NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
40 reportsClear category filter116,500 miles · Oct 4, 2016
SteeringSuspension
..ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER HAS ROTTED SO BAD THAT IT BROKE IN A FEW PLACES CAUSING THE LOWER A ARM TO MOVE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL OUT OF YOUR HANDS ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT AND OR RIGHT,THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN MORE THEN 15 MPH,..AND THAT WAS WHILE HOLDING THE WHEEL …
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..ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER HAS ROTTED SO BAD THAT IT BROKE IN A FEW PLACES CAUSING THE LOWER A ARM TO MOVE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL OUT OF YOUR HANDS ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT AND OR RIGHT,THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN MORE THEN 15 MPH,..AND THAT WAS WHILE HOLDING THE WHEEL TIGHTLY....IF THIS CROSS MEMBER WAS TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THERE WOULD BE A VERY BAD CRASH,..I SUGGEST ANY ONE THAT HAS A PT CRUISE HAVE IT CHECKED FOR THE CROSS MEMBER ROTTING BEFORE A CRASH TAKES PLACE,,,I WAS ABLE TO BUY A NEW CROSS MEMBER AND THE CHEAPEST PRICE WAS $514 PLUS TAX AND SHIPPING,..NOW COMES THE COSTS TO INSTALL IT...WHAT IS ODD THE CROSS MEMBER ROTTED OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ONLY,...I HAVE SOME PICS OF IT WITH THE A ARM OFF THE CROSS MEMBER..
NHTSA ODI #10913849
84,000 miles · Dec 2, 2015
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE CONTACT EXIT THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUB FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE CONTACT EXIT THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUB FRAME HAD EXCESSIVE RUST AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER FRAME, THE CV AXLES AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH BALL JOINT AND THE STABILIZER LINK HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10808040
136,616 miles · Oct 27, 2015
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHEN THE VEHICLE APPROACHED AN ABRUPT STOP AND ACCELERATED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHEN THE VEHICLE APPROACHED AN ABRUPT STOP AND ACCELERATED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CROSS MEMBER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,616.
NHTSA ODI #10786444
107,000 miles · Jul 15, 2015
EngineSuspension
SUBFRAME CRADLE FAILURE WITH CRACK THROUGH MOUNTING. DEALER SAYS "SEEN BEFORE" NOT UNDER RECALL OR INVESTIGATION. REPAIR SHOP "HAS SEEN SEVERAL WITH SIMILAR FAILURE" SOME HAVE RESULTED IN SUSPENSION FAILURE AND ACCIDENTS. WHY IS THIS NOT THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL? NO ONE KILLED YET? REPAIR TO COST $1,400.00. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10734310
104,350 miles · Mar 11, 2014
SteeringSuspension
THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE STATE'S HE WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY ON THE WAY HOME. HE HEARD POP AND THEN SOMETHING UNDER THE VEHICLE STARTED RATTLING, THE OWNER STATED WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP THEY PUT IT ON THE RACK. THE SHOP NOTIFIED THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULDN…
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THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE STATE'S HE WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY ON THE WAY HOME. HE HEARD POP AND THEN SOMETHING UNDER THE VEHICLE STARTED RATTLING, THE OWNER STATED WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP THEY PUT IT ON THE RACK. THE SHOP NOTIFIED THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN, BOTH STEERING KNUCKLE BUSHINGS, BALL JOINTS, FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION PARTS WERE ALL BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE FOR AS IT NOT JUST MINE AS I ASK THE SHOP AND THEY HAS SEVERAL VEHICLE OF THAT MAKE COME IN WITH SAME PROBLEM. WE AS TAX PAYERS BAILED THEM OUT, AND NOW IT TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TELL THEM THEY NEED TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND ANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF PT CRUISER ON THE ROAD TODAY, BUT I GUESS THEY GREEDY SON OF B***HES IN DETROIT TOOK THE MONEY AND LEFT THE CUSTOMER PAYING FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR FAMILIES. NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO DIE IN CAR IN ORDER FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE.
NHTSA ODI #10568362
151,232 miles · Aug 22, 2013
StructureSuspension
I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I SLOWED AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENDED UP IN THE DITCH, BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. I PROCEEDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE SUBFRAME OF MY …
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I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I SLOWED AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENDED UP IN THE DITCH, BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. I PROCEEDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE SUBFRAME OF MY VEHICLE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN WITH THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHERS THAT I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH. I FEEL THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS OF MY VEHICLE, OTHER THEN THE SUBFRAME I NEEDED TO HAVE MY CAR LAST MORE THEN 10 YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536825
450,000 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Suspension
THE CAR MAKES A CRACKING SOUND WHEN YOU TURN OR GOES OVER BUMPS SOUND LIKE ITS COMING FROM OF CAR POSSIBLE FRONT SUSPENSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515543
90,000 miles · Oct 18, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering
10-18-2011 I JUST BOUGHT MY CAR LAST MONTH (09-26-2011) AND MY CONTROL ARMS AND BUSHING HAVE ALREADY WENT BAD. NOW 2 NIGHTS AGO (10-16-2011) MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE EVERYTHING CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRING UNDER THE DASH IS MESSED UP. I SEE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF RECALLS FOR …
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10-18-2011 I JUST BOUGHT MY CAR LAST MONTH (09-26-2011) AND MY CONTROL ARMS AND BUSHING HAVE ALREADY WENT BAD. NOW 2 NIGHTS AGO (10-16-2011) MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE EVERYTHING CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRING UNDER THE DASH IS MESSED UP. I SEE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF RECALLS FOR THAT HAPPENING TO THE 2002 PT CRUISERS AND NOW THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM WILL NOT FIX IT (EVEN THOUGH I'M STILL WITHIN MY 30 DAY WARRANTY) I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM WOULD NOT GIVE ME A CARFAX ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO, SOLD ME THE CAR WITH A RECALL ALREADY ON IT THAT WAS ISSUED WAY BACK IN 2004. (POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE) THAT I WAS TOLD COULD CAUSE A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430685
64,690 miles · Oct 6, 2011
SteeringSuspensionWheels
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS SEVERAL TIMES: FRONT-APRIL OF 2005 AT 64690 MILES, FRONT-APRIL 2006 AT 89223 MILES, FRONT-MAY 2006 AT 91750 MILES, FRONT WHEEL BEARING-JULY 2009 AT 153048 MILES, FRONT WHEEL BEARING-APRIL 2011 AT 182684 MILES, REAR WHEEL BEARING-OCTOBER 2011 AT 191072 MILES. …
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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS SEVERAL TIMES: FRONT-APRIL OF 2005 AT 64690 MILES, FRONT-APRIL 2006 AT 89223 MILES, FRONT-MAY 2006 AT 91750 MILES, FRONT WHEEL BEARING-JULY 2009 AT 153048 MILES, FRONT WHEEL BEARING-APRIL 2011 AT 182684 MILES, REAR WHEEL BEARING-OCTOBER 2011 AT 191072 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED OR REPAIRED THE SUSPENSION PARTS: FRONT BUSHING CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINT LOWER CONTROL ARM-MARCH 2006 AT 86643 MILES, LEFT INNER TIE ROD HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY-JANUARY 2007 AT 107087 MILES, TWO OUTER TIE RODS REPLACED-JANUARY 2008 AT 127121 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428901
35,000 miles · Sep 29, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUSIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE BUSHINGS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2005. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUSIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE BUSHINGS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2005. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ADDRESSING THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
NHTSA ODI #10427908
Official recalls
3Jun 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.
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.
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.
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