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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
120,000 miles · Nov 13, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIME…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10790256

49,861 miles · Oct 24, 2015
Electrical System

I STARTED UP MY PT CRUISER AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON EXCEPT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE CHIME CAME ON LIKE DOOR OPEN OR LIGHTS STILL ON. IDLED FINE BUT LIGHTS DID NOT TURN OFF TILL I TURNED OFF ENGINE, STARTED WITH NO LIGHTS AFTER.. I SEE THAT THIS A PROBLEM READING SEVERAL OTHER POSTS.

NHTSA ODI #10785749

102,000 miles · Oct 18, 2015
Electrical System

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE PANEL STARTS FLASHING, ALL THE GAGES GO TO ZERO AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN, SOMETIMES COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN IT SLOWS, IT SEEMS TO KICK BACK INTO GEAR AND I AM ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. AT TIMES, I HAVE TO PUT TO PULL OFF HIGHWAY COMPLETELY AND TURN OFF ENGINE FOR A M…

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ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE PANEL STARTS FLASHING, ALL THE GAGES GO TO ZERO AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN, SOMETIMES COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN IT SLOWS, IT SEEMS TO KICK BACK INTO GEAR AND I AM ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. AT TIMES, I HAVE TO PUT TO PULL OFF HIGHWAY COMPLETELY AND TURN OFF ENGINE FOR A MINUTE OR SO BEFORE STARTING IT AGAIN. IT IS HAPPENING SO FREQUENTLY NOW THAT EVEN PULLING OFF TO SHUT IT DOWN FOR AWHILE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WON'T START ACTING UP.. THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, ON THE 16TH OF OCTOBER WAS THE LAST TIME I EXPERIENCEDTHE PPROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10783156

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

74,000 miles · Sep 29, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT CRANK SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT CRANK SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10778525

79,000 miles · Sep 13, 2015
Electrical System

CAR HAS DEMONSTRATED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES...LIGHTS TURNING ON AND OFF, HORN NOT TURNING OFF, INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING UP AND FLASHIING OR NOT COMING ON AT ALL. THIS HAS CULMINATED IN ALL POWER IN CAR TURNING OFF WHILE ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENT AS HAD TO FIGHT TO PULL CAR OVER. TOOK CAR FOR REPAIRS...TINIMNG BE…

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CAR HAS DEMONSTRATED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES...LIGHTS TURNING ON AND OFF, HORN NOT TURNING OFF, INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING UP AND FLASHIING OR NOT COMING ON AT ALL. THIS HAS CULMINATED IN ALL POWER IN CAR TURNING OFF WHILE ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENT AS HAD TO FIGHT TO PULL CAR OVER. TOOK CAR FOR REPAIRS...TINIMNG BELT REPLACED, ALTERNATOR REPLACED...INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN AT 65 MILES AN HOUR RIDING DOWN A STEEP GRADE ON FREEWAY. DOES SOMEONE ACTUALLY HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE...RESEARCHING THIS TOPIC SHOWS HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS

NHTSA ODI #10763400

165,000 miles · Sep 1, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

ALL LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHES ON-OFF. SOMETIMES THE GAUGES WILL ZERO-OUT AND GO BACK TO NORMAL POSITION. SOMETIMES WHEN THE LIGHTS FLASH AND GAUGES ZERO-OUT, THERE WILL BE A QUICK POWER LOSS. MAYBE 2-3% OF THE TIME POWER LOSS WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL ALMOST NEEDED TO PULL OVER. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN…

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ALL LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHES ON-OFF. SOMETIMES THE GAUGES WILL ZERO-OUT AND GO BACK TO NORMAL POSITION. SOMETIMES WHEN THE LIGHTS FLASH AND GAUGES ZERO-OUT, THERE WILL BE A QUICK POWER LOSS. MAYBE 2-3% OF THE TIME POWER LOSS WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL ALMOST NEEDED TO PULL OVER. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN THE HEAT AND POSSIBLY RAIN OR DAY AFTER A HEAVY RAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10760870

43,000 miles · Aug 7, 2015
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsVehicle Speed Control

ALMOST 3 MONTHS AGO, THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED FLASHING. THE GAS GAUGE, THE SPEEDOMETER, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT, AND OTHER LIGHTS, EXCEPT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, FLASHED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM EVEN USING THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL. IN JUL…

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ALMOST 3 MONTHS AGO, THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED FLASHING. THE GAS GAUGE, THE SPEEDOMETER, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT, AND OTHER LIGHTS, EXCEPT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, FLASHED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM EVEN USING THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL. IN JULY, AFTER SERVICING THE CAR (TUNE-UP) AND WITH MY REPORTING THE CONTINUATION OF THE INTERMITTENT FLASHING, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY KEPT IT FOR TWO DAYS AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE AND THEREFORE DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. FOR THAT I PAID $145.00. SOMETIMES WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING AND THE INDICATORS ARE ACTING CRAZY, THE CAR HAS SLOWED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STOP. ON TUESDAY OF THIS WEEK, THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF COMPLETELY WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE AFTER STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK AND THEN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER CORP. CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO WERE NOT HELPFUL. I HAVE LOOKED ON-LINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISER. I AM AFRAID THIS STOPPAGE WILL HAPPEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND I WILL BE INJURED OR KILLED. IF THIS IS AND HAS BEEN A PROBLEM, WOULD YOU NOT THINK CHRYSLER WOULD TRY TO FIX IT BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. I DO PLAN TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN, HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND I DO NOT WISH TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR UNFRUITFUL DIAGNOSES. I HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE - MAYBE THEY WILL TRY TO FIND A "FIX". THANK YOU. *TR.....UPDATED 09-29-15 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10747134

25,000 miles · Jul 31, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I WAS ENTERING HIGHWAY AND I STEPPED ON THE EXCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 45MPH AND STARTED TO STALL ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD LIT UP AND THERE WAS A SEMI TRUCK GOING 70 MPH COMMING FROM BEHIND ALMOST REAR ENDED ME I HAVE NOW HAD TO CHANGE 4 SENSORS IN THIS VEHICAL NOW JUST RECENTLY MY HUSBAND HAD THE SA…

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I WAS ENTERING HIGHWAY AND I STEPPED ON THE EXCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 45MPH AND STARTED TO STALL ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD LIT UP AND THERE WAS A SEMI TRUCK GOING 70 MPH COMMING FROM BEHIND ALMOST REAR ENDED ME I HAVE NOW HAD TO CHANGE 4 SENSORS IN THIS VEHICAL NOW JUST RECENTLY MY HUSBAND HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF COMPLETLY WHILE HE WAS DRIVING.,

NHTSA ODI #10745226

30,000 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS UNABLE TO START. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000...UPDATED 02/01/16 *BF UPDATED 12/13/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10744550

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.