2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
The 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser has 512 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (28%) concerns electrical system. After that come engine (17%) and wipers, windshield & visibility (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 512 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 28% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 55 and 6
- Injuries and deaths
- 33 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 60,000 miles 450 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 53 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 84 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 87 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 74 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 62 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 43 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 29 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 7 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 9 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 450 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 60,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 59,000 miles (128 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 55 complaints mention a crash; 6 complaints mention a fire; 33 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2006 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 10 model years of the Chrysler PT Cruiser with enough data (224 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
The owner of the vehicle, isabel huerta was struck and killed by her own vehicle when the transmissions suddenly slipped from park to reverse. The transmission has a design flaw that allows the shifter to be placed in a "false park" position. She was swept under the vehicle by the open door, and was crushed to death by her own vehicle. Her body was found under the vehicle with the wheel on her chest...updated 11/08/17 please note odi 10876328 is 116 page long. See document for further info.
I was driving my 2006 pt cruiser and a girl driving a grand cherokee jeep ran a stop sign and hit me in the driver side front fender and driver door. My three children were in the car with me. The impact flipped my car 3 or more times landing us on the drivers side. Neither of airbags deployed from the impact. I was driving at approximately 45 MPH and she was coming down a hill to the stop sign but showed no sign of slowing down. Her speed was probably around 50 MPH.
Car has demonstrated multiple electrical issues...lights turning on and off, horn not turning off, instrument panel lighting up and flashiing or not coming on at all. This has culminated in all power in car turning off while on the freeway causing near accident as had to fight to pull car over. Took car for repairs...tinimng belt replaced, alternator replaced...incident occurred again at 65 miles an hour riding down a steep grade on freeway.
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