NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
48 reportsClear category filter46,000 miles · Feb 6, 2007
Exterior Lighting
2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER TAILLIGHTS CAME LOOSE AND OUT OF THE BODY OF THE CAR DUE TO CRACKED PLASTIC IN TAILLIGHT HOUSING. TAILLIGHT SECURED BY ONE SCREW AND ONE METAL CLIP THAT FITS IN A CHEAP, FLIMSY PIECE OF PLASTIC INSIDE THE TAILLIGHT HOUSING. ONE PUSHES DOWN ON THE CLIP TO SECURE IT TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. THE PLASTIC PIEC…
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2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER TAILLIGHTS CAME LOOSE AND OUT OF THE BODY OF THE CAR DUE TO CRACKED PLASTIC IN TAILLIGHT HOUSING. TAILLIGHT SECURED BY ONE SCREW AND ONE METAL CLIP THAT FITS IN A CHEAP, FLIMSY PIECE OF PLASTIC INSIDE THE TAILLIGHT HOUSING. ONE PUSHES DOWN ON THE CLIP TO SECURE IT TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. THE PLASTIC PIECE INTO WHICH THE CLIP GOES CRACKED AND BROKE OFF ON BOTH TAILLIGHTS. CAR IS GARAGED 90% OF THE TIME ELIMINATING EXPOSURE TO THE SUN WHICH MIGHT CAUSE THE CRACKING. A RATHER SIGNIFICANT DESIGN FLAW AS ONE COULD EASILY COMPLETELY LOOSE THE ENTIRE PHYSICAL TAILLIGHT(S)! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10181745
30,000 miles · Jul 27, 2006
Exterior Lighting
OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD 50 PLUS TIMES WHERE I HAVE FOUND MY BATTERY DEAD AND THE FOG LAMPS ON. OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD FEWER , BUT , REGULAR TIMES WHEN THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED. I CHECK TO SEE THAT THEY ARE OFF AS I EXIT THE VEHICLE , AND RETURN TO FIND THEM ON AND THE BATTERY DEAD. THE SWITCH ON THE END OF TH…
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OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD 50 PLUS TIMES WHERE I HAVE FOUND MY BATTERY DEAD AND THE FOG LAMPS ON. OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD FEWER , BUT , REGULAR TIMES WHEN THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED. I CHECK TO SEE THAT THEY ARE OFF AS I EXIT THE VEHICLE , AND RETURN TO FIND THEM ON AND THE BATTERY DEAD. THE SWITCH ON THE END OF THE LIGHT CONTROL STICK IS NOT A GOOD ARRANGEMENT. IT WEARS OUT THE STOP AND THEN ( AS MINE IS NOW ) YOU CAN NOT TURN THE FOG LAMPS OFF. ANY LITTLE BUMP WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THEY COME ON. I HAVE HAD TO UNPLUG THESE LAMPS ( RATHER THAN PAY THE RIDICULOUS DEALER REPLACEMENT FEE ) TO KEEP MY CURRENT ( 3RD THIS LAST 2 YEARS ) BATTERY FROM DYING. I GOT THE FIRST RETAIL PT DELIVERY IN WI ON APRIL 12 2000 AND AM SURE IN TIME ALL OWNERS WILL FIND THIS PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10163617
85,324 miles · Jul 25, 2006
Exterior LightingFire
THE CONNECTOR PLUG FOR THE FOG LIGHTS SHORTED OUT CAUSING IT TO SMOLDER AND THE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON EVEN THOUGH THE KEY WAS REMOVED. THERE WAS FIRE BUT NO FLAME. THE PLUG MELTED AND CRACKED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10163381
80,654 miles · Jul 11, 2006
Exterior Lighting
FOG LIGHTS DIFFICULT TO SHUT OFF EVEN WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION, CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH TO AVOID FIRE/WIRING MELTDOWN. UPON REMOVAL OF SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY OF COMPONENT PLASTIC ARM WORN OUT ALLOWED SPRING LOADED CONTACT TO MAKE LIGHT AND CONSTANT CONTACT PRODUCING A SHORT CIRCUIT. ONCE PLASTIC FAILS NO WAY TO TURN FOGS OF…
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FOG LIGHTS DIFFICULT TO SHUT OFF EVEN WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION, CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH TO AVOID FIRE/WIRING MELTDOWN. UPON REMOVAL OF SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY OF COMPONENT PLASTIC ARM WORN OUT ALLOWED SPRING LOADED CONTACT TO MAKE LIGHT AND CONSTANT CONTACT PRODUCING A SHORT CIRCUIT. ONCE PLASTIC FAILS NO WAY TO TURN FOGS OFF. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10162177
94,000 miles · Jun 26, 2006
Exterior Lighting
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10160751
50,157 miles · Apr 29, 2006
Exterior Lighting
THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCHES ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAVE BEEN BURNING UP. SOME HAVE STUCK ON AND MELTED THE SWITCHES. NOT ALLOWING THE HEAD LIGHTS TO WORK OR GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT AREAS WHERE THE POWER IS TRANSFERED TO THE FOG OR HEAD LIGHTS ARE TO SMALL OF A AREA. AND ARE BURNING UP OR MELTING. THE D…
