2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems, Recalls & Reliability
512 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, alongside 1 recall campaign and 2 defect investigations. It scores 65/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 65,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2006 sits among all PT Cruiser years
What owners report
“Engine lights come on randomly. Idle speeds inconsistent. Windshield cracked straight across”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 PT Cruiser
“While driving, the motor shut off and then started again within a few seconds. I was almost rear ended when turning a corner. This has happened several times.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 PT Cruiser
“Whilst driving on the freeway my rear driver's side visibility window flew off of my car and nearly hit the vehicle driving in the fast lane to my immediate left at 65mph. They had to swerve to avoid a collision with it. I stopped on the side of the road and picked it up.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 PT Cruiser
“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”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 PT Cruiser
“Loses power then surges while driving. Like it is going to die then it suddenly surges and drives ok. It doesn't do it often, but it is scary when it does. Also, when it does this, my check engine light will come on? Someone told me this could be related to the clutch. How can that be a clutch…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 PT Cruiser
“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 to NHTSA, 2006 PT Cruiser
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 438 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 60,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 37,000 and 92,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (1)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR QUARTER GLASS ATTACHING FASTENERS MAY PULL THROUGH THEIR MOUNTS AND ALLOW THE GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR QUARTER GLASS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 07V149000.
Technical service bulletins
55 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and body & structure — are on file for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2006 PT Cruiser TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
The 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser drew 512 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 65/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).
What are the most common 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems?
The top reported problems for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser are electrical (168 complaints), engine (92), and visibility & wipers (50).
At what mileage do 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems show up?
Owners most often report 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems around 60,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 37,000 and 92,000 miles.
Does the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser have recalls?
1 recall campaign applies to the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.