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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

Power Train complaints

28 reports
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46,000 miles · Jun 24, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

IDLING IN PARK; SEATBELT LIGHT KEPT DINGING ON; SPEEDOMETER KEPT JUMPING BACK AND FORTH FROM 0-100; IDLING AT TRAFFIC STOP; CAR SHUTTERS LIKE IT WILL CUT OFF; SPEEDOMETER JUMPS AROUND WHILE CAR IS NOT MOVING. PCM/TCM REPLACED MULTIPLE TIME; BATTERY LOSES CHARGE FOR NO KNOWN REASON; HAVE HAD PROBLEMS W/ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, PAY…

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IDLING IN PARK; SEATBELT LIGHT KEPT DINGING ON; SPEEDOMETER KEPT JUMPING BACK AND FORTH FROM 0-100; IDLING AT TRAFFIC STOP; CAR SHUTTERS LIKE IT WILL CUT OFF; SPEEDOMETER JUMPS AROUND WHILE CAR IS NOT MOVING. PCM/TCM REPLACED MULTIPLE TIME; BATTERY LOSES CHARGE FOR NO KNOWN REASON; HAVE HAD PROBLEMS W/ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, PAY FOR SENSORS AND PARTS NEEDED ONLY FOR THE SAME ISSUE TO HAPPEN. THESE CARS ARE DANGEROUS. THERE NEED TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BEFORE SOMEONE DIES FROM THESE CARS STALLING WITH NO ABILITY TO CONTROL CAR. CHRYSLER KNOWS FULL WELL OF THESE GARBAGE CARS. THAT IS THE REAL REASON THEY DISCONTINUED THEM! SOMEONE NEEDS TI STEP IN. YOU ALL HAVE RECEIVED ENOUGH COMPLAINTS WHERE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI #10876312

107,000 miles · Apr 20, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

WHEN DRIVING ON THE DASH BOARD WHERE IT SHOWS YOUR MPH BELOW. ALL THE LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON ENGINE, BATTERY, OIL, AIR BAG, SEATBELT, GAS. ALL WILL FLASH ON INSTANT DECELERATION INSTANT SLOW DOWN. THE DIALS WILL GO UP AND DOWN WILD. OVER 5 YEARS AGO THIS HAPPENED THE DEALER WOULD ONLY REPLACE WHEN THE DASH BOARD STOPPED WORKING CO…

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WHEN DRIVING ON THE DASH BOARD WHERE IT SHOWS YOUR MPH BELOW. ALL THE LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON ENGINE, BATTERY, OIL, AIR BAG, SEATBELT, GAS. ALL WILL FLASH ON INSTANT DECELERATION INSTANT SLOW DOWN. THE DIALS WILL GO UP AND DOWN WILD. OVER 5 YEARS AGO THIS HAPPENED THE DEALER WOULD ONLY REPLACE WHEN THE DASH BOARD STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. FINALLY IT STOPPED WORKING I HAD IT REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. 3 MOTHS AGO IT STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. FLASHING LIGHTS, ALL DIALS GOING UP, DOWN, AND AROUND. YESTERDAY I HAD SEVERE DECELERATION ON THE FREEWAY. EXTREMELY SCARY AND UNSAFE. I PULLED ALL THE WAY OVER AND DROVE IN THE SLOW LANE. LOOKING/READING ON HERE THERE ARE 4 OTHER PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. I WROTE A COMPLAINT ON HERE OVER 4 YEARS AGO. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO FROM A OUTSIDE PARTY. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A REMEDY AT CHRYSLER EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI #10860606

122,066 miles · Mar 16, 2016
Power TrainCrash

IT ACCELERATES SUDDENLY, MOST OFTEN WHEN BRAKING FROM A HIGH SPEED (LIKE IN RUSH HOUR), BUT ONE TIME IT ACCELERATED AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NO DAMAGE (I GUESS BECAUSE THE SPEEDS WERE LOW). NOW I HAVBE TO DRIVE WITH MY HAND ON THE SHIFTER SO I CAN SLIP IT INTO NEUTRAL IF IT ACCELERATES SUDDENLY. IT ALMOST ALWAYS HAPPENS…

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IT ACCELERATES SUDDENLY, MOST OFTEN WHEN BRAKING FROM A HIGH SPEED (LIKE IN RUSH HOUR), BUT ONE TIME IT ACCELERATED AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NO DAMAGE (I GUESS BECAUSE THE SPEEDS WERE LOW). NOW I HAVBE TO DRIVE WITH MY HAND ON THE SHIFTER SO I CAN SLIP IT INTO NEUTRAL IF IT ACCELERATES SUDDENLY. IT ALMOST ALWAYS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY, EVEN IF I'M PARKED IN RUSH HOUR. IT ALMOST ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN BRAKING FROM A HIGH SPEED (RUSH HOUR AGAIN).

