IllustrationTL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN ON THE VEHICLE HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO GET THE HORN TO WORK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.RL
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.
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
670–25K
9625–50K
6950–75K
4575–100K
51100–150K
23150K+
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
Equipment complaints
11 reportsINFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) SOMETHING YOU MAY WISH TO LOOK AT WITH CELL PHONES AND THESE INCIDENTS WITH ACCELERATION ON CARS. WE HAVE A PT CRUISER AND SEVERAL TIMES WE HAVE PLACED THE PHONE IN THE STORAGE AREA IN THE MIDDLE IN THE DASH. WITH THE KEEY OFF, THE PH…
Read full complaint
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) SOMETHING YOU MAY WISH TO LOOK AT WITH CELL PHONES AND THESE INCIDENTS WITH ACCELERATION ON CARS. WE HAVE A PT CRUISER AND SEVERAL TIMES WE HAVE PLACED THE PHONE IN THE STORAGE AREA IN THE MIDDLE IN THE DASH. WITH THE KEEY OFF, THE PHONE RINGS AND THE CAR STARTED TURNING OVER UNTIL WE MOVED THE PHONE AWAY FROM THE IMMMEDIATE AREA OF THE DASH. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT?? [XXX] *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN HE PULLED THE BRAKE HANDLE UP, IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP. THERE WAS NO BRAKING ABILITY. HE PURCHASED A PARKING EQUALIZER AND CLIP BECAUSE THE CABLE WAS BURNED AND FRAYED. HE WAS INFORMED AT THAT TIME THAT HE HAD TO PURCHASE THE ENTIR…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN HE PULLED THE BRAKE HANDLE UP, IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP. THERE WAS NO BRAKING ABILITY. HE PURCHASED A PARKING EQUALIZER AND CLIP BECAUSE THE CABLE WAS BURNED AND FRAYED. HE WAS INFORMED AT THAT TIME THAT HE HAD TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM ASSEMBLY (LEVER, GRIP, HANDLE) RATHER THAN JUST THE 8 TO 10 INCH EQUALIZER CABLE AND CLIP. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,085.
MY '02 PT CRUISER HAS HAD MANY INCIDENTS OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OCCASSIONALLY FLICKERS OR DOES NOT LIGHT UP AT ALL. THE RADIO DISPLAY/CLOCK FEATURE WILL TURN OFF WHILE MUSIC IS STILL PLAYING. HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN RADIO/INSTRUMENT PANEL IS CHANGED. THE ABS FAILED ON THE INTERSTATE WHLIE GOING 65MPH. THE CAR SL…
Read full complaint
MY '02 PT CRUISER HAS HAD MANY INCIDENTS OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OCCASSIONALLY FLICKERS OR DOES NOT LIGHT UP AT ALL. THE RADIO DISPLAY/CLOCK FEATURE WILL TURN OFF WHILE MUSIC IS STILL PLAYING. HEADLIGHTS DIM WHEN RADIO/INSTRUMENT PANEL IS CHANGED. THE ABS FAILED ON THE INTERSTATE WHLIE GOING 65MPH. THE CAR SLID FOR A LONG TIME, CAUSING A LARGE BALD SPOT ON ALL 4 TIRES. THEN SUBSEQUENTLY THE CAR SHUT OFF AND TOOK A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR WAS ABLE TO TURN BACK ON. THE STARTER HAS DIED 3 TIMES, EACH TIME BEING REPLACED. THE CAR GETS ROUGHLY 13MPG AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS NO SAFETY UNDER THE SEAT TO PREVENT ROLLING OBJECTS FROM ROLLING INTO THE FRONT SEAT AND POTENTIALLY AFFECTING THE USE OF PEDALS. THE CAR FREQUENTLY DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN THE KEY. I HAVE HAD ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS, EVEN WHILE TAKING EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VECHICLE. *JB
I OWN A 2002 PT CRUISER AND HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT, BY HAVING IT ALWAYS SERVICED AT THE DEALERS AND NOWHERE ELSE. I LOVE THIS CAR BUT JUST RECENTLY I HAVE STARTED HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT. FIRST MY A/C STARTED TO SOMETIMES BLOW HOT AIR INSTEAD OF COLD AND THAT STOPPED AND THEN IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN I COME TO A STOP WIT…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2002 PT CRUISER AND HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT, BY HAVING IT ALWAYS SERVICED AT THE DEALERS AND NOWHERE ELSE. I LOVE THIS CAR BUT JUST RECENTLY I HAVE STARTED HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT. FIRST MY A/C STARTED TO SOMETIMES BLOW HOT AIR INSTEAD OF COLD AND THAT STOPPED AND THEN IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN I COME TO A STOP WITH THE A/C ON IT ACTS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. NOW THE TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING A NOISE WHEN I GO FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. SO I TOOK IT TO A DEALER TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY ARE TELLING ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND IT WILL COST ME ABOUT $3200.00. MY CAR HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT. I WOULD THINK THAT IF IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY A CHRYSLER DEALER THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTABLE? CAN ANYONE HELP? THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE IS A CHEMICAL SMELL WHICH GAVE CONTACT HEADACHES AND AN OCCASIONAL SORE THROAT. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NOT A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE WHEN THE WIN…
