CHRYSLER PT CRUISER · model year

2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER

512 NHTSA complaints, 55 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006CHRYSLERPT CRUISER carries 512 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 55 crashes, 6 fires, 33 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 PT CRUISER is electrical system with 122 filings, followed by engine (55) and air bags (29). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 88 investigation files overlapping the 2006 PT CRUISER, and 7 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

512
Complaints
55
Crashes
6
Fires
33
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

512 filings

Crashes Reported

55 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM122
ENGINE55
AIR BAGS29
POWER TRAIN22
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING20
EXTERIOR LIGHTING16
STEERING15
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)15
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN13
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13
VISIBILITY13
VISIBILITY/WIPER11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE10
STRUCTURE:BODY8

Recalls (1)

07V14900004/04/2007

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR QUARTER GLASS ATTACHING FASTENERS MAY PULL THROUGH THEIR MOUNTS AND ALLOW THE GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Recent Complaints

20250417SERVICE BRAKES

See attached document for complaint.

20221105AIR BAGS

Air bag warning light on

20220603STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

I heard a strange noise, so I looked under the front end of the car. Saw all that missing. This has happened in the last two weeks. I do not drive in bad weather.

20210801ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

all of the dash board instrument cluster lights turn on breifly,car speed starts to drop, lights on dash turn back off,[ all except seat belt lights] then car seems to restart itself and will reaccelerate.all this happens while we are driving in traffic at highway speeds, this is not good and could result in a very serious incident, not only for us but for othe

20210801ENGINE

all of the dash board instrument cluster lights turn on breifly,car speed starts to drop, lights on dash turn back off,[ all except seat belt lights] then car seems to restart itself and will reaccelerate.all this happens while we are driving in traffic at highway speeds, this is not good and could result in a very serious incident, not only for us but for othe

20210105FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL ODOR IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT INVESTIGATED AND FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS FOUND. THE LEAK IS AT THE CONNECTION FROM THE FUEL TANK TO THE FUEL RAIL CONNECTION. THE CONNECTION IS ON THE VEHICLE RIGHT/PASSENGER SIDE AND AGAINST THE FIRE WALL. IF NO RECALL, AT LEAST ALL REGISTERED DRIVERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. LEAK WAS DISCOVERED ON 1ST LOOK DUE TO GOOGLE SEARCH OF ISSUE. ISSUE IS NOTICED AT START UP AND DISAPPEARS (LEAK CONTINUES) WITH VEHICLE SPEED OR WITH AIR FLOW DILUTION. CUSTOMERS NEED TO FIX OR FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF A UNDER HOOD FIRE. THANKS.

Mileage: 77,000

20201016POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

20200608POWER TRAIN

THE CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING AT IDLE. WHEN DRIVING, IT MAINTAINS THE CORRECT TEMPERATURE AND RETURNS TO IT EVEN IF IT HAS GONE UP. IDLING AT A DRIVE THRU IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE A FULL OVERHEAT WITH SMOKE. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, A LOUD BUBBLING CAN BE HEARD. THE ENTIRE FAN ASSEMBLY AND HARNESS WAS JUST REPLACED. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING. ORIGINALLY, FAN WOULD NOT TURN OFF ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. EVEN WHEN CAR WAS OFF. SPENT MANY MONTHS HAVING TO REMOVE THE FUSE BECAUSE THE RAN WOULD RUN THE ENGINE DRY OF POWER. THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVEN AFTER SHORT DRIVES WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND OFF. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20200608UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING AT IDLE. WHEN DRIVING, IT MAINTAINS THE CORRECT TEMPERATURE AND RETURNS TO IT EVEN IF IT HAS GONE UP. IDLING AT A DRIVE THRU IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE A FULL OVERHEAT WITH SMOKE. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, A LOUD BUBBLING CAN BE HEARD. THE ENTIRE FAN ASSEMBLY AND HARNESS WAS JUST REPLACED. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING. ORIGINALLY, FAN WOULD NOT TURN OFF ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. EVEN WHEN CAR WAS OFF. SPENT MANY MONTHS HAVING TO REMOVE THE FUSE BECAUSE THE RAN WOULD RUN THE ENGINE DRY OF POWER. THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVEN AFTER SHORT DRIVES WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND OFF. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20200521STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A SHARP LEFT TURN INTO HER GARAGE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK FROM A HOLE ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OLYMPIA CHRYSLER JEEP LOCATED AT 2110 CARRIAGE DR SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502, (360) 754-5500, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

