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2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pt Cruiser years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser are substantially higher than the model-year median of 202.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

384 reports with mileage · 234 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports17 fire reports24 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

62 reports
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29,256 miles · Jun 6, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER CONSUMES APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT SERVICES MY CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND WITHIN ACCEPTABLE SPECIFICATIONS BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS TO BE TRUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230182

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE NOT YET HAD A FAILURE BUT WAS DIRECTED TO THIS SITE BY WWW.PTCRUISERPROBLEMS.COM TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT REGARDING HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION OF A QUART EVERY 1000 MILES POTENTIALLY LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE ON PT CRUISERS. I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE THIS IS THE RIGHT AGENCY, THOUGH. IF NOT, PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225176

145,000 miles · Feb 8, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2001 PT CRUISER. AFTER WATCHING A PT CRUISER CATCH ON FIRE IN MY WORK PARKING LOT, I NOTICED THAT I HAD NO HEAT. I ADDED COOLANT AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE UNTIL I DROVE IT FOR OVER 20 MINUTES. IT STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD (IN THE DEAD OF WINTER). AFTER LETTI…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2001 PT CRUISER. AFTER WATCHING A PT CRUISER CATCH ON FIRE IN MY WORK PARKING LOT, I NOTICED THAT I HAD NO HEAT. I ADDED COOLANT AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE UNTIL I DROVE IT FOR OVER 20 MINUTES. IT STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD (IN THE DEAD OF WINTER). AFTER LETTING IT COOL I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME. I ADDED COOLANT AND CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND FOUND NONE. THEN I CHECKED THE INTERNET TO HELP TROUBLESHOOT THE ISSUE... AND RAN ACROSS SEVERAL WEBSITE WITH MY EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH MANY PEOPLE STATING THAT THEY HAD SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WITHOUT ANY RESULTS, AND WITH NO HELP FROM CHRYSLER RESOLVING THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217505

38,621 miles · Jan 14, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

OWNER NOTICED A SLIGHT "PUDDLE" (SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR) ON GARAGE FLOOR. OWNER JACKED UP CAR TO INSPECT AND IDENTIFY WHERE LEAK WAS ORIGINATING. NOTED A MISPLACED BUSHING ON THE BRACKET HOLDING THE POWER STEERING HOSE IN PLACE UNDER THE ENGINE. ONE END OF THE BUSHING HAD BROKEN ALLOWING THE HOSE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE BRACKE…

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OWNER NOTICED A SLIGHT "PUDDLE" (SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR) ON GARAGE FLOOR. OWNER JACKED UP CAR TO INSPECT AND IDENTIFY WHERE LEAK WAS ORIGINATING. NOTED A MISPLACED BUSHING ON THE BRACKET HOLDING THE POWER STEERING HOSE IN PLACE UNDER THE ENGINE. ONE END OF THE BUSHING HAD BROKEN ALLOWING THE HOSE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE BRACKET AND LEAK FLUID. OWNER IMMEDIATELY TOOK CAR INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE REPAIRED. UPON EXAMINATION, DEALER INFORMED OWNER THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS (2) HAD BROKEN ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO SIT LOWER ON THE FRAME AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE BUSHING TO FAIL. OWNER PAID OVER $1,000 TO REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS (2) AND REPLACE BUSHING AND POWER STEERING HOSE. OWNER FEELS THAT MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE WAS PREMATURE AS THE CAR ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD AND HAS BEEN GARAGED ITS ENTIRE LIFETIME. OWNER HAS IN HIS POSSESSION THE DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNTS. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DEATHS, THERE CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN IF THE OWNER HAD NOT BEEN SO OBSERVANT AND VIGILANT ABOUT MAINTAINING THE CAR. LOSS OF POWER STEERING FUNCTION OR ENGINE DETACHMENT WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC ON THE ROAD, PARTICULARLY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214848

80,000 miles · Jan 14, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

STRONG EXHAUST ODOR IN CAR WITH AC ON FRESH AIR. AFTER DOING A LITTLE TESTING I FOUND THE MANIFOLD TO EXHAUST SLIP JOINT LEAKING HEAVILY. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR A LONGE TIME AND ARE JUST GETTING TIRED OF CHOAKING LEVELS OF EXHAUST EVERY TIME WE COME TO A STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214820

116,280 miles · Nov 30, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS. WHEN THE CONTACT LEFT THE DEALER, SHE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE DEALER ST…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS. WHEN THE CONTACT LEFT THE DEALER, SHE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,280. UPDATED 12/13/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210387

109,000 miles · Aug 12, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY PT CRUISER OVERHEATED AND I REALIZED THAT THE FAN WAS NOT COMING ON. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE SENSORS AND FUSES WERE FINE AND THAT THE FAN ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING. WHICH COST $700. 2 WEEKS LATER, THE CAR OVERHEATED, AGAIN AND ONCE AGAIN A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THAT. THIS TIME IT STALLED AND WOULD …

