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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

13 reports
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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…

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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

72,100 miles · Mar 16, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

MY CAR IS HANGING UP IN A LOWER GEAR MAY GEAR 2 AND THE ENGINE IS RAISING. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IT HAS DONE THIS A FEW TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AND IT RUNS LIKE A GREAT VEHICLE BUT THEN IT WILL HANG UP AND GET STUCK IN A LOWER GEAR! I HAVE BEEN DRIVING INNER CITY WHEN THIS HAPPENS A…

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MY CAR IS HANGING UP IN A LOWER GEAR MAY GEAR 2 AND THE ENGINE IS RAISING. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IT HAS DONE THIS A FEW TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF AND IT RUNS LIKE A GREAT VEHICLE BUT THEN IT WILL HANG UP AND GET STUCK IN A LOWER GEAR! I HAVE BEEN DRIVING INNER CITY WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND AFRAID TO TAKE IT ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11187241

65,329 miles · Jul 6, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING, THE MOTOR SHUT OFF AND THEN STARTED AGAIN WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED WHEN TURNING A CORNER. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11109832

80,000 miles · Sep 5, 2017
Unknown Or Other

FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW,MY CAR'S DASH LIGHTS WILL ALL ILLIMINATE ON AND OFF IRRATICALLY AND GAUGUES FLUCTUATING UP AND DOWN SIMULTANEOUSLY. OFTEN BUT NOT ALWAYS,THE CAR WILL STALL AND DIE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. OTHER TIMES I CAN FEEL A LOSS OF POWER. IN FEBUARY I HAD MY BATTERY CORROSION CLEANED UP,TERMINALS REPLACED AND TIGHTENED. FOR…

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FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW,MY CAR'S DASH LIGHTS WILL ALL ILLIMINATE ON AND OFF IRRATICALLY AND GAUGUES FLUCTUATING UP AND DOWN SIMULTANEOUSLY. OFTEN BUT NOT ALWAYS,THE CAR WILL STALL AND DIE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. OTHER TIMES I CAN FEEL A LOSS OF POWER. IN FEBUARY I HAD MY BATTERY CORROSION CLEANED UP,TERMINALS REPLACED AND TIGHTENED. FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AFTERWARDS IT NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. IT'S ALMOST AS IF THE VOLTAGE IS UNSTABLE..LIKE IT'S BEING CHOKED OFF. CAR BATTERY LIGHT SOMETIMES IS ON..OTHERTIMES IT'S OFF AND HAS BEEN THAT WAY FOR YEARS. CAR HAS ABOUT 121,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11021638

79,654 miles · Dec 7, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE ENGINE RPM REVS UP BUT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT GO INTO THE HIGHER GEAR. THIS HAS RESULTED IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE DUE TO FAILURE TO GO INTO THE HIGHER GEAR. THE INTEGRATED POWER MODULE WAS REPLACED. DROVE WITHOUT A PROBLEM FOR A WEEK AND THEN …

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE ENGINE RPM REVS UP BUT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT GO INTO THE HIGHER GEAR. THIS HAS RESULTED IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE DUE TO FAILURE TO GO INTO THE HIGHER GEAR. THE INTEGRATED POWER MODULE WAS REPLACED. DROVE WITHOUT A PROBLEM FOR A WEEK AND THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. SUSPICION IS THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION MODULE; THAT THERE IS FAULTY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MODULES. ITS ALREADY COST ME OVER $1200 AND NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT. AFRAID TO TAKE IT OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND RISK A CATASTROPHE. IF CHRYSLER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM IT SHOULD BE. THEY SHOULD RECALL ALL AFFECTED PT CRUISERS, REPLACE THE MODULES AND PREVENT ANY CASUALTIES OR INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI #10933792

37,724 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

MY CAR WAS IDLING AND THAN I DROVE IT HOME ON A CITY STREET IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. ABOUT 4 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. DLING IN PARK; SEATBELT LIGHT KEPT DINGING ON; SPEEDOMETER KEPT JUMPING BACK AND FORTH FROM 0-100; IDLING AT TRAFFIC STOP; CAR SHUTTERS LIKE IT WILL CUT OFF; SPEEDOMETER JUMPS AROUND WHILE CAR IS NOT MOVING. PCM/T…

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MY CAR WAS IDLING AND THAN I DROVE IT HOME ON A CITY STREET IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. ABOUT 4 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. DLING IN PARK; SEATBELT LIGHT KEPT DINGING ON; SPEEDOMETER KEPT JUMPING BACK AND FORTH FROM 0-100; IDLING AT TRAFFIC STOP; CAR SHUTTERS LIKE IT WILL CUT OFF; SPEEDOMETER JUMPS AROUND WHILE CAR IS NOT MOVING. PCM/TCM REPLACED MULTIPLE TIME; BATTERY LOSES CHARGE FOR NO KNOWN REASON; HAVE HAD PROBLEMS W/ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, PAY FOR SENSORS AND PARTS NEEDED ONLY FOR THE SAME ISSUE TO HAPPEN. THESE CARS ARE DANGEROUS! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I AM A SINGLE MOM, MY SON AND I WERE IN THE CAR AND WE WERE SCARED. COULD OF CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10910042