Mileage: 197,000

20200328STEERING

I HAVE A PROBLEM WHIT MY STEERING WHEEL PUMP ON MY 06 PT. CRUISER AND FOR WHAT I HAVE. READ ON THE INTERNET THERE'S IS OTHER YEARS LIKE 03 04 05 THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IS BEEN FIX BY DEALER BUT NOT ON THE 06 WHICH I KNOW ALOT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS ME AND HONESTLY THIS IS PRETTY UNSAFE FOR DRIVERS

20200109ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 12/21/2018 I TOOK MY CAR TO THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO HAVE IT INSPECTED SO I COULD GET MY NEW TAGS. I HAD PASSED EVERY TWO YEARS BUT NOT THIS TIME. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A NEW LAW THAT REQUIRED THE VIN TO SHOW UP ON THE REPORT WHEN THEY HOOK UP THEIR EQUIPMENT TO MY ONBOARD COMPUTER/DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND MINE DID NOT. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED INTO MY SYSTEM BY A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. I SPENT THE NEXT SIX MONTHS TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY IT WAS MISSING AND WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE BUT JUST GOT THE RUN AROUND OR OFFERS TO FIX IT FOR A LOT OF MONEY THAT THE DEQ INSPECTOR TOLD ME WAS UNNECESSARY WHEN I WENT THROUGH DEQ THE SECOND TIME IN MAY OF 2019. I EVEN WROTE TO CHRYSLER BUT TO NO AVAIL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR WASN'T RECALLED IF THIS INFORMATION IS REQUIRED BY LAW BUT MINE IS MISSING AND SHOWS UP ON THE DEQ REPORT. I'VE INCLUDED THE TWO REPORTS I HAVE FROM 12/21/2018 AND 5/15/2019. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE ME. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 48,000

20191220ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY. IDLE SPEEDS INCONSISTENT. WINDSHIELD CRACKED STRAIGHT ACROSS WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL WE READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT CHRYSLER’S DEFECTIVE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULES PROBLEMS TITLED “CHRYSLER TIPMS CAUSING POWER PROBLEMS

Mileage: 65,000

20191220ENGINE

ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY. IDLE SPEEDS INCONSISTENT. WINDSHIELD CRACKED STRAIGHT ACROSS WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL WE READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT CHRYSLER’S DEFECTIVE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULES PROBLEMS TITLED “CHRYSLER TIPMS CAUSING POWER PROBLEMS

Mileage: 65,000

20191220POWER TRAIN

ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY. IDLE SPEEDS INCONSISTENT. WINDSHIELD CRACKED STRAIGHT ACROSS WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL WE READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT CHRYSLER’S DEFECTIVE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULES PROBLEMS TITLED “CHRYSLER TIPMS CAUSING POWER PROBLEMS

Mileage: 65,000

20191028VISIBILITY/WIPER

DRIVER REAR QUARTER WINDOW COMING LOOSE FROM CAR.

Mileage: 114,000

20190824CrashAIR BAGS

STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME FRONT END AND REAR END DAMAGE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY

Mileage: 45,000

20190824CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME FRONT END AND REAR END DAMAGE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY

Mileage: 45,000

20190824CrashSEAT BELTS

STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME FRONT END AND REAR END DAMAGE AIR BAGS DIDNT DEPLOY

Mileage: 45,000

20190812FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

QUICK CONNECT FITTING ON THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE AT FIREWALL LEAKS FUEL, WHICH IS A FIRE HAZARD. THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE FROM THERE TO THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO, BUT NOW IT LEAKS AGAIN. FROM WHAT I HEAR, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS. THE O-RINGS CAN'T HANDLE THE CONSTANT ROTATIONAL MOTION BECAUSE OF THE ROCKING OF THE ENGINE BACK AND FORTH. CHRYSLER SHOULD ENGINEER A PROPER FIX.

Mileage: 135,000

Compare 2006CHRYSLERPT CRUISER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 7 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER have?
The 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER has 512 NHTSA complaints, 55 crashes, 6 fires, 33 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER?
Yes, the 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER?
The most-complained component for the 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 122 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.