2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 349 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (29% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 and 2007 and 2008 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 349 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2022
“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”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2021
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2020
“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”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2020
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2019
“My car is hanging up in a lower gear may gear 2 and the engine is raising. The engine light is on. It has done this a few times while driving the car. Sometimes the engine light goes off and it runs like a great vehicle but then it will hang up and get stuck in a lower gear! I have been driving inner city when this happens and afraid to take it on the highway.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2019
“Vehicle has same timp and failed fuel pump relay of recall units from manufacturer affecting 2007-2014, jeep, durango, and town and country. Several mechanics previously could not find the issue with stalling and poor acceleration. This occurred and worsened over 6 months, before the fuel pump finally failing.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2019
“Airbag on passenger side does not work. Have had car worked on several times. New computer installed. Am told it is the tipm. Engine light comes on throwing car into limping mode. Will not go above 45 mph. Only has 58,000 miles on it. Havent had wreck yet”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle failed to shift into third gear and failed to display the proper gear. The contact stated that unknown warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to abernethy chrysler dodge jeep ram (located at 1442 e main st, lincolnton, nc 28092, (704) 732-1890) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced (code: p0700). The vehicle was repaired twice by an independent mechanic in december, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 157,000. *dt”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 35 of these complaints and injuries in 25 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR QUARTER GLASS ATTACHING FASTENERS MAY PULL THROUGH THEIR MOUNTS AND ALLOW THE GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR QUARTER GLASS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact PT Cruiser by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
NHTSA has 349 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The most complained-about area is electrical system (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 58,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning visibility:glass, side/rear. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.