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THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCHES ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAVE BEEN BURNING UP. SOME HAVE STUCK ON AND MELTED THE SWITCHES. NOT ALLOWING THE HEAD LIGHTS TO WORK OR GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THE CONTACT AREAS WHERE THE POWER IS TRANSFERED TO THE FOG OR HEAD LIGHTS ARE TO SMALL OF A AREA. AND ARE BURNING UP OR MELTING. THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN REPLACING A LOT OF THEM. BUT EVEN SOME OF THE NEW ONES THEY HAVE INSTALLED ARE DEFECTIVE RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX AND DO NOT WORK. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10156420
44,700 miles · Apr 21, 2006
Exterior Lighting
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FOG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND ONLY WENT OFF WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS MANIPULATED. ON MONDAY THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT NO FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WAS MELTED AND NEE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FOG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING AND ONLY WENT OFF WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WAS MANIPULATED. ON MONDAY THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT NO FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WAS MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10155835
85,000 miles · Mar 30, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
2 YEARS INTO MY OWNERSHIP, MY CAR BEGAN HAVING FAILURES, MY EGR VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE "BRAIN" IN THE CAR WAS REPLACED, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED,THE FOG LIGHTS STARTED GOING ON AND STAYING ON, THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND OVERHEATED, THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, PIPE CARRYING CIRCULATING COOLANT RUSTED …
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2 YEARS INTO MY OWNERSHIP, MY CAR BEGAN HAVING FAILURES, MY EGR VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE "BRAIN" IN THE CAR WAS REPLACED, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED,THE FOG LIGHTS STARTED GOING ON AND STAYING ON, THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND OVERHEATED, THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED, PIPE CARRYING CIRCULATING COOLANT RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT, O RING WAS REPLACED,MANUAL TRANSMISSION BEGAN BEING DIFFICULT TO SHIFT, FLUID LEAKS,LOW FLUID, PLUG IS RECOMMENDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10154218
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2006
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
FOG LIGHTS CAME ON, EVEN WITH KEY TURNED OFF. FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. PUFF OF SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN AND FOG LIGHTS CEASED TO FUNCTION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10149428
52,700 miles · Sep 30, 2005
Exterior Lighting
MY FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND COULD TURN ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING. MY CAR BATTERY DRAINED A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND I HAD TO OBTAIN A JUMP TO START MY CAR. CALLED CAR DEALER, AND THEY PULLED THE FUSE TO THE FOG LIGHTS AND SAID THERE IS A SHORT IN THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. CALLED…
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MY FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND COULD TURN ON EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING. MY CAR BATTERY DRAINED A COUPLE OF TIMES, AND I HAD TO OBTAIN A JUMP TO START MY CAR. CALLED CAR DEALER, AND THEY PULLED THE FUSE TO THE FOG LIGHTS AND SAID THERE IS A SHORT IN THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. CALLED CHRYSLER, AND I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WILL OFFER NO ASSISTANCE UNLESS THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I SEE THERE IS A PRIOR COMPLAINT DATED AUGUST 2, 2005 FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THREE OTHER PT CRUISERS AND MY CAR DEALER STATES THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SWITCH ON SEVERAL PT CRUISERS. I HAVE ALSO READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON SOME ONLINE FORUMS. I WILL KEEP MY SERVICE RECORDS IN CASE OF RECALL PER CHRYSLER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10138227
Official recalls
5Jun 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
3PE04028 · 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.
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