Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler pt cruiser. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle on the front driver side. The entire front side of the vehicle was destroyed and none of the air bags deployed. She did not see any warning lights prior to the crash. She called the dealer to have them inspect her vehicle, but they have not yet responded. The contact…
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser airbags problems
severe 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
18crashes
20injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 28 airbags complaints filed for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Chrysler PT Cruiser we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 28.
Owners have filed 28 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Multiple 2006 PT Cruiser owners report airbags failed to deploy in significant frontal and side-impact collisions across a wide range of speeds, resulting in serious injuries and total-loss damage. Additional complaints cite persistent airbag warning lights, inadvertent deployments, and assembly defects, with dealers unable to resolve these issues.
Owners of 2006 Chrysler PT Cruisers describe widespread airbag failures. The most common complaint is non-deployment during frontal and side-impact collisions. Accidents ranged from 15 mph fender-benders to 75 mph head-on impacts with guard rails and roadside obstacles. In each case, the airbags did not deploy. Owners struck steering wheels and dashboards without cushioning, sustaining head trauma, loss of consciousness, hematomas, neck/back injuries, and spinal compression. Some vehicles were total losses with severe structural damage.
One owner reported a history of intermittent airbag warning lights before a collision in which the bags failed to deploy, despite prior repairs to the SRS module, clockspring, and wiring harness. Dealers in multiple cases stated they could not determine why deployment did not occur. Chrysler told one owner the vehicle was not hit hard enough, a claim at odds with the damage severity and injury patterns documented across the complaint cluster.
A separate group of owners report persistent or blinking airbag warning lights, some with audible chimes, that continued after module replacement. One owner discovered an airbag module inserted backwards, and the manufacturer refused to acknowledge a defect or certify proper function.
An isolated but serious complaint describes inadvertent airbag deployment at highway speed, causing loss of visibility and forcing the driver to pull over. A dealer could not diagnose the cause.
Same Chrysler PT Cruiser airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag failure to deploy in frontal/side-impact collisions
Airbags did not deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact collisions across a range of impact speeds (15-75 mph) and impact types. Owners reported striking other vehicles, guard rails, ditches, and roadside obstacles. Some crashes resulted in total-loss damage and serious injuries including head trauma, loss of consciousness, whiplash, spinal compression, and multiple fractures. In at least one case, an owner reported a prior history of intermittent airbag warning light and multiple control-system repairs (SRS module, clockspring, wiring harness) before the non-deployment event.
When: Various mileages reported: 14,810 miles, 30,609 miles, 34,500 miles, 45,872 miles, 58,000 miles, 69,164 miles, 83,000 miles, 85,000 miles, 91,624 miles, 100,000 miles; timing 2007–2015
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy despite frontal impact; Airbags did not deploy despite side-impact or roll-over; Owner struck steering wheel or dashboard without airbag cushioning; Severe injuries without airbag protection; Vehicles total loss with major front-end crush damage
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to determine reason for non-deployment in some cases; one mechanic found airbag sensor attached to frame but could not explain failure. Owners reported prior replacements: SRS module, clockspring, wiring harness under front passenger seat.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler/DaimlerChrysler stated in one case that the vehicle was not hit hard enough for airbags to deploy; engineers photographed one vehicle and stated they would contact owner within 72 hours or within 12 business days. Manufacturer refused to acknowledge potential defect in one case or write certification that airbag system would function properly. Refused to replace airbags in at least one case.
Intermittent or persistent airbag warning light
Airbag warning light illuminated and remained on continuously or intermittently, with or without accompanying audible chime. In some cases, the light persisted after repair attempts. One owner reported the alarm sounding every 5–10 seconds with dashboard symbol displayed continuously.
When: Various mileages: 34,500 miles, 69,164 miles, 83,000 miles; post-collision in one rear-end case
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side airbag warning light remained illuminated; Warning light illuminates and extinguishes repeatedly over time; Audible warning chime sounds with illuminated light; Alarm sounds continuously every 5–10 seconds with dashboard symbol; No prior warning signs in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced airbag module in one case but light persisted. One dealer diagnosed defective clockspring requiring replacement; owner did not authorize repair. No successful repair outcomes documented in narratives.
Inadvertent airbag deployment
Passenger-side airbag deployed without impact while vehicle was being driven at normal highway speed. Deployment caused loss of visibility and forced owner to pull over. Dealer was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle.
When: 45,872 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side airbag deployed while driving at 45 mph; No collision or impact occurred; Owner lost visibility due to deployment; Owner had to pull over to safety
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose or repair; manufacturer not notified.
Airbag module assembly or labeling defect
Owner discovered airbag module inserted backwards during inspection. Dealer stated module was labeled incorrectly but inserted properly. Manufacturer refused to acknowledge potential defect or provide written certification of proper function.
When: 34,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag module appeared to be inserted backwards in center control; Module labeling did not match installation orientation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated module was labeled incorrectly but inserted properly. Manufacturer refused to acknowledge potential defect and refused to provide certified letter confirming airbag system would function properly in event of crash.
Horn failure concurrent with airbag malfunction
One owner reported horn failure and persistent airbag warning light illuminated continuously. No recall identified by dealer.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Horn failure; Airbag warning light on continuously
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no recall exists for this issue.
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
It's a meaningful issue. 28 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 24 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 28,755 and 84,000 miles, with the median around 53,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,755; a quarter make it past 84,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chrysler/PT Cruiser.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.