REVISED POWER STEERING SYSTEM BLEEDING PROCEDURES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1fire
1injury
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Chrysler PT Cruiser in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 PT Cruiser steering system shows multiple failure patterns across 18 complaints. Power steering pump and hose failures appear frequently—owners report leaks, grinding and whining noises, and hard-to-turn wheels starting around 100,000 miles and up. Some experienced pump replacement that did not resolve the issue.
Mechanical steering component wear includes loose steering wheel bolts (repeating after prior repair), steering knuckle breakage at 95,000 miles causing crash and injury, and defective control arms identified as a common problem causing loss of turning response and rim damage.
Electrical issues overlap with steering function in ways owners find especially dangerous. Ignition module failure causes dashboard light flicker, engine stall, and simultaneous loss of power steering and brakes at highway speeds. Complete electrical shutdown occurs intermittently across multiple trips, disabling all power assist. Some owners report ignition switch position sensitivity or stuck ignition keys preventing vehicle operation.
Steering seizes or becomes difficult to maneuver without clear root cause identified by dealers. One vehicle caught fire; the owner noted recall availability for hydraulic power assist hose issues. Dealers typically cannot diagnose intermittent problems, and Chrysler has declined most warranty or recall coverage for these failures.
Same Chrysler PT Cruiser steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Ignition Module Failure
Faulty key ignition module in the steering wheel causes loose internal parts and loss of electrical connection, leading to dashboard light flickering, engine stalling, loss of power steering and brakes.
When: 8+ months of intermittent occurrence; affects vehicles with 55,000+ miles and recurring issue after prior TIPM replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard lights repeatedly turn on and off; Engine stalling while driving or idling; Loss of power steering and brakes during events; Fuel gauge fluctuation; Noticeable gasoline smell; Headlights and interior lights randomly brighten or dim; Unsafe at highway speeds
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: $60-90 for ignition module; easily replaced with Torx screwdriver; new key does not include RF anti-theft module
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TIPM already replaced once for same issue; recurs after replacement
Steering Seizure During Driving
Steering capability occasionally freezes, preventing vehicle turn response for several moments. Occurs at inconsistent intervals and poses danger at road curves. Often accompanied by idle stalling and cooling system issues.
When: Inconsistent timing; occurs when outside temperature rises above 60 degrees for idle stalling component
Symptoms owners cite: Steering seizes and vehicle cannot be turned; Difficulty lasting a few moments each episode; Car jolts forward at stop lights; Engine dies at idle when temperature above 60°F; Check engine light for cooling system codes
Codes mentioned: Cooling system code
Repairs/costs cited: Fan switch replaced but immediately blew; mechanics unable to identify root cause; additional codes accumulate without resolution
Complete Electrical System Failure
Total electrical shutdown of engine and vehicle systems while driving, disabling all power-assist steering, brakes, lights, and airbag systems. Multiple occurrences across different years of ownership.
When: 3 separate incidents: twice within one year, once the following year; latest at 72,000 miles; failure is intermittent and does not persist for dealer diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: Entire electrical system fails; Air bag fails to deploy capability; Exterior and interior lights fail; Power steering fails; Power brakes fail; All electrical accessories lose power; Vehicle can be restarted after failure
Codes mentioned: None found by dealer diagnostic
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnostic found nothing conclusive; no recalls or warranty assistance provided; manufacturer customer assistance declined to help
Defective Control Arms
Left and right control arms fail, causing loss of steering response and forcing damage to tires and rims. Tire shop identified this as a common PT Cruiser problem with no recall coverage.
When: Failure occurred gradually; diagnosed at unknown mileage; damage required tire/rim replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Car sluggish when attempting turns; Sharp turn resulted in no steering response; Damage to both left and right tires and rims; Would have resulted in complete loss of control if not addressed
Repairs/costs cited: Both left and right control arms replaced; tire choice performed repair; owner seeks reimbursement for repair bill and tire/rim damage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall for control arms; Chrysler declined to cover repair or damage
Power Steering Pump Failure
Power steering pump fails, causing fluid leaks from pump or high-pressure hose and loss of power steering assist. Abnormal whining and grinding noises accompany failure.
When: At 197,000 miles (one case); approximately 131,000 miles (second case); 104,000 miles (third case with recurrence)
Symptoms owners cite: Difficult to maneuver steering wheel; Abnormal whining noise when turning; Abnormal grinding noise; Power steering fluid leak from hose hole; Squealing noise from steering column when wheel turned
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement needed; one case report of continued failure after pump replacement; fluid must be constantly replenished in some instances with source of leak unable to be located
High-Pressure Hose Rubbing Against Transaxle
Power steering high-pressure hose rubs against the transaxle, causing whining and grinding noises and difficult steering wheel maneuver. Owner researched issue online and identified probable cause.
When: At approximately 131,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Difficult to maneuver steering wheel at various speeds; Abnormal whining noise; Abnormal grinding noise; No warning indicators illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: No dealer or independent mechanic repair performed; owner identified online research findings
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; vehicle not included in any recalls
Stuck Ignition Key
Ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed from the ignition switch, preventing vehicle operation and inspection. Owner must disconnect battery to prevent battery drain.
When: Timing unknown; owner reports ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: Key stuck in ignition; Cannot remove key; Must disconnect battery to prevent drain
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostic estimate $330; repair not yet performed
Steering Wheel Looseness
Steering wheel bolt loosens, creating movement and play in the steering wheel assembly. Issue recurs after prior repair.
When: First occurrence in 2007 after purchase; recurrence in 2014 at 154,000 miles (initial repair at 39,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel loose; Feels like bolt is coming loose
Repairs/costs cited: Previously fixed in 2007; recurred requiring second repair
Steering Knuckle Breakage
Right-hand steering knuckle breaks while driving, causing immediate loss of steering control, vehicle spin, and crash into rocks.
When: At 95,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Right steering knuckle breaks; Loss of control; Vehicle spins and crashes; Driver re-injured neck in crash
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer denied assistance; no recall or warranty coverage
Steering Wheel Squeak and Hardness
Steering wheel produces squeaking noise when turned and becomes hard to turn, indicating internal steering column wear or friction.
When: At 78,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaking noise when steering wheel turned; Steering wheel hard to turn
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer confirmed vehicle not included in NHTSA Campaign ID 04V268000 (Steering)
Power Loss Related to Ignition Switch Position
When ignition switch is positioned too far forward, vehicle loses all power causing loss of steering, brakes, and all lights. Moving switch back to correct position prevents failure.
When: Ongoing; owner has learned workaround by adjusting switch position upon startup
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power when ignition switch too far forward; All lights illuminate; Loss of steering power; Loss of brake power; Issue resolves by moving switch backward after startup
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; owner uses manual workaround
Engine Stall with Steering Seizure and Full Panel Illumination
Engine stalls, steering wheel seizes, and entire instrument panel illuminates simultaneously while driving at various speeds. Occurs without prior warning.
When: At approximately 55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls; Steering wheel seizes; Entire instrument panel illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure
Vehicle Fire
Vehicle caught fire without warning. Owner notes recalls exist for hydraulic power assist hose malfunction and seeks repair information.
When: Timing and mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle caught fire spontaneously
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls exist for hydraulic power assist hose malfunction
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
For all you Chrysler pt cruiser lovers! Problem solved today! Dashboard lights repeatedly go on and off, engine stalling while driving or idling, I have a 2006 and have been plagued with this issue for a few years now. Dealer mechanics are idiots who go for the big ticket items and hope that solves the problem. This problem for me, was caused by a faulty key ignition module, in the steering…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 55,000 and 96,000 miles, with the median around 71,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 96,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.