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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

What owners actually said

618 reports
69,000 miles · Jul 20, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT THE BRAKE LINES COLLASPED AND HAS NOT ALLOWED THE BRAKE FLUID TO GO THROUGH. HAS TO GRIP STEERING WHEEL AND PULL OVER IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP SHAKING. STANDING NEXT TO THE BRAKES CONSUMER CAN FEEL THE HEAT COMING OFF THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED IN MAR 2005. TUFFY FIXED IT, THEY SAID HAD OTHER PT CRUISER'S IN FOR …

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DT THE BRAKE LINES COLLASPED AND HAS NOT ALLOWED THE BRAKE FLUID TO GO THROUGH. HAS TO GRIP STEERING WHEEL AND PULL OVER IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP SHAKING. STANDING NEXT TO THE BRAKES CONSUMER CAN FEEL THE HEAT COMING OFF THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED IN MAR 2005. TUFFY FIXED IT, THEY SAID HAD OTHER PT CRUISER'S IN FOR THE SAME DEFECT. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES IT SHOOK BADLY. IT WAS UNCONTROLABLE AT THAT POINT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10129410

400 miles · Jul 18, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT THE BRAKE LINES COLLAPSED AND WERE NOT ALLOWING THE FLUID TO GO THROUGH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE TREMDOUSLY WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES, HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO QUIT SHAKING. HAD THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED AT BRAKE SHOP. THEY SAW S THIS MANY TIMES WITH THE PT CRUISER. HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTO…

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DT THE BRAKE LINES COLLAPSED AND WERE NOT ALLOWING THE FLUID TO GO THROUGH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE TREMDOUSLY WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES, HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO QUIT SHAKING. HAD THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED AT BRAKE SHOP. THEY SAW S THIS MANY TIMES WITH THE PT CRUISER. HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS PUT ON. IF CONSUMER WOULD STAND BESIDE THE BRAKES SHE COULD FEEL THE HEAT COMING OUT OF THEM. THIS WAS ONGOING A COUPLE YEARS, AND MOSTLY RECENTLY HAPPENED ON MAY 30,2005.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10129052

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2005
Power TrainSteering

DT: THE CLUTCH CABLE ASSEMBLIES, THE BUSHINGS THAT ARE SUPPOSE TO BE AROUND THE CABLE WERE NEVER PUT ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT INTO GEAR . TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD BOTH CABLES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE ALL BUSHINGS WERE MISSING. THE PART THE MECHANIC RECEIVED FROM CHRYSLER HAD THE BUSHI…

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DT: THE CLUTCH CABLE ASSEMBLIES, THE BUSHINGS THAT ARE SUPPOSE TO BE AROUND THE CABLE WERE NEVER PUT ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT INTO GEAR . TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD BOTH CABLES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE ALL BUSHINGS WERE MISSING. THE PART THE MECHANIC RECEIVED FROM CHRYSLER HAD THE BUSHINGS ON IT. THE PROBLEM STARTED LAST YEAR, BUT SHE DID NOT KNOW THE BUSHINGS WERE MISSING UNTIL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT IN THE BEGINNING OF JUNE. AT THAT TIME, THE SENSOR LIGHT FOR THE ENGINE CHECK CAME ON. THAT WAS BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10128851

32,191 miles · Jul 13, 2005
SteeringSuspension

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO A QUICK TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE THE TO DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH FRONT TIE ROD ENDS WERE WORN AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. IN ADDITION THE CONTROL ARM HAD LOST A BUSHING WHICH CREATED A KNOC…

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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO A QUICK TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE THE TO DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH FRONT TIE ROD ENDS WERE WORN AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. IN ADDITION THE CONTROL ARM HAD LOST A BUSHING WHICH CREATED A KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED TIE ROD ENDS AS WELL AS THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING. DEALER NOTED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER AND THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DENIED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE PT CRUISER AND THAT ALL CARS HAVE GREASE FITTINGS CALLED "ZIRKS" SINCE REPAIRS NO PROBLEMS AS OF YET. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED 32,191 MILES. CHRYSLER DID SAY THEY WOULD REIMBURSE $150 FOR THE TIE RODS ENDS BUT THAT WAS ALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10128616

42,000 miles · Jul 11, 2005
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER ONLY 42000 MILES

NHTSA ODI #10128373

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: CONSUMER STATES 2001 PT CRUISER ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL AND THEN THE YELLOW WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY FIXED THE POWER STEERING, WHICH WAS PART OF NHTSA RECALL 04V268000. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE LIGHT WOULD STILL BE ON AND THE PROBLEM WOULD STILL OCCUR. TO FIND O…

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DT: CONSUMER STATES 2001 PT CRUISER ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL AND THEN THE YELLOW WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY FIXED THE POWER STEERING, WHICH WAS PART OF NHTSA RECALL 04V268000. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE LIGHT WOULD STILL BE ON AND THE PROBLEM WOULD STILL OCCUR. TO FIND OUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENED CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE DIAGNOSTIC WORK DONE. THIS STARTED DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY, ON JULY 5, 2005. IT DID NOT MATTER WHAT SPEED THE VEHICLE WAS GOING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10127816

