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2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 202.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

306 reports with mileage · 43 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 138 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

35 crash reports5 fire reports21 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

138 reports
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12,000 miles · Dec 9, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingCrash

STARTING AROUND NOV OF 2006 WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATOR LIGHTS TURN ON; ALL THE GAUGES GO DEAD I.E. THE SPEEDOMETER, THE TACHOMETER, THE GAS GAUGE ALL GO TO ZERO. THE WARNING SOUNDS BEEP CONSTANTLY. THE 2006 PT CRUISER WILL LOSE POWER AND/OR SEVERELY HESITATES, POWER STEERING WILL FAIL, THE BRAKE…

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STARTING AROUND NOV OF 2006 WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATOR LIGHTS TURN ON; ALL THE GAUGES GO DEAD I.E. THE SPEEDOMETER, THE TACHOMETER, THE GAS GAUGE ALL GO TO ZERO. THE WARNING SOUNDS BEEP CONSTANTLY. THE 2006 PT CRUISER WILL LOSE POWER AND/OR SEVERELY HESITATES, POWER STEERING WILL FAIL, THE BRAKES WILL FAIL, I HAVE HAD TO USE THE HAND BRAKE ONE TO MANY TIMES TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WITH OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROADS. I CURB THE CAR TWICE, DAMAGING MY TIRES ONCE, SO AS TO NOT HIT OTHER DRIVERS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. I HAVE TAKING IT MASSEY-YARDLEY WHERE I BOUGHT THE PT, TO HAVE LOOKED AT OVER A DOZEN MAYBE EVEN MORE I HAVE LOST COUNT, I HAVE TRIED TO LEMON THE CAR, CHRYSLER STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKING THE PT TO OTHER DEALERSHIPS WITH THE SAME RESULT. JUST RECENTLY I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN TO MASSEY-YARDLEY FOR POOR GAS MILEAGE AND THE SAME POWER PROBLEM, THIS TIME WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVE, IN NOV OF 2007, THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A BAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND A BAD OXYGEN SENSOR, WHICH THEY REPLACED. I AM STILL HAVING THE ABOVE STATED PROBLEM, THE DEALERSHIP STATED ON NOV 16 OF 2007 THEY KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT SINCE THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE ERROR TO TROUBLE SHOOT IT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO SAID SINCE I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS I SHOULD GO TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT! I'M GOING TO DO THAT BUT IT'S HARD WHEN YOU HAVE TO WORK! PLUS MASSEY-YARDLEY WILL NOT GIVE ME A STATEMENT TO THAT FACT OF UNKNOWN DEFECT IN WRITING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211271

20,668 miles · Nov 15, 2007
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY, ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON, ALL GAUGES GO TO ZERO, ENGINE BEGINS TO DIE. 2006 PT CRUISER POWERS DOWN WHEN DRIVING . THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ON ANY ROAD BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR DEATH. ON SEPT. 21,2007 THE CAR WAS TOWED TO CHRYSLER DEAL…

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I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY, ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON, ALL GAUGES GO TO ZERO, ENGINE BEGINS TO DIE. 2006 PT CRUISER POWERS DOWN WHEN DRIVING . THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ON ANY ROAD BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR DEATH. ON SEPT. 21,2007 THE CAR WAS TOWED TO CHRYSLER DEALER. 1ST TIME WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE MAIN COMPUTER, THAT NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. TWO WEEKS LATER OCTOBER 24TH 2007 IT HAPPENED AGAIN, CAR TOWED TO SAME DEALER. WERE TOLD THIS TIME IT WAS A MAIN FUSE COMING LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER INSTALLED A METAL PLATE OVER THE FUSE TO KEEP IT FROM COMING LOOSE. WE WERE ASSURED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM FIXED. THREE WEEKS LATER NOVEMBER 13,2007 IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED TO DEALER . WE WERE TOLD THIS TIME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND JUST TO MONITOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209074

11,280 miles · Jul 31, 2007
Electrical SystemEquipment

THE SPEEDODOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO. COMES AND GOES AND THE DEALER CAN NOT GET A READING BECAUSE IT DOES NOT DO IT WHEN THEY CHECK IT. NEXT THE AC KICKS IN AND OUT OF COOL AIR. NEXT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR DIES. I HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND MANUALLY TURN BECAUSE IT DIED. I NEARLY HIT A CEMENT WALL. NOW THE DEALER SAY…

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THE SPEEDODOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO. COMES AND GOES AND THE DEALER CAN NOT GET A READING BECAUSE IT DOES NOT DO IT WHEN THEY CHECK IT. NEXT THE AC KICKS IN AND OUT OF COOL AIR. NEXT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR DIES. I HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND MANUALLY TURN BECAUSE IT DIED. I NEARLY HIT A CEMENT WALL. NOW THE DEALER SAYS HE CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10197942

20,000 miles · Jul 12, 2007
Electrical System

THE 2006 PT CRUSIER HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE!! ALL THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD WENT HAYWIRE AND THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. TOOK THE CAR TO A CRYSTLER SERVICE STATION 4 TIMES, AND THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY BE…