NHTSA ODI #10850092

134,300 miles · Mar 2, 2016
Air BagsPower TrainStructureCrash

HUSBAND WAS GETTING OFF OF AN EXIT AND HIT A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT COME OUT FRONT END OF CAR WAS DAMAGED INCLUDING RADIATOR HOOD FENDER TRANSMISSION BUMPER SKIRTING

NHTSA ODI #10839500

110,000 miles · Oct 9, 2015
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

DRIVING VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHEN I STOP.ON HIGHWAYS... .ENGINE REVS UP CAR GO FASTER LIKE THROTTLE OR GAS PETAL STUCK HAVE TO APPLY BRAKES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES WON'T CHANGE GEARS I HAVE TO RESTART CAR ABOUT THREE TIMES RUNS GOOD FOR COUPLE DAYS DOES SAME HAS BEEN IN SHOP 4 TIMES HAD TIMING BELT AND MOTOR MOUNT REPLACED.…

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DRIVING VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHEN I STOP.ON HIGHWAYS... .ENGINE REVS UP CAR GO FASTER LIKE THROTTLE OR GAS PETAL STUCK HAVE TO APPLY BRAKES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOMETIMES WON'T CHANGE GEARS I HAVE TO RESTART CAR ABOUT THREE TIMES RUNS GOOD FOR COUPLE DAYS DOES SAME HAS BEEN IN SHOP 4 TIMES HAD TIMING BELT AND MOTOR MOUNT REPLACED.NEW IGNITION SWITCH, NOT KEY SIDE BATTERY CHECK ENG. AND BATTERY LIGHT BACK ON DONT COMMUNICATE WITH SHOP DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE.. STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH GEARS AFRAID OF THIS CAR AND HAS NOT FINISH PAYING FOR IT YET

NHTSA ODI #10781015

96,000 miles · Jan 2, 2015
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

IF MY IGNITION SWITCH IS TOO FAR FORWARD MY CAR WILL LOSE POWER AND WHAT TO STOP I FIGURED OUT IF WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON AND MOVE THE SWITCH BACK THE CAR WILL NOT DO THAT BUT IF I FORGET AND LEAVE IT FORWARD IT WILL DO THIS AGAIN ALL MY LIGHTS COME ON AND I LOSE POWER. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE PART OF THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10669532

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

SAME AS NHTSA ACTION # PE07027 & RECALL # 07V291000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629434

84,514 miles · Mar 24, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE UNLESS THE CONTACT APPLIED CONTINUAL PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ONCE THE SPEED REACHED 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE UNLESS THE CONTACT APPLIED CONTINUAL PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ONCE THE SPEED REACHED 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,514.

NHTSA ODI #10574421

45,000 miles · Sep 29, 2013
Power TrainVisibility/wiper

REAR WINDOW WIPER FAILED TO OPERATE. OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT IDENTIFY FUSE LOCATION. POWER TRACE SHOWS POWER TO UNIT, SUSPECT SOFTWARE PROBLEM WHEN OVER 75 DEGREES F. CLUTCH PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND VERY HARD TO SHIFT, WHEN BELOW 60 DEGREES F SHIFTS LIKE GLASS ON GLASS (VERY SMOOTH) HYD CYL. THROW VARIES WITH TEMPERATURE.…

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REAR WINDOW WIPER FAILED TO OPERATE. OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT IDENTIFY FUSE LOCATION. POWER TRACE SHOWS POWER TO UNIT, SUSPECT SOFTWARE PROBLEM WHEN OVER 75 DEGREES F. CLUTCH PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND VERY HARD TO SHIFT, WHEN BELOW 60 DEGREES F SHIFTS LIKE GLASS ON GLASS (VERY SMOOTH) HYD CYL. THROW VARIES WITH TEMPERATURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546086

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

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.