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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
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…

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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

98,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED, BUT THE CONTACT DID RESEARCH AND WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED, BUT THE CONTACT DID RESEARCH AND WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10401028

25,422 miles · May 3, 2011
SuspensionCrash

IT WAS DISCOVERED DURING REPAIRS THAT BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE DEFECTIVE. HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED ALONG WITH OTHER DAMAGE BY TIRE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398802

70,975 miles · Apr 9, 2011
Electrical System

OUR 2006 PT CRUISER HAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX. WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON THE LOW BEAMS, THE BLINKERS DO NOT WORK, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK, YOU CAN NOT TURN OFF THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS, NOR CAN YOU TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS. THE CAR WAS RECENTLY AT THE DEALE…

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OUR 2006 PT CRUISER HAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX. WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON THE LOW BEAMS, THE BLINKERS DO NOT WORK, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK, YOU CAN NOT TURN OFF THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS, NOR CAN YOU TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS. THE CAR WAS RECENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY INDICATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO THE CLOCKSPRING MECHANISM IN THE STEARING COLUMN. THEY REPLACED THE CLOCKSPRING MECHANISM. EVERYTHING WORKED CORRECTLY FOR 2 DAYS. THE PROBLEM IS NOW BACK, APPARENTLY NOT RELATED TO THE CLOCKSPRING. IF YOU DO AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER HEADLIGHTS BLINKERS WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING YOU WILL GET MANY HITS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395333

49,054 miles · Mar 31, 2011
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSTALLED A SWITCH AND NEW MOTOR BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED BODY MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSTALLED A SWITCH AND NEW MOTOR BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED BODY MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY CAN NOT PROVIDE A DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 49,054. UPDATED 05/05/11*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10393839

85,560 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Electrical System

UPON PURCHASING A USED 2006 PT CRUISER TOURING EDITION VEHICLE ON 3/5/2011FROM BOULEVARD PRE-OWNED IN DURHAM, NC, FOUND THAT THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND HE WOULD FIX THE PROBLEMS. TOOK IT TO HIM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, EVEN MISSED A FEW HOUR…

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UPON PURCHASING A USED 2006 PT CRUISER TOURING EDITION VEHICLE ON 3/5/2011FROM BOULEVARD PRE-OWNED IN DURHAM, NC, FOUND THAT THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS DID NOT WORK AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND HE WOULD FIX THE PROBLEMS. TOOK IT TO HIM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, EVEN MISSED A FEW HOURS OF WORK AND MISSED DAUGHTER'S SCHEDULED DENTAL APPOINTMENT TO TRY TO GET CAR FIXED. THUS, AFTER MUCH FRUSTRATION, I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO AN AUTHORIZED CHYRSLER DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AFTER THE DEALER FINALLY AGREED TO PAY UP TO $150 TOWARD THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. ON 3/21/2011, I DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF OVERNIGHT, SINCE THE WIND SHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS TO ARRIVE ON 3/22/2011 (IT WAS ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THAT THE WIPER SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED INSTEAD). AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AND DOING A DIAGNOSIC TEST, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW WIPER MOTOR AND A NEW SWITCH FOR THE TURN SIGNALS, SINCE IT WAS ALSO FAULTY. NOW, ON 3/22/2011, I GET A CALL FROM THE TECHNICAN SAYING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS A SHORT AND THE TIPM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALSO. THIS ALONG WITH THE WIND SHIELD WIPER MOTOR WILL COST MORE THAN $900. AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY ANYMORE. I HAVE TO PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BEFORE MY 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE IS OVER. PLEASE HELP. I WORK THREE (3) JOBS, AM A SINGLE PARENT, AND IS HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD. MY MONEY IS ALREADY STRETCHED TOO TIGHT. AFTER HAVING HAD PREVIOUS CAR ISSUES WITH ANOTHER CAR, I REALLY DO NOT NEED THIS. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392509

