2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (61) · Engine (34) · Air Bags (20)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chrysler Pt Cruiser model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
305 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (55)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2021-04-07 · 9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transmission kit with torque converter 1. all promaster (vf) 3.6l/62te equipped vehicles. if the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (part number 06511385a$) are one-time usage. vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires service kit p
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Electrical System:ignition:anti-Theft:immobilizer/Proximity:key/Sender 2020-07-22 · 9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
key, master if replacing the key/fobik on a wj, kj, tj, or pt cruiser, use the "ac" nic level part number. the "ab" nic level will not program to these platforms. for all other platforms, if the "ab" nic level will not program to the vehicle, use the "ac" nic level part and submit a part warranty.
Structure 2020-04-30 · 23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
disinfectant solution recommended for covid-19
Equipment 2020-04-22 · 08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
charging system, battery diagnostic tools and warranty this information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.
Structure 2019-11-20 · 3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
use of aftermarket parts this bulletin involves discussing fca us llc position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
Showing the 6 most recent of 55 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-04-17 · Service Brakes“see attached document for complaint. …”
2022-06-03 · Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields“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. …”
2021-08-01 · Engine“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…”
2021-01-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 77,000 mi“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 d…”
2020-10-16 · Power Train · 50,000 mi“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 indepen…”
2020-06-08 · Unknown Or Other · 100,000 mi“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…”
2020-05-21 · Steering · 197,000 mi“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 fl…”
2020-03-28 · Steering“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…”
2020-01-09 · Electrical System · 48,000 mi“on 12/21/2018 i took my car to the oregon department of environmental quality to have it inspected so i could get my new tags. i had passed every two years but not this time. i was told there was a new law that required the vin to show up on the report when they hook up their equipment to my onboard computer/diagnostic system and mine did not. i wa…”
2019-12-20 · Power Train · 65,000 mi“engine lights come on randomly. idle speeds inconsistent. windshield cracked straight across we had no idea what happened until we read an article about chrysler’s defective totally integrated power modules problems titled “chrysler tipms causing power problems…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.