Is the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser a bad year?
349 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 91, 3× a quiet PT Cruiser year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 38k–85k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 PT Cruiser owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 64,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 138 (40%) | 38k–92k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 86 (25%) | 38k–90k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 47 (13%) | 26k–84k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 35 (10%) | 29k–82k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 28 (8%) | 45k–110k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 21 (6%) | 40k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 18 (5%) | 44k–98k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Body structure | 15 (4%) | 45k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 15 (4%) | 30k–104k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 14 (4%) | 33k–85k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 7 (2%) | 39k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 9 (3%) | 25k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 15 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 64,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 349 complaints: 35 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 21 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Apr 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The first time in september 2013 the vehicle was running fine. I had gone into a store and when I came out it would not start.
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.
My wife has a 2006 pt cruiser. Around 5/14/2009 it started sputtering when it is at an idle. The motor does fine when you are in motion.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 64,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser: 1
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear quarter glass attaching fasteners may pull through their mounts and allow the glass to separate from the vehicle. If the glass separates while driving, it could strike another vehicle or injure a pedestrian.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chrysler: 24
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
UConnect Hands Free Module Fails To Respond Due To Module Lock Up
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Rear quarter panel glass separation
Rear quarter panel glass separation
Neighbouring years
2005 PT Cruiser: 187 complaints, keep it · 2007 PT Cruiser: 150 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Chrysler PT Cruiser year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · All PT Cruiser years side by side
Other Chrysler models: Chrysler 200 · Chrysler 300 · Chrysler 300C · Chrysler 300M · Chrysler Aspen · Chrysler Concorde · Chrysler Crossfire · Chrysler Crossfire Roadster · Chrysler Pacifica · Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid · Chrysler Sebring · Chrysler Sebring Conv · Chrysler Sebring Convertible · Chrysler Town and Country · Chrysler Voyager. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser a bad year?
349 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 91, 3× a quiet PT Cruiser year. At 64,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 38k–85k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (138), engine (86), visibility and wipers (47), air bags (35), transmission and drivetrain (28). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 38k–85k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 07V-149). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.