RoadVitals

2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints 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.
18
Latest May 21, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 349 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Chrysler Pt Cruiser submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Steering
Filed May 21, 2020

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 FLUID LEAK FROM A HOLE ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OLYMPIA CHRYSLER JEEP LOCATED AT 2110 CARRIAGE DR SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502, (360) 754-5500, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

NHTSA ID
11325441
Incident
May 19, 2020
Mileage
197,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 28, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11319590
Incident
Mar 2, 2020
Steering
Filed Jun 11, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND AN ABNORMAL WHINING AND GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE RUBBING AGAINST THE TRANSAXLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 131,000.

NHTSA ID
11101207
Incident
Jun 9, 2018
Mileage
131,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Feb 9, 2017

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE THE STEERING CAPABILITY OCCASIONALLY SEIZES AND VEHICLE CANNOT BE TURNED FOR A FEW MOMENTS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE IT CAN HAPPEN AT A TURN IN THE ROAD. ALSO, AT STOP LIGHTS THE CAR TRIES TO JOLT FORWARD. AGAIN THIS IS OCCURS AT INCONSISTENT TIMES. ADDITIONALLY THE CAR DIES IN IDLE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE RISES ABOVE 60 DEGREES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN CODE WAS READ IT STATED THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS IN NEED OF REPAIR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE ISSUE WE FOUND THE FAN WORKED BUT WAS NOT BEING SWITCHED ON. SO WE REPLACED THE FAN SWITCH. IMMEDIATELY IT BLEW THE SWITCH. THE MECHANICS CANNOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. WHILE ADDITIONAL CODES JUST GET THROWN INTO THE PILE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. I CHECK OFTEN TO SEE IF SOMETHING HAS BEEN RECALLED OR IF ANYONE HAS FOUND A SOLUTION THAT PROVIDES LASTING CHANGE BUT I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY ADVICE OR SOLUTION THAT ACTUALLY FIXES THE ISSUE. THESE ISSUES ARE REOCCURRING SO I AM STATING THE LAST OCCURRENCE WHICH WAS JUST THIS MORNING.

NHTSA ID
10950468
Incident
Feb 9, 2017
Mileage
60,091 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Dec 12, 2016

FOR ALL YOU CHRYSLER PT CRUISER LOVERS! PROBLEM SOLVED TODAY! DASHBOARD LIGHTS REPEATEDLY GO ON AND OFF, ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, I HAVE A 2006 AND HAVE BEEN PLAGUED WITH THIS ISSUE FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. DEALER MECHANICS ARE IDIOTS WHO GO FOR THE BIG TICKET ITEMS AND HOPE THAT SOLVES THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM FOR ME, WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY KEY IGNITION MODULE, IN THE STEERING WHEEL. INTERNAL PARTS ARE LOOSE AND FAIL TO KEEP AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. A $60-90 RETAIL PART. EASILY REPLACED BY ANYONE WHO CAN USE A TORX SCREWDRIVER. YOU WILL GET A NEW KEY TO START THE CAR WITH BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE A SKIP ANTI-THEFT RF MODULE, SO JUST KEEP THE OLD KEY ON THE CHAIN TO OPEN YOUR CAR DOORS WITH. NOW, HOW ABOUT CHRYSLER MAN UP AND FIX ALL THESE INCLUDING PROVIDING NEW RF KEYS SO I DON'T NEED TO KEEP 2 ON MY CHAIN. MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10823650 TIPM ALREADY REPLACED 1X FOR SAME ISSUES OCCURRING AGAIN NOW, A FEW YEARS LATER AND FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 8 MONTHS FROM THIS POSTING, OCCURRING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY NOW AND LAST TIME OCCURRING WAS FEB 01, 2016. ALL DASH / ENGINE STATUS LIGHTS COME ON FOR NO REASON, THEN OFF SECONDS LATER, OCCURRING ANYTIME WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLS - SPUTTERING, POWER STEERING AND BREAKS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY DURING THIS TIME, FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WILDLY FLUCTUATES AND SMELL OF GAS IS NOTICEABLE, ALL CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HEAD LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS RANDOMLY GO BRIGHT OR DIM FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AS IT DOES NOT STAY BROKE LONG ENOUGH FOR THEIR TECHS TO DIAGNOSE WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT EVEN AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 2 FULL DAYS, DESPITE THIS PROBLEM SEEN VISUALLY BY DEALER AND ON VIDEO RECORDING. SUSPECT TIPM / ECM, INTEGRATED VOLTAGE REGULATOR IS AT FAULT... *TR

NHTSA ID
10934847
Incident
Dec 12, 2016
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 7, 2016

THE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED AND NOW THE ROCKER ARMS ARE SHOT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAD TWO MOUNTS REPAIRED-STILL SHAKES. TOOK IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE-THEY SAID THE ROCKER ARMS ARE SHOT. GETTING AN ESTIMATE TODAY. I AM MOVING APRIL 18 FROM CALIFORNIA TO TEXAS AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. IT HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID
10853938
Incident
Apr 5, 2016
Mileage
40,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed May 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID
10714083
Incident
Apr 1, 2011
Mileage
55,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 2, 2015

