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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.

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

Steering complaints

18 reports
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197,000 miles · May 21, 2020
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A SHARP LEFT TURN INTO HER GARAGE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A SHARP LEFT TURN INTO HER GARAGE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK FROM A HOLE ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OLYMPIA CHRYSLER JEEP LOCATED AT 2110 CARRIAGE DR SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502, (360) 754-5500, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

NHTSA ODI #11325441

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2020
Steering

I HAVE A PROBLEM WHIT MY STEERING WHEEL PUMP ON MY 06 PT. CRUISER AND FOR WHAT I HAVE. READ ON THE INTERNET THERE'S IS OTHER YEARS LIKE 03 04 05 THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IS BEEN FIX BY DEALER BUT NOT ON THE 06 WHICH I KNOW ALOT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS ME AND HONESTLY THIS IS PRETTY UNSAFE FOR DRIVERS

NHTSA ODI #11319590

131,000 miles · Jun 11, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND AN ABNORMAL WHINING AND GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND AN ABNORMAL WHINING AND GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE RUBBING AGAINST THE TRANSAXLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 131,000.

NHTSA ODI #11101207

60,091 miles · Feb 9, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE THE STEERING CAPABILITY OCCASIONALLY SEIZES AND VEHICLE CANNOT BE TURNED FOR A FEW MOMENTS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT CAN HAPPEN AT A TURN IN THE ROAD. ALSO, AT STOP LIGHTS THE CAR TRIES TO JOLT FORWARD. AGAIN THIS IS OCCURS AT INCONSISTENT TIMES. ADDITIONALLY THE CAR DIES IN IDLE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE …

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WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE THE STEERING CAPABILITY OCCASIONALLY SEIZES AND VEHICLE CANNOT BE TURNED FOR A FEW MOMENTS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT CAN HAPPEN AT A TURN IN THE ROAD. ALSO, AT STOP LIGHTS THE CAR TRIES TO JOLT FORWARD. AGAIN THIS IS OCCURS AT INCONSISTENT TIMES. ADDITIONALLY THE CAR DIES IN IDLE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE RISES ABOVE 60 DEGREES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN CODE WAS READ IT STATED THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS IN NEED OF REPAIR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE ISSUE WE FOUND THE FAN WORKED BUT WAS NOT BEING SWITCHED ON. SO WE REPLACED THE FAN SWITCH. IMMEDIATELY IT BLEW THE SWITCH. THE MECHANICS CANNOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. WHILE ADDITIONAL CODES JUST GET THROWN INTO THE PILE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. I CHECK OFTEN TO SEE IF SOMETHING HAS BEEN RECALLED OR IF ANYONE HAS FOUND A SOLUTION THAT PROVIDES LASTING CHANGE BUT I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY ADVICE OR SOLUTION THAT ACTUALLY FIXES THE ISSUE. THESE ISSUES ARE REOCCURRING SO I AM STATING THE LAST OCCURRENCE WHICH WAS JUST THIS MORNING.

NHTSA ODI #10950468

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

FOR ALL YOU CHRYSLER PT CRUISER LOVERS! PROBLEM SOLVED TODAY! DASHBOARD LIGHTS REPEATEDLY GO ON AND OFF, ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, I HAVE A 2006 AND HAVE BEEN PLAGUED WITH THIS ISSUE FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. DEALER MECHANICS ARE IDIOTS WHO GO FOR THE BIG TICKET ITEMS AND HOPE THAT SOLVES THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM…

