YearToAvoid

2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Engine Problems

NHTSA has 96 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 28% of all 349 complaints for this model year. That is the highest engine complaint count among 6 PT Cruiser model years. These complaints report 5 crashes and 1 fire. Median mileage at failure: 61,046 miles.

Engine complaints
96
28% of 349 complaints
All complaints this year
349
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
61,046 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 12, 2006, latest Aug 1, 2021.

2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter72006 Q32008 Q32010 Q32012 Q32014 Q22015 Q42017 Q32019 Q2
96 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q3 to 2021 Q3; peak 2016 Q2 (7).

Engine recalls for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by PT Cruiser model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200545 (24%)
  2. 200696 (28%)
  3. 200754 (36%)
  4. 200825 (22%)
  5. 200940 (41%)
  6. 20107 (32%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser have engine problems?
NHTSA has 96 owner complaints about the engine in the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 28% of all complaints for this model year, including 5 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 61,046 miles.
Which Chrysler PT Cruiser year has the most engine complaints?
The 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser has the most engine complaints (96), compared with 96 for the 2006.
Is there a engine recall for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.