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…

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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

30 miles · Mar 2, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

WHEN DRIVING ALL LIGHTS ON DASH WILL COME ON, GAUGES WILL GO OFF AND ON, AND THE ENGINE HAS DIED IN THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. THE TIME IT DIES WHILE DRIVING IS SCARIEST PART IT HAS SO FAR RESTARTED AFTER GETTING OFF ROAD. AFRAID WHEN SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE THEY WILL HIT US OR I HIT THEM AS I TRAVEL ON THE FRWY 120 MILES A…

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WHEN DRIVING ALL LIGHTS ON DASH WILL COME ON, GAUGES WILL GO OFF AND ON, AND THE ENGINE HAS DIED IN THE ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. THE TIME IT DIES WHILE DRIVING IS SCARIEST PART IT HAS SO FAR RESTARTED AFTER GETTING OFF ROAD. AFRAID WHEN SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE THEY WILL HIT US OR I HIT THEM AS I TRAVEL ON THE FRWY 120 MILES A DAY. MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE THIS GO ON. CHRYSLER FIX THIS OR I WILL HAVE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. SHOULD FIX BEFORE CUSTOMERS ARE KILLED! THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE ABOUT 90,000 MILES IT HAS 132,000 NOW I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO MULTIPLE MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WAS WRONG. ENGINE DIED AND RESTARTED TODAY ON THE FREEWAY 3/2/16.

NHTSA ODI #10839378

28,755 miles · Jun 5, 2013
Air BagsStructureUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

WE WERE REAR ENDED WHILE ON VACATION. THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE AND IT WAS PUT IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE OTHER PERSON WAS AT FAULT. WHEN WE GOT THE CAR BACK WE NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON FOR A MINUTE OR TWO AND THEN GO OFF. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. THE CAR REPAIR SHOP CHECKED SEAT BELTS AND SUCH. THE AIR BAGS DI…

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WE WERE REAR ENDED WHILE ON VACATION. THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE AND IT WAS PUT IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE OTHER PERSON WAS AT FAULT. WHEN WE GOT THE CAR BACK WE NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON FOR A MINUTE OR TWO AND THEN GO OFF. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. THE CAR REPAIR SHOP CHECKED SEAT BELTS AND SUCH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THIS WAS A REAR END COLLISION. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS HAD TO REPAIR WORK THAT WAS NOT DONE RIGHT. COULD THEY HAVE MESSED UP THE CODES AS THE TEMP DOES NOT WORK RIGHT.? WERE THE AIRBAGS DAMAGED ? THE ESTIMATED SPEED HE HIT US WAS 35MPH. WE BOTH GOT CERVICAL SPRAIN AND MINE IS WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515301

38,000 miles · Apr 8, 2010
Unknown Or OtherCrashFire

MY DAUGHTER'S 2006 PT CRUISER WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR FENDER BENDER IN A WALMART PARKING LOT. HER CAR WAS STRUCK ON THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER FROM A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. NEITHER VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN GOING MORE THAN 15 MPH. THE IMPACT KNOCKED THE FRONT BUMPER LOOSE, PUSHED IN THE GRILL, AND BUCKLED THE HOOD SLIGHTLY ON THE PT CRUIS…

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MY DAUGHTER'S 2006 PT CRUISER WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR FENDER BENDER IN A WALMART PARKING LOT. HER CAR WAS STRUCK ON THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER FROM A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. NEITHER VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN GOING MORE THAN 15 MPH. THE IMPACT KNOCKED THE FRONT BUMPER LOOSE, PUSHED IN THE GRILL, AND BUCKLED THE HOOD SLIGHTLY ON THE PT CRUISER. IT DID NOT CATCH THE FENDER AS THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT LENS ASSEMBLY WAS NOT BROKEN. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS OF THE IMPACT, MY DAUGHTER SIGHTED FLAMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH WERE VISIBLE UNDERNEATH THE BUCKLED HOOD. SHE AND HER PASSENGER IMMEDIATELY GATHERED THEIR PERSONAL BELONGINGS AND EXITED THE CAR. BOTH MY DAUGHTER AND THE OTHER DRIVER CALLED 911 BUT EVEN WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT 300 YARDS AWAY, THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A $1500 BUMPER REPLACEMENT AND BODY SHOP JOB RESULTED IN A TOTALED VEHICLE DUE TO THE FIRE. THE POLICE DID NOT CITE EITHER DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324493

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.