CarModelProblems.com

2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 3.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
349Complaints
1Recalls
35Crashes
5Fires
25Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (35% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Electrical System complaints here are 3.6× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System122 · 35%No official action
Engine55 · 15.8%No official action
Air Bags29 · 8.3%No official action
Power Train22 · 6.3%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling20 · 5.7%No official action
Exterior Lighting16 · 4.6%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE55 · 15.8%
AIR BAGS29 · 8.3%
POWER TRAIN22 · 6.3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING16 · 4.6%
STEERING15 · 4.3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)15 · 4.3%
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR14 · 4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN13 · 3.7%

Percentages are the share of the 349 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 1 campaign

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

NHTSA campaign 07V149000 · 2007 · reported 04/04/2007

IF THE GLASS SEPARATES WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR INJURE A PEDESTRIAN. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“ON AUGUST 16, 2010 WE WERE DRIVING BACK FROM AN APPOINTMENT DOING ABOUT 70MPH. IT WAS AROUND 100 DEGREES F OUTSIDE (SAN ANTONIO, TX). IRONICALLY…”NHTSA complaint 10362558 — filed 10/26/2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE FAILED. THIS CAUSES THE AIR BAG TO NOT…”NHTSA complaint 10356926 — filed 09/22/2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“I HAD SAFELITE COME OUT TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD- WHEN I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE TO HEAD TO SJ I TURNED ON MY HEADLIGHTS/FOG LIGHTS…”NHTSA complaint 10348252 — filed 08/09/2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

2620093633201135432013644020156322201715212019632021212025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 122 of 349 NHTSA complaints (35%), followed by engine (55), air bags (29), power train (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?

349 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 35 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 25 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser have any recalls?

Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 07V149000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser's reported problems?

0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.