85,560 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Electrical System

FRON WIND SHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK AND AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. PURCHASED A USED 2006 PT CRUISER TOURING EDTION ON 4/5/2011. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND FOUND THAT TIPM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A LOCAL DEALER AND DID NOT KNOW THE CAR HAD THESE PROBLEMS. IT WAS ORGINALLY THOUGHT THAT A SWITCH WAS ONL…

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FRON WIND SHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK AND AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. PURCHASED A USED 2006 PT CRUISER TOURING EDTION ON 4/5/2011. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND FOUND THAT TIPM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A LOCAL DEALER AND DID NOT KNOW THE CAR HAD THESE PROBLEMS. IT WAS ORGINALLY THOUGHT THAT A SWITCH WAS ONLY NEEDED. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A WIND SHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND A SWITCH FOR THE TURN SIGNALS WAS NEEDED. NOW, IT TURNS OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS A SHORT AND THE TIPM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (AFTER THE DIAGNOSIC TEST, OF COURSE). THIS IS GOING TO COST AT LEAST $900. AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY ANYMORE. PLEASE HELP. I WORK THREE (3) JOBS, AM A SINGLE PARENT AND HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD, AND MY MONEY IS VERY LIMITED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392507

87,182 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A WIPE CYCLE. I COULD NOT SEE BECAUSE OFTHE HEAVY DOWNPOUR AND HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO A CRAWL AND TRY TO GET ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER PULLING OVER, THE WIPERS STARTED WORKING AGAIN. ONCE BACK ON THE ROAD, THEY STOPPED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED A T…

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WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A WIPE CYCLE. I COULD NOT SEE BECAUSE OFTHE HEAVY DOWNPOUR AND HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO A CRAWL AND TRY TO GET ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER PULLING OVER, THE WIPERS STARTED WORKING AGAIN. ONCE BACK ON THE ROAD, THEY STOPPED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES UNTIL I COULD GET TO AN EXIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389769

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED AND CAUSED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE TURBO ENGINE WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY IN 2009. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10386494

59,275 miles · Mar 4, 2011
Visibility

THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW OF MY 2006 PT CRUISER SPONTANEOUSLY (?) EXPLODED, SENDING SHATTERED GLASS INTO MY CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD AT ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR ON A VERY TEMPERATE NIGHT. I HAD JUST STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, AND WAS GETTING BACK UP TO NORMAL SPEED. THERE WAS ONLY ONE LOUD BANG, …

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THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW OF MY 2006 PT CRUISER SPONTANEOUSLY (?) EXPLODED, SENDING SHATTERED GLASS INTO MY CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD AT ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR ON A VERY TEMPERATE NIGHT. I HAD JUST STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, AND WAS GETTING BACK UP TO NORMAL SPEED. THERE WAS ONLY ONE LOUD BANG, AND I HEARD NO OTHER SOUNDS. THERE WERE NO CARS BESIDE ME, AND I DID NOT SEE ANY ACTIVITY OUT THAT SIDE OF THE CAR THAT WOULD ACCOUNT FOR A PEBBLE BEING THROWN, OR A BB GUN BEING SHOT, ETC., ALTHOUGH IT WAS DARK OUT. IN FACT, I BELIEVE I WAS DRIVING PAST A VACANT LOT. THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE OF THE CAR AND OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WERE ABOUT THE SAME, AT ABOUT 65-70 DEGREES. I DID NOT FIND ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS WHILE CLEANING THE GLASS OUT OF MY CAR. ONLY A FEW PIECES OF SHATTERED GLASS WERE LEFT REMAINING AROUND THE EDGES OF MY WINDOW, BUT OTHERWISE THE WINDOW WAS COMPLETELY GONE. SHARP PIECES OF GLASS WERE MOSTLY IN THE FLOORBOARD AND FRONT SEAT OF MY CAR, ALTHOUGH SOME DID FLY INTO THE BACK FLOORBOARD. THERE WERE A FEW PIECES OF GLASS IN MY CUP HOLDERS IN THE CENTER CONSOLE, AND AT LEAST ONE PIECE MADE IT OVER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. MY ARM WAS CUT VERY SUPERFICIALLY IN ONE PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386467

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.