← 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

What owners actually said

349 reports
90,000 miles · Sep 13, 2013
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS MY TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE AND WOULD COST AROUND 1000 TO REPLACE!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543426

52,000 miles · Sep 13, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AS ALL THE GAUGES FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AS ALL THE GAUGES FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,474. ...UPDATED 11-18-13 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10543406

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 …

Read full complaint

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

99,810 miles · Aug 26, 2013
StructureVisibility/wiper

DRIVING 70 MPH ON FREEWAY. REAR QUARTER WINDOW DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL BUT ONLY COVERS THE MODEL YEAR BEFORE (2005). THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THE 2006 VERSION AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10537232

69,164 miles · Aug 21, 2013
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,164. UPDATED 07/16/14

NHTSA ODI #10536577

72,500 miles · Aug 4, 2013
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG ALARM START SOUNDING ALL THE TIME (EACH +/- 5 TO 10 SECONDS). IN THE DASHBOARD SCREEN APPEARS THE SYMBOL/ LOGO TELLING ME THAT IS THE AIR BAG ALARM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533511

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…

Read full complaint

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

30,000 miles · Jul 27, 2013
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION IS A STICK SHIFT AND WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON, THE TRANSMISSION BECOMES VERY HARD TO SHIFT , ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN DRIVING AND HAVING TO SHIFT IN VERY HOT WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532170

40,000 miles · Jul 17, 2013
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

PLEASE RECALL,THE WINDSHIELD WIPER IT'S CONSTANTLY HAVING PROBLEM. TOOK TO THE DEAL AND RESET COMPUTER MODULAR AND IT WORKS FINE. SIX MONTHS LATER, IT DID IT AGAIN AND THIS TIME EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT BECAUSE IT'S A USED CAR SO I GET 3 MONTHS OR 3000 MILES WHATEVER COMES FIRST. SO, THE DEALER CHARGE ME $100.00 FOR THE SAME SE…

Read full complaint

PLEASE RECALL,THE WINDSHIELD WIPER IT'S CONSTANTLY HAVING PROBLEM. TOOK TO THE DEAL AND RESET COMPUTER MODULAR AND IT WORKS FINE. SIX MONTHS LATER, IT DID IT AGAIN AND THIS TIME EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT BECAUSE IT'S A USED CAR SO I GET 3 MONTHS OR 3000 MILES WHATEVER COMES FIRST. SO, THE DEALER CHARGE ME $100.00 FOR THE SAME SERVICE. A FEW MORE MONTHS IT DID AGAIN. BOTTOM LINE PT CRUISER WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SOMEDAY DUE FAULTINESS. ALSO, AC NEEDS A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE SO MANY ISSUE WITH WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525278

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 …

Read full complaint

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.