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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

138 reports
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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. …

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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

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…

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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

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…

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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 …

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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

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2013
Electrical System

I BOUGHT MY PT CRUISER IN JULY 2008 A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE SOME DASH PROBLEMS ALL THE DASH LIGHTS (OIL, ENGINE, AIR BAG, SEAT BELT, ABS,ETC) STARTED TURNING ON AND OFF AND DINGING I TOOK IT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS. THE FIRST ONE SAID IT WAS THE AIRBAGS CENSORS AND I HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED S…

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I BOUGHT MY PT CRUISER IN JULY 2008 A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE SOME DASH PROBLEMS ALL THE DASH LIGHTS (OIL, ENGINE, AIR BAG, SEAT BELT, ABS,ETC) STARTED TURNING ON AND OFF AND DINGING I TOOK IT TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS. THE FIRST ONE SAID IT WAS THE AIRBAGS CENSORS AND I HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED SO I DID THAT AND A COUPLE WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN SO I TOOK IT BACK AND THEY. COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT SO THE SENT ME TO A DIFFERENT ONE AND THEY CHECKED IT AND STILL COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO TAKE IT BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN SO I JUST DROVE IT LIKE IT WAS FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS AND THEN LAST YEAR IT WENT AWAY AND DIDN'T DO IT AGAIN UNTIL TODAY 5/8/2013 AND ITS BEEN DOING IT EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT I'M WORRIED BECAUSE I DRIVE MY GRANDKIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND ITS MY ONLY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511207

80,000 miles · Apr 11, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER TOURING EDITION. RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, REPLACED WITH NEW BULB, STILL NO LIGHT. MECHANIC STATES TICM (TOTAL INTERGRATED CONTROL MODULE) WENT BAD. RESEARCH SHOWED THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE IN THIS VEHICLE. REPAIR EXCEEDS $900 AND WILL CAUSE CAR TO FAIL NYS INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505997

112,500 miles · Apr 7, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

SINCE NOVEMBER 2012, MY 2006 PT CRUISER'S DASHBOARD HAS OCCASIONALLY GONE CRAZY WITH ALL GAUGES (SPEED, GAS, ETC) GOING CRAZY AND BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH, ALL LIGHTS (ENGINE, AIRBAG, BRAKE, ETC) LIGHTING UP AT THE SAME TIME. AT THAT TIME, IT DID NOT AFFECT THE ENGINE. ON MARCH 15, 2013, THE CAR DIED SUDDENLY WHILE PULLING OUT I…

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SINCE NOVEMBER 2012, MY 2006 PT CRUISER'S DASHBOARD HAS OCCASIONALLY GONE CRAZY WITH ALL GAUGES (SPEED, GAS, ETC) GOING CRAZY AND BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH, ALL LIGHTS (ENGINE, AIRBAG, BRAKE, ETC) LIGHTING UP AT THE SAME TIME. AT THAT TIME, IT DID NOT AFFECT THE ENGINE. ON MARCH 15, 2013, THE CAR DIED SUDDENLY WHILE PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE GAUGES AND LIGHTS HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN GOING CRAZY. THE CAR RESTARTED WITHOUT A PROBLEM. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED IMMEDIATELY. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT RECREATE THE ISSUE AND DID A COMPUTER UPDATE. AFTER PICKING THE CAR UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON MARCH 22, 2013, AGAIN THE GAUGES AND LIGHTS STARTING GOING OFF AND THE CAR STARTED TO STALL AND THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHEN STOPPED, THE CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATE AND IT THREATENED TO QUIT NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAD TO PUT MY WARNING LIGHTS ON TO AVOID BEING HIT BY THE TRUCK BEHIND ME. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE CAR HOME AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING WEEK. AFTER ANOTHER WEEK, THE MECHANIC WAS FINALLY ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES BUT DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE STALLING OR INTERMITTENT LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP AND HE IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. HE SUGGESTS REPLACING THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER BUT IS NOT SURE IF THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER READING OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS THAT REPLACING THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER DID NOT REMEDY THE SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER PT CRUISERS, I AM NOT CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE CHRYSLER RESPONDING TO THIS ISSUE THAT MANY 2006 PT CRUISER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TOO PREVALENT TO IGNORE AND HAVING A CAR DIE SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IS A DANGEROUS THING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10507400

