NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
511 reports4,000 miles · Sep 19, 2009
Electrical System
CAR WON'T START AT TIMES. HAD TO JUMP IT THEN IT STARTED. SOMETHING DRAINING THE BATTERY IF CAR SITS FOR A DAY OR TWO. CHANGED BATTERY 3 TIMES, STILL HAVING PROBLEM. BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW, DEALER STILL CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. CAR NOT RELIABLE. STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I'VE HAD TO CHARGE THE BATT…
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CAR WON'T START AT TIMES. HAD TO JUMP IT THEN IT STARTED. SOMETHING DRAINING THE BATTERY IF CAR SITS FOR A DAY OR TWO. CHANGED BATTERY 3 TIMES, STILL HAVING PROBLEM. BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW, DEALER STILL CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. CAR NOT RELIABLE. STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I'VE HAD TO CHARGE THE BATTERY AND THEN AFTER A FEW DAYS WOULD HAVE TROUBLE STARTING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10284582
91,000 miles · Jul 15, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
FOUND 2002 PT CRUISER WITH DEAD BATTERY ON OCCASION, NO CONSISTENCY. REPLACED BATTERY (7.75 YEARS OLD, 90K MILES) AFTER 3RD INSTANCE OVER 2 MONTHS, ISSUE RESOLVED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. CAR PARKED IN HOT PARKING LOT, FOG LIGHTS WERE DIM WHEN APPROACHING CAR. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START, HAD IT JUMPED. UPON RETURNING HOME, …
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FOUND 2002 PT CRUISER WITH DEAD BATTERY ON OCCASION, NO CONSISTENCY. REPLACED BATTERY (7.75 YEARS OLD, 90K MILES) AFTER 3RD INSTANCE OVER 2 MONTHS, ISSUE RESOLVED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. CAR PARKED IN HOT PARKING LOT, FOG LIGHTS WERE DIM WHEN APPROACHING CAR. CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START, HAD IT JUMPED. UPON RETURNING HOME, WENT TO TURN OFF CAR, FOG LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. FIDDLING WITH LIGHT SWITCH WOULD MAKE THEM GO OFF TEMPORARILY, THEN RIGHT BACK ON. FOUND TURNING LEFT BLINKER IN ON POSITION KEPT FOGS OFF. RESEARCHING ISSUE, FOUND THE FOLLOWING FORUM: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER/TF81KHBDLDVT92AH2 WHERE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. WAITING TO HEAR FROM CHRYSLER ON REPLACEMENT PART, AS ALL ONLINE SOURCES SAY IT IS BACK ORDERED 30-60 DAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276880
100,000 miles · Jul 1, 2009
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED AND HOUSES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10275475
124,000 miles · Jun 18, 2009
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. SINCE MAY OF 2009, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE WITH A USED ONE, BUT THE FAILU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. SINCE MAY OF 2009, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE WITH A USED ONE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR FREE; HOWEVER, THE PART WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL TWO WEEKS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 124,000.
NHTSA ODI #10274220
52,000 miles · Jun 4, 2009
Exterior Lighting
MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FOR HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS FAILS. LIGHTS ERRATIC, SAFETY PROBLEM BIG TIME AT NIGHT. THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE PROBLEM SINCE 2001 CAN BE VIEWED ON LINE UNDER VARIOUS POSTS AND THREADS. OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT THE COMPANY NEEDS TO ADDRESS. SINCE THE COMPANY IS NOW RUN BY THE GOVERNMEN…
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MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FOR HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS FAILS. LIGHTS ERRATIC, SAFETY PROBLEM BIG TIME AT NIGHT. THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE PROBLEM SINCE 2001 CAN BE VIEWED ON LINE UNDER VARIOUS POSTS AND THREADS. OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT THE COMPANY NEEDS TO ADDRESS. SINCE THE COMPANY IS NOW RUN BY THE GOVERNMENT, SHOULD I CALL THE WHITE HOUSE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272840
98,000 miles · Jun 3, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure
