Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT cruise. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, another vehicle pulled in front of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained leg, chest, back and head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Driver suffered a diabetic hypoglycemic incident and ran off the road and collided with a guard rail. The accident was a frontal impact that resulted in significant damage to the front bumper, fenders, engine compartment, suspension, and frame. The accident damaged approximately 40' of guard rail, including the end section. During the accident, the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle has a history of intermittent air bag warning light activation, and has undergone replacement of several key components of the control system (I.e. SRS module, clockspring in steering column, and wiring harness under front passenger seat). The vehicle speed at the time of the accident is unknown, but estimated at less than 40mph. Weather was clear, sunny. Traffic was none to light conditions. Road conditions were excellent. …
I was in an accident on 2/24/07 in which a lady ran a red light and hit the front end of my 2006 PT Cruiser at maybe 30 MPH. I hit my head forcefully against the driver panel near the windshield in which my air bag did not deploy and I sustain head injury with loss of consciousness. I now have a hematoma with a black eye, severe head aches, severe neck and shoulder pain, and some dizziness throughout the day, I am also suffering from painful body aches including but not limited to my lower back and knees, towing and paramedics were confused as to why my air bag did not deploy, also the sensor has been activated and I was told that I could be driving and without notice these bags can deploy if the car if fixable, I am afraid, I have 2 children who rides with me in this car. How my times has this happen and are there any complaints about this from other owner of this type of car?????
Tl* - the contact owns a 2006 PT Cruiser. The department of consumer affairs advised the contact to call NHTSA to file a complaint. The contact was in a car crash while driving 50 MPH , another vehicle caused the crash. The front driver side fender and the axle were damaged. The contact was injured, and none of the air bags deployed during the crash. The mechanic stated that the air bag sensor was attached to the frame, and he was unable to determine why they didn't deploy. The dealer expected her to drive the vehicle after repairing it,but the contact didn't feel that the vehicle was safe. Daimler Chrysler engineers have taken pictures of the vehicle , and stated they would contact the driver within 72 hours. There was notification via mail which stated that someone would contact her in 12 business days.
I was driving my 2006 PT Cruiser and a girl driving a grand cherokee Jeep ran a stop sign and hit me in the driver side front fender and driver door. My three children were in the car with me. The impact flipped my car 3 or more times landing us on the drivers side. Neither of airbags deployed from the impact. I was driving at approximately 45 MPH and she was coming down a hill to the stop sign but showed no sign of slowing down. Her speed was probably around 50 MPH. The point of contact was at the drivers door and fender and it was crushed. The car was a total loss. I have a neck injury from the whiplash and the flipping of the car and not sure at this point if it will ever get better. It has been 7 mths. I believe Chrysler should be made liable for the airbags not deploying with such an impact as we had.
We were rear ended while on vacation. The car was drivable and it was put in the shop for repairs. The other person was at fault. When we got the car back we noticed that the airbag light would stay on for a minute or two and then go off. This continues to happen. The car repair shop checked seat belts and such. The air bags did not deploy as this was a rear end collision. I feel like this is a safety hazard. The repair shop has had to repair work that was not done right. Could they have messed up the codes as the temp does not work right.? Were the airbags damaged ? The estimated speed he hit us was 35mph. We both got cervical sprain and mine is worse.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving 55 MPH, the contact was run off the road by another vehicle. The vehicle spun around, struck a guard rail, and landed in a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The front driver's side of the vehicle was damaged and the contact was injured. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to the shop for repair. There were no other passengers in the vehicle and the contact was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash. The air bags have not been serviced. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 91,624.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while traveling at unknown speeds, a vehicle jumped out in front of them and caused the contact to crash into the front end of another vehicle. The contact also stated that the air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact received a concussion and a compression of the disk in his lower back. The contact stated that the manufacturer told them they were not hit hard enough for the air bags to deploy. The failure mileage and current mileage was 30,609.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH the driver crashed into the rear-end of another vehicle. The driver suffered injuries to the shoulder, wrist, ribs, left knee, shoulder and neck. The contact and driver were not taken to the hospital. During the crash the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated the air bag should have deployed while driving at a high speed. The diagnostic test did not determine if the vehicle was destroyed or not. The failure mileage was 58,000.
I was involved in a collision with a greyhound bus and a PT Cruiser. At an underpass in tucson I hit the steering wheel while taking a left off interstate 10. The greyhound bus was making a left than a quick right. When his back end went out my Cruiser was hit on the front right side, causing significant property damage to the car and landed me in the emergency room with face injuries. The airbags did not deploy.
Airbag complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 10% of the model year's 349 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 21 crashes, 0 fires and 20 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.