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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
91,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011
Air BagsEquipmentCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 PT CRUISER AND A GIRL DRIVING A GRAND CHEROKEE JEEP RAN A STOP SIGN AND HIT ME IN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER AND DRIVER DOOR. MY THREE CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME. THE IMPACT FLIPPED MY CAR 3 OR MORE TIMES LANDING US ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. NEITHER OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FROM THE IMPACT. I WAS DRIVING …

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 PT CRUISER AND A GIRL DRIVING A GRAND CHEROKEE JEEP RAN A STOP SIGN AND HIT ME IN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT FENDER AND DRIVER DOOR. MY THREE CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME. THE IMPACT FLIPPED MY CAR 3 OR MORE TIMES LANDING US ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. NEITHER OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FROM THE IMPACT. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND SHE WAS COMING DOWN A HILL TO THE STOP SIGN BUT SHOWED NO SIGN OF SLOWING DOWN. HER SPEED WAS PROBABLY AROUND 50 MPH. THE POINT OF CONTACT WAS AT THE DRIVERS DOOR AND FENDER AND IT WAS CRUSHED. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE A NECK INJURY FROM THE WHIPLASH AND THE FLIPPING OF THE CAR AND NOT SURE AT THIS POINT IF IT WILL EVER GET BETTER. IT HAS BEEN 7 MTHS. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD BE MADE LIABLE FOR THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING WITH SUCH AN IMPACT AS WE HAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384383

40,000 miles · Feb 16, 2011
Air BagsEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE AIR BAG LIGHT STOPPED ILLUMINATING BUT ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE AIR BAG LIGHT STOPPED ILLUMINATING BUT ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN ILLUMINATING AND FLUCTUATING INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10382992

37,238 miles · Feb 8, 2011
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ONLY OPERATE WHEN ON THE HIGH SETTING BUT NOT ON ANY OTHER SETTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,238 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA ODI #10381124

28,000 miles · Feb 7, 2011
Service Brakes, Air

I HAVE HAD HUGE BREAK ISSUES. I HAD TO REPLACE THREE TIMES THE BRAKES AND ROTOR IN MY CAR. IT ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST INSTANCE WAS AT 28,000. THEN 40,000....AND NOW AGAIN. I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT PT CRUISER BRAKE PROBLEMS, AND HOW PREVALENT THEY ARE. I AM SURPRISED THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10380984

60,300 miles · Feb 1, 2011
Visibility

OVER THE PAST THREE WEEKS THE FRONT WIPERS HAVE BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, THIS MORNING THEY STOPPED COMPLETELY. THEY FROZE IN THE ON/UP POSITION BLOCKING MY VIEW WHILE DRIVING. THEY DID CREEP THEIR WAY DOWN AND ARE CURRENTLY STOPPED ABOUT 1/4 OF THE WAY UP ON THE WINDSHIELD. I AM CONCERNED THAT THEY WON'T WORK ON ONE OF OU…

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OVER THE PAST THREE WEEKS THE FRONT WIPERS HAVE BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, THIS MORNING THEY STOPPED COMPLETELY. THEY FROZE IN THE ON/UP POSITION BLOCKING MY VIEW WHILE DRIVING. THEY DID CREEP THEIR WAY DOWN AND ARE CURRENTLY STOPPED ABOUT 1/4 OF THE WAY UP ON THE WINDSHIELD. I AM CONCERNED THAT THEY WON'T WORK ON ONE OF OUR MANY RAINY DAYS IN OREGON, LUCKILY TODAY IS A DRY DAY.

NHTSA ODI #10380590

90,000 miles · Jan 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OIL FILL BLEW OUT SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FAULTY CRANK SHAFT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OIL FILL BLEW OUT SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FAULTY CRANK SHAFT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 125,000. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF UPDATED 03/08/11

NHTSA ODI #10376646

79,100 miles · Jan 5, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DRIVING ALONG WHEN POWER BRAKES FAILED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, DRAMATICALLY INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE AND EFFORT TO APPLY BRAKES. CAP FOR BRAKE VACUUM POWER BOOST MISSING - CAP REPLACED. CAP MUST HAVE DISLODGED OR FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, SINCE POWER BRAKES WORKED ON SAME TRIP PRIOR TO INCIDENT AT INTERSECTION. FORTUNATEL…

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DRIVING ALONG WHEN POWER BRAKES FAILED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, DRAMATICALLY INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE AND EFFORT TO APPLY BRAKES. CAP FOR BRAKE VACUUM POWER BOOST MISSING - CAP REPLACED. CAP MUST HAVE DISLODGED OR FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, SINCE POWER BRAKES WORKED ON SAME TRIP PRIOR TO INCIDENT AT INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES WAITING AT INTERSECTION OR ELSE AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10374723

3,000 miles · Dec 16, 2010
Electrical System

CHRYSLER 2006 PT CRUISER TOURING EDITION. HORN VERY HARD TO OPERATE ,TAKES MORE EFFORT TO MAKE THIS HORN WORK FROM THE STEERING WHEEL THAN MOST CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370983

62,000 miles · Dec 13, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED A 2006 PT CRUISER TOURING EDITION IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010, LESS THEN ONE MONTH LATER THE CAR BEGAN POURING OUT OIL. TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED IT WAS EITHER THE CRANK SHAFT OR CAM SHAFT SEALS. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD MAKE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS RETURNED WITHIN A WEE…

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I PURCHASED A 2006 PT CRUISER TOURING EDITION IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010, LESS THEN ONE MONTH LATER THE CAR BEGAN POURING OUT OIL. TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED IT WAS EITHER THE CRANK SHAFT OR CAM SHAFT SEALS. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD MAKE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS RETURNED WITHIN A WEEK WITH A NEW HEAD GASKET, CAM SHAFT SEAL AND CRANK SHAFT SEAL AND SINCE IT WAS RIGHT AT 62,000 MILES A NEW WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT. 1 MONTH LATER THE CAR WAS AGAIN LEAKING OIL. CAR IS IN SHOP CURRENTLY, NOT SURE WHAT THEY HAVE DECIDED TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370486

20,000 miles · Dec 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT OIL CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEAL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT OIL CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10369637

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.