NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
55 reportsClear category filter150,000 miles · May 21, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
I GOT THE CAR 6 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND THE GAUGES GO TO ZERO. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT, IT DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, IT HAS DIED WHILE I'M STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND HAPPENS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, I'VE REPLACED THE, ALTERNATOR, STARTER, GAUGE…
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I GOT THE CAR 6 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND THE GAUGES GO TO ZERO. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT, IT DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, IT HAS DIED WHILE I'M STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND HAPPENS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, I'VE REPLACED THE, ALTERNATOR, STARTER, GAUGE CLUSTER AND SOME OTHER SMALL THINGS AND NOTHING IS WORKING. I'VE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, CHRYSLER SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE WITH IT, I'M NOT RICH I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR OR TO KEEP PUTTING MONEY INTO THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593158
60,000 miles · May 6, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 3. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 3. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
NHTSA ODI #10586793
104,000 miles · Jan 13, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSuspension
I BOUGHT A PT CRUISER SEDAN AND THE CAR LOT I BOUGHT IF FROM SAID IT NEEDED FRONT SHOCKS AND IT WOULD BE READY IN TWO DAY. I PICK UP THE PT CRUISER AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HAVE IT CHECK OUT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. IT HAS OVER 100 MECHANICAL ISSUES, FROM SHOCKS WHICH WERE NEVER PUT ON. THERE IS OIL IN THE SPARK P…
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I BOUGHT A PT CRUISER SEDAN AND THE CAR LOT I BOUGHT IF FROM SAID IT NEEDED FRONT SHOCKS AND IT WOULD BE READY IN TWO DAY. I PICK UP THE PT CRUISER AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HAVE IT CHECK OUT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. IT HAS OVER 100 MECHANICAL ISSUES, FROM SHOCKS WHICH WERE NEVER PUT ON. THERE IS OIL IN THE SPARK PLUGS AND LEAVES A SMELL WHEN THE HEATER IS ON WHICH MAKES US VERY ILL. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. ALSO, THE CAR LOT I BOUGHT IT FROM WHICH IT WAS SOLD FOR AROUND $2,000 DOLLARS AND NEEDS OVER $3,000 DOLLARS WORTH OF WORK. THEN I GOT SLAPPED WITH AN EXTRA 5,000 FROM THE LOAN COMPANY. THIS IS A LEMON. I AM NOT PAYING FOR ANYTHING AND HIM AND I HAVE WENT AROUND AND AROUND ABOUT THIS PIECE OF JUNK. THEY CAN REPO IT AND THEN I AM GETTING AN ATTORNEY FOR SELLING ME A CAR THAT SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD. TOO DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #10559663
38,960 miles · Sep 5, 2013
Engine
FAILED CRANK SEAL. CAR WENT IN FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION AT DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW MOTOR MOUNT. WHEN THEY RETURNED THE CAR, THEY MENTIONED IT HAD A LEAK AT THE CRANK SEAL. WE TOOK THE CAR HOME AND IT WAS HEAVILY LEAKING OIL, SO WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER LOCAL GARAGE. THEY "REPAIRED" THE SEAL, ALONG WITH THINGS LIKE …
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FAILED CRANK SEAL. CAR WENT IN FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION AT DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW MOTOR MOUNT. WHEN THEY RETURNED THE CAR, THEY MENTIONED IT HAD A LEAK AT THE CRANK SEAL. WE TOOK THE CAR HOME AND IT WAS HEAVILY LEAKING OIL, SO WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER LOCAL GARAGE. THEY "REPAIRED" THE SEAL, ALONG WITH THINGS LIKE A NEW TIMING BELT, ETC "WHILE WE ARE IN THERE" AND RETURNED THE CAR AT A COST OF $1700. DROVE IT FOR ONLY A FEW DAYS WHILE DRIVING THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON A FEW MILES FROM HOME. WHEN WE GOT THE CAR HOME THERE WAS NEARLY NO OIL LEFT IN THE CAR, THE CRANK SEAL HAD BLOWN/ BURNED OUT AGAIN. TOWED TO GARAGE. TOLD BY GARAGE AND ALSO DEALERSHIP THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, THE CRANK BEARING WAS WORN AND WOULD "WALK OUT" AND THE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN. WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. (AT 39K MILES???) MY BROTHER REMOVED THE ENGINE HIMSELF, TOOK IT TO A MACHINE SHOP WHO REMOVED THE CRANK AND USED SOME SORT OF KIT TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. THE COST WAS $600 PARTS, $600 LABOR. THE CAR RECENTLY WAS PUT BACK IN SERVICE BUT IS NOT TRUSTED AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS LIT UP. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVEN HARD IN ITS LIFE (DRIVEN MY BY 70 YR OLD MOTHER) AND HAD REGULAR SERVICE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10541984
51,575 miles · Aug 2, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine
DASHBOARD LIT UP, ENGINE STOPPED, VEHICLE SLOWED ALLOWING ME TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN OUT OF TRAFFIC. WAS ABLE TO RESTART ENGINE. CAR HISTORY PRIOR TO INCIDENT ON THE ROAD. NO MECHANICAL INCIDENTS, HOWEVER ENGINE CRANKING PROBLEMS. BATTERY PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AND STARTER REPLACED ON 05/28/2013 BY MCX AUTO SERVICE CENTER, MCAS M…
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DASHBOARD LIT UP, ENGINE STOPPED, VEHICLE SLOWED ALLOWING ME TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN OUT OF TRAFFIC. WAS ABLE TO RESTART ENGINE. CAR HISTORY PRIOR TO INCIDENT ON THE ROAD. NO MECHANICAL INCIDENTS, HOWEVER ENGINE CRANKING PROBLEMS. BATTERY PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AND STARTER REPLACED ON 05/28/2013 BY MCX AUTO SERVICE CENTER, MCAS MIRAMAR, SAN DIEGO, CA., 92145, PHONE NUMBER (858) 536-1684. SINCE, FIRST STALLED INCIDENT, ENGINE FAILURE OF THE SAME HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES, ALL IN LIGHT STREET TRAFFIC WITH NO INJURIES. VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER EACH INCIDENT. LATEST INCIDENT AUGUST 01, 2013 AT 4:30 PM. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS PROVIDED ME WITH INFORMATION AND A VIDEO OF SYMPTOMS PERTAINING TO THE IGNITION ACTUATOR SWITCH AND PIN. THIS VIDEO SHOWS EXACT SYMPTOMS OF MY CAR AND ALSO HOW TO REPLACE SWITCH. PLEASE ADVISE ON RECALL INFORMATION REPLACEMENT OR A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM BEING EVALUATED FOR RECALL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533300
69,205 miles · May 22, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,205.