56,228 miles · Jun 30, 2005
Electrical System

ON MARCH 14, 2005 MY VEHICLE WAS STALLING AND ACTUALLY HOPPING. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE FACILITY THAT I HAVE USED OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE WIRING HARNESS IN MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WAS DEFECTIVE AT 56000 MILES. HE NOTIFIED ME THAT THE WIRES INSIDE THE HARNESS …

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ON MARCH 14, 2005 MY VEHICLE WAS STALLING AND ACTUALLY HOPPING. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE FACILITY THAT I HAVE USED OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE WIRING HARNESS IN MY 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WAS DEFECTIVE AT 56000 MILES. HE NOTIFIED ME THAT THE WIRES INSIDE THE HARNESS WERE FRAYED AND SEVERAL BARE WIRES WERE ACTUALLY TOUCHING, CREATING A SEVERE SAFECTY HAZARD, I INSTRUCTED HIM TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. I DID NOT KNOW THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS A WARRANTY COVERED PART BECAUSE THE MANUAL SUPPLIED ME FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER DOES NOT CONTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE WIRING HARNESS. I SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND OUT IT WAS A WARRANTY COVERED ITEM UNDER THE CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS WARRANTY. CHRYLSER HAS REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR A PART THAT WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE I HAD IT REPLACED AT AN A.S.E. CERTIFIED FACILITY BY A MASTER TECHNICIAN. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER REGARDING THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH ME. THE REPAIR FACILITY THAT I TOOK MY CAR TO HAS KEPT THE WIRING HARNESS BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. I WANT TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WIRING HARNESSES IN PT CRUISERS. THE WIRING HARNESS IS NOT A MOVING PART AND WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE INFLUENCES SUCH AS MOISTURE OR EXCESSIVE ENGINE MOVEMENT, WHICH I DID NOT HAVE, THE WIRING HARNESS SHOULD NEVER HAVE FRAYED AND BARE ELECTRICAL WIRES. PLEASE PROVIDE ME WITH ANY INFORMATION THAT I CAN USE TO CONVINCE THE MANUFACTURER OF MY CAR THAT A DEFECTIVE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PART WAS SOLD TO ME.

NHTSA ODI #10127101

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2005
Wheels

I OWN A 2001 PT CRUISER. STARTING IN 2003 I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE LOSS OF AIR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I JUST RETURNED FROM THE GARAGE WHERE I HAVE THE CAR SERVICED. THE MECHANICS SHOWED ME THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WHICH HAS OXIDIZED. THEY ATTEMPTED TO SEAL THE BEAD WITH "GOOP," BUT ADVISE THAT I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE ENT…

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I OWN A 2001 PT CRUISER. STARTING IN 2003 I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE LOSS OF AIR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I JUST RETURNED FROM THE GARAGE WHERE I HAVE THE CAR SERVICED. THE MECHANICS SHOWED ME THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WHICH HAS OXIDIZED. THEY ATTEMPTED TO SEAL THE BEAD WITH "GOOP," BUT ADVISE THAT I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WHEEL IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THEY STATE FURTHER THAT THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM ON JEEPS AND OTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCTS AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10126611

41,000 miles · Jun 24, 2005
Steering

MY 2001 PT CRUISER HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A LEAK IN THE STEERING GEAR WHICH CAN ONLY BE OBSERVED BY CHECKING THE BOOT WHICH HOLDS THE STEERING FLUID. THIS VEHICLE HAS 41,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD. IT IS GARAGE HOUSED AND I DO NOT FEEL THIS PROBELM SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH THE MILES AND THE USE IT HAS BEEN SUBJE…

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MY 2001 PT CRUISER HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A LEAK IN THE STEERING GEAR WHICH CAN ONLY BE OBSERVED BY CHECKING THE BOOT WHICH HOLDS THE STEERING FLUID. THIS VEHICLE HAS 41,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD. IT IS GARAGE HOUSED AND I DO NOT FEEL THIS PROBELM SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH THE MILES AND THE USE IT HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE PT CRUISER HAS HAD THIS COMPLAINT LODGED A NUMBER OF TIMES SO I FEEL IT MAY BE A DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY CHRYSLER CORP.

NHTSA ODI #10126518

37,230 miles · Jun 23, 2005
Power Train

I WAS TRAVELLING EAST ON THE 91 FREEWAY IN LOS ANGELES AT ABOUT 5:10PM ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2005. I WAS IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL NOISE PRECEDING THE DISENGAGEMENT EXCEPT THAT THE ENGINE REVVED, OF COURSE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS…

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I WAS TRAVELLING EAST ON THE 91 FREEWAY IN LOS ANGELES AT ABOUT 5:10PM ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2005. I WAS IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC TRAVELLING AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL NOISE PRECEDING THE DISENGAGEMENT EXCEPT THAT THE ENGINE REVVED, OF COURSE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE APPROACHING THE BELLFLOWER OFFRAMP. THE CAR ROLLED TO A STOP NEAR THE END OF THE OFFRAMP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO DONAVEE CHRYSLER IN PLACENTIA, CA. WE TOOK DELIVERY OF THE CAR ON MAY 27, 2001 AND IT ONLY HAS 37,230 MILES ON IT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT IT WOULD COST $850 JUST TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN BEGIN TO DETERMINE WHAT WENT WRONG - PARTS AND REPAIRS WILL BE EXTRA.

NHTSA ODI #10126378

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.