IllustrationIN 2001 BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. IN THE LAST 2 YEARS THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED COLLAPSING ON ITSELF. THIS HAS EXPOSED THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE DASH TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND I AM AFRAID WILL MELT THE WIRING. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. CHRYSLER SHOULD REPLACE THIS. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pt Cruiser years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
370–25K
11625–50K
10150–75K
5675–100K
56100–150K
18150K+
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
Structure complaints
67 reportsMY 2001 PT CRUISER HAS SUDDENLY DEVELOPED LARGE CRACKS ON THE DASH. I'VE NEVER PUT ANY HEAVY THINGS ON IT OR USED IT TO HOLD MYSELF WHEN CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD AND OUT OF THE BLUE, IT'S CRACKED. OF COURSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE PURCHASE PRICE THROUGH THE DEALER IS ONLY $40.00 OR SO MORE THAN THE INSTALLATION PRICE. THE…
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MY 2001 PT CRUISER HAS SUDDENLY DEVELOPED LARGE CRACKS ON THE DASH. I'VE NEVER PUT ANY HEAVY THINGS ON IT OR USED IT TO HOLD MYSELF WHEN CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD AND OUT OF THE BLUE, IT'S CRACKED. OF COURSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE PURCHASE PRICE THROUGH THE DEALER IS ONLY $40.00 OR SO MORE THAN THE INSTALLATION PRICE. THE PART COSTS ABOUT $250.00. CHRYSLER IS GOUGING US. THERE IS NO WAY THAT PART TAKES OVER 2 HOURS TO REPLACE AND THAT'S WHAT IT WOULD BE AT TODAY'S MECHANIC'S LABOR PRICES! *TR
THE DASHBOARD OF MY PT CRUISER 2001 IS CRACKING! *TR
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT "ENGINE CRADLE", ALSO KNOWN AS THE "K-FRAME" OR "FRONT SUB-ASSEMBLY". IT IS THE STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAMEWORK BOLTED TO THE UNDERBODY THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ATTACH TO. THE STEERING RACK IS BOLTED TO THE TOP OF IT. THE LOWER ENGINE TORSION CONNECTOR IS MOUNTED TO IT. THE REASON? TOTAL…
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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT "ENGINE CRADLE", ALSO KNOWN AS THE "K-FRAME" OR "FRONT SUB-ASSEMBLY". IT IS THE STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAMEWORK BOLTED TO THE UNDERBODY THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ATTACH TO. THE STEERING RACK IS BOLTED TO THE TOP OF IT. THE LOWER ENGINE TORSION CONNECTOR IS MOUNTED TO IT. THE REASON? TOTAL RUST OUT! THE RIGHT WHEEL HUB AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AWAY FROM THE K-FRAME BECAUSE OF RUST. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN SLOWLY AT THE TIME, AND THAT WAS A GOOD THING, BECAUSE THE CAR COULD BARELY BE DRIVEN AFTER. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR
DASH BOARD DEVELOPED A CRACK AT THE CENTER VENT AND AS OF THIS POINT THE ENTIRE MIDDLE OF THE DASH PANEL IS CRACKED IN TWO! OTHER CRACKS ARE ALSO DEVELOPING! THESE STARTED TO DEVELOP THREE YEARS AGO. *TR
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2001 PT CRUISER STARTED CRACKING ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO, AND IS GRADUALLY CRACKING AND CRUMBLING RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES. IT MAKES ME SICK EVERY TIME I GET MY CAR NOW. I WAS SO PROUD TO BUY THE PT CRUISER IN 2001. NOW IT'S A SHAME AND EMBARRASSMENT TO ME. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR USED BUT IN PERFECT CONDITION IN 2003 - APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, MY DASHBOARD CRACKED. I DON'T MEAN A SMALL, HAIRLINE CRACK, BUT A CRACK WHERE IF IT WAS PUSHED ON IT WOULD CRUMBLE AND FALL. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL FRIKINS CHRYSLER DEALER WHO TOLD …
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I HAVE A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR USED BUT IN PERFECT CONDITION IN 2003 - APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR, MY DASHBOARD CRACKED. I DON'T MEAN A SMALL, HAIRLINE CRACK, BUT A CRACK WHERE IF IT WAS PUSHED ON IT WOULD CRUMBLE AND FALL. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL FRIKINS CHRYSLER DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS DUE TO USING "ARMOR ALL". WHEN I TOLD HIM I DID NOT USE ANY "ARMOR ALL", HE SAID THAT IT WAS NOW DUE TO LACK OF CARE. I ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE "AIR BAG SENSOR" REPLACED 3 TIMES, IN WHICH MY DASH WAS FURTHER CRACKED - AND IT IS STILL NOT WORKING. THIS RUINS THE LOOK OF MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO, UNTIL SOMEONE SUGGESTED FILE A COMPLAINT ON THE WEB SITE. THANK YOU. *TR
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN HALF FROM THE CENTER OF THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD, THROUGH THE OVAL DEFROSTER GRATING, AND ALL THE WAY BACK TO WHERE THE DASH MEETS THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE DEFROSTER GRATING HAS ACTUALLY FALLEN INTO THE DASH, AND OTHER SMALLER CRACKS ARE FORMING OFF OF THE MAIN ONE. I DIDN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROB…
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THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN HALF FROM THE CENTER OF THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD, THROUGH THE OVAL DEFROSTER GRATING, AND ALL THE WAY BACK TO WHERE THE DASH MEETS THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE DEFROSTER GRATING HAS ACTUALLY FALLEN INTO THE DASH, AND OTHER SMALLER CRACKS ARE FORMING OFF OF THE MAIN ONE. I DIDN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN IT HAPPENED UNTIL I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT OTHER OWNERS WERE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN MOST UNHELPFUL AND HAS HAS DENIED ANY CULPABILITY. *TR
MY 2001CHRYSLER PT CRUISER DASH CRACKED IN HALF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT CAUSED MANY ELECTRICAL ERRORS IN THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS. I AM JUST THANKFUL I WAS NOT IN A MORE SERIOUS SITUATION WHEN IT HAPPENED. I HAVE HEARD IT IS COMMON AND FEEL IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
2001 PT CRUISER WITH 44,500 MILES. ABT 3 MONTHS AGO A SMALL CRACK APPEARED IN THE DASHBOARD. IT GREW LARGER AND LARGER, AND IN OCTOBER THE VENT SCREEN PIECE POPPED OUT ON ITS OWN. THE CRACK FINALLY BISECTED THE DASHBOARD, SO I HAD IT REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS CAR HAS GOTTEN NORMAL USAGE AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NO INCIDENT…
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2001 PT CRUISER WITH 44,500 MILES. ABT 3 MONTHS AGO A SMALL CRACK APPEARED IN THE DASHBOARD. IT GREW LARGER AND LARGER, AND IN OCTOBER THE VENT SCREEN PIECE POPPED OUT ON ITS OWN. THE CRACK FINALLY BISECTED THE DASHBOARD, SO I HAD IT REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS CAR HAS GOTTEN NORMAL USAGE AND THERE APPEARS TO BE NO INCIDENT OR REASON FOR THIS TO HAVE OCCURRED. *TR
Official recalls
504V268000 · 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
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.