NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
511 reports71,300 miles · Aug 15, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFireInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD THROUGH THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, WHICH FORCED THE CONTACT TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE INJURED HER N…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD THROUGH THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, WHICH FORCED THE CONTACT TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE INJURED HER NOSE AND WRIST WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY A VEHICLE DEFECT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 71,300.
NHTSA ODI #10238410
88,000 miles · Aug 11, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
2002 PT CRUISER, WAS SERVICED ABOUT 3-4 MOS PRIOR, RUNNING FINE, ALL OF A SUDDEN SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE INSIDE OF THE CAR VENTS, I PULLED OVER WHEN I EXIT THE CAR, I SAW SMOKE AND HEARD SOMETHING IGNITE IN THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, THERE WAS NO STALLING…
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2002 PT CRUISER, WAS SERVICED ABOUT 3-4 MOS PRIOR, RUNNING FINE, ALL OF A SUDDEN SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE INSIDE OF THE CAR VENTS, I PULLED OVER WHEN I EXIT THE CAR, I SAW SMOKE AND HEARD SOMETHING IGNITE IN THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, THERE WAS NO STALLING OF THE CAR, NOTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10237755
75,000 miles · Aug 10, 2008
Structure
I HAVE A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AND, I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD, AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE SMALL CRACK IS NOW BIGGER AND ALMOST TO MY A/C VENTS AND THE VENT IN THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING BADLY. I FEEL THAT SOMETHING MIGHT FAIL BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10237588
70,000 miles · Aug 7, 2008
Air Bags
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON DURING TIGHT RIGHT TURNS AT SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10237402
124,000 miles · Aug 7, 2008
Wheels
2 OF THE ALLOY RIMS LEAK AIR AT AN INCREASING RATE. 2 YEARS AGO IT WAS FILL MORE AIR ONCE A MONTH, LAST YEAR EVERY 2 WEEKS OR LESS AND LAST 2 MONTHS EVERY 2 DAYS. THE OTHER DAY I LOST A TIRE FROM LOW AIR AFTER DRIVING 50 MILES OVER A 7 HOUR TIME FRAME. I LOSE ABOUT 20 LBS OVERNIGHT ON THESE 2 TIRES BECAUSE THE CORROSION OF THE B…
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2 OF THE ALLOY RIMS LEAK AIR AT AN INCREASING RATE. 2 YEARS AGO IT WAS FILL MORE AIR ONCE A MONTH, LAST YEAR EVERY 2 WEEKS OR LESS AND LAST 2 MONTHS EVERY 2 DAYS. THE OTHER DAY I LOST A TIRE FROM LOW AIR AFTER DRIVING 50 MILES OVER A 7 HOUR TIME FRAME. I LOSE ABOUT 20 LBS OVERNIGHT ON THESE 2 TIRES BECAUSE THE CORROSION OF THE BASE METAL AND THE CHROME IS HAPPENING AT AN UNBELIEVABLE RATE. THE TIRE DEALERS HAVE SCRAPED OFF THE OLD CORROSION BUT TO NO AVAIL AS IT QUICKLY RECURS. I AM LUCKY IT WAS ONLY A FLAT THE OTHER DAY AND NOT A LOSS OF STEERING IN BUSY TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10237357
65,000 miles · Aug 3, 2008
Unknown Or Other
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER HAS 3 CRACKS IN IT. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I NOTICED THE GRATE IN THE DASH THAT DISPERSES THE AIR FROM THE DEFROST VENT ON THE TOP OF THE DASH WAS DETERIORATING AND THE PLASTIC GRATE PIECES WERE BREAKING OFF. EARLIER THIS YEAR I NOTICED 2 CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DEFR…
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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER HAS 3 CRACKS IN IT. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I NOTICED THE GRATE IN THE DASH THAT DISPERSES THE AIR FROM THE DEFROST VENT ON THE TOP OF THE DASH WAS DETERIORATING AND THE PLASTIC GRATE PIECES WERE BREAKING OFF. EARLIER THIS YEAR I NOTICED 2 CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DEFROST VENT. FINALLY, IN MAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT I THOUGHT WAS A ROCK HITTING MY WINDSHIELD. WHEN I LOOKED AT MY DASHBOARD I HAD A HUGE CRACK THAT NOW SPLIT THE DASHBOARD IN HALF FROM THE DEFROST VENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD BACK TOWARD THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. AT THIS TIME I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO REPAIR THE DASHBOARD BECAUSE IT IS BEYOND WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236797
68,000 miles · Jul 30, 2008
Unknown Or Other
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HER DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING. SHE RECENTLY NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED, MOSTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IN THE MIDDLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,591 AND …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HER DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING. SHE RECENTLY NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED, MOSTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IN THE MIDDLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,591 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.
NHTSA ODI #10236391
75,000 miles · Jul 29, 2008
Wheels
AFTER REPLACING THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE AUTO WE HAD A SERIES OF PROBLEMS WITH KEEPING THE TIRES INFLATED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CHROME ON THE RIMS WAS OXIDIZING AND IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH ALL CHRYSLER CORP. CHROME RIMS. WE HAD FIVE (5) FLAT TIRES WITH IN A TWO WEEK PERIOD AND DECIDED TO TALK TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER REGARDING T…
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AFTER REPLACING THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE AUTO WE HAD A SERIES OF PROBLEMS WITH KEEPING THE TIRES INFLATED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CHROME ON THE RIMS WAS OXIDIZING AND IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH ALL CHRYSLER CORP. CHROME RIMS. WE HAD FIVE (5) FLAT TIRES WITH IN A TWO WEEK PERIOD AND DECIDED TO TALK TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER REGARDING THE PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE AUTO WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. WE THEN CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE PHONE NUMBER AND WERE TOLD THEY WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. WE THEN SENT A LETTER TO CHRYSLER CORP. AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY RESPONSE. AGAIN WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE ARE MANY CHRYSLER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH RIMS THAT WILL CAUSE A FLAT TIRE AT ANY TIME AND NO ONE AT CHRYSLER SEEMS TO WANT TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236302
86,000 miles · Jul 11, 2008
Structure
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN ABOUT 5 DIFFERENT PLACES AND FALLING IN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233863
79,000 miles · Jun 4, 2008
Visibility
A FIXED REAR WINDOW ON A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER IS COMING LOOSE. THIS IS A RECALL ON AN OLDER MODEL OF PT CRUISER. I ASKED A DODGE DEALER ABOUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY YEAR MODEL AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT EXTENDED TO THE 2002 YEAR MODEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229955
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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