Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
It accelerates suddenly, most often when braking from a high speed (like in rush hour), but one time it accelerated and I hit the car in front of me. No damage (I guess because the speeds were low). Now I havbe to drive with my hand on the shifter so I can slip it into neutral if it accelerates suddenly. It almost always happens on the freeway, even if I'm parked in rush hour. It almost always happens when braking from a high speed (rush hour again).
When driving on the dash board where it shows your MPH below. All the lights will flash on engine, battery, oil, air bag, seatbelt, gas. All will flash on instant deceleration instant slow down. The dials will go up and down wild. Over 5 years ago this happened the dealer would only replace when the dash board stopped working completely. Finally it stopped working I had it replaced under extended warranty. 3 moths ago it started happening again. Flashing lights, all dials going up, down, and around. Yesterday I had severe deceleration on the freeway. Extremely scary and unsafe. I pulled all the way over and drove in the slow lane. Looking/reading on here there are 4 other people from all over the united states with the same complaints. I wrote a complaint on here over 4 years ago. There is something seriously wrong with this vehicle. It needs to be looked into from a outside party. …
Idling 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. There need to be a class action lawsuit before someone dies from these cars stalling with no ability to control car. Chrysler knows full well of these garbage cars. That is the real reason they discontinued them! Someone needs ti step in. You all have received enough complaints where something should be done immediately.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that the transmission would downshift to lower gears while driving approximately 40 MPH. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the speedometer, headlights, and power windows failed to function while driving. The vehicle was taken to atlantic Chrysler (130 sunrise highway, west islip, ny 11795, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the PCM failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer. No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 39,700.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving at speeds of 50 MPH or more, the vehicle would stall. The contact also stated that the vehicle would unintentionally switch gears from drive to reverse without driver intent. The vehicle switched gears without warning while driving in reverse and the vehicle crashed into a mailbox. There was moderate rear end damage to the vehicle. The failure would occur intermittently. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and there were no repairs performed on the vehicle. There contact did not report any injuries. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage vehicle was 40,000. Updated 7/16/10 updated 07/22/10
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle downshifted to second gear independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he parked on the side of the road. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove to his destination. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift into third gear and failed to display the proper gear. The contact stated that unknown warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to abernethy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (located at 1442 e main st, lincolnton, nc 28092, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced (code: p0700). The vehicle was repaired twice by an independent mechanic in December, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 157,000.
The car has been overheating at idle. When driving, it maintains the correct temperature and returns to it even if it has gone up. Idling at a drive thru is enough to cause a full overheat with smoke. When the car is turned off, a loud bubbling can be heard. The entire fan assembly and harness was just replaced. Problem has been ongoing. Originally, fan would not turn off about 2 years ago. Even when car was off. Spent many months having to remove the fuse because the ran would run the engine dry of power. This would happen even after short drives when the car was in park and off.
Takata recall- the car will at random times not change out of first gear. I can pull over sometimes and restart it multiple time and it would work. My windshield wipers also randomly come on now. And the thermometer sometimes will be blank and sometimes will say -12 when it is 90 degrees, and sometimes it is accurate. And sometimes it will light up saying I am in all gears, park, neutral, drive, reverse. It is very dangerous if I am on the interstate, or going up a hill and this happens I can't go over 35 miles per hour without taking a chance of blowing my engine.
The owner of the vehicle, isabel huerta was struck and killed by her own vehicle when the transmissions suddenly slipped from park to reverse. The transmission has a design flaw that allows the shifter to be placed in a "false park" position. She was swept under the vehicle by the open door, and was crushed to death by her own vehicle. Her body was found under the vehicle with the wheel on her chest...updated 11/08/17 please note odi 10876328 is 116 page long. See document for further info. Documents in artemis record is broken. Udated 6/21/18
Transmission complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 8% of the model year's 349 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death to transmission & drivetrain 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.