunctioning. This cars power steering is non-existent and WILL NOT HOLD any power steering fluid. I'd like to file for the rec
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 O
NHTSA complaint: Tires
RECENTLY IN A ACCIDENT, TRAVELING AT SPEED THAT IMPACTED FOUR OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIRBAG S DID NOT GO OFF.*DT*JB
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS
Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY
Fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR QUARTER GLASS ATTACHING FASTENERS MAY PULL THROUGH THEIR MOUNTS AND ALLOW THE GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Risk: IF THE GLASS SEPARATES WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR INJURE A PEDESTRIAN.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR QUARTER GLASS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
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.
Risk: 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 F
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REVISED BRAKE TUBES. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 256 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 23 of them (9%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.