RoadVitals

2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Conv

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Oct 29, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 24 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Conv, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and steering categories. 29 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1335.1%
  • Engine1129.7%
  • Steering38.1%
  • Fuel system38.1%
  • Powertrain (other)25.4%
  • Driver assistance25.4%
  • Visibility12.7%
  • Other / unspecified12.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 29, 2018

PT CRUISER PCM FAILURE. I BOUGHT THIS USED 2/18. CAR LOSING ITS TURBO POWER, GAS CONSUMPTION AND MILAGE HORRIBLE. 5MILES/GALLON. O2 SENSORS REPLACED 6/18. REPLACED BATTERY 7/18. CAR HAD BEEN AND CONTINUED TO HAVE HARD STARTING SINCE 6/18. OFTEN IT WOULD TAKE 2 ATTEMPTS TO START IGNITION. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR FAILURE CODES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. 10/18 DRIVING 40MPH LARGE BUSY CITY STREET, GOING STRAIGHT, WITH NO WARNING THE CAR FAILED. 40MPH TO SUDDEN SLOW ROLL ENGINE FAILED. LOST POWER STEERING. RADIO STAYED ON. WAS ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD BUT NOT FULLY OUT OF TRAFFIC LANE. CITY BUS ALMOST STRUCK MY CAR. NORMALLY A MOVE LIKE THAT INCLUDES BRAKE LIGHTS OR SIGNALING. THAT WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO ME, SO SCARY. STILL NO WARNING LIGHTS. CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER, SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS CLOSE, BUT NEVER DID. 6 HOURS AT MECHANIC, PCM FAILED. NEEDS REPLACEMENT. $1300 FOR NEW PCM. CAN'T AFFORD IT.

NHTSA ID
11143724
Incident
Oct 19, 2018
Mileage
73,399 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 25, 2018

CAR IN MOTION, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON , LOST POWER, WAS NEARLY HIT FROM CAR BEHIND ME.

NHTSA ID
11113577
Incident
Jul 9, 2018
Mileage
15,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 21, 2016

POWER STEERING LEAKING, TOOK TO CHRYSLER DEALER . THE DEALER DID NOT TELL ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING . THE DEALER TOLD ME TO BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER.

NHTSA ID
10850668
Incident
Oct 23, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 14, 2015

JUST LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE, MY VEHICLE STARTS ACTING CRAZY WITH LIGHTS FLASHING, AND FEELS LIKE IT WON'T SHIFT AND GO ABOVE 40MPH. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND PCM. THIS COST ME $1200. IT STOPPED FOR A BIT, THEN STARTED AGAIN A MONTH OR TWO LATER WHEN THEY TOLD ME IT NEEDED MOTOR MOUNTS AND A NEW PCM (WHICH THEY SAID THEY CHANGED, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT). IT IS NOW BACK THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND I'M NOW ON THE 4TH DAY IT'S THERE AND I'M GETTING NO ANSWERS, JUST A BUNCH OF SALES PEOPLE CALLING. IF THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WHY HASN'T THIS VEHICLE BEEN RECALLED? THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I HAVE CHILDREN THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR US AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID
10810054
Incident
Mar 23, 2015
Mileage
52,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 21, 2015

WHERE THE FUEL LINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CONNECTS TO THE MAIN FUEL LINE FROM THE TANK AT THE FIRE WALL, THERE IS A FUEL DRIP ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS LINE LEAKS FUEL WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE MAIN LINE. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED ONE TIME ALREADY AND CONTINUES TO LEAK. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THIS LINE IS ONLY A FEW INCHES FROM THE TURBO OR EXHAUST AND ON A RIGHT HAND TURN COULD DRIP ON TO THE TURBO OR EXHAUST AND IGNITE. ALSO IF SITTING IN TRAFFIC OR DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS WITH THE A/C OR HEATER ON IT MUST BE KEPT IN RECIRCULATE OR THE SMELL OF FUEL ENTERS THE CABIN. THE DEALER WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT. I AM PRETTY CERTAIN IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE EXPERIENCES AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. ANYONE OWNING A PT CRUISER SHOULD HAVE THIS LINE INSPECTED TO SEE IF IT IS LEAKING AND IF SO FILE A SIMILAR COMPLAINT. IT IS VERY EASY TO SPOT AS THE LINE WILL APPEAR WET OR COVERED IN MOIST DIRT AT THE CONNECTOR. ALSO WITH THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING THERE WILL BE A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE ENGINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA ID
10795252
Incident
Nov 21, 2015
Mileage
38,000 mi
Filed Sep 10, 2015

WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2007 IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT AND I KEPT TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON BLANDING BLVD. HERE IN JACKSONVILLE, FL. THEY KEPT TELLING ME THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE WAY IT SHIFTED AND CONSEQUENTLY PUT ME OFF TIL THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTED PERIOD. WELL, MY WIFE HAS NEVER DRIVEN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT SHIFTS AND THE DEALER OF OF 295 HERE IN JAX FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH CABLE WAS BAD, OF COURSE THIS WAS AFTER THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTEE AND NOW THE PT CRUISER HAS BEEN DING THE SAME FOR SOME WHILE. I HAVE DRIVEN A SHIFT SINCE I WAS 16, FROM CORVETTES TO MACH 1'S AND KNOW THEIR IS NOT A CLUTCH PROBLEM. I AM 64 YEARS OLD NOW AND THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. IT'S HARD TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR AT ANY TIME. NO CLUTCH OR TRANNY PROBLEM AND CLUTCH CABLE SHOULD BE BAD A SECOND TIME BUT IT IS AND IT'S TOO BAD YOUR ENGINEERS COULD NOT HAVE GIVEN THE MPG MORE ATTENTION AT THE TIME OF BUILD BECAUSE IT HAS SUCKED SINCE NEW. I DON'T EVEN USE THE AC BECAUSE OF GAS GUZZLING, BUT THE CLUTCH CABLE IS MY CONCERN.

NHTSA ID
10762892
Incident
Sep 3, 2007
Mileage
59,965 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 27, 2015

IF YOU INVESTIGATE MY VIN, YOU WILL SEE THAT FROM SOON AFTER I BOUGHT MY CAR, I HAD A WEIRD PROBLEM WHERE THE GAUGES WOULD GO CRAZY, THE DASH LIGHTS ALL LIGHT UP, AND SOMETIMES EXPERIENCE FULL ENGINE SHUT DOWN, IF NOT JUST HAVE AN ACCELERATOR FAIL WHILE DRIVING. FOR YEARS, I KEPT TRYING TO WORK WITH CHRYSLER TO ALLOW THEM TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE ISSUE AND THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DO SO EVEN THOUGH I HAD PHOTOS OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. IN APPROXIMATELY JULY 2011, I MET SOMEONE WITH A CONVERTIBLE PT CRUISER LIKE MINE AND SHE ASKED IF I HAD ANY ISSUES WITH MY CAR. I DESCRIBED MY PROBLEM AND SHE SAID HERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SHE SAID THAT A NEW IGNITION SWITCH FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT CHRYSLER REFUSED TO HELP. I WAS THRILLED AND CALLED CHRYSER TO REPORT THAT I HAD FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM. I BEGGED AND PLED WITH THEM TO FIX IT BUT THE BEST THAT THEY COULD PROMISE WAS THAT IF THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT I WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF ASSESSING THE PROBLEM ($200+ FOR ASSESSMENT), BUT NOT FOR MY TIME NOR WOULD THEY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A RENTAL WHILE IT WAS BEING ASSESSED OR FIXED. GIVEN THAT I COULD NOT MISS WORK AND HAD LITTLE FAITH THAT THEY WOULD ADMIT THE PROBLEM WAS THEIRS, I WAS FORCED TO ALLOW THE PROBLEM TO CONTINUE TO EXIST. WHEN THE GM IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS CAME OUT, I CALLED AGAIN AND EVENTUALLY SOMEONE CONTACTED ME TO HELP AFTER SEVERAL MORE PLEADING CALLS FOR HELP FAILED AND I ESCALATED THE ISSUE. MY IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. I SAY ALL OF THAT TO SAY THIS: PLEASE LOOK INTO CONVERTIBLE PT CRUISER IGNITION SWITCHES. THEY ARE A KNOWN ISSUE THAT WAS NEVER RECALLED AND A GOOD NUMBER OF OWNERS REPLACED ON THEIR OWN. WHILE I APPRECIATE THE EVENTUAL FIX, WHEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS, CHRYSLER DID NOT ADDRESS THIS CLEAR DANGER AND I ENDURED A GREAT DEAL OF STRESS IN THE INTERIM.

NHTSA ID
10743574
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
10,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 16, 2015

LIKE THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, THE DASH GAUGES GO BONKERS AND TO ZERO, , ENGINE STOPS, SOMETIMES WILL RESTART OTHER I HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART MANUALLY. IT HAPPENED LAST YEAR ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES AND DURING THE SUMMER HEAT, NO PROBLEMS LAST WINTER. STARTED AGAIN THIS PAST MONTH WORSE THAN BEFORE.

NHTSA ID
10734632
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Mileage
72,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

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.

23-015-20

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

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.

3100619

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

31-006-19

STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

31-003-19

EQUIPMENT

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chrysler Pt Cruiser Conv by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008000
2007600
2006Viewing240031.7

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.