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MY PT CRUISER OVERHEATED AND I REALIZED THAT THE FAN WAS NOT COMING ON. I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE SENSORS AND FUSES WERE FINE AND THAT THE FAN ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING. WHICH COST $700. 2 WEEKS LATER, THE CAR OVERHEATED, AGAIN AND ONCE AGAIN A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THAT. THIS TIME IT STALLED AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10199330

116,783 miles · Jul 30, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

OVERHEATING, STEAM ROLLING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD AND STALLING. REPAIRED 9/2006 AT THE COST OF $379.38. PROBLEM HAS STARTED AGAIN, 10 MONTHS LATER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10197872

22,250 miles · Dec 11, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS SLOWLY LEAKING COOLANT. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. A SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFAC…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS SLOWLY LEAKING COOLANT. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. A SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI #10175770

14,420 miles · Aug 2, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

) ON 9/2/03 I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED. PROBLEM FOUND WAS THE FRONT RIGHT CALIPER PISTON STUCK > CLOSED CAUSING UNEVEN WEAR > OF BRAKES PADS ( METAL TO METAL ON FRONT RIGHT AND 50% PADS ON OTHER THREE). DEALER REPLACED THE CALIPER PISTON, REPLACED PADS AND MACHINED ROTORS. HAD TO GET A RENTAL FO…

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) ON 9/2/03 I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED. PROBLEM FOUND WAS THE FRONT RIGHT CALIPER PISTON STUCK > CLOSED CAUSING UNEVEN WEAR > OF BRAKES PADS ( METAL TO METAL ON FRONT RIGHT AND 50% PADS ON OTHER THREE). DEALER REPLACED THE CALIPER PISTON, REPLACED PADS AND MACHINED ROTORS. HAD TO GET A RENTAL FOR ONE DAY. 2) ON 2/21/05 HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP AGAIN TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND BRAKES CHECKED. DEALER SAID ALTHOUGH THE PADS WHERE WEARING EVENLY NOW, THEY STATED "BUT WORN OUT FRONT AND REAR", NEED TO BE REPLACED. BRAKES FRONT AND REAR, REPLACED FRONT ROTORS, RESURFACED REAR ROTORS" THIS TIME I HAD TO HAVE A RENTAL FOR THREE DAYS. 3) ON 3/12/05 NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TO WORK THE, ENTIRE WINDSHIELD BECAME ENGULFED WITH STEAM, I COULD NOT SEE A THING AND THE WIPERS COULD NOT TAKE THE STEAM AWAY, SO AGAIN I HAD TO HEAD BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT. DEALER STATED "FOUND ENGINE COOLING FAN NOT WORKING & RADIATOR CAP NOT HOLDING PRESSURE" " REPLACED FAN AND RADIATOR CAP". ANOTHER RENTAL FOR TWO DAYS. 4) ON 6/14/06, 161 MILES AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY RUNS OUT, I HAVE A MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, I GET THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND THE DEALER STATES TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK SHORTED OUT AND DAMAGED THE CONTROLLER AND I HAD TO HAVE THIS ITEM REPLACED. NO RENTAL REQUIRED THIS TIME BUT THE BILL WAS $1055.66 ON MY DIME. NOW ....THE GRAND DADDY OF THEM ALL! 5) THE CAR WAS BACK AT THE DEALER ON 8/1/06 FOR THE SAME FRONT RIGHT CALIPER PISTON ISSUE AS ON 9/2/03, BUT ON MY DIME THIS TIME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10164200

Official recalls

5

04V268000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Jun 3, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L NON-TURBOCHARGED ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, POTENTIALLY DAMAGING THE HOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RELOCATE, OR REPLACE AS NECESSARY, THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND CONFIRM TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

02V214000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Aug 8, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE COULD CONTACT THE AIR-CONDITIONING TUBE SERVICE PORT. THIS CAN CAUSE CHAFING OF THE LINE RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL LINE FOR ABRASION AND INSTALL A CLIP TO ENSURE ISOLATION. IN CASES WITH EVIDENCE OF FUEL LINE ABRASION, THE FUEL LINE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

02V215000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Aug 8, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE MOUNTING FLANGE COULD LEAK FUEL IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY SEAL OVER THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

02V162000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Jun 14, 2002

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE RIGHT REAR "65%" SEAT CENTER LOWER ANCHOR WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A WIRE DIAMETER THAT IS GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DIMENSION AS SPECIFIED IN THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE CONNECTOR FOR A LATCH-TYPE CHILD RESTRAINT IS NOT ATTACHED CORRECTLY TO THE ANCHORAGE POINTS, THE RESTRAINT WILL NOT PROPERLY PROTECT A CHILD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RIGHT REAR SEAT CENTER ANCHOR AND, IF NECESSARY, RESIZE THE ANCHOR TO MEET THE DIAMETER SPECIFIED WITHIN THE STANDARD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 4, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V366000 · Child Seat

Nov 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

PE04028 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Mar 15, 2004 · Closed Jun 18, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Steering

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.

PE02058 · Fuel Hose Abrasion

Opened Jul 19, 2002 · Closed Oct 4, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

No summary supplied.