IF MY IGNITION SWITCH IS TOO FAR FORWARD MY CAR WILL LOSE POWER AND WHAT TO STOP I FIGURED OUT IF WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON AND MOVE THE SWITCH BACK THE CAR WILL NOT DO THAT BUT IF I FORGET AND LEAVE IT FORWARD IT WILL DO THIS AGAIN ALL MY LIGHTS COME ON AND I LOSE POWER. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE PART OF THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10669532
Incident
Oct 28, 2014
Mileage
96,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 19, 2014

WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE THAT WAS IN 2007 THEY FIX IT ... NOW IN 2014 ITS LOOSE AGAIN IT FEELS LIKE THE BOLT IS COMING LOOSE AGAIN I HOPE I DON'T GET IN A ACCIDENT I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING CHRYSLER SHOULD FIX THIS IS DANGEROUS THIS IS THE 2ND TIME NOW THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 39,000 IT HAS NOW 154,00. *TR

NHTSA ID
10604603
Incident
Jun 19, 2014
Mileage
39,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 10, 2013

THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION...I HAVE TO UNATTACH THE BATTERY CABLE SO THE BATTERY WILL NOT GO DEAD. I AM WOMEN WHO HAS A DISEASE CALLED CANCER..I AM TRULY IN SOME NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE AT LEAST $330.00 TO FIGURE OUT WHICH I AM ON A FIXED INCOME,STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE CAR.I FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT BE A FAULT OF MINE WHEN A KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CAR CAN NOT GET INSPECTED AND I AM UNABLE TO GET TO MY TREATMENTS. PLEASE HELP ME!...YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IS HIGHLY APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10516048
Incident
Mar 1, 2013
Mileage
56,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 19, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNED. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ID
10498562
Incident
Feb 18, 2013
Mileage
78,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 10, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. A SQUEALING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,000.

NHTSA ID
10454677
Incident
Jan 11, 2012
Mileage
104,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Feb 14, 2012

I OWN A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER W/AUTOMATIC TRANS. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, INC. THE 4 CYL ENGINE IN MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY FAILED 3 SEPSRASTE TIMES, TWICE LAST YEAR, AND 1 TIME SO FAR THIS YEAR WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY; EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS AS WELL AS ALL POWER ASSIST SYSTEMS SUCH AS STEERING AND BREAKS, AS WELL AS ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES TO FAIL. I CONTACTED THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL DEALER AS I WAS ABLE TO RESTART, AS WAS I ABLE EACH TIME PREVIOUS, GIVEN I EXPERIENCED NO FURTHER PROBLEMS UNTIL LAST WEEK. HOWEVER, THE DEALER DIAGNOSTIC TEST YIELDED NOTHING WHICH COULD ACCOUNT FOR THE VEHICLE COMPLETE OPERATIONAL SHUT-DOWN. I WAS ADVISED THERE ARE NO RECALLS, OR WARRANTY, AND THE DEALER INFORMED ME TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURERS CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TO ADVISE THEM. THE CUSTOMER CASE MANAGER INDICATED THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE FORTHCOMING AS THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING SHOWED NOTHING CONCLUSIVE. THE LATEST FALURE MILEASE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ID
10448684
Incident
Feb 26, 2011
Mileage
71,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 19, 2011
Crash reported

MY CAR HAD BEEN SLUGGISH WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN. IT WAS SO GRADUAL I DID NOT THINK MUCH ABOUT IT. THEN I ATTEMPTED A SHARP RIGHT TURN AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND WELL. DAMAGE TO BOTH LEFT TIRES AND RIMS WHEN UNABLE TO TURN CAR TO THE RIGHT. TAKEN TO TIRE CHOICE FOR REPAIRS. THEY THEN FOUND THAT THE LEFT & RIGHT CONTROL ARMS WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH, SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PT CRUISER. THEY CHECKED AND THERE WAS NO RECALL OF THESE PARTS, THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT AT ONE POINT I WOULD HAVE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE CONTROL ARMS. I FEEL THIS REPAIR BILL SHOULD BE COVERED THROUGH CHRYSLER AND THE RESULTING DAMAGE TO RIGHT RIMS AND TIRES SHOULD BE REIMBURSED TO ME. ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF CONTROL ARMS HAD NOT BEEN DEFECTIVE

NHTSA ID
10403029
Incident
Oct 17, 2010
Mileage
25,422 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 9, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE THE FLUID AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHERE THE LEAK WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE EXAMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10342309
Incident
Jun 5, 2010
Steering
Filed Mar 1, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH. HE WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD WHEN THE RIGHT HAND STEERING KNUCKLE BROKE. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THAT HE LOST CONTROL, SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED INTO SOME ROCKS. THE DRIVER DID CONTACT THE DEALER BUT THEY ARE DENYING HIM ASSISTANCE. THE DRIVER RE-INJURED HIS NECK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID
10315159
Incident
Feb 10, 2010
Mileage
95,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 13, 2008
Fire reported

2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE RECALLS FOR MALFUNCTION OF THE HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HOSE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT GETTING REPAIRS. *KB

NHTSA ID
10221674
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Steering
Filed Jun 29, 2007

PROBLEMS WITH POWER STERING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10194960
Incident
Jun 18, 2007

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .