Total Complaints
512 filings
CHRYSLER PT CRUISER · model year
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.
Total Complaints
512 filings
Crashes Reported
55 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 122 |
| ENGINE | 55 |
| AIR BAGS | 29 |
| POWER TRAIN | 22 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 20 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 16 |
| STEERING | 15 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 15 |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 14 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 13 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 13 |
| VISIBILITY | 13 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 11 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 10 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 8 |
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.
See attached document for complaint.
Air bag warning light on
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
DRIVER REAR QUARTER WINDOW COMING LOOSE FROM CAR.
Mileage: 114,000
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
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
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
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
Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures
Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering
Recall 19V-293 Post Remedy Failures
Engine Stall With Intermittent Restart
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.