NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
511 reports1,000 miles · Dec 14, 2010
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension
2002 PT CRUISER SPORT MODEL. CAR WOULD NOT START, WHEN SITTING FAR A FEW DAYS, HAD BEEN DRIVING CAR ALL DAY AND TURNED CAR OFF TO DO AN ERRAND AND CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED WHERE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED SEVERAL TIMES. BOUGHT CAR NEW AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR 7 YEARS. KEPT BRINGING BACK TO THE DEALER …
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2002 PT CRUISER SPORT MODEL. CAR WOULD NOT START, WHEN SITTING FAR A FEW DAYS, HAD BEEN DRIVING CAR ALL DAY AND TURNED CAR OFF TO DO AN ERRAND AND CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED WHERE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED SEVERAL TIMES. BOUGHT CAR NEW AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR 7 YEARS. KEPT BRINGING BACK TO THE DEALER AND COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS EVERY TIME. FINALLY FOUND A DEALER SERVICE MANAGER THAT KNEW THE PROBLEM. INSUFFICIENT QUALITY PARTS WERE BEING USED WHEN CHRYSLER WAS ABOUT TO GO BANKRUPT. THE BATTERY WIRES FROM THE BATTERY TO THE ALTERNATOR WERE NOT SUPPLYING ENOUGH VOLTAGE TO MAINTAIN ENOUGH TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. UPGRADED THE WIRES TO A HIGHER VOLTAGE AND HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS. IT TOOK 7 YEARS TO FIND THE PROBLEM WHICH CAUSED PROBLEMS OF ME USING THE CAR. CHRYSLER USED LOW GRADE PARTS THROUGH OUT THE CAR AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING RID OF THEM AND THEN SOMEONE ELSE BUYS IT AND IT CONTINUES. I WILL NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER MADE CAR AGAIN, VERY UNSATISFIED CUSTOMER CONSIDERING HOW MUCH I PAID FOR IT. WAS WAY OVER PRICED AT THE TIME I BOUGHT IT. I COULD BUY A MUCH BETTER CAR AND HIGHER END MODEL FOR WHAT I PAID FOR MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10370619
74,000 miles · Nov 13, 2010
Structure
CAR'S PLASTIC DASHBOARD SUDDENLY CRACKED IN THE CENTER AND PIECES FELL INTO THE CENTER VENT. DASHBOARD NOW HAS SHARP EDGES FROM THE CRACKS, WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY IN THE EVENT OF COLLISION. DO TO THE NATURE OF THE DAMAGE I DON'T BELIEVE THE DASHBOARD COMPLIES WITH FOLLOWING: 571.201 STANDARD NO. 201; OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN IN…
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CAR'S PLASTIC DASHBOARD SUDDENLY CRACKED IN THE CENTER AND PIECES FELL INTO THE CENTER VENT. DASHBOARD NOW HAS SHARP EDGES FROM THE CRACKS, WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY IN THE EVENT OF COLLISION. DO TO THE NATURE OF THE DAMAGE I DON'T BELIEVE THE DASHBOARD COMPLIES WITH FOLLOWING: 571.201 STANDARD NO. 201; OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365582
48,100 miles · Nov 3, 2010
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AT 5 MPH THE SUB FRAME UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BROKE. HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE OR DRIVE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED IT AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE MAIN CROSS MEMBER/SUB FRAME DETERIORATED AND CA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AT 5 MPH THE SUB FRAME UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BROKE. HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE OR DRIVE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED IT AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE MAIN CROSS MEMBER/SUB FRAME DETERIORATED AND CAUSED THE ENTIRE FRONT END TO COME APART. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED BUT IT WAS DENIED DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,100. THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SUDDEN HALT. WHEN HE EXITED THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THE FRONT WHEEL WAS LEANING TOWARD THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE CHRYSLER DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, CHRYSLER DENIED THE CONSUMER CLAIM STATING THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 11/10/10
NHTSA ODI #10363851
90,000 miles · Nov 1, 2010
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SEEMED TO FAIL; SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER OR ANY OTHER GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 01V288…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SEEMED TO FAIL; SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER OR ANY OTHER GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 01V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING: INTERIOR/UNDER DASH). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10363549
