← 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

Steering complaints

18 reports
Clear category filter
78,000 miles · Feb 19, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNED. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNED. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10498562

104,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. A SQUEALING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE POW…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. A SQUEALING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10454677

71,000 miles · Feb 14, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

I OWN A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER W/AUTOMATIC TRANS. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INC. THE 4 CYL ENGINE IN MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED 3 SEPSRASTE TIMES, TWICE LAST YEAR, AND 1 TIME SO FAR THIS YEAR WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY; EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS AS WELL AS ALL POWER…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER W/AUTOMATIC TRANS. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INC. THE 4 CYL ENGINE IN MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED 3 SEPSRASTE TIMES, TWICE LAST YEAR, AND 1 TIME SO FAR THIS YEAR WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY; EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS AS WELL AS ALL POWER ASSIST SYSTEMS SUCH AS STEERING AND BREAKS, AS WELL AS ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO FAIL. I CONTACTED THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL DEALER AS I WAS ABLE TO RESTART, AS WAS I ABLE EACH TIME PREVIOUS, GIVEN I EXPERIENCED NO FURTHER PROBLEMS UNTIL LAST WEEK. HOWEVER, THE DEALER DIAGNOSTIC TEST YIELDED NOTHING WHICH COULD ACCOUNT FOR THE VEHICLE COMPLETE OPERATIONAL SHUT-DOWN. I WAS ADVISED THERE ARE NO RECALLS, OR WARRANTY, AND THE DEALER INFORMED ME TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURERS CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TO ADVISE THEM. THE CUSTOMER CASE MANAGER INDICATED THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE FORTHCOMING AS THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING SHOWED NOTHING CONCLUSIVE. THE LATEST FALURE MILEASE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10448684

25,422 miles · May 19, 2011
SteeringCrash

MY CAR HAD BEEN SLUGGISH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN. IT WAS SO GRADUAL I DID NOT THINK MUCH ABOUT IT. THEN I ATTEMPTED A SHARP RIGHT TURN AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND WELL. DAMAGE TO BOTH LEFT TIRES AND RIMS WHEN UNABLE TO TURN CAR TO THE RIGHT. TAKEN TO TIRE CHOICE FOR REPAIRS. THEY THEN FOUND THAT THE LEFT & RIGHT CONTROL ARM…

Read full complaint

MY CAR HAD BEEN SLUGGISH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN. IT WAS SO GRADUAL I DID NOT THINK MUCH ABOUT IT. THEN I ATTEMPTED A SHARP RIGHT TURN AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND WELL. DAMAGE TO BOTH LEFT TIRES AND RIMS WHEN UNABLE TO TURN CAR TO THE RIGHT. TAKEN TO TIRE CHOICE FOR REPAIRS. THEY THEN FOUND THAT THE LEFT & RIGHT CONTROL ARMS WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH, SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PT CRUISER. THEY CHECKED AND THERE WAS NO RECALL OF THESE PARTS, THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT AT ONE POINT I WOULD HAVE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE CONTROL ARMS. I FEEL THIS REPAIR BILL SHOULD BE COVERED THROUGH CHRYSLER AND THE RESULTING DAMAGE TO RIGHT RIMS AND TIRES SHOULD BE REIMBURSED TO ME. ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF CONTROL ARMS HAD NOT BEEN DEFECTIVE

NHTSA ODI #10403029

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO CONSTA…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE THE FLUID AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHERE THE LEAK WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE EXAMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10342309

95,000 miles · Mar 1, 2010
SteeringCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH. HE WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD WHEN THE RIGHT HAND STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THAT HE LOST CONTROL, SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO SOME ROCKS. THE DRIVER DID CONTACT THE DEALER BUT THEY ARE DENYING HIM ASSISTANCE.…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH. HE WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD WHEN THE RIGHT HAND STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THAT HE LOST CONTROL, SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO SOME ROCKS. THE DRIVER DID CONTACT THE DEALER BUT THEY ARE DENYING HIM ASSISTANCE. THE DRIVER RE-INJURED HIS NECK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10315159

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2008
SteeringFire

2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE RECALLS FOR MALFUNCTION OF THE HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HOSE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT GETTING REPAIRS. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10221674

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2007
Steering

PROBLEMS WITH POWER STERING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10194960

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.