Model year guide

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 183 on record.

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints256
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$2,162

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls 5

Suspension NHTSA Campaign #08E033000 · 14/04/2008

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 VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

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.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

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.

Visibility:glass, Side/rear NHTSA Campaign #07V149000 · 04/04/2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR QUARTER GLASS ATTACHING FASTENERS MAY PULL THROUGH THEIR MOUNTS AND ALLOW THE GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR QUARTER GLASS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip NHTSA Campaign #04V481000 · 08/10/2004

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REVISED BRAKE TUBES. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections NHTSA Campaign #04V268000 · 03/06/2004

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 256 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,338

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser worth?

Low
$900
Typical price
$2,162
High
$3,600

From 177 comparable 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,690
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,300
Total$17,990
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,162) with the same model 3 model-years older ($1,381), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser trims & engines on record

Trims
Touring · Base · GT · Limited · Base/Classic
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser vehicles on record

Other Chrysler PT Cruiser model years

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser — frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

Based on 256 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, electrical system, air bags.

What is the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser at about 21 mpg combined (19 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser worth?

Comparable 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser listings run roughly $900–$3,600, typically around $2,162 (from 177 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.