NHTSA ODI #10513122
54,554 miles · May 20, 2013
Engine
CRANK SHAFT MOVEMENT (APPROX. 0.025) HAMMERED OIL SEAL FROM BLOCK. ROOT CAUSE IS WORN THRUST BEARING. CONTACTED CHRYSLER CALL CENTER, EMPLOYEE'S REACTION AND INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. ENGINE USED IN DIFFERENT MAKES AND MODEL YEARS, MINI VANS JEEPS....... I HAD THE OIL CHANGED FREQUENTLY AND OTHER ROU…
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CRANK SHAFT MOVEMENT (APPROX. 0.025) HAMMERED OIL SEAL FROM BLOCK. ROOT CAUSE IS WORN THRUST BEARING. CONTACTED CHRYSLER CALL CENTER, EMPLOYEE'S REACTION AND INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. ENGINE USED IN DIFFERENT MAKES AND MODEL YEARS, MINI VANS JEEPS....... I HAD THE OIL CHANGED FREQUENTLY AND OTHER ROUTINE MAINTENENCE PERFORMED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512847
15,844 miles · May 8, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR BELT, AXLE DRIVE SEAL, CAMSHAFT SEAL, FRONT MAIN SEAL, AND THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,844 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511075
112,500 miles · Apr 7, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine
SINCE NOVEMBER 2012, MY 2006 PT CRUISER'S DASHBOARD HAS OCCASIONALLY GONE CRAZY WITH ALL GAUGES (SPEED, GAS, ETC) GOING CRAZY AND BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH, ALL LIGHTS (ENGINE, AIRBAG, BRAKE, ETC) LIGHTING UP AT THE SAME TIME. AT THAT TIME, IT DID NOT AFFECT THE ENGINE. ON MARCH 15, 2013, THE CAR DIED SUDDENLY WHILE PULLING OUT I…
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SINCE NOVEMBER 2012, MY 2006 PT CRUISER'S DASHBOARD HAS OCCASIONALLY GONE CRAZY WITH ALL GAUGES (SPEED, GAS, ETC) GOING CRAZY AND BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH, ALL LIGHTS (ENGINE, AIRBAG, BRAKE, ETC) LIGHTING UP AT THE SAME TIME. AT THAT TIME, IT DID NOT AFFECT THE ENGINE. ON MARCH 15, 2013, THE CAR DIED SUDDENLY WHILE PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE GAUGES AND LIGHTS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN GOING CRAZY. THE CAR RESTARTED WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED IMMEDIATELY. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT RECREATE THE ISSUE AND DID A COMPUTER UPDATE. AFTER PICKING THE CAR UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON MARCH 22, 2013, AGAIN THE GAUGES AND LIGHTS STARTING GOING OFF AND THE CAR STARTED TO STALL AND THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHEN STOPPED, THE CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATE AND IT THREATENED TO QUIT NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAD TO PUT MY WARNING LIGHTS ON TO AVOID BEING HIT BY THE TRUCK BEHIND ME. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE CAR HOME AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING WEEK. AFTER ANOTHER WEEK, THE MECHANIC WAS FINALLY ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES BUT DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE STALLING OR INTERMITTENT LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP AND HE IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. HE SUGGESTS REPLACING THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER BUT IS NOT SURE IF THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER READING OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS THAT REPLACING THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER DID NOT REMEDY THE SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER PT CRUISERS, I AM NOT CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE CHRYSLER RESPONDING TO THIS ISSUE THAT MANY 2006 PT CRUISER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TOO PREVALENT TO IGNORE AND HAVING A CAR DIE SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IS A DANGEROUS THING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10507400
124,678 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine
DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY ALL THE DASHLIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME ON AND THE GAUGES STARTED BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH. ALL WENT BACK TO NORMAL FOR APPROX 10 MLS AND THEN STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN, THIS TIME THE ENGINE DIED, AFTER COMING TO A STOP, TURNING EVERYTHING OFF, IT RESTARTED. THAT WAS MY FIRST INCIDENT SINCE THEN IT HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE…
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DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY ALL THE DASHLIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME ON AND THE GAUGES STARTED BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH. ALL WENT BACK TO NORMAL FOR APPROX 10 MLS AND THEN STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN, THIS TIME THE ENGINE DIED, AFTER COMING TO A STOP, TURNING EVERYTHING OFF, IT RESTARTED. THAT WAS MY FIRST INCIDENT SINCE THEN IT HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES IN DIFFERENT DRIVING SITUATIONS.THE MECHANIC CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM WHEN HE HAS IT, AND NO CODES ARE SHOWING , DO NOT FEEL VERY SAFE IN VEHICLE ANYMORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500804
NHTSA investigations
2EA07004 · 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.