I PURCHASED MY 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER A FEW YEARS AGO NOW. I HAVE SENT CHRYSLER MANY LETTERS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS VERY SCARY. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT ABOUT 31,000 MILES. ABOUT A MONTH LATER MY PAINT STARTED PEELING OFF OF THE FRONT BUMPER AND MY DASH STARTED TO CRACK. MIND YOU I KEEP MY CAR GARAGED A…
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I PURCHASED MY 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER A FEW YEARS AGO NOW. I HAVE SENT CHRYSLER MANY LETTERS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS VERY SCARY. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT ABOUT 31,000 MILES. ABOUT A MONTH LATER MY PAINT STARTED PEELING OFF OF THE FRONT BUMPER AND MY DASH STARTED TO CRACK. MIND YOU I KEEP MY CAR GARAGED AND IT IS WASHED AND WAXED REGULARLY BY A SHOP THAT I HAVE USED FOR YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY WERE GONE. SO I CONTACTED MY NEXT CLOSEST DEALER. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THAT MY CPU WENT OUT WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED. THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT TWICE BEFORE IT FINALLY LASTED MORE THAN A DAY. THEN MY DASH COMPLETELY CRUMBLED. IT CRACKED FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE FRONT IN THE CENTER AND ON BOTH SIDES. I WROTE A LETTER AND EMAIL WITH NO ANSWER. I THEN CONTACTED CHRYSLER BY PHONE AND THE LADY TOLD ME TO F%*K OFF AND HUNG UP ON ME. SO I GAVE UP. OBVIOUSLY I WAS NOT GOING TO GET ANYWHERE WITH THEM. THEN ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO A FRIEND WHO IS A LICENSED MECHANIC AND HE SCANNED IT ON THE COMPUTER AND SAID IT WAS MY CPU AGAIN! I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. SO I WROTE ANOTHER LETTER BECAUSE THIS REPAIR WAS GOING TO BE $1400.00 DOLLARS. NO RESPONSE. BUT THE SCARIEST WAS ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 13 MONTH OLD NIECE IN THE CAR AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF MY STEERING COLUMN. I ALMOST HAD GOT IN A WRECK TRYING TO GET US TO SAFETY. THE SMOKE STOPPED SO I FIGURED WHATEVER IT WAS DONE FOR NOW. WE WERE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A NOT SO DESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOOD AT NIGHT SO I DECIDED TO TAKE MY CHANCES WITH THE CAR. WE HEADED OFF ON OUR WAY AND MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING MY FAIRLY NEW BATTERY WAS DEAD. MY FLOOD LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND HAD BEEN ON ALL NIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272819
934,000 miles · May 27, 2009
Seat Belts
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED INTO POSITION & WOULD NOT PROTRACT. HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO GET IT TO DO SO BUT HAVE BEEN UNABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10270021
72,000 miles · Apr 28, 2009
Exterior Lighting
THE CONTROL SWITCH FOR THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER HAS GONE BAD CAUSING THE FOG LIGHTS TO BE PERMANENTLY ON AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267090
72,000 miles · Apr 18, 2009
Exterior Lighting
FOG LAMPS STAYED ON WHEN 2002 PT CRUISER WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER DISSEMBLING OF THE SWITCH BOX THE INTERNAL SWITCH HAD ARCHED ENOUGH THAT IT WELDED ITSELF TOGETHER CAUSING THE PLASTIC TO MELT AND SMOKE. I USED A REAL RELAY TO REWIRE THE CIRCUIT WITH A SWITCH ON THE DASH. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO REBUILDING THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND N…
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FOG LAMPS STAYED ON WHEN 2002 PT CRUISER WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER DISSEMBLING OF THE SWITCH BOX THE INTERNAL SWITCH HAD ARCHED ENOUGH THAT IT WELDED ITSELF TOGETHER CAUSING THE PLASTIC TO MELT AND SMOKE. I USED A REAL RELAY TO REWIRE THE CIRCUIT WITH A SWITCH ON THE DASH. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO REBUILDING THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND NOW I HAVE A OIL LEAK. GREAT CAR FROM CHRYSLER. I ONLY HAVE 74,000 ON THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265934
18,000 miles · Apr 9, 2009
Structure
DASHBOARD BEGAN CRUMBLING ABOUT 3-4 YEARS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR (NEW) AND IS NOW IN TERRIBLE SHAPE AND MAY BE NEAR COLLAPSING. I HAVE NOT CHECKED INTO REPLACEMENT YET. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS AND OTHER CHRYSLER-MADE CARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264776
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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