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2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pt Cruiser years

Owner complaints for the 2002 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

351 reports with mileage · 160 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 97 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 →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

40 crash reports34 fire reports43 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

97 reports
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135,000 miles · Apr 24, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingInterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, ALL THE METERS, GAUGES, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ALSO FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, ALL THE METERS, GAUGES, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ALSO FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ODI #10712646

124,000 miles · Dec 28, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering

I HAD JUST PUT FUEL IN MY CAR AND WAS DRIVING ACROSS A PARKING LOT. I PROCEEDED TO PARK MY CAR AND NOTICED SMOKE RISING OUT OF MY STEERING WHEEL AND A BURNING SMELL. MY LOWER SET OF LIGHTS ( FOG LIGHTS) HAD TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES, WHICH IS ODD SINCE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN WORKING FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. IN ORDER TO STOP THE SMOKING…

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I HAD JUST PUT FUEL IN MY CAR AND WAS DRIVING ACROSS A PARKING LOT. I PROCEEDED TO PARK MY CAR AND NOTICED SMOKE RISING OUT OF MY STEERING WHEEL AND A BURNING SMELL. MY LOWER SET OF LIGHTS ( FOG LIGHTS) HAD TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES, WHICH IS ODD SINCE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN WORKING FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. IN ORDER TO STOP THE SMOKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, I HAD TO REMOVE FUSE #8. SAME SET OF LIGHTS HAVE TURNED ON BEFORE A FEW YEARS BACK DRAINING MY BATTERY SINCE I COULDN'T TURN THEM OFF WITH THEIR SWITCH. IN ADDITION, MY HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY AT RANDOM WHILE I'M DRIVING AND MY CLOCK LIGHTS GO OUT FREQUENTLY. HEADLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT ON ME 5 TIMES OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. I TRY NOT TO DRIVE MUCH AT NIGHT AS A RESULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668604

120,000 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

FOG LIGHTS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE PARKED WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION (WHILE AT WORK). COMMON ISSUE FOUND ALL OVER THE INTERNET. CAUSE IS A DEFECTIVE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. SMELLED A BURNING SMELL. REPAIR SHOP WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS THROUGH DIAGNOSTICS WHICH WAS BEFORE THE CAR HAD BEEN SEEN DURING THE DAY WITH IT'S RUNN…

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FOG LIGHTS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE PARKED WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION (WHILE AT WORK). COMMON ISSUE FOUND ALL OVER THE INTERNET. CAUSE IS A DEFECTIVE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. SMELLED A BURNING SMELL. REPAIR SHOP WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS THROUGH DIAGNOSTICS WHICH WAS BEFORE THE CAR HAD BEEN SEEN DURING THE DAY WITH IT'S RUNNING LIGHTS ON. THAT DRAINED THE BATTERY AND REQUIRED A JUMP START. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. DUE TO OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTED THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET FOR THIS SAME ISSUE WE FEEL A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AS THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. THE 15 AMP FUSE (NUMBER 8 ON INTERIOR FUSE PANEL) NEVER BLEW BUT WAS DISCOLORED FROM HEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641402

8,900 miles · Sep 4, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I GOT THE IN JANUARY 2014 AND I ONLY HAD IT FOR TWO WEEKS AND SHAD TO GO IN THE SHOP AND I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS DIAGNOSIS WITH LUNG CANCER AND I HAVE TO GET BACK AND FORWARD TO MY TREATMENTS AND I NEED A RELIABLE CAR AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT THE TIRE ROD WENT THE FIRST TIME THEN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TIRE ROD WENT NOW IT'S THE…