124,678 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY ALL THE DASHLIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME ON AND THE GAUGES STARTED BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH. ALL WENT BACK TO NORMAL FOR APPROX 10 MLS AND THEN STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN, THIS TIME THE ENGINE DIED, AFTER COMING TO A STOP, TURNING EVERYTHING OFF, IT RESTARTED. THAT WAS MY FIRST INCIDENT SINCE THEN IT HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE…

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DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY ALL THE DASHLIGHTS SUDDENLY CAME ON AND THE GAUGES STARTED BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH. ALL WENT BACK TO NORMAL FOR APPROX 10 MLS AND THEN STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN, THIS TIME THE ENGINE DIED, AFTER COMING TO A STOP, TURNING EVERYTHING OFF, IT RESTARTED. THAT WAS MY FIRST INCIDENT SINCE THEN IT HAS HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES IN DIFFERENT DRIVING SITUATIONS.THE MECHANIC CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM WHEN HE HAS IT, AND NO CODES ARE SHOWING , DO NOT FEEL VERY SAFE IN VEHICLE ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500804

52,550 miles · Feb 11, 2013
Electrical SystemVisibility

MY FRONT WINDSHILD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT INTO THE CHRYSLER DODGE DEALERSHIP, JACKSON MI AND FOUND THE TIPM, TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $906. I FOUND ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON CHRYSLERS. IT IS AT THE DEALER GETTING REPAIRED. I FEEL A RECALL OF T…

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MY FRONT WINDSHILD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT INTO THE CHRYSLER DODGE DEALERSHIP, JACKSON MI AND FOUND THE TIPM, TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $906. I FOUND ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON CHRYSLERS. IT IS AT THE DEALER GETTING REPAIRED. I FEEL A RECALL OF THIS IS NEEDED. IF YOU ARE OUT DRIVING AND THE WIPERS GO OUT YOU ARE IN BIG TROUBLE. JUST LUCKY WE WERE IN TOWN AND NOT ON THE EXPRESSWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497736

65,470 miles · Dec 1, 2012
Electrical System

MY CAR WAS JUST PURSED YESTERDAY AND I WAS SO EXCITED BUT NOW TODAY I AM FURIOUS CAR ONLY HAS 65000 MILES ON IT I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR ACTS IF IT WANT TO CUT OF ON ME ALL THE GAUGE LIGHTS COME ON THE GAS LIGHT GOES FROM FULL TO EMPTY THE TEMP LEAVE GOES FROM MIDDLE TO COLD ALL THE MIDDLE LIGHTS BRAKE OIL SEA…

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MY CAR WAS JUST PURSED YESTERDAY AND I WAS SO EXCITED BUT NOW TODAY I AM FURIOUS CAR ONLY HAS 65000 MILES ON IT I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR ACTS IF IT WANT TO CUT OF ON ME ALL THE GAUGE LIGHTS COME ON THE GAS LIGHT GOES FROM FULL TO EMPTY THE TEMP LEAVE GOES FROM MIDDLE TO COLD ALL THE MIDDLE LIGHTS BRAKE OIL SEAT BELT LIGHT BLINK ON AND OF ON AND OF THIS ISN'T RIGHT THE DEALER AT ALBANY LINCOLN MERCURY DINT MAKE ME AWAY OF ANY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS I JUST GOT RID OF ONE PROBLEM TO GET IT ON OTHER PROBLEM ITS NOT RIGHT AND WHEN I RESEARCH IT ON THE COMPUTER ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT OWN PT CRUISERS HAVE GONE THRU THIS PROBLEM WITH NO RELIEF I NEED HELP MY 87 YEAR OLD GRANDMA BOUGHT ME THIS CAR BECAUSE I AM TERMINALLY ILL AND NEEDED RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO THE DOCTOR WITH NO WORRIES NOT TO GET SCAMMED PLEASE HELP ME THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486691

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.