NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
511 reports65,000 miles · May 29, 2008
Unknown Or Other
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK DIRECTLY DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE CRACK BEGAN AT THE VERY EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN A HORIZONTAL LINE ALL THE WAY ACROSS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT FOR FREE. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR B…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK DIRECTLY DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE CRACK BEGAN AT THE VERY EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN A HORIZONTAL LINE ALL THE WAY ACROSS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT FOR FREE. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE HE FEELS THAT IT IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10229175
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2008
Exterior Lighting
THE MULTIFUNCTION TURN SIGNAL SWITCH ALLOWS STOPS WORKING AND FOG LIGHTS STAY ON MAKING THE BATTERY RUN DOWN AND THE ONLY IMMEDIATE REMEDY IS TO DISCONNECT THE FOG LIGHTS, I PULLED THE FUSE. THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. CHRYSLER SHOULD MAN UP TO THIS PROBLEM. SOMEONE COULD GET SERI…
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THE MULTIFUNCTION TURN SIGNAL SWITCH ALLOWS STOPS WORKING AND FOG LIGHTS STAY ON MAKING THE BATTERY RUN DOWN AND THE ONLY IMMEDIATE REMEDY IS TO DISCONNECT THE FOG LIGHTS, I PULLED THE FUSE. THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. CHRYSLER SHOULD MAN UP TO THIS PROBLEM. SOMEONE COULD GET SERIOUSLY HURT IF THERE IS A FIRE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. DEATH OR EXTREME BURNS COULD COME AS A RESULT OF CHRYSLER NOT TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHY DOES IT HAVE TO GO TO SUCH EXTREME MEASURES FOR CHRYSLER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ELECTRICAL HAZARD. THERE ARE SO MANY INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM OUT ON THE WEB, SO I KNOW CHRYSLER CAN'T SAY THAT THEY'VE NEVER HEARD ABOUT IT BEFORE. I WILL SUE IF ME OR ANY OF MY FAMILY ARE HARMED BY THIS ELECTRICAL SHORT. THIS IS JUST A BAD ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228999
140,085 miles · May 8, 2008
EquipmentParking BrakeFire
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10227005
102,700 miles · Apr 27, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAN WAS DUE FOR INSPECTION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON THE CAR FAILED FOR EMISSIONS BUT THE CODE THAT WAS GIVEN WAS FOR A POWER STEERING SECTOR SHORTLY AFTER THAT ON MY WAY TO WORK THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I PULLED OVER TRY A FEW TIMES TO START IT BUT IT WOULD NOT START HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A…
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CAN WAS DUE FOR INSPECTION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON THE CAR FAILED FOR EMISSIONS BUT THE CODE THAT WAS GIVEN WAS FOR A POWER STEERING SECTOR SHORTLY AFTER THAT ON MY WAY TO WORK THE CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I PULLED OVER TRY A FEW TIMES TO START IT BUT IT WOULD NOT START HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE I TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TIMING BELT WHICH I HAD REPLACED 2 WEEKS LATER DROVE CAR FOR ABOUT 30 OR 35 MINS WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF I HEARD THE WATER IN THE ENGINE BOILING THERE WAS NOT WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING TO SHOW THAT THE CAR WAS OVER HEATED I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AGAIN AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL I CAE SEE ABOUT HAVING IT REPAIRED AGAIN THIS IT GETTING TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND IS COSTING ME TIME AT WORK BECAUSE IM A ONE CAR OWNER LIVING IN A RURAL AREA WITH NOT MANY TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225840
51,000 miles · Apr 25, 2008
Structure
DASHBOARD CRACKING ON 2002 PT CRUISER. WATCHING CRACK WORK IT'S WAY ALONG DASH.. ...TODAY HEARD A LOUD CRACK SOUND AND NOW DASH IS CRACKED IN HALF. I DO NOT SEE ANY RECALL INFO FROM CHRYSLER. I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT DASH. THIS CAR IS GARAGED EXCEPT WHEN WORKING DURING THE DAY. PROBABLY NOT A MAJOR P…
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DASHBOARD CRACKING ON 2002 PT CRUISER. WATCHING CRACK WORK IT'S WAY ALONG DASH.. ...TODAY HEARD A LOUD CRACK SOUND AND NOW DASH IS CRACKED IN HALF. I DO NOT SEE ANY RECALL INFO FROM CHRYSLER. I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT DASH. THIS CAR IS GARAGED EXCEPT WHEN WORKING DURING THE DAY. PROBABLY NOT A MAJOR PROBLEM...BUT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225729
65,000 miles · Apr 22, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE PURCHASED A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. AFTER WE HAD IT A FEW MONTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS JUST NEEDING TO BE RESET. IN NOVEMBER OF 2007 WE TOOK IT TO PUCKETT DODGE IN SOUTH BOSTON, VA FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NO POWER. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE EXHAUST VALVE ON CYLI…
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WE PURCHASED A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. AFTER WE HAD IT A FEW MONTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS JUST NEEDING TO BE RESET. IN NOVEMBER OF 2007 WE TOOK IT TO PUCKETT DODGE IN SOUTH BOSTON, VA FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NO POWER. WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE EXHAUST VALVE ON CYLINDER #3. WE PAID THEM 1700+ TO FIX IT AND SINCE JANUARY IT HAS BEEN CODING ON THE OBD CYLINDER MIS FIRE ON #3. WE TOOK IT BACK YESTERDAY AND SINCE THE MILES WERE OVER THE WARRANTY WE WOULD NEED TO PAY TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED AGAIN. WE ARE BOTH RETIRED AND JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE DONE RIGHT THE FIST TIME. MAYBE THE DEALERSHIP DID ALL THEY COULD DO AND IT IS JUST A BAD ENGINE BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME NOR THE MONEY TO HELP THEM SOLVE THIS BEFORE IT BECOMES AND EPIDEMIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10225394