Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
moderate 33 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Of the 33 visibility complaints filed for the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
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.
Of the 4 model years of Chrysler PT Cruiser we track for visibility problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 33.
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
If the glass separates while driving, it could strike another vehicle or injure a pedestrian.
Buyer takeaway: Rear quarter windows on 2006 PT Cruisers frequently detach or fall off during driving, sometimes hitting other vehicles—and Chrysler's recall has left many vehicles uncovered or unrepaired. Windshield wipers also commonly fail or freeze mid-cycle, creating dangerous visibility loss in rain, and dealers struggle to fix the underlying electrical module problem.
The most serious complaint cluster involves rear quarter windows (wedge/porthole windows) that separate from the vehicle during normal highway driving, sometimes striking following traffic. Owners report mounting studs pulling loose from the molding or windows detaching entirely from adhesive-only fastening. While Chrysler issued recall 07V149000 in 2007, many 2006 model-year vehicles fall outside the recall range by VIN or manufacture date. Even more troubling, owners report the recall repair itself has failed—one owner had the recall performed in May 2007 but the window re-detached later, suggesting the fix of reinforced mounting studs is not permanent. Dealers also refuse to perform recall service on vehicles with aftermarket window tint, demanding customer payment for tint replacement.
Windshield wiper failures rank second in frequency. Owners report wipers that stop mid-cycle during heavy rain, operate only on high setting, or require jiggling the control stalk to work. Shop attempts to replace the motor and switch have not resolved the issue; one dealer identified the Totally Integrated Body Module (TIBM) as needing replacement but could not source the part. Windshield spontaneous cracking or shattering, though less frequent, occurred in multiple cases at low mileage with no impact or foreign object involvement, creating unexpected out-of-pocket glass replacement costs.
Same Chrysler PT Cruiser visibility reports on nearby years: 2005
Fixed rear quarter windows (wedge/porthole windows) detach or fall completely from the vehicle body during normal driving. Mounting studs pull loose from the molding, or windows separate from adhesive-only attachment. This is the defect addressed by recall 07V149000, but occurs on vehicles excluded from the recall or after the recall repair proves ineffective.
When: Variable; occurs between 10,000 and 170,000 miles; some occur early in ownership; one noted as occurring on vehicle manufactured outside official recall period (October 2005, after cutoff of September 1, 2005)
Symptoms owners cite: Window hangs loosely from frame during driving; Rattling noises from rear of vehicle; Excessive road noise in passenger compartment; Water leaks behind rear seats after rain; Window becomes completely detached and falls off vehicle, sometimes striking following traffic; Window flaps in wind before detaching at highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement rear quarter glass; cost $350 reported in one case. Some owners note the recall repair using plastic and mounting studs has failed to provide permanent fix.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall campaign 07V149000 (Visibility: Glass, Side/Rear). Many vehicles excluded from recall based on VIN or manufacture date. Dealers refuse recall service on tinted windows, claiming customer must pay for tint replacement. Chrysler denied reimbursement outside recall window. One case notes recall parts on back order with no availability date.
Front and/or rear windshield wipers stop working, fail to operate on specific settings (e.g., high speed only), freeze mid-cycle, or operate only intermittently. Rear wiper can fail independently. Dealers have replaced wiper motors and switches; problem persists. One dealer cited need for Totally Integrated Body Module (TIBM) replacement with no parts availability.
When: Variable; one rear wiper failure in winter; front wiper failures occur throughout year; reported at 37,238 miles and 49,054 miles; one case after three weeks of intermittent operation
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers stop working completely without notice; Rear wiper does not work at all; Wipers operate only on high setting, not other speeds; Wipers freeze mid-cycle, blocking windshield view; Wipers stop and start intermittently during heavy rain; Wipers creep slowly then stop mid-wipe; Wipers require jiggling wiper control and turn signal together to operate
Repairs/costs cited: Shops have replaced wiper motor and switch; replacement did not resolve issue. One dealer indicated TIBM replacement needed but parts unavailable. Owners report checking fuses and blade replacement before seeking service.
Windshield cracks or shatters spontaneously without impact or collision. Cracks originate below the seal at the bottom center of windshield and branch horizontally. One case involved front passenger window exploding at low speed with no external cause found. No foreign objects detected inside vehicle.
When: Early in ownership; one at 13,000 miles; one after approximately 600 miles on vehicle; one at 35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Stress crack begins at bottom of windshield below seal, branches horizontally left and right; Crack continues to lengthen over time; Front passenger side window spontaneously explodes into shattered glass; Large quantities of glass scatter inside vehicle including floorboards, seats, and center console
Repairs/costs cited: Glass coverage only 12,000 miles under warranty; out-of-pocket expense. One owner noted service staff confirmed stress crack with no impact signature.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed road hazard; warranty denies coverage after 12,000 miles. Service advisor suggested possible merit warranty consideration in one case. Chrysler had previously recalled 2006 quarter panels for similar issue.
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Tl*the 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…
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 33 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 27 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 15,000 and 67,319 miles, with the median around 41,280. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 67,319. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility 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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover visibility issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.