AI Damage2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Conv: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Conv filed 24 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 24
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 54% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 25% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 21% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 13% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 13% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 8 Electronic stability control 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 13 complaints (54% of all).
- Engine: 6 complaints (25% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (21% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (13% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 24 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
No warning lights or failure codes to address this issue. 10/18 driving 40mph large busy city street, going straight, with no warning the car failed. 40mph to sudden slow roll engine failed. Lost power steering. Radio stayed on. Was able to get to side of road but not fully out of traffic lane.
Power steering leaking, took to chrysler dealer . The dealer did not tell me there was a recall on the power steering . The dealer told me to buy another chrysler.
Where the fuel line in the engine compartment connects to the main fuel line from the tank at the fire wall, there is a fuel drip above the exhaust manifold. This line leaks fuel where it connects to the main line. It has been replaced one time already and continues to leak.
If you investigate my vin, you will see that from soon after I bought my car, I had a weird problem where the gauges would go crazy, the dash lights all light up, and sometimes experience full engine shut down, if not just have an accelerator fail while driving.
I kept having problems with the car shutting down and / or the steering locking on me. Started in september and had to "continually" go back to the dealer over & over & over again just to have them say they've check the diagnostics and nothing is showing up.
The car would not rev or nothing but the lights, radio all worked. I got towed to a mechanic that was not chrysler and they checked and the engine and battery & alternator and was fine.
All the dash lights will come on and blink. All gauges go to 0. Sometimes the engine will shut off for a few seconds (no power steering or brakes) then restart all by it's self. I can be parked in the garage or going down the road, that doesn't seem to matter.
20, 2010, I was returning home in my 2006 chrysler pt cruiser convertible when I noticed a "burning" odor inside the car and saw a lot of smoke coming from the passenger side of the engine. My husband and I had the car towed to a dealership to see what happened and get the necessary repair.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,585 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the PT Cruiser Conv has 15 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 24, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Conv?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 24. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (33%), steering or power steering problems (21%), A/C or heater (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Conv?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Conv from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2006 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.