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I GOT THE IN JANUARY 2014 AND I ONLY HAD IT FOR TWO WEEKS AND SHAD TO GO IN THE SHOP AND I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS DIAGNOSIS WITH LUNG CANCER AND I HAVE TO GET BACK AND FORWARD TO MY TREATMENTS AND I NEED A RELIABLE CAR AND WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT THE TIRE ROD WENT THE FIRST TIME THEN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TIRE ROD WENT NOW IT'S THE ELECTRICITY SYSTEM IS ACTING IT AND SINCE I HAD THIS CAR IT BEEN IN THE SHOP EVERY MONTH AND IT DON'T MAKE SENSE THAT I HAVE TO PAY A CAR NOTE AND PAY TO FITS IT TOO I HAVE MISS A LOTS OF TREATMENTS WILL ALL PLEASE HELP ME BECAUSE I HEAR EVERYBODY TALK ABOUT HELPING CANCER SURVIVORS BUT ONLY THING THAT I SEE IS I AM BEEN HURT FIRST IT'S MY CAR NOW THE CITY IS TRYING TO TAKE MY HOUSE THAT MY MOTHER LEFT ME PLEASE HELP ME ALSO YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630598

91,954 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical SystemSeats

HEATED SEATS COME ON BY THEM SELFS AND OVERHEAT CAN NOT TURN THEM OFF UNLESS YOU TURN OFF CAR IT GETS SO HOT IT CAN BURN YOU . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626890

98,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

FOG LIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF, STAYED ON LONG ENOUGH TO RUN DOWN BATTERY. NOT GOOD FOR SINGLE ELDERLY WOMAN VOLUNTEER STUCK IN A PARKING LOT ACROSS TOWN. UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED IN MANY, MANY VEHICLES FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS. DID I MISS A RECALL? I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WHERE IN THE WORLD WILL I FIND A MULTIFUNCTION S…

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FOG LIGHTS WON'T TURN OFF, STAYED ON LONG ENOUGH TO RUN DOWN BATTERY. NOT GOOD FOR SINGLE ELDERLY WOMAN VOLUNTEER STUCK IN A PARKING LOT ACROSS TOWN. UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED IN MANY, MANY VEHICLES FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS. DID I MISS A RECALL? I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. WHERE IN THE WORLD WILL I FIND A MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND SOMEONE TO INSTALL IT? WILL THE COMPANY COVER THE COST? ARE THEY ON A FIXED INCOME? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594932

170,000 miles · May 1, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY CONTINUOUSLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY CONTINUOUSLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,583.

NHTSA ODI #10585938

128,500 miles · Apr 5, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY WIFE'S CAR HAS HAD ISSUES SINCE WE GOT THE CAR. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND IT IS STILL NOT HOLDING A CHARGE. I FOUND THAT WHILE JUMP STARTING THE CAR, YOU GET SPARKS AS YOU ATTACH THE CABLES. THIS IS EVIDENCE OF A SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUES THAT I HAVE FOUND ARE NONFUNCTIONAL INTERIOR LIGHTS, MIRROR C…

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MY WIFE'S CAR HAS HAD ISSUES SINCE WE GOT THE CAR. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND IT IS STILL NOT HOLDING A CHARGE. I FOUND THAT WHILE JUMP STARTING THE CAR, YOU GET SPARKS AS YOU ATTACH THE CABLES. THIS IS EVIDENCE OF A SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUES THAT I HAVE FOUND ARE NONFUNCTIONAL INTERIOR LIGHTS, MIRROR CONTROLS, DOOR LOCKS, AND RADIO. I HAVE FOUND RECALL INFORMATION ON VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. UPON CALLING DAIMLER CHRYSLER I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL. I MA HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577641

70,000 miles · Mar 26, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

THE IGNITION KEY DOES NOT STAY IN WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THE MECHANIC WHO WORKED ON THE CAR IN OCTOBER SAID HE HAS REPLACED SEVERAL IGNITION SWITCHES IN THIS MODEL CAR. COULD IT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED BY THE SAME COMPANY AS THOSE INVOLVED IN THE GM RECALL? THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574888

84,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNAL CONTROLS CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10526176

Official recalls

3

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.

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.

01V288000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

Sep 10, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A SOFTWARE ERROR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MICROPROCESSOR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLUSTER, WITH THE MAJORITY OF ITS GAUGES, ILLUMINATION, AND WARNING LAMPS, COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH AN INOPERATIVE CLUSTER COULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-FLASH THE CLUSTER SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 8, 2001. 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.

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

2

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.