NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
44 reportsClear category filter3,001 miles · Dec 21, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. ALSO , THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HAD A LOUD POPPING AND SQUEALING NOISE, THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE OVERHEATED, IT TURNED THE RIM RED HOT. HE COULD SMELL TH…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. ALSO , THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HAD A LOUD POPPING AND SQUEALING NOISE, THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE OVERHEATED, IT TURNED THE RIM RED HOT. HE COULD SMELL THE BRAKE DUST FROM THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY REPLACED THE BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, DISC CALIPER, AND ROTORS. HE WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 12/7/2005. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 14972 MILES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10145355
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2005
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. ALSO , THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HAD A LOUD POPPING AND SQUEALING NOISE, THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE OVERHEATED, IT TURNED THE RIM RED HOT. HE COULD SMELL T…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. ALSO , THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HAD A LOUD POPPING AND SQUEALING NOISE, THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE OVERHEATED, IT TURNED THE RIM RED HOT. HE COULD SMELL THE BRAKE DUST FROM THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY REPLACED THE BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, DISC CALIPER, AND ROTORS. HE WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10142394
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
DT: 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAG. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER'S WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 30,2005. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT AND RIGHT SIDE OF BUMPER. THE VEHICLE HAD SIDE, FRONT AND SEAT AIR BAG…
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DT: 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIR BAG. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER'S WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 30,2005. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT AND RIGHT SIDE OF BUMPER. THE VEHICLE HAD SIDE, FRONT AND SEAT AIR BAGS. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD CONSUMER THAT IF SHE WAS TRAPPED BY THE DOORS THEN SHE WAS GOING FAST ENOUGH FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WENT TO WEBSITE AND PRINTED A FORM THAT ASKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, MAILED THE FORM BACK TO CHRYSLER AND HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE BACK. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD DAMAGE OF MORE THAN $5000. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AIR BAGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN WHICH SHOWED THAT ACCIDENT WAS NOT THE CONSUMER'S FAULT. THE CONSUMER WANTED ATTENTION TO GET THIS MATTER RESOLVED. THE CONSUMER DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER ENOUGH. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REASON WHY THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS HIT TO THE RIGHT OF THE SENSOR AND NOT IN THE CENTER. *JB *SC
NHTSA ODI #10138064
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2005
Air Bags
FOR THE PAST TW-THREE MONTHS, EITHER IT HAS STALLED IN THE GARAGE OR ON A BUSY THOROUGHFARE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION, I'VE HAD AN OIL CHANGE, WE'VE HAD RENTAL CARS, TOW TRUCKS, I'VE MISSED CHURCH, FLIGHT CONNECTIONS, VALUABLE TIME AWAY FROM WORK-FIFTH TIME REPORTING-DEALER HAS DONE EVERYTHING-THIS CAR IS…
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FOR THE PAST TW-THREE MONTHS, EITHER IT HAS STALLED IN THE GARAGE OR ON A BUSY THOROUGHFARE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION, I'VE HAD AN OIL CHANGE, WE'VE HAD RENTAL CARS, TOW TRUCKS, I'VE MISSED CHURCH, FLIGHT CONNECTIONS, VALUABLE TIME AWAY FROM WORK-FIFTH TIME REPORTING-DEALER HAS DONE EVERYTHING-THIS CAR IS GOING TO BE THE DEATH OF ME-IT HAS TOXIC FUMES-AND IS LITERALLY HAVINE ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND LEAVING IT ON THE PROPERTY. HOW DO WE CONTACT THE PRESIDENT, TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED, IT HAS HAD AN OIL CHANGE, THE DEALERS CAN'T FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT-AND I'M READY TO TURN IT IN-IT HAS COST ME LOST WAGES, TIME AWAY FROM EVENTS IN WHICH I WAS TO SPEAK, AND MOST OF ALL, MY SANITY. HOW DOES ONE CONTACT DR. DR. DIETER ZETSCHE, THE PRESIDENT? THERE IS NO E-MAIL ADDRESS. WAS THERE A FIRE? NOT YET, BUT THERE MIGHT BE A LOSS OF LIFE IF IT CONTINUES TO STALL ON THESE BUSY THOROUGHFARES-IT MAKES NO SENSE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10116285