121 miles · Sep 9, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering
YOU CAN REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH IN ANY OF THE POSITIONS. ALSO, YOU CAN MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT AND THE CAR WILL MOVE. THERE IS NO INCIDENT DATE. IT'S BEEN THAT WAY SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10354777
84,042 miles · Aug 20, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INCREASE IN SPEED AND THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND MANUALLY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INCREASE IN SPEED AND THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND MANUALLY DEACTIVATING THE MECHANISM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD ALSO ENCOUNTERED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE IN PARK. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,042. UPDATED 11/19/10. *LJ THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 12/02/10
NHTSA ODI #10350798
66,000 miles · Jul 5, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
EVERY TIME I UNPLUG MY BATTERY IT TAKES SOME HOURS OF DRIVING BEFORE THE FAN COMES BACK ON AND THAT CAUSES OVERHEATING BY THE TIME THE CAR'S FAN START WORKING AGAIN. WHEN IT OVER HEAT IT BOILS THE COOLANT AND I WOULD HAVE TO PUT THE HEATER ON FULL BLAST IN ORDER TO SUPPRESS THE OVERHEATING. AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE IS ON PART…
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EVERY TIME I UNPLUG MY BATTERY IT TAKES SOME HOURS OF DRIVING BEFORE THE FAN COMES BACK ON AND THAT CAUSES OVERHEATING BY THE TIME THE CAR'S FAN START WORKING AGAIN. WHEN IT OVER HEAT IT BOILS THE COOLANT AND I WOULD HAVE TO PUT THE HEATER ON FULL BLAST IN ORDER TO SUPPRESS THE OVERHEATING. AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE IS ON PART OF THE RADIATOR THAT MAKES IT MELT WHEN THE COOLANT GETS TOO HOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341479
60,000 miles · Jul 4, 2010
Electrical System
I OWN A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THIS IS THE SIXTH TIME THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS CEASED TO DISPLAY ANY INFORMATION. THAT IS, I CAN NOT SEE THE SPEED, TACH, FUEL GAUGE, OR ANY SAFETY WARNINGS. EACH TIME I TAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THEY CAN NOT FIND ANY THING WRONG. WHEN THEY RECONNECT IT, I BEGINS TO WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341402
52,000 miles · Jun 30, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING OUT OF TRAFFIC, THE LINKAGE ARM HAD COME OFF OF THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WERE HELD ON BY BUSHINGS. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE MANUFACTUER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING OUT OF TRAFFIC, THE LINKAGE ARM HAD COME OFF OF THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WERE HELD ON BY BUSHINGS. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE MANUFACTUER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WILL DO THE REPAIRS HIMSELF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.
NHTSA ODI #10340823
50,000 miles · Jun 23, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNS ON BY ITSELF, CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. AFTER TURNING THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF, IT COMES BACK ON SEVERAL SECONDS LATER, AND ACCELERATES! VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS! THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT'S DRIVEN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND THEY JUST CALLED SAYING THEY HAD COMPLETED UPDATES TO …
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THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNS ON BY ITSELF, CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. AFTER TURNING THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF, IT COMES BACK ON SEVERAL SECONDS LATER, AND ACCELERATES! VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS! THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT'S DRIVEN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND THEY JUST CALLED SAYING THEY HAD COMPLETED UPDATES TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER SYSTEM, AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MALFUNCTION ANYMORE. THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP THE CAR FOR ANOTHER DAY, AND DRIVE IT AROUND PERIODICALLY, TO SEE IF IT'S SOLVED, AND I'LL GET IT BACK TOMORROW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10339738
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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