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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
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2004
Wheels

THE TIRES WERE LOSING AIR PRESSURE ON A DAILY BASIS WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO FILL UP WITH WATER. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE GOODYEAR FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RIMS CORRODED, CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOSE PRESSURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10076108

5,000 miles · Jun 5, 2004
Parking Brake

PARKING BRAKE OCCASIONALLY FAILS TO ENGAGE. IT ALSO HAS DISENGAGED BY ITSELF. ONCE IT ROLLED AWAY AND KNOCKED OVER A SIGN. DEALER UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10074857

20,000 miles · Jun 4, 2004
Suspension

REAR SUSPENSION MADE UP OF MANY LINKS WITH GROMMETS INSIDE THEM THAT WEAR OUT PREMATURELY AND MAKE A LOUD CLANGING BANGING NOISE. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY SPARE TIRE W/O AIR AND DID NOT GET TO THE DEALER BEFORE THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED (PLUS THIS DEALER DOES NOT REALLY REPAIR THINGS). LOCAL MECHANIC GOT AHOLD OF LOCAL DEALE…

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REAR SUSPENSION MADE UP OF MANY LINKS WITH GROMMETS INSIDE THEM THAT WEAR OUT PREMATURELY AND MAKE A LOUD CLANGING BANGING NOISE. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY SPARE TIRE W/O AIR AND DID NOT GET TO THE DEALER BEFORE THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED (PLUS THIS DEALER DOES NOT REALLY REPAIR THINGS). LOCAL MECHANIC GOT AHOLD OF LOCAL DEALER WHO IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM. EITHER IT IS A POOR DESIGN OR THE SUPPLIER BLEW IT BUT IT IS GODDAWFUL AND I AM FEARFUL OF FAILURE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10074791

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2004
Electrical System

ELECTRIC FAILURES: 1) 4/29/03 PLACED KEY IN IGNITION; ALARM SOUNDS AND WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD, CAR WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO DEALER. REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. 2) 11/15/03 DROVE CAR TO WORK; PLACED CAR IN PARK, TURN KEY IN OFF POSITION AND REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION, CAR ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING. PLACED KEY BACK INTO IGN…

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ELECTRIC FAILURES: 1) 4/29/03 PLACED KEY IN IGNITION; ALARM SOUNDS AND WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD, CAR WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO DEALER. REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. 2) 11/15/03 DROVE CAR TO WORK; PLACED CAR IN PARK, TURN KEY IN OFF POSITION AND REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION, CAR ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING. PLACED KEY BACK INTO IGNITION TURN TO ON POSITION, THEN BACK TO OFF POSITION, ENGINE TURNED OFF. CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS UNLESS I COULD MAKE IT HAPPEN AGAIN. 3) 6/3/04 UNLOCKED CAR, GOT IN DRIVER'S SEAT AND WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH WERE ON (ENGINE, OIL, AIR BAG, SEAT BELT AND ALARM), TURNED KEY TO ON POSITION, CAR STARTED THEN CUT OUT. TURN KEY TO OFF POSITION, THEN BACK TO ON POSITION. ENGINE WOULDN'T START. ALL WARNING LIGHTS STAYED ON. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10074728

57,559 miles · May 28, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

I HAD NO ADVANCE WARNING THAT MY WATER PUMP WAS FAILING. LUCKILY, I WAS JUST PULLING IN AT HOME WHEN THE TEMPERATURE BELL SOUNDED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS ADVANCING NEAR THE RED AREA. WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF, I HEARD A NOISE AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD. THE WATER IN THE RESERVOIR WAS DOWN TO THE ADD LIN AND WAS BOILING FURIOUSLY. HA…

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I HAD NO ADVANCE WARNING THAT MY WATER PUMP WAS FAILING. LUCKILY, I WAS JUST PULLING IN AT HOME WHEN THE TEMPERATURE BELL SOUNDED AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS ADVANCING NEAR THE RED AREA. WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF, I HEARD A NOISE AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD. THE WATER IN THE RESERVOIR WAS DOWN TO THE ADD LIN AND WAS BOILING FURIOUSLY. HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE, I FEAR THAT MY CAR COULD HAVE BLOWN WHILE DRIVING. MY CAR IS A PT CRUISER AND I HAVE HEARD ABOUT A SIMILAR INCIDENT FROM A FRIEND WHO HAS AN INTREPID. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND UPSET ABOUT THIS INCIDENT! I HAVE HAD RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING, AND THE SERVICE PEOPLE TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T HEAR THE SOUND AND THAT IT WAS JUST "THE CAR". I AM BECOMING APPREHENSIVE ABOUT DRIVING MY CAR - ESPECIALLY ON BIG ROADS OR A FEW MILES FROM HOME. I AM THANKFUL THAT, SO FAR, ONLY MY FINANCES AND TEMPERAMENT ARE DAMAGED. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10073306

