2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 16%of 349 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the engine of the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 16% of the 349 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car is hanging up in a lower gear may gear 2 and the engine is raising. The engine light is on. It has done this a few times while driving the car. Sometimes the engine light goes off and it runs like a great vehicle but then it will hang up and get stuck in a lower gear! I have been driving inner city when this happens and afraid to take it on the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11187241, filed 2019-03, 72,100 miles“When randomly driving all the lights on the dashboard go crazy, the fuel gauge goes to empty even when it's a full tank, the car loses power and the engine starts to stall... It's very scary because where I drive there are busy highways and I'm scared too death I'm going to get killed or kill someone.”
NHTSA complaint #10860373, filed 2016-04, 6 miles“I was entering highway and I stepped on the excelerator to the floor and the car would not go over 45mph and started to stall all lights on dashboard lit up and there was a semi truck going 70 MPH comming from behind almost rear ended me I have now had to change 4 sensors in this vehical now just recently my husband had the same experience the car just shut off completly while he was driving.,”
NHTSA complaint #10745226, filed 2015-07, 25,000 miles“I got the car 6 months ago and have had nothing but problems. All the dash lights come on and the gauges go to zero. It has almost caused me to be in an accident, it died in the middle of a busy intersection, it has died while I'm stopped at a red light and happens at various speeds, I've replaced the, alternator, starter, gauge cluster and some other small things and nothing is working. …”
NHTSA complaint #10593158, filed 2014-05, 150,000 miles“2.7 liter engine right exhaust camshafft failed. When I attempted to get a replacement I was told that due to the high numbers of failures the part is on a serious backlog. The cam failed while driving locally and the vehicle had to be towed.”
NHTSA complaint #10865584, filed 2016-05, 120,000 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 5 | 23% |
| 2009 | 26 | 27% |
| 2008 | 15 | 13% |
| 2007 | 23 | 15% |
| 2006 | 55 | 16% |
| 2005 | 11 | 6% |
| 2004 | 14 | 6% |
| 2003 | 10 | 4% |
| 2002 | 22 | 4% |
| 2001 | 12 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
138 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
47 complaintsEngine cooling
36 complaintsAir bags
35 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
28 complaintsExterior lighting
21 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsElectronic stability control
15 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology