AI Damage2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser filed 349 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 349
- involving a crash
- 35
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 40% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 16% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 13% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 138 complaints (40% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 55 complaints (16% of all).
- Visibility: 47 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 36 complaints (10% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 35 complaints (10% of all), 21 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 3 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 3 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 3 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 349 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 | 138 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 55 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 47 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 36 | 5 | 0 |
| Air bags | 35 | 21 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 28 | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 18 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 15 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 15 | 5 | 0 |
| Suspension | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 8 | 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.
My car's engine light came on again on 12-11-17 and my car accelerated by itself, and we crashed!!! This was only nineteen (19) days after my car's very last visit to las vegas chapman #dodge chrysler on 11-21-17. Our car sustained great body damage. It cannot be driven. Thank father god no one was killed!!!
She says the seat belt didnt lock, and she flew up a bit from her seat. She had a huge bruise under her thigh too. She was sitting in the passenger seat. My nephew had little bruising in the driver seat. The other car that was involved, the driver was ok.. And walking too.
Car was rear ended and shoved into another car while waiting at a red light. Front and rear end crushed, bumper came off, radiator and front end damage, windshield broken. Air bag did not deploy.
The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained leg, chest, back and head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
When we got the car back we noticed that the airbag light would stay on for a minute or two and then go off. This continues to happen. The car repair shop checked seat belts and such. The air bags did not deploy as this was a rear end collision. I feel like this is a safety hazard.
The contact also stated that the air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact received a concussion and a compression of the disk in his lower back. The contact stated that the manufacturer told them they were not hit hard enough for the air bags to deploy. The failure mileage and current mileage was 30,609.
It was discovered during repairs that both right and left lower control arms were defective. Had to have them replaced along with other damage by tire dealer.
While driving at speeds of 50 mph or more, the vehicle would stall. The contact also stated that the vehicle would unintentionally switch gears from drive to reverse without driver intent. The vehicle switched gears without warning while driving in reverse and the vehicle crashed into a mailbox.
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 1,157 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 3% most complained about).
On average one model year of the PT Cruiser has 230 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 349, 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.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, visibility. Total complaints: 349. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (20%), stalls while driving (14%), headlights and tail lights (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
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 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 2026-11-05.