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THE 2006 PT CRUSIER HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE!! ALL THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD WENT HAYWIRE AND THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. TOOK THE CAR TO A CRYSTLER SERVICE STATION 4 TIMES, AND THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY BECAUSE OF THE CAR JUST STOPPING WHILE DRIVING. I NEED HELP!!! I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND TERRIFIED FOR MY SON AND MYSELF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10196173

6,000 miles · Jun 12, 2007
Electrical System

ON SEPTEMBER 16, OCTOBER, 27, MARCH 6, AND APRIL 24, AFTER HAVING PARKED MY CAR ALL DAY IN THE SUN AND UPON STARTING FOR HOME WITH THE AIRCONDITIONING ON LOW, MY CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT BETWEEN 35-40MPH. EACH TIME IT STALLED WITHIN 5-10 MINUTES OF HAVING BEEN STARTED. EACH TIME ALL THE RED INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASH…

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ON SEPTEMBER 16, OCTOBER, 27, MARCH 6, AND APRIL 24, AFTER HAVING PARKED MY CAR ALL DAY IN THE SUN AND UPON STARTING FOR HOME WITH THE AIRCONDITIONING ON LOW, MY CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT BETWEEN 35-40MPH. EACH TIME IT STALLED WITHIN 5-10 MINUTES OF HAVING BEEN STARTED. EACH TIME ALL THE RED INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD BLINKED ON AND OFF. EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND RESTART THE ENGINE TO CONTINUE HOME. EACH TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. EACH TIME THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT MY VEHICLE (A 2006 PT CRUISER PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY OR 2006) FOR BETWEEN 2-7 DAYS AND COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM OR REPLICATE THE STALL. I REPORTED THE SITUATION TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT CHRYSLER CORPORATION IN DECEMBER AND AGAIN IN APRIL. I HAVE ALSO SPOKEN WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER AT NORMANDIN CHRYSLER. I FEEL THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE, BUT I HAVE LITTLE RECOURSE BUT TO DRIVE IT SINCE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT CHRYSLER CORPORATION WILL DO NOTHING IF THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE REPLICATED OR IDENTIFIED. I AM A LONG-TIME CHRYSLER PRODUCT CUSTOMER HAVING BOUGHT ALL OF MY CARS AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP SINCE 1979.

NHTSA ODI #10193066

37,000 miles · May 18, 2007
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, Air

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE DOOR LOCKS STARTED CLICKING LIKE THEY DO WHEN HITTING THE WIRELESS REMOTE. AT THE SAME TIME THE FLASHERS WOULD GO ON. THIS CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY ALL THE WAY TO WORK ON CITY STREETS AS WELL. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER AT THIS TIME. MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON, SOMETIMES WHEN…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE DOOR LOCKS STARTED CLICKING LIKE THEY DO WHEN HITTING THE WIRELESS REMOTE. AT THE SAME TIME THE FLASHERS WOULD GO ON. THIS CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY ALL THE WAY TO WORK ON CITY STREETS AS WELL. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER AT THIS TIME. MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON, SOMETIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO MY MECHANIC IN JANUARY FOR A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB. THE ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING. I HAD LESS THAN 10000 WHEN THE CAR WOULD SHIMMY VIOLENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I TOOK IT BACK TO MY MECHANIC, AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THE ROTORS WERE NOT OF A MATERIAL MADE TO WITH STAND MUCH HEAT. HE ADVISED A BEEFIER ROTOR. THERE WAS NOW A HEAVY DUTY ROTOR AVAILABLE ON THE AFTER-MARKET. I DID NOT TAKE THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY MOST LIKELY WILL TELL ME I WAS TOO HARD ON THE BRAKES. IF THAT WERE THE CASE THE HONDA, WHICH HAD 107000 MILES ON IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IN FOR BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES BY NOW, IT WAS ON THE FIRST SET AND FINALLY NEEDED PADS. . ANOTHER CAR DID NOT SEE ME COMING AND PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I WENT TO HIT THE HORN IT WOULD NOT HONK. I HAD TO REPOSITION MY HAND SEVERAL TIMES TO FIND THE RIGHT SPOT AND THEN PUSH VERY HARD. I PLANNED TO GET RID OF THIS CAR AND NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER AMERICAN CAR AGAIN. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THEM. * AK

NHTSA ODI #10191173

15 miles · May 15, 2007
Electrical System

HORN WILL NOT BLOW UNLESS EXCESSIVE FORCE IN USED AND ONLY IN CERTAIN SPOTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10190739

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

THE HORN IS HARD TO LOCATE AND BLOW. TERRIBLE FUEL MILEAGE - 4 CYL CAR ONLY GETS 16 MPG AND EATS GAS BADLY. ANYWAY I AM CURRENTLY FIGHTING CHRYSLER CORPORATION BECAUSE OF THEIR MANUFACTURING ERROR THEY PUT THE WRONG ENGINE IN MY NEW 2006 PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE - TOURING EDITION. CHRYSLER'S BOOK, BROCHURES ETC. CLEARLY STATE…