Read full complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE IS A CHEMICAL SMELL WHICH GAVE CONTACT HEADACHES AND AN OCCASIONAL SORE THROAT. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NOT A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE WHEN THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP. THE SPEAKERS MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE REAR SEAT BACKING WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 07/25/06. *JB
MY IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN AFTER PUTTING IN THE KEY. IT WAS AS IF THE SOLENOID WAS FROZEN.*AK
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND PERFORMED POORLY WHEN APPLIED. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTS THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT WORK ON THE BRAKES AT ALL. *AK THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE AND THE BRAKES WOULD SOMETIMES GO ALMOST TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID…
Read full complaint
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND PERFORMED POORLY WHEN APPLIED. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTS THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT WORK ON THE BRAKES AT ALL. *AK THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE AND THE BRAKES WOULD SOMETIMES GO ALMOST TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT ALWAYS LOCK, THE BRAKES WOULD RUB AND HESITATE TO STOP, THE A/C DID NOT GET COLD ON HIGH SETTINGS, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD ELECTRONIC SYSTEM WAS OFF, THE FUEL, MPH AND THE RPM LIGHTS HAD COME ON, AT THE INSIDE TOP OF ALL FOUR DOORS, THE LINING WAS BULDGING IN AND OUT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE LOCKING, THE RIGHT SIGNAL HAD TO BE MANUALLY STOPPED, AND THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT DID NOT HOLD. THERE WAS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE ODOMETER READING. (THE CONSUMER FELT THAT IT DID NOT DISPLAY THE PROPER MILEAGE) *SC
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF MY AIR CONDITIONER VENTS. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED MY HOOD. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VENT RIGHT BELOW THE PASSENGER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CALLED 911 AND THE CAR BURNT BEFORE THE FIRE DEPT COULD GET THERE. THEY WERE A BLOCK AWAY. CHRYS…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF MY AIR CONDITIONER VENTS. I PULLED OVER AND OPENED MY HOOD. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VENT RIGHT BELOW THE PASSENGER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I CALLED 911 AND THE CAR BURNT BEFORE THE FIRE DEPT COULD GET THERE. THEY WERE A BLOCK AWAY. CHRYSLER CHOSE TO DO NOTHING. *LA
I KEPT SMELLING THIS STENCH ODOR IN MY CAR, IT APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. I THOUGH MAYBE EITHER A CAT OR BABY SQUIRRAL GOT UP IN THE ENGINE & DIED. COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING, SO WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, SINCE WE COULD ONLY SMELL IT WHEN WE TURNED ON THE FAN. THE DEALER IN TAMPA KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHAT THE PROBLE…
Read full complaint
I KEPT SMELLING THIS STENCH ODOR IN MY CAR, IT APPEARED TO BE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. I THOUGH MAYBE EITHER A CAT OR BABY SQUIRRAL GOT UP IN THE ENGINE & DIED. COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING, SO WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, SINCE WE COULD ONLY SMELL IT WHEN WE TURNED ON THE FAN. THE DEALER IN TAMPA KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, SAID MOLD WAS GROWING IN THE AIR VENTS, AND FLUSHED A CHEMICAL IN THERE TO KILL THE MOLD. THAT ONLY TEMPORARILY SOLVED THE PROBLEM, SO I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER, CLOSER TO MY HOME. TOLD THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM, NOT JUST MASK IT WITH CHEMICALS. THEY CLAIMED THE CAR WAS COMING FROM SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE AIR CONDITIONER & AIR VENTS, AND REFUSED TO FIX IT. I CALLED THE CHRYSLER HO, AND THEY SIDED WITH THE DEALERSHIP.
Official recalls
304V268000 · 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
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.