Visibility: glass, side
Free remedy
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR QUARTER GLASS ATTACHING FASTENERS MAY PULL THROUGH THEIR MOUNTS AND ALLOW THE GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants
2006 Chrysler PT CruiserRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 373 owner complaints for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Most complaints involve electrical system (151) and engine (61). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
19–22mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Apr 2007
Owner complaints
373
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
373 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2005 – Apr 2025
- Electrical system151
- Engine61
- Engine and engine cooling41
- Visibility38
- Air bags35
- Power train30
- Steering21
- Exterior lighting21
- Electronic stability control (esc)16
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
151 reports3 crashes1 fire
“all of the dash board instrument cluster lights turn on breifly,car speed starts to drop, lights on dash turn back off,[ all except seat belt lights] then car seems to restart itself and will reaccelerate.all this happens while we are driving in traffic at highway speeds, this is not good and could result in a very serious incident, not only for us but for othe”
Engine
61 reports
“ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY. IDLE SPEEDS INCONSISTENT. WINDSHIELD CRACKED STRAIGHT ACROSS WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL WE READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT CHRYSLER’S DEFECTIVE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULES PROBLEMS TITLED “CHRYSLER TIPMS CAUSING POWER PROBLEMS”
Engine and engine cooling
41 reports5 crashes2 fires
“WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON 2/9/2015 ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE IN MOTION MY CAR SHUTDOWN - FROZE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IF IT WASN'T FOR SLOW BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A VERY BAD CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD OF HIT ME. THE CAR WOULD NOT REV OR NOTHING BUT THE LIGHTS, RADIO ALL WORKED. I GOT TOWED TO A MECHANIC THAT WAS NOT CHRYSLER AND THEY CHECKED AND THE ENGINE AND BATTERY & ALTERNATOR AND WAS FINE. BUT THEY CONTINUED TO CHECK AND FOUND IT WAS COMPUTER RELATED WHERE THE COMPUTER IS MALFUNCTIONING TO WHERE IT JUST SHUTS EVERYTHING DOWN. I WENT TO A CHRYSLER DEALER THAT DAY BECAUSE THE CAR STARTED AGAIN BUT WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF A TOW TRUCK FOLLOWING BEHIND JUST IN CASE. THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP KEPT MY CAR OVERNIGHT AND TODAY ON 2/11/2015 TOLD ME JUST TO START THE POSSIBLE FIX OF THE CAR THEY WOULD HAVE TO FIX THE TIPM (TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) AND THEY ARE NOT SURE THIS WILL FIX IT BUT JUST TO START IT WILL COST ME $1,149.27. THEY SAID CHRYSLER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS BECAUSE MY WARRANTY IS OVER (WAS 3 YEARS). I ARGUED WITH THEM AND TOLD THEM CHRYSLER IS RESPONSIBLE AND WARRANTY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT - IT IS A DANGER…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
8 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PT Cruiser Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| PT Cruiser Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| PT Cruiser Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| PT Cruiser Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
| PT Cruiser Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| PT Cruiser Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
| PT Cruiser Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| PT Cruiser Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
- 19mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser as of Oct 30, 2026.
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2006 PT Cruiser questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser have?
1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems?
Owners filed 373 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (151), engine (61), engine and engine cooling (41). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser get?
The EPA rates the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026