Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (13.4% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 25 · 13.4% | not available | — |
| Steering | 15 · 8% | Recalled | Recall 04V268000 |
| Exterior Lighting | 13 · 7% | Recalled | Recall 09E012000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 12 · 6.4% | not available | — |
| Engine | 11 · 5.9% | not available | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 · 5.3% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 187 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 08E033000 · 2008 · reported 04/14/2008
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 LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07V149000 · 2007 · reported 04/04/2007
IF THE GLASS SEPARATES WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR INJURE A PEDESTRIAN. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V481000 · 2004 · reported 10/08/2004
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V268000 · 2004 · reported 06/03/2004
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, AN ABNORMAL SMELLED A PLASTIC ODOR IN THE…”NHTSA complaint 10446794 — filed 02/06/2012 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOD WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN…”NHTSA complaint 10425385 — filed 09/14/2011 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“I OWN A 2005 PT CRUISER; I HAVE 134,000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND KEEP IT SERVICED REGULARLY. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH SAFETY…”NHTSA complaint 10340305 — filed 06/27/2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 25 of 187 NHTSA complaints (13.4%), followed by steering (15), exterior lighting (13), engine and engine cooling (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
187 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 11 involved a crash, 12 involved a fire, and 18 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08E033000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
