2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 PT Cruiser ranks worst of 6 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 349 complaints — mostly electrical (42%) and engine (28%) issues. It carries 1 recall for rear quarter glass separation and is rated Avoid.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 6 PT Cruiser years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 349
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 35
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 25
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 24.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 1
Top 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System148 (42%)
- Engine96 (28%)
- Visibility & Wipers47 (13%)
- Airbags35 (10%)
- Brakes29 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain28 (8%)
- Structure & Body22 (6%)
- Other19 (5%)
- Steering18 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal and side-impact collisions at speeds around 30 to 50 mph, leaving drivers with head, neck, and shoulder injuries.
- Some owners describe the transmission failing to downshift or engage properly, causing the vehicle to fail to slow down before a crash.
- Electrical problems are described alongside stalling engines, illuminated check-engine lights, and brakes and other systems locking up during a crash.
- Owners report the engine overheating with smoke from the engine compartment when the air conditioner was running, even though dealer inspections found no fault.
- A steering knuckle reportedly broke while driving around 40 mph, causing loss of control and a crash into rocks.
- One owner reported a fire linked to a hydraulic power assist hose malfunction related to a steering recall.
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 07V149000Apr 4, 2007Visibility & Wipers38,447 vehicles
Visibility:glass, side/rear
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear quarter glass attaching fasteners may pull through their mounts and allow the glass to separate from the vehicle.
Risk: If the glass separates while driving, it could strike another vehicle or injure a pedestrian.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear quarter glass. The recall began on april 30, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 PT Cruiser ranks worst among the 6 model years with data, with a complaint index of 100 and 349 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 PT Cruiser?
- Electrical system complaints make up 42% of reports, followed by engine issues at 28%, visibility/wiper problems at 13%, and airbag complaints at 10%.
- Does the 2006 PT Cruiser have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 07V149000) covers rear quarter glass fasteners that could pull through their mounts and let the glass separate from the vehicle.
- What year PT Cruiser should I avoid?
- The 2006 and 2007 models both carry an Avoid verdict, with 2006 ranked worst overall; 2010 has the lowest complaint index at 0 and is rated Best.
- At what mileage do 2006 PT Cruiser problems typically appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 55,000 miles overall, with electrical failures around 60,000 miles and engine failures around 61,045 miles.