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THE HORN IS HARD TO LOCATE AND BLOW. TERRIBLE FUEL MILEAGE - 4 CYL CAR ONLY GETS 16 MPG AND EATS GAS BADLY. ANYWAY I AM CURRENTLY FIGHTING CHRYSLER CORPORATION BECAUSE OF THEIR MANUFACTURING ERROR THEY PUT THE WRONG ENGINE IN MY NEW 2006 PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE - TOURING EDITION. CHRYSLER'S BOOK, BROCHURES ETC. CLEARLY STATE THAT NOTHING BUT A STANDARD 2.4L 180HP TURBO ENGINE IS TO GO IN THIS CAR AND CHRYSLER PUT A REGULAR (NON-TURBO) ENGINE IN THIS CAR. CHRYSLER LIES AND SAYS THAT THE DOWNGRADED NON-TURBO ENGINE IS AN OPTION. BUT THERE IS NO OPTIONAL ENGINE AVAILABLE FOR THIS CAR AND ANOTHER ENGINE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO GO IN THE CAR. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO GIVE ME THE CORRECT CAR THAT I AM CURRENTLY PAYING FOR ETC. CHRYSLER CORP. CONTINUE TO LIE AND GIVE CUSTOMERS A VERY HARD TIME. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174193

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

CAR HORN HARD TO LOCATE AND BLOW. VERY LOW FUEL MILEAGE - ONLY GET 16 MPG ON A 2.4L NON-TURBO ENGINE-EATS GAS BADLY. SOMETIMES SEEMS LIKE THE ENGINE WANTS TO STALL. HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER CORPORATION - BUT MAINLY BECAUSE CHRYSLER MANUFACTURERS PUT A NON-TURBO ENGINE IN MY 2006 PT CRUISER CONV. TOURING WH…

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CAR HORN HARD TO LOCATE AND BLOW. VERY LOW FUEL MILEAGE - ONLY GET 16 MPG ON A 2.4L NON-TURBO ENGINE-EATS GAS BADLY. SOMETIMES SEEMS LIKE THE ENGINE WANTS TO STALL. HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER CORPORATION - BUT MAINLY BECAUSE CHRYSLER MANUFACTURERS PUT A NON-TURBO ENGINE IN MY 2006 PT CRUISER CONV. TOURING WHEN ONLY A TURBO ENGINE IS TO BE IN THIS CAR. CHRYSLER REFUSES TO GIVE ME THE CORRECT CAR AND TAKE THIS MANUFACTURING ERROR CAR BACK. THEY ARE LYING AND SAYING THAT THE 150 HP(NON-TURBO) ENGINE IS AN OPTION ENGINE. THERE IS NO OTHER ENGINE AS AN OPTION FOR THIS CAR - I HAVE THEIR BOOK AND OTHER DOCUMENTS. I AM CURRENTLY SEEKING HELP TO GET THE CORRECT CAR WITH THE TURBO ENGINE I AM PAYING FOR. CHRYSLER DOES NOT CARE AND GIVES THEIR CUSTOMER A HARD TIME. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174184

7,744 miles · Sep 14, 2006
Electrical System

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN IN THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE HORN MECHANISM IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10168242

Official recalls

1

07V149000 · Visibility:glass, Side/rear

Apr 4, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE GLASS SEPARATES WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR INJURE A PEDESTRIAN.

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

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA07004 · Rear Quarter Panel Glass Separation

Opened Feb 16, 2007 · Closed Apr 5, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:glass, Side/rear

DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL RECALL MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 PT CRUISER VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 5/17/05 THROUGH 9/1/05 TO CORRECT A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE REAR QUARTER PANEL GLASS THAT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.DCC WILL INSPECT THE REAR QUARTER PANEL GLASS AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY.DCC WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING OWNERS IN MAY 2007. VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO AND AFTER THE ABOVE BUILD DATES ARE NOT AFFECTED.A CHANGE MADE BY THE ASSEMBLY PLANT IN MAY 2005 THAT MODIFIED THE GLASS ATTACHMENT LED TO THE POTENTIAL FOR GLASS SEPARATION.IN SEPTEMBER 2005, SUBSEQUENT CHANGES TO THE PROCESS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THIS.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.SEE RECALL 07V149 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

PE06046 · Rear Quarter Panel Glass Separation

Opened Oct 20, 2006 · Closed Feb 16, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:glass, Side/rear

ODI HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT THE EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL GLASS FALLS OFF THE VEHICLE.SOME REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE GLASS FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION AND STRUCK A FOLLOWING VEHICLE.IN SOME CASES DAMAGE TO THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE WAS REPORTED.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA ARE CONCENTRATED WITHIN A PARTICULAR BUILD DATE RANGE FROM MAY TO JUN OF 2005 FOR MY 2005 VEHICLES AND JULY TO SEP OF 2005 FOR MY 2006 VEHICLES.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) IS UPGRADED TO EA07-004.