8,036 miles · May 13, 2004
Exterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING HOME AT 11:00 PM AND JUST ABOUT TO GET ON I 75, AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I HAD TAIL LIGHTS AND I COULD USE MY FLASHERS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERS NEXT DAY AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I TOLD THEM TO PUT A NEW BATTERY IN IT NO MATTER WHAT. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT AT NIGHT SINCE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AT NIGH…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME AT 11:00 PM AND JUST ABOUT TO GET ON I 75, AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I HAD TAIL LIGHTS AND I COULD USE MY FLASHERS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERS NEXT DAY AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I TOLD THEM TO PUT A NEW BATTERY IN IT NO MATTER WHAT. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT AT NIGHT SINCE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10072575

45,500 miles · May 12, 2004
Air Bags

AFTER STARTING MY ENGINE, MY AIRBAG LITE CAME ON AND NEVER WENT OFF. EVERYTIME I HAVE STARTED MY CAR SINCE, THE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10072520

30,000 miles · Apr 14, 2004
Suspension

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE RUBBER. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RATTLES, SEVERE TIRE VIBRATION OR FRONT END VIBRATION. SOME OF MY MEMBERS HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR AS LOW AS 5000 MILES. CURRENTLY MINE HAS 36.000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING ON MINE. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. AND THER…

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THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE RUBBER. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RATTLES, SEVERE TIRE VIBRATION OR FRONT END VIBRATION. SOME OF MY MEMBERS HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR AS LOW AS 5000 MILES. CURRENTLY MINE HAS 36.000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING ON MINE. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT THESE TYPE OF BUSHINGS SHOULD BE HAVING THIS SEPARATION PROBLEM AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. A RECALL IS IN ORDER, BEFORE A OWNER HAS A VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO THE VEHICLE LOOSING STEERING CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI #10066192

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2004
Electrical System

HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AGAINST OPTIMA BATTERIES. I WORKED FOR OPTIMA BATTERIES AS A MAINTENANCE TECH FROM 11/00 TO 1/04 OPTIMA HAS A CONTRACT WITH CHRYSLER TO BUILD BATTERIES FOR THE PT CRUISERS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT SOME OF THE BATTERIES THAT WENT IN THE CARS LEAKED. THE BATTERIES FIT SOME WERE IN THE PASSENGER …

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HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AGAINST OPTIMA BATTERIES. I WORKED FOR OPTIMA BATTERIES AS A MAINTENANCE TECH FROM 11/00 TO 1/04 OPTIMA HAS A CONTRACT WITH CHRYSLER TO BUILD BATTERIES FOR THE PT CRUISERS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT SOME OF THE BATTERIES THAT WENT IN THE CARS LEAKED. THE BATTERIES FIT SOME WERE IN THE PASSENGER AREA OF THE CAR IT WOULD LET OUT ACID FUMES INSIDE THE CAR.I HAVE SEEN THE BATTERIES SENT DOWN PRODUCTION LINE IF THEY FAILED THE LEAK TEST MACHINE.DURING APRIL OF 2002 I CALLED CHRYSLER CORP AND SPOKE TO [XXX] AND TOLD HER ABOUT THE BAD BATTERIES AND THAT THEY WERE NOT AT QS5000. AFTER THAT I STILL SEEN THE LEAKERS GO TO CHRYSLER CORP. IF YOU NEED MORE INFO PLEASE CALL ME AT [XXX] I CAN HELP OUT MORE BECAUSE I NO LONGER WORK FOR OPTIMA THANK YOU [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10065847

30,000 miles · Apr 5, 2004
Electrical System

AFTER PARKING AND TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN WITH THE KEY REMOVED, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RUN FOR 3 MINUTES TO AN HOUR BEFORE IT SHUT OFF. THE DEALER HAD EXAMINED THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10065498

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.