IllustrationTHE FRONT BRAKES AND TIRES EXHIBIT EXTREME WEAR AND TEAR. FRONT TIRES REPLACED APPROX. 40,000 MILES, REAL OK AT 68,000. FRONT BRAKES REPLACED TWICE SO FAR, WITH ROTORS AND CALIPERS NEEDING REPLACEMENTS. THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE OVERLY STRESSED DUE TO VEHICLE DESIGN.*AK
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
What owners actually said
618 reportsWHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT REAR BEARINGS FAILED". CONSUMER HAD THE REAR BEARINGS REPLACED. *AK
DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE POWER STEERING LINE, IT COULD BE STRUCK CAUSING THE FLUID TO LEAK. *PH THE DETECTOR LOSS IT'S "PS" ON THE CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS PART SHOULD BE PROTECTED. *SC
BOLTS THAT HOLD THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ONTO THE FRAME OF THE CAR BREAK, LEAVING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM DANGLING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, NOW-- ONCE IN 2002, THEN AGAIN THIS YEAR (2004) AFTER A COLLISION REPAIR USING CHRYSLER BOLTS. *AK
PURCHASED 7/00. EXPERIENCED 3 SEPARATE ISSUES W/ ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 1ST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP 1)PARKING LIGHTS REMAINED ON WHEN LIGHTS WERE OFF, RESULTING IN TOW, AND REPLACED BATTERY. 3RD YEAR OF OWNERSHIP: 2)DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON, BELL DINGING, INTERIOR LIGHT REMAINS ON AND ALL DOORS ARE SECURELY SHUT. RESULTED IN TOW AND BATTERY REP…
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PURCHASED 7/00. EXPERIENCED 3 SEPARATE ISSUES W/ ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 1ST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP 1)PARKING LIGHTS REMAINED ON WHEN LIGHTS WERE OFF, RESULTING IN TOW, AND REPLACED BATTERY. 3RD YEAR OF OWNERSHIP: 2)DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON, BELL DINGING, INTERIOR LIGHT REMAINS ON AND ALL DOORS ARE SECURELY SHUT. RESULTED IN TOW AND BATTERY REPLACEMENT. DEALERSHIP SAID BATTERY DEFECTIVE. 6MOS LATER, SAME DINGING PROBLEM OCCURING. WARRANTY EXPIRED. PREV DEALER BANKRUPT, NEW DEALER STATING SAME DEFECTIVE BATTERY. *AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. A WEEK LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER THEN CALLED THE MECHANIC/DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. AFTER THE WAS EXAMINED, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE LEAK DETECTOR PUMP …
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CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. A WEEK LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER THEN CALLED THE MECHANIC/DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. AFTER THE WAS EXAMINED, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE LEAK DETECTOR PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT LAST YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP AND SHE THINKS THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE RELATED. SHE SAID SHE WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE REPAIRS. *JB THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AGAIN. THE SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD CORRECT ITSELF. RECALL# 0345436 *SC
MY 01 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, 25,602 MILES, HAD A STIFF BRAKE PEDAL. CAR FELT AS IF I WAS DRIVING W/FOOT ON BRAKE. CHRYSLER TOWED CAR TO DEALER. THEY SAID I HAD CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID, REPAIRS NOT COVERED BY REGULAR OR EXT. WARRANTY. MY BILL FOR REPAIR WAS $2643.48. THEY REPLACED ALL BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
