THUMPING NOISE FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF BRAKES IN A SHORT DISTANCE (30 MILES) WHEEL BEARING FAILURE WHICH DAMAGED AXEL AND DESTROYED BRAKES' BRAKES AND AXEL AND BEARING REPLACED ON DRIVERS SIDE - NOW PASSENGER SIDE IS DEFECTIVE TOO AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT - CAR HAS ONLY 30K MILES- BEARINGS ARE SEALED TYPE,CANNOT BE RELUBED, CAR IS 2005 CHRYSLER P T CRUISER CONVERTIBLE. *TR
2005 chrysler PT Cruiser suspension problems
moderate 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$900
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
MY PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE STARTED MAKING A THUMPING NOISE WHEN I WOULD TURN. THE NOISE WOULD COME FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. LIMPED IT TO LES SCHWAB AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE STRUTS AND SOME PLATE THING THAT GOES ON TOP. I WILL HAVE TO $750.00 OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
2005 PT CRUISER (TURBO) WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION AND OIL CHANGE. INSPECTION WAS NOT GRANTED. VEHICLE WAS PRONOUNCED "UNSAFE TO DRIVE" AS THE BEARINGS ON THE SPINDLE (ON AXLE) WERE DESTROYED AND BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE WOBBLING. MECHANIC SAID ONE OR BOTH WHEELS COULD COME OFF. IN THE NEXT BAY WAS ANOTHER PT CRUISER (TURBO) WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE MECHANICS DISCUSSE…
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2005 chrysler PT Cruiser?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 29 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.