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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

What owners actually said

349 reports
29,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Electrical System

SOMETIMES DASHBOARD GAUGES GO CRAZY ON AND OFF SAME WITH DASHBOARD LIGHTS . ENGINE SOMETIMES TURNS OFF, NO CODES. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAIL, THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454663

80,000 miles · Apr 4, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS AND ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO FAIL AS WELL.THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATING THAT THE FAILURE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS AND ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO FAIL AS WELL.THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATING THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10454054

90,000 miles · Apr 3, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO IDLE ROUGHLY. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WOULD SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY REFUSE TO START. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO IDLE ROUGHLY. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WOULD SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY REFUSE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BUT THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL REPAIRS UNKNOWN TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10453921

81,000 miles · Mar 2, 2012
Power TrainVisibility

FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER STOP WORKING,REPLACED MOTOR,FURTHER RESEARCH FOUND COMPUTER IS GOING OUT. ONLY HAS 81,000 ON CAR. ORDERED NEW COMPUTER FOUND OUT WE WERE 926 ON LIST,THAT WAS 3 MONTHS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450087

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…

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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

58,000 miles · Feb 13, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT CRANKSHAFT SEAL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN FEBRUARY 2010, THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT CRANKSHAFT SENSO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT CRANKSHAFT SEAL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN FEBRUARY 2010, THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10447787

67,319 miles · Feb 9, 2012
Visibility

THE NHTSA HAS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED RECALL CAMPAIGN #07V149000 REGARDING THE QUARTER GLASS ON CERTAIN PT CRUISERS SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. RECENTLY, ONE OF THE QUARTER WINDOWS ON MY PT CRUISER WOULD LEAK WHILE DURING A RAIN OR GOING THROUGH THE CAR WASH. WHILE I HAD THE VEHICLE AT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP BODY SHOP FOR SOME MINOR P…

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THE NHTSA HAS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED RECALL CAMPAIGN #07V149000 REGARDING THE QUARTER GLASS ON CERTAIN PT CRUISERS SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. RECENTLY, ONE OF THE QUARTER WINDOWS ON MY PT CRUISER WOULD LEAK WHILE DURING A RAIN OR GOING THROUGH THE CAR WASH. WHILE I HAD THE VEHICLE AT A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP BODY SHOP FOR SOME MINOR PAINT WORK, I HAD THEM LOOK AT THE WINDOW LEAK. THEY REMOVED THE WINDOW AND DISCOVERED THAT (2) OF THE (5) MOUNTING STUDS THAT SECURE THE GLASS TO THE VEHICLE BODY WERE PULLING LOOSE FROM THE MOLDING AROUND THE WINDOW. THE GLASS HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST ME $350. I HAD CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORPORATION CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS EXPENSE. CHRYSLER CORPORATION DENIED MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT STATING THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. AS THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE, AND THIS WINDOW BEING A NON-MOVABLE PIECE OF GLASS, THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO DURING THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE GLASS MOUNTS TO FAIL. THE ONLY OTHER WAY THAT THE MOUNTS CAN FAIL IS FROM A DEFECTIVE DESIGN OR INSTALLATION ISSUE. MY VEHICLE WAS MADE JUST ONE MONTH OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL PERIOD. HOW CAN CHRYSLER CORPORATION BE SO SURE THAT ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE WINDOWS WERE REMOVED FROM THEIR ASSEMBLY PLANTS, AND DID NOT MAKE IT ONTO MY VEHICLE? IF THE GLASS SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE, IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR INJURY TO A PEDESTRIAN. I MAINTAIN THAT CHRYSLER CORPORATION SHOULD EXPAND THE EXISTING RECALL AND REPLACE POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE QUARTER WINDOWS ON OTHER PT CRUISERS. CHRYSLER CORPORATION WON'T RELEASE TO ME INFORMATION ON HOW THEY CHANGED THE WINDOW DESIGN OR INSTALLATION PROCESS OF THE QUARTER WINDOWS, STATING, "...THE INFORMATION YOU ARE IS SEEKING IS EITHER UNAVAILABLE CONSIDERED PROPRIETARY; THEREFORE, WE ARE UNABLE TO ASSIST THIS CUSTOMER WITH THEIR REQUEST." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447321

