← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Power Train complaints

28 reports
Clear category filter
50,000 miles · Oct 16, 2020
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11364677

100,000 miles · Jun 8, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING AT IDLE. WHEN DRIVING, IT MAINTAINS THE CORRECT TEMPERATURE AND RETURNS TO IT EVEN IF IT HAS GONE UP. IDLING AT A DRIVE THRU IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE A FULL OVERHEAT WITH SMOKE. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, A LOUD BUBBLING CAN BE HEARD. THE ENTIRE FAN ASSEMBLY AND HARNESS WAS JUST REPLACED. PROBLEM HAS BEEN…

Read full complaint

THE CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING AT IDLE. WHEN DRIVING, IT MAINTAINS THE CORRECT TEMPERATURE AND RETURNS TO IT EVEN IF IT HAS GONE UP. IDLING AT A DRIVE THRU IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE A FULL OVERHEAT WITH SMOKE. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, A LOUD BUBBLING CAN BE HEARD. THE ENTIRE FAN ASSEMBLY AND HARNESS WAS JUST REPLACED. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING. ORIGINALLY, FAN WOULD NOT TURN OFF ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. EVEN WHEN CAR WAS OFF. SPENT MANY MONTHS HAVING TO REMOVE THE FUSE BECAUSE THE RAN WOULD RUN THE ENGINE DRY OF POWER. THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVEN AFTER SHORT DRIVES WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327694

65,000 miles · Dec 20, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY. IDLE SPEEDS INCONSISTENT. WINDSHIELD CRACKED STRAIGHT ACROSS WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL WE READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT CHRYSLER’S DEFECTIVE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULES PROBLEMS TITLED “CHRYSLER TIPMS CAUSING POWER PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI #11290245

157,000 miles · May 16, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR AND FAILED TO DISPLAY THE PROPER GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ABERNETHY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 1442 E MAIN ST, L…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR AND FAILED TO DISPLAY THE PROPER GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ABERNETHY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 1442 E MAIN ST, LINCOLNTON, NC 28092, (704) 732-1890) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (CODE: P0700). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IN DECEMBER, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000. *DT

NHTSA ODI #11208017

134,000 miles · Apr 11, 2019
Power Train

CAR OVER HEATING ISSUES

NHTSA ODI #11195532

58,170 miles · Jan 25, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. HAVE HAD CAR WORKED ON SEVERAL TIMES. NEW COMPUTER INSTALLED. AM TOLD IT IS THE TIPM. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THROWING CAR INTO LIMPING MODE. WILL NOT GO ABOVE 45 MPH. ONLY HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT. HAVENT HAD WRECK YET

NHTSA ODI #11172180

39,700 miles · Nov 21, 2017
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT TO LOWER GEARS WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER, HEADLIGHTS, AND POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATLANT…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT TO LOWER GEARS WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER, HEADLIGHTS, AND POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ATLANTIC CHRYSLER (130 SUNRISE HIGHWAY, WEST ISLIP, NY 11795, (631) 422-0135) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,700.

NHTSA ODI #11047806

130,000 miles · Sep 5, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

TAKATA RECALL- THE CAR WILL AT RANDOM TIMES NOT CHANGE OUT OF FIRST GEAR. I CAN PULL OVER SOMETIMES AND RESTART IT MULTIPLE TIME AND IT WOULD WORK. MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ALSO RANDOMLY COME ON NOW. AND THE THERMOMETER SOMETIMES WILL BE BLANK AND SOMETIMES WILL SAY -12 WHEN IT IS 90 DEGREES, AND SOMETIMES IT IS ACCURATE. AND SOMETI…

Read full complaint

TAKATA RECALL- THE CAR WILL AT RANDOM TIMES NOT CHANGE OUT OF FIRST GEAR. I CAN PULL OVER SOMETIMES AND RESTART IT MULTIPLE TIME AND IT WOULD WORK. MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ALSO RANDOMLY COME ON NOW. AND THE THERMOMETER SOMETIMES WILL BE BLANK AND SOMETIMES WILL SAY -12 WHEN IT IS 90 DEGREES, AND SOMETIMES IT IS ACCURATE. AND SOMETIMES IT WILL LIGHT UP SAYING I AM IN ALL GEARS, PARK, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, REVERSE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IF I AM ON THE INTERSTATE, OR GOING UP A HILL AND THIS HAPPENS I CAN'T GO OVER 35 MILES PER HOUR WITHOUT TAKING A CHANCE OF BLOWING MY ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11021624

122,000 miles · Aug 29, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainUnknown Or Other

LOSES POWER THEN SURGES WHILE DRIVING. LIKE IT IS GOING TO DIE THEN IT SUDDENLY SURGES AND DRIVES OK. IT DOESN'T DO IT OFTEN, BUT IT IS SCARY WHEN IT DOES. ALSO, WHEN IT DOES THIS, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON? SOMEONE TOLD ME THIS COULD BE RELATED TO THE CLUTCH. HOW CAN THAT BE A CLUTCH ISSUE? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME W…

Read full complaint

LOSES POWER THEN SURGES WHILE DRIVING. LIKE IT IS GOING TO DIE THEN IT SUDDENLY SURGES AND DRIVES OK. IT DOESN'T DO IT OFTEN, BUT IT IS SCARY WHEN IT DOES. ALSO, WHEN IT DOES THIS, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON? SOMEONE TOLD ME THIS COULD BE RELATED TO THE CLUTCH. HOW CAN THAT BE A CLUTCH ISSUE? CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHERE TO START LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM? IS BEING GOING FOR MONTH'S NOW...

NHTSA ODI #10899088

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2016
Power TrainCrash

THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, ISABEL HUERTA WAS STRUCK AND KILLED BY HER OWN VEHICLE WHEN THE TRANSMISSIONS SUDDENLY SLIPPED FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS THE SHIFTER TO BE PLACED IN A "FALSE PARK" POSITION. SHE WAS SWEPT UNDER THE VEHICLE BY THE OPEN DOOR, AND WAS CRUSHED TO DEATH BY HER OWN…

Read full complaint

THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, ISABEL HUERTA WAS STRUCK AND KILLED BY HER OWN VEHICLE WHEN THE TRANSMISSIONS SUDDENLY SLIPPED FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS THE SHIFTER TO BE PLACED IN A "FALSE PARK" POSITION. SHE WAS SWEPT UNDER THE VEHICLE BY THE OPEN DOOR, AND WAS CRUSHED TO DEATH BY HER OWN VEHICLE. HER BODY WAS FOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE WITH THE WHEEL ON HER CHEST...UPDATED 11/08/17 *BF PLEASE NOTE ODI 10876328 IS 116 PAGE LONG. SEE DOCUMENT FOR FURTHER INFO. DOCUMENTS IN ARTEMIS RECORD IS BROKEN. UDATED 6/21/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10876328

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.