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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.

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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

Wheels complaints

61 reports
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114,000 miles · Mar 21, 2007
Wheels

TL*- THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT 3 OUT OF HIS 4 TIRES WERE LEAKING. HE TOOK THE 2001 PT CRUISER TO A TIRE SHOP AND AT THE TIRE SHOP THEY STATED THAT THE BRIDGESTONE FUSION TIRES WERE FINE, THE FAILURE WAS ON THE METAL INSIDE THE RIMS THAT WAS COMING APART. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114000…

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TL*- THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT 3 OUT OF HIS 4 TIRES WERE LEAKING. HE TOOK THE 2001 PT CRUISER TO A TIRE SHOP AND AT THE TIRE SHOP THEY STATED THAT THE BRIDGESTONE FUSION TIRES WERE FINE, THE FAILURE WAS ON THE METAL INSIDE THE RIMS THAT WAS COMING APART. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118000.

NHTSA ODI #10185776

70,000 miles · Mar 13, 2007
Wheels

(1) LOSS OF TIRE AIR PRESSURE NOTICED ON TWO DIFFERENT WHEELS, THREE WEEKS APART. (2) PRESSURE LOSS DUE TO CORROSION ON CHROME-PLATED ALLOY WHEELS ON 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. (3) TEMPORARY CORRECTION WAS TO GRIND CORROSION AND SEAL THE BEAD WITH TRUCK WHEEL SEALER. UPON CONVERSATION WITH A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD T…

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(1) LOSS OF TIRE AIR PRESSURE NOTICED ON TWO DIFFERENT WHEELS, THREE WEEKS APART. (2) PRESSURE LOSS DUE TO CORROSION ON CHROME-PLATED ALLOY WHEELS ON 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. (3) TEMPORARY CORRECTION WAS TO GRIND CORROSION AND SEAL THE BEAD WITH TRUCK WHEEL SEALER. UPON CONVERSATION WITH A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT ULTIMATELY THE WHEELS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, AS THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT, IN FACT, THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED TOTAL WHEEL FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION (HOLES ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE WHEEL). UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS HAS ALSO BEEN THE CASE WITH CHRYSLER 300S AND DODGE DURANGOS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184992

40,000 miles · Feb 12, 2007
Wheels

TIRES ARE GOING FLAT. HAVE REPEATEDLY TAKEN TO TIRE DEALER TO FIX TIRES. YESTERDAY WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE WHEELS AND NOT THE TIRES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182406

46,400 miles · Nov 6, 2006
Wheels

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND A BUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE AIR PRESSURE WAS LOW IN TIRES AND ALL FOUR RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10172763

45,680 miles · Oct 31, 2006
Wheels

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. THE TIRE WAS INFLATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED ALL THE RIMS WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10172290

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2006
Wheels

2001 PT CRUISER WITH 16 INCH CHROME WHEELS. CHROME IS FLAKING ON THE BEAD EDGE OF THE WHEELS CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOOSE PRESSURE. MINE HAVE BEEN SLOW LEAKS, BUT LEAKS COULD BE FAST. TIRES GO DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY, CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS. TIRE REPAIR SHOP SAID COMMON FAILURE. SEES IT REGULARLY.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10172156

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2006
Wheels

2001 PT CRUISER - CHROME IS PEELING FROM RIMS WHICH CAUSES AIR TO LEAK FROM TIRES. SECOND SET OF TIRES IS NOW INSTALLED BUT RIMS HAD TO BE RE-SEALED AFTER ABOUT 10K MILES. RIMS WERE RESEALED ONCE BEFORE. CHRYSLER WAS CONTACTED WITH NO RESOLUTION. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM ON THEIR PART. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10170516

44,000 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Power TrainWheels

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AND AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE POWER CONTROL MODULE OF THE POWER TRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENTS, THE PROBLEM PER…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AND AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE POWER CONTROL MODULE OF THE POWER TRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENTS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ADDITIONALLY, ALL FOUR TIRES SLOWLY DEFLATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE WHEEL RIMS NEEDED THE CHROME PLATE GROUND AND OIL APPLIED. THIS WAS DONE HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - THE RIMS ARE ALUMINUM CHROME PLATED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10170368

40,000 miles · Sep 19, 2006
Wheels

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES LOST AIR WITHOUT INCIDENT. AIR NEEDED TO BE ADDED EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE WHEEL WAS FLAKING OFF AND WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. THE RIMS WERE FLAKING AROUND THE VALVE OUTLET. UPDATED 10/04/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10168635

32,000 miles · Sep 12, 2006
Wheels

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 PT CRUISER WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. TO DATE, I HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS TELL ME THAT THE WHEELS/RIMS ARE DETERIORATING/PEELING AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AS A RESULT, I AM ALSO CONSTANTLY PUTTING AIR IN SOME OF THE TIRES. MY GREATEST WORRY, IS HAVING A "TIRE BLOW OUT" WHILE TRAVELING …

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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2001 PT CRUISER WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. TO DATE, I HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS TELL ME THAT THE WHEELS/RIMS ARE DETERIORATING/PEELING AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AS A RESULT, I AM ALSO CONSTANTLY PUTTING AIR IN SOME OF THE TIRES. MY GREATEST WORRY, IS HAVING A "TIRE BLOW OUT" WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT MANY OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IF THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS VEHICLE IS NOT WILLING TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR WHEELS, I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO TURN THIS OVER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND/OR MEDIA. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ACCORDINGLY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167930

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.