NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
36 reportsClear category filter26,000 miles · Feb 9, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND OIL BEGAN TO SPILL FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,100. THE CONTACT WILL CALL THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. TH…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND OIL BEGAN TO SPILL FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,100. THE CONTACT WILL CALL THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
NHTSA ODI #10258109
44,604 miles · Jan 24, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL LEAKS DISCOVERED. 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS REPLACED FRONT CRANK SEAL ONLY TO HAVE SEAL PUSHED OUT DUE TO END PLAY. HAD ENGINE REPLACED @ $3,836. WAS TOLD THAT END PLAY WAS WITHIN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS ON 2006 ENGINE. THE PT CRUISER IS A 2006 WITH 45,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. MECHANIC STATED THAT NEW ENGINE WILL WORK FINE. OLD ENG…
Read full complaint
OIL LEAKS DISCOVERED. 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS REPLACED FRONT CRANK SEAL ONLY TO HAVE SEAL PUSHED OUT DUE TO END PLAY. HAD ENGINE REPLACED @ $3,836. WAS TOLD THAT END PLAY WAS WITHIN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS ON 2006 ENGINE. THE PT CRUISER IS A 2006 WITH 45,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. MECHANIC STATED THAT NEW ENGINE WILL WORK FINE. OLD ENGINE HAD BUGS IN IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256211
42,000 miles · Jan 19, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY HUSBAND WAS HEADING BACK HOME FROM IDAHO AND THE CAR OVER HEATED IN TREMONTON. HE CALLED AND ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY OIL OR ANYTHING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS. WE HAVE NEVER HAD A LEAK UP TO THIS POINT WITH THE CRUISER. HE WAS STUCK FOR QUITE A WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET HOME. WE ARE NOW WAITING ON THE DEALERS…
Read full complaint
MY HUSBAND WAS HEADING BACK HOME FROM IDAHO AND THE CAR OVER HEATED IN TREMONTON. HE CALLED AND ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY OIL OR ANYTHING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS. WE HAVE NEVER HAD A LEAK UP TO THIS POINT WITH THE CRUISER. HE WAS STUCK FOR QUITE A WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET HOME. WE ARE NOW WAITING ON THE DEALERSHIP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM ALL OF THE BOARDS THAT I HAVE READ THAT IT IS NOT UST A SMALL ISSUE. WHEN IS CHRYSLER GOING TO GET IT IN GEAR AND DO A RECALL SO NO ONE ELSE GETS STUCK, HURT OR EVEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THE THEIR NEGLIGENCE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255519
28,000 miles · Oct 30, 2008
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE CLOCKSPRING WAS BENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, SHE BEGAN TO HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DU…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE CLOCKSPRING WAS BENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, SHE BEGAN TO HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DURING COLD STARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE LOWER SUPPORT, RADIATOR, AND TRANSMISSION WERE DAMAGED DUE TO SOME SORT OF CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 28,000.
NHTSA ODI #10247271
29,000 miles · Oct 20, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT. HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROX…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT. HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.
NHTSA ODI #10246099
28,000 miles · Oct 1, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
DEAR SIR/MADAM: I HAVE A 2006 CHYRSLER PT CRUISER HATCHBACK, AND FOR THE PAST YEAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE SHUTDOWNS OF THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY, I HAVE NO WARNING AND IT IS SCARY. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THE CAR. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS IN FLORIDA, AND BOTH T…
Read full complaint
DEAR SIR/MADAM: I HAVE A 2006 CHYRSLER PT CRUISER HATCHBACK, AND FOR THE PAST YEAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE SHUTDOWNS OF THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY, I HAVE NO WARNING AND IT IS SCARY. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THE CAR. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS IN FLORIDA, AND BOTH TOLD ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. FIRST OF ALL, THEY OBVIOUSLY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO I FEEL LIKE THEY WROTE IT OFF AS OPERATOR ERROR. I DON'T CARE WHAT THEIR DIAGNOSIS COMPUTER SAID, THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE COMPUTER IN MY CAR. TO SHUTDOWN UNEXPECTEDLY, AT ANYTIME IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK TO ME AND THE TRAVELING PUBLIC. BOTH MY DAUGHTERS HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AT SEPARATE TIMES AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME SHUTDOWNS. THIS IS A LIABILITY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE AND NO ONE AT CHRYSLER WILL LISTEN. PLEASE HELP ME TO GET CHRYSLER TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THEIR DEALERSHIPS DO NOT SEEM TO CARE. SINCERELY, CLARA JOHNSON *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244173
45,000 miles · Jul 11, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash
THROTTLE SOLENOID STUCK IN OPEN POSITION CAUSING 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER TO IMPACT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234010