46,587 miles · Feb 9, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR REMAINED STUCK IN PARK AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS LIQUID IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER. THIS LIQUID ALLOWED THE SHIFTER CABLE TO SLIP OFF AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR REMAINED STUCK IN PARK AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS LIQUID IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER. THIS LIQUID ALLOWED THE SHIFTER CABLE TO SLIP OFF AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE SHIFTER CABLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46,587.

NHTSA ODI #10447272

64,500 miles · Jan 23, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

I WENT IN TO THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012 FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE AN ENGINE MOUNT. I HAD TO REPLACE ON IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010 AND I WAS QUITE SHOCKED THAT I WAS FACED WITH THIS REPAID AGAIN. IT WAS A DIFFERENT MOUNT THIS TIME. SO I ASKED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE RE…

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I WENT IN TO THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012 FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE AN ENGINE MOUNT. I HAD TO REPLACE ON IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010 AND I WAS QUITE SHOCKED THAT I WAS FACED WITH THIS REPAID AGAIN. IT WAS A DIFFERENT MOUNT THIS TIME. SO I ASKED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING. I AM 57 YEARS OLD AND IN 40 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO ANY ONE. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS SOMEWHAT OF A DESIGN FLAW IN THE PT CRUISER AND THAT THIS PARTICULAR DEALER PERFORMS 20 TO 30 LIKE REPAIRS A WEEK.. THIS MEANS THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THIS VEHICLE. I CHECKED ON LINE AND SURE ENOUGH, IT APPEARS THAT THERE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT PT CRUISER ENGINE MOUNTS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? IT IS NOT FAIR THAT CHRYSLER CAN SELL A PRODUCT LIKE THIS - KNOWING THAT THERE ARE ISSUES - AND KEEP RAKING IN MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS. SHOULDN'T THEY BE HELD TO SOME KIND OF STANDARD? THIS IS A SAFETY MATTER, FOR SURE. IT IS A MORAL ONE AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444888

51,860 miles · Jan 9, 2012
Visibility

WIFE LEFT HOUSE AT 4:45PM (NEAR DUSK) DURING RAIN. SHE GOT 2 1/2 MILES AWAY, PHONED AND SAID WIPERS ON 2006 PT CRUISER HAD STOPPED WORKING. WENT TO MEET HER ON SIDE OF ROAD AND DROVE CAR BACK TO HOUSE, HER IN FRONT OF ME WITH OUR FLASHERS ON, WHILE THE RAIN HAD SLACKED, BUT NOT COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE WIPERS WILL COME ON VERY SL…

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WIFE LEFT HOUSE AT 4:45PM (NEAR DUSK) DURING RAIN. SHE GOT 2 1/2 MILES AWAY, PHONED AND SAID WIPERS ON 2006 PT CRUISER HAD STOPPED WORKING. WENT TO MEET HER ON SIDE OF ROAD AND DROVE CAR BACK TO HOUSE, HER IN FRONT OF ME WITH OUR FLASHERS ON, WHILE THE RAIN HAD SLACKED, BUT NOT COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE WIPERS WILL COME ON VERY SLOWLY AND EVENTUALLY STOP, IF I JIGGLE THE WIPER CONTROL AND TURN SIGNAL AT THE SAME TIME. I'VE CHECKED THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. I DO BELIEVE THIS WARRANTS A RECALL, AS THIS COULD LEAD TO A VERY SERIOUS OR DEADLY ACCIDENT. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS IT TAKES BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE DONE SOON. I HAVEN'T TAKEN THIS CAR TO A MECHANIC YET AS WE HAVE OUR OLD FORD PICKUP TO DRIVE ON RAINY DAYS, THANK GOD!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443243

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.