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FOR ALL YOU CHRYSLER PT CRUISER LOVERS! PROBLEM SOLVED TODAY! DASHBOARD LIGHTS REPEATEDLY GO ON AND OFF, ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, I HAVE A 2006 AND HAVE BEEN PLAGUED WITH THIS ISSUE FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. DEALER MECHANICS ARE IDIOTS WHO GO FOR THE BIG TICKET ITEMS AND HOPE THAT SOLVES THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM FOR ME, WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY KEY IGNITION MODULE, IN THE STEERING WHEEL. INTERNAL PARTS ARE LOOSE AND FAIL TO KEEP AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. A $60-90 RETAIL PART. EASILY REPLACED BY ANYONE WHO CAN USE A TORX SCREWDRIVER. YOU WILL GET A NEW KEY TO START THE CAR WITH BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE A SKIP ANTI-THEFT RF MODULE, SO JUST KEEP THE OLD KEY ON THE CHAIN TO OPEN YOUR CAR DOORS WITH. NOW, HOW ABOUT CHRYSLER MAN UP AND FIX ALL THESE INCLUDING PROVIDING NEW RF KEYS SO I DON'T NEED TO KEEP 2 ON MY CHAIN. MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10823650 TIPM ALREADY REPLACED 1X FOR SAME ISSUES OCCURRING AGAIN NOW, A FEW YEARS LATER AND FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 8 MONTHS FROM THIS POSTING, OCCURRING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY NOW AND LAST TIME OCCURRING WAS FEB 01, 2016. ALL DASH / ENGINE STATUS LIGHTS COME ON FOR NO REASON, THEN OFF SECONDS LATER, OCCURRING ANYTIME WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLS - SPUTTERING, POWER STEERING AND BREAKS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY DURING THIS TIME, FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WILDLY FLUCTUATES AND SMELL OF GAS IS NOTICEABLE, ALL CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HEAD LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS RANDOMLY GO BRIGHT OR DIM FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AS IT DOES NOT STAY BROKE LONG ENOUGH FOR THEIR TECHS TO DIAGNOSE WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT EVEN AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 2 FULL DAYS, DESPITE THIS PROBLEM SEEN VISUALLY BY DEALER AND ON VIDEO RECORDING. SUSPECT TIPM / ECM, INTEGRATED VOLTAGE REGULATOR IS AT FAULT... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10934847

40,000 miles · Apr 7, 2016
SteeringSuspensionWheels

THE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED AND NOW THE ROCKER ARMS ARE SHOT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAD TWO MOUNTS REPAIRED-STILL SHAKES. TOOK IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE-THEY SAID THE ROCKER ARMS ARE SHOT. GETTING AN ESTIMATE TODAY. I AM MOVING APRIL 18 FROM CALIFORNIA TO TEXAS AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. IT HAS 40,000 MILES …

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THE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED AND NOW THE ROCKER ARMS ARE SHOT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAD TWO MOUNTS REPAIRED-STILL SHAKES. TOOK IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE-THEY SAID THE ROCKER ARMS ARE SHOT. GETTING AN ESTIMATE TODAY. I AM MOVING APRIL 18 FROM CALIFORNIA TO TEXAS AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. IT HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #10853938

55,000 miles · May 1, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10714083

96,000 miles · Jan 2, 2015
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

IF MY IGNITION SWITCH IS TOO FAR FORWARD MY CAR WILL LOSE POWER AND WHAT TO STOP I FIGURED OUT IF WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON AND MOVE THE SWITCH BACK THE CAR WILL NOT DO THAT BUT IF I FORGET AND LEAVE IT FORWARD IT WILL DO THIS AGAIN ALL MY LIGHTS COME ON AND I LOSE POWER. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE PART OF THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10669532

39,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Steering

WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE THAT WAS IN 2007 THEY FIX IT ... NOW IN 2014 ITS LOOSE AGAIN IT FEELS LIKE THE BOLT IS COMING LOOSE AGAIN I HOPE I DON'T GET IN A ACCIDENT I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING CHRYSLER SHOULD FIX THIS IS DANGEROUS THIS IS THE 2ND TIME NOW THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 39,000 IT HAS NO…

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WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE THAT WAS IN 2007 THEY FIX IT ... NOW IN 2014 ITS LOOSE AGAIN IT FEELS LIKE THE BOLT IS COMING LOOSE AGAIN I HOPE I DON'T GET IN A ACCIDENT I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING CHRYSLER SHOULD FIX THIS IS DANGEROUS THIS IS THE 2ND TIME NOW THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 39,000 IT HAS NOW 154,00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604603

56,000 miles · Jun 10, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION...I HAVE TO UNATTACH THE BATTERY CABLE SO THE BATTERY WILL NOT GO DEAD. I AM WOMEN WHO HAS A DISEASE CALLED CANCER..I AM TRULY IN SOME NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE AT LEAST $330.00 TO FIGURE OUT WHICH I AM ON A FIXED INCOME,STILL …

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THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION...I HAVE TO UNATTACH THE BATTERY CABLE SO THE BATTERY WILL NOT GO DEAD. I AM WOMEN WHO HAS A DISEASE CALLED CANCER..I AM TRULY IN SOME NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE AT LEAST $330.00 TO FIGURE OUT WHICH I AM ON A FIXED INCOME,STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE CAR.I FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT BE A FAULT OF MINE WHEN A KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CAR CAN NOT GET INSPECTED AND I AM UNABLE TO GET TO MY TREATMENTS. PLEASE HELP ME!...YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IS HIGHLY APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10516048

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.