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2008
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingCrash
2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AND ACCIDENT WITH EVERYTHING IN THE VEHICLE LOCKED INCLUDING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING AND ONLY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *KB PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS: THE ENG…
Read full complaint
2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AND ACCIDENT WITH EVERYTHING IN THE VEHICLE LOCKED INCLUDING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING AND ONLY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *KB PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS: THE ENGINE STALLING, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE REAR GLASS BLEW OUT. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD GO AFTER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10225143
12,000 miles · Dec 9, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingCrash
STARTING AROUND NOV OF 2006 WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATOR LIGHTS TURN ON; ALL THE GAUGES GO DEAD I.E. THE SPEEDOMETER, THE TACHOMETER, THE GAS GAUGE ALL GO TO ZERO. THE WARNING SOUNDS BEEP CONSTANTLY. THE 2006 PT CRUISER WILL LOSE POWER AND/OR SEVERELY HESITATES, POWER STEERING WILL FAIL, THE BRAKE…
Read full complaint
STARTING AROUND NOV OF 2006 WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INDICATOR LIGHTS TURN ON; ALL THE GAUGES GO DEAD I.E. THE SPEEDOMETER, THE TACHOMETER, THE GAS GAUGE ALL GO TO ZERO. THE WARNING SOUNDS BEEP CONSTANTLY. THE 2006 PT CRUISER WILL LOSE POWER AND/OR SEVERELY HESITATES, POWER STEERING WILL FAIL, THE BRAKES WILL FAIL, I HAVE HAD TO USE THE HAND BRAKE ONE TO MANY TIMES TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WITH OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROADS. I CURB THE CAR TWICE, DAMAGING MY TIRES ONCE, SO AS TO NOT HIT OTHER DRIVERS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. I HAVE TAKING IT MASSEY-YARDLEY WHERE I BOUGHT THE PT, TO HAVE LOOKED AT OVER A DOZEN MAYBE EVEN MORE I HAVE LOST COUNT, I HAVE TRIED TO LEMON THE CAR, CHRYSLER STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKING THE PT TO OTHER DEALERSHIPS WITH THE SAME RESULT. JUST RECENTLY I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN TO MASSEY-YARDLEY FOR POOR GAS MILEAGE AND THE SAME POWER PROBLEM, THIS TIME WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVE, IN NOV OF 2007, THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A BAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND A BAD OXYGEN SENSOR, WHICH THEY REPLACED. I AM STILL HAVING THE ABOVE STATED PROBLEM, THE DEALERSHIP STATED ON NOV 16 OF 2007 THEY KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT SINCE THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE ERROR TO TROUBLE SHOOT IT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO SAID SINCE I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS I SHOULD GO TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT! I'M GOING TO DO THAT BUT IT'S HARD WHEN YOU HAVE TO WORK! PLUS MASSEY-YARDLEY WILL NOT GIVE ME A STATEMENT TO THAT FACT OF UNKNOWN DEFECT IN WRITING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211271
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
I HAD BOUGHT A USED 2006 PT CRUISER. I HAD THE CAR FOR 6 MONTHS WHEN THE FRONT CALIPER BROKE, WHICH CAUSED MY BRAKES TO GO OUT. I HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THIS. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR OVERHEATING, RUNNING OUT OF OIL AND NOT HAVING HEAT. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP T…
Read full complaint
I HAD BOUGHT A USED 2006 PT CRUISER. I HAD THE CAR FOR 6 MONTHS WHEN THE FRONT CALIPER BROKE, WHICH CAUSED MY BRAKES TO GO OUT. I HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THIS. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR OVERHEATING, RUNNING OUT OF OIL AND NOT HAVING HEAT. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS FIXED, THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE MY CAR HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT THAT THE WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER MY REPAIRS AND IT WOULD COST OVER 1000.00 TO FIX. THE PROBLEMS WERE: I HAD A HOLE IN MY RADIATOR, I WAS MISSING THE CONNECTORS TO HOLD THE RADIATOR IN PLACE, I HAD NO HEAT, I NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS, AND THE OIL LIGHT WAS COMING ON. THEY HAD TOLD ME THAT I HAD NO OIL OR COOLANT IN MY CAR AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO GET THE CAR IN RUNNING CONDITION TO FIND OUT WHERE THE OIL LEAK WAS. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO FIX MY CAR, SO I TOOK IT TO A FAMILY FRIENDS AUTO SHOP. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPAIRED, THE CONNECTORS AND HAD COOLANT PUT IN. I THEN PICKED IT BACK UP TO TAKE IT BACK TO CHRYSLER TO HAVE THE OIL LEAK FIXED. AFTER THEY LOOKED AT IT, THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE MY CAR FIXED WITH THEM, THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH A CAR THAT THEY DIDN'T FIX. I DID FIND OUT WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS THROUGH THE FAMILY SHOP. I HAVE A CRACKED HEAD GASKET, AND THE OIL LEAK. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 8 MONTHS, AND I HAVE ONLY PUT ON 12000 MILES. THE CAR HAS A TOTAL OF 27,000 MILES TODAY. THESE SORT OF THINGS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING TO MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210836
NHTSA investigations
2EA07004 · 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.