2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Window & Wiper Problems

Which parts fail

• Glass, side/rear
  14
• Windshield
  4
• Windshield wiper/washer
  3
• Rear window wiper/washer
  3
• Power window devices and controls
  2

Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1024%
• 25k–50k
  1127%
• 50k–75k
  717%
• 75k–100k
  922%
• 100k–150k
  37%
• 150k+
  12%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

While driving I noticed rattling noises coming from the rear of the vehicle and excessive road noise in the passenger compartment coming from the back. After a rainy day I observed puddles of water behind the rear seats. Upon investigating I found that the fixed rear quarter windows were no longer properly attached to the body of the vehicle. I learned that a recall was performed on this vehicle back in 2007 (NHTSA campaign number: 07V149000) I called Chrysler and they verified that the recall had been performed on this vehicle in May of 2007. It would appear that the fix is not effective, and frankly I am not surprised. Expecting plastic to maintain integrity long term under tension is foolish. It should be possible to use a more permanent, flexible adhesive (e.g. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving various speeds during inclement rain weather, the front and rear wipers failed. In addition, the horn failed to activate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the TIPM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

Whilst driving on the freeway my rear driver's side visibility window flew off of my car and nearly hit the vehicle driving in the fast lane to my immediate left at 65mph. They had to swerve to avoid a collision with it. I stopped on the side of the road and picked it up.

The front passenger window of my 2006 PT Cruiser spontaneously (?) exploded, sending shattered glass into my car while I was driving through a residential neighborhood at about 25 miles per hour on a very temperate night. I had just stopped at a stop sign, and was getting back up to normal speed. There was only one loud bang, and I heard no other sounds. There were no cars beside me, and I did not see any activity out that side of the car that would account for a pebble being thrown, or a bb gun being shot, etc., although it was dark out. In fact, I believe I was driving past a vacant lot. The inside temperature of the car and outside temperature were about the same, at about 65-70 degrees. I did not find any foreign objects while cleaning the glass out of my car. …

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. …

Tl contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact heard a slight popping noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. She looked back and noticed that the rear passenger side window had disconnected itself from the frame. The window was hanging outside of the vehicle. She drove home and took the vehicle to the dealer the following day. The dealer stated that they could replace the window. The contact found recalls for her vehicle, including NHTSA campaign id number 07V149000 (visibility:glass, side/rear) for the same failure she was experiencing. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from the recall. The contact believes that if the failures are identical, the vehicle should be repaired according to the recall. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 80,000.

Last winter the rear windshield wiper quit working completely. Now the front windshield wipers will not work on high and when they are turned on high, they just stop in the middle of the windshield. Sometimes when I turn them off they will go all the way down and then about 1/4 of the way back up and just stop. I am concerned that I will not be able to see out the back window and that the front wipers will completely stop when I am driving. I will not be able to see and it will risk other drivers and people during hard rain or snow. I have read many complaints about this and some cannot even drive the vehicles. I have checked the fuses, replaced the blades, made sure there is washer fluid and had a mechanic tell me that he has had complaints of the same thing. When the motors are replaced, the wipers still do not work.

Wife left house at 4:45 pm (near dusk) during rain. She got 2 1/2 miles away, phoned and said wipers on 2006 PT Cruiser had stopped working. Went to meet her on side of road and drove car back to house, her in front of me with our flashers on, while the rain had slacked, but not completely stopped. The wipers will come on very slowly and eventually stop, if I jiggle the wiper control and turn signal at the same time. I've checked the internet and it seems like this is a common problem for this vehicle. I do believe this warrants a recall, as this could lead to a very serious or deadly accident. I don't know how many complaints it takes before something is done, but it needs to be done soon. I haven't taken this car to a mechanic yet as we have our old Ford pickup to drive on rainy days, thank god!!!!!

Tl contact owns a 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact received a recall notice for a defective rear window. The notice stated that the rear window May blow out and strike another vehicle. The contact went to the dealer to schedule an appointment for the recall service. The dealer refused to honor the recall because the recalled window was tinted. The dealer that refused to honor the recall was the same dealer that tinted the windows on the vehicle when it was purchased. The manufacturer stated that they would replace the window; however, the contact has to pay for the window repair because of the tinting. The NHTSA campaign id number is 07V149000 (visibility:glass, side/rear). The current and failure mileages were 14,000. Updated 3/4/08 the consumer stated there have been no failures.

1- vehicle = 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser touring. 2- weather conditions = raining 3- vehicle failure = windshield wipers became inoperable with out warning and would not work in any selected position. Vehicle had to be driven home in the rain without the use of windshield wipers. 4- customer initially replaced the wiper switch initially with no results, wiper motor was not receiving operational current 5- vehicle had to be taken to the dealer for diagnostics (special equipment required to test), failure was found in the totally integrated power module (TIPM), the controller for all vehicle networked electronics, including safety devices such as windshield wipers. Dealer replaced the TIPM and the wipers regained operation. Cost of the repair $833.00 us.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Window & Wiper complaints in other PT Cruiser years