THE TRANS AXLE BROKE IN OUR 2001 CHRYSLER PT ON SUN-1/25/04 AND WAS TOWED TO THE SARASOTA CHRYSLER DEALER WHO GOT TO IT TUESDAY TO SAY NOT UNDER WARRANTY(WE ARE 2ND OWNER-HAD 2 YRS) SO NEED A NEW ONE. THEY DID NOT OFFER TO PULL OUT AND REBUILD. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REBUILT. THEY DID NOT NOTIFY US OF RECALL …
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THE TRANS AXLE BROKE IN OUR 2001 CHRYSLER PT ON SUN-1/25/04 AND WAS TOWED TO THE SARASOTA CHRYSLER DEALER WHO GOT TO IT TUESDAY TO SAY NOT UNDER WARRANTY(WE ARE 2ND OWNER-HAD 2 YRS) SO NEED A NEW ONE. THEY DID NOT OFFER TO PULL OUT AND REBUILD. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REBUILT. THEY DID NOT NOTIFY US OF RECALL NOR FIX THAT. WE JUST MOVED HERE FROMMD. IN AUGUST AND DID NOT GET FUEL RECALL SOMEHOW. SAFETY SEAT WE DID GET ,BUT DID NOT DO. DUE TO $2400 QUOTE, WE TOWED THE AUTO HME AND GAVE THEM A DEPOSIT TO ORDER A NEW TRANSMISSION FROM CHRYSLER SINCE A USED ONE COULD NOT BE FOUND. NOW WE STILL DO NOT HAVE NOR CAN BE TOLD WHEN IT WILL COME IN OFF "BACKORDER"? FOR A 2001 POPULAR AUTO? CALLED CHRYSLER TO VERIFY TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE SINCE WE ARE RENTING A CAR NOW FOR 3 WEEKS WITH 4 YR OLD CAR NOT WORKING AND CANNOT BE FIXED DUE TO UNAVAILABLE PARTS. IT IS NOT LIKE IT IS A FIERO OR ANTIQUE, OR UNUSUAL. WE CALLED CHRYSLER WHO CHECKED WITH DEALER ON "RECALL " COMPLAINT -SPOKE TO [XXX] AND SHE SAID SHE DID NOT ASK THEM THAT. ASKED HER ABOUT PARTS AND WAS TOLD SHE COULD "RUSH" AND HOPEFULLY GET A TRANSMISSION FOR US SOON, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY EXTRA! STILL NO TIME FRAME WAS QUOTED. WE ARE STUCK AND DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO TURN . THE CAR HAS NOT HAD OTHER PROBLEMS AND ONLY HAS UNDER 60,000 MILES SO IT IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND THAT CHRYSLER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT OR OFFER MORE HELP FOR CONSUMER SATISFACTION ON A VERY POPULAR AUTO. IT IS A 5 SPEED. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO CAN HELP OR WHAT RIGHTS WE HAVE. VIN# [XXX]....PLEASE FORWARD THIS OR REPLY. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS AMERICAN PRODUCT, THAT I MAY TRADE FOR FOREIGN. MOST SINCERELY, [XXX]. *AK UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TR
FUEL LINE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SECURED WITH NYLON TIES TO PREVENT CHAFING AGAINST AC LINES. HOWEVER, FUEL LINE RUBBED AGAINST HOUSING OF OUTSIDE AIR FILTER WHERE IT MEETS THE FIREWALL. THIS CHAFED THE HOUSING MATERIAL AND EVENTUALLY CAUSED A HOLE IN IT. THE EDGE OF THIS HOLE SUBSEQUENTLY WORE THROUGH THE FUEL LINE AND CAUSED F…
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FUEL LINE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SECURED WITH NYLON TIES TO PREVENT CHAFING AGAINST AC LINES. HOWEVER, FUEL LINE RUBBED AGAINST HOUSING OF OUTSIDE AIR FILTER WHERE IT MEETS THE FIREWALL. THIS CHAFED THE HOUSING MATERIAL AND EVENTUALLY CAUSED A HOLE IN IT. THE EDGE OF THIS HOLE SUBSEQUENTLY WORE THROUGH THE FUEL LINE AND CAUSED FUEL TO SPRAY INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NO FIRE RESULTED. REPAIRED BUY SPLICING A FITTING INTO THE FUEL LINE AT THE POINT OF THE LEAK. *JB
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.