Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
My TIPM (totally integrated power module) is faulty. The headlights and turn signal lights do not work. Bulbs have been checked and replaced with brand new, tested and fully functional bulbs, but this has not rectified the problem. Sometimes the car will not start at all. The battery is fine, as the car engine will turn over, however, the car will not fire up. I will leave it, and try later, and the car will subsequently start. This starting trouble is an intermittent issue. I have read that there was a class action law suit for many Chrysler vehicles with TIPM problems, but I did not see PT Cruiser owners included within those actions. Having researched the matter, I see that many other PT Cruiser owners like myself are having issues with their electrical systems as a result of faulty tipms.
My car was idling and than I drove it home on a city street in our neighborhood. About 4 minutes away from my house. Dling in park; seatbelt light kept dinging on; speedometer kept jumping back and forth from 0-100; idling at traffic stop; car shutters like it will cut off; speedometer jumps around while car is not moving. PCM/TCM replaced multiple time; battery loses charge for no known reason; have had problems w/engine light coming on, pay for sensors and parts needed only for the same issue to happen. These cars are dangerous! Something needs to be done to fix this issue. I am a single mom, my son and I were in the car and we were scared. Could of caused an accident.
Low beam headlights not working went out and bought new headlights and that is not the problem, and also blinkers to not flash from outside of car, also went out and bought bulbs this was not the problem. This is a safety related defect. The intergrated power module 2006 Chrysler or Cruiser controls headlights blinker it can only be reset by dealership or replace. I looked up f33 it was a recall for direction signal bulb fiction. This is a safety issues and should have a recall. Please help I need to drive my car. Thank you
Car engine shuts off without warning while driving and/or while making turns, or after coming to a stop and steering freezes; engine revs up and down while driving and cannot accelerate; difficulty restarting; interior light blinks and all dashboard gauges suddenly ceased working; replaced rear quarter glass, broken fastener caused car to flood.part recall no. G01 and I had it replaced. Car has been inspected by mechanics and issues cannot detected nor fixed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the turn signals failed to activate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wire of the turning switch burned out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Right side headlight assembly inoperative. No high beam, low beam, or turn signal / flasher function. Replaced bulbs several times and all test good in other fixtures such as driver side lamp assembly. Engine is throwing "cylinder 3 misfire detected". Plugs, wires replaced with no repair.
Vehicle was started in the morning and headlights and turn signals would not operate. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop and was diagnosed as a problem with the integrated power module. The module had to be reset to make the lights operable again.
My 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser has had problems since the time of the 36,000 mile warranty ran out. There is a problem with the dash and headlights dimming on and off while driving which is very dangerous. I have children and do not feel safe driving at night because of that. When the air conditioning is being used it is as if there is short in the system causing the ac to go from cold to hot repeatedly. This occurs while traveling down the road and while sitting still at intersections or parking lots. I live in texas and it is hot this should not be a problem in a vehicle with 36,000 miles. The radio which is manufacturer installed also turns on and off and sometimes will only click loudly. The engine seems to shift rather hard at times even though my fluid levels are okay. The vehicle was stopped a red light and the ac started blowing cold and then the engine started to smoke. …
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 and they would not go on tried my blinkers and windshield wipers nothing was working all functions associated with knobs on steering column would not work. Drove vehicle down the street adjusted steering wheel a couple times lights came on....then they would not shut off. The lights will either not come on or shut off it is now at the dealership for the 3rd time to correct this issue they have replaced the instrument cluster and now the new service guy believes its the multi-switch...we'll see... I would never purchase a PT Cruiser again much less a Chrysler!!!! Btw the problem did seem corrected after the 1st repair and 2nd repair however as soon as I drove it 50 miles the problem occurred again. …
My battery lite comes on when started and stays on..have had battery, cables,etc etc checked and all show good...also the air conditioning works very little but according to all the mechanics that have checked it over everything shows in good working order...I was told by a mechanic at the Chrysler dealership that it needs to be put on a machine for $100 an hour and if it shows the "main computer module" then these issues are "infixable"..it is something I will have to "deal with" and hope that there really isn't anything serious wrong he tells me...same way with the fog lites on the car..they come on and go off..sometimes they comeon and wont go off...again I was told it was "unfixable"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I work hard every day and pay my bills...I cant afford to be told that these issues with my car are "unfixable"...somebody help!!!!
Headlight complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the lights of the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 6% of the model year's 349 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
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.