21,442 miles · Oct 12, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A DELAWARE CAB (CROWN VICTORIA); WHICH CONTINUED TO DRIVE ME INTO THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AND BOTH OF US INTO THE PICKUP TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER. IT WAS A FOUR CAR COLLISION, WITH THREE OF US BEING TOTALLY STOPPED WHEN I WAS REAR-ENDED. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND INQUIRED AS…
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WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A DELAWARE CAB (CROWN VICTORIA); WHICH CONTINUED TO DRIVE ME INTO THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AND BOTH OF US INTO THE PICKUP TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER. IT WAS A FOUR CAR COLLISION, WITH THREE OF US BEING TOTALLY STOPPED WHEN I WAS REAR-ENDED. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND INQUIRED AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND WAS TOLD "WE NEED TO OFFER YOU A SETTLEMENT". CHRYSLER HAD AN "INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR" DO AN EVALUATION AND HAS INFORMED ME THAT "WE CAN NOT GIVE YOU A COPY OF THIS REPORT AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF YOU WANT A COPY YOU WILL HAVE TO SUE US". MY CAR WAS NOT RUNNING WHEN THE CAB DROVE ME INTO THE CHEVROLET LUMINA IN FRONT OF ME. THE OFFICER THAT RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT ASKED IF I HAD A SWITCH TO TURN OFF THE AIR BAG, WHICH THE CAR DID NOT. WHEN THE OFFICER REQUESTED US TO MOVE THE CARS OUT OF THE ROADWAY, HE TOLD ME TO STAY OUT OF MY CAR, WHILE THE OTHER CARS WERE MOVED BECAUSE HE WAS CONCERNED THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10095634
70,000 miles · Aug 16, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 55 TO 60 MPH AND HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE BUMPER CAME OFF BUT THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10087931
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE MERGED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10075933
51,770 miles · Mar 18, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR, FRONT END COLLISION, IN WHICH I HIT A CONCRETE STRUCTURE HEAD ON AT APPROX 45 MPH. THE AIRBAGS, NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER, DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN MY HITTING MY HEAD. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT AND SURELY A GREAT ENOUGH FORCE TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. DEALER SAYS IT WAS SIMPLY THAT THE SENSORS WERE …
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I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR, FRONT END COLLISION, IN WHICH I HIT A CONCRETE STRUCTURE HEAD ON AT APPROX 45 MPH. THE AIRBAGS, NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER, DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN MY HITTING MY HEAD. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT AND SURELY A GREAT ENOUGH FORCE TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. DEALER SAYS IT WAS SIMPLY THAT THE SENSORS WERE NOT TRIGGERED. WHAT MORE DOES IT TAKE TO TRIGGER THE SENSORS? *AK
NHTSA ODI #10062537
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING CA. 20-25 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT, AND HIT A YELLOW CEMENT STOP SIGN POST WHILE TURNING LEFT. I DID NOT SEE THE OBSTACLE BEFORE TURNING (BLIND SPOT?) AND I CRASHED INTO IT HEAD-ON. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DAMAGE DIDN'T LOOK TOO BAD, BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE OVER $3,200 DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, INCLUDING N…
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I WAS DRIVING CA. 20-25 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT, AND HIT A YELLOW CEMENT STOP SIGN POST WHILE TURNING LEFT. I DID NOT SEE THE OBSTACLE BEFORE TURNING (BLIND SPOT?) AND I CRASHED INTO IT HEAD-ON. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DAMAGE DIDN'T LOOK TOO BAD, BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE OVER $3,200 DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, INCLUDING NEW RADIATOR AND NEW AC UNIT. MY HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD VERY HARD BUT THE WINDSHIELD DIDN'T CRACK. I DIDN'T GO TO THE HOSPITAL BUT SHOULD HAVE BECAUSE I HIT MY HEAD HARD -- I SELF-TREATED WITH ICE BAGS FOR 4-5 HOURS AT A TIME FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I THOUGHT MAYBE I WASN'T GOING FAST ENOUGH FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY, BUT HAVING SEEN ALL THE OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, I AM CONVINCED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047319
26,000 miles · Oct 22, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SHOULDER AND CHEST INJURIES. *AK *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10040088
NHTSA investigations
2PE04028 · 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.
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