Model year record
The 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 1 safety recall and 349 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (144 complaints).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
| City / highway | 19 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
| City / highway | 19 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
| City / highway | 19 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
| City / highway | 19 / 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
| City / highway | 19 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
| City / highway | 19 / 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
| City / highway | 17 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
| City / highway | 17 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemHorn; Instrument cluster/panel | 144 | 59,085 mi |
| Engine | 55 | 70,000 mi |
| VisibilityGlass, side/rear; Windshield | 39 | 48,160 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system › Radiator assembly | 37 | 41,000 mi |
| Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module | 35 | 45,436 mi |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission | 28 | 61,585 mi |
| Exterior lightingHeadlights; Tail lights | 21 | 84,288 mi |
| SteeringHydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections; Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm | 18 | 71,000 mi |
| StructureBody; Body › Hatchback/liftgate | 15 | 77,250 mi |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 15 | 85,300 mi |
| Unknown or other | 13 | 51,664 mi |
| Visibility/wiper | 11 | 90,000 mi |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
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
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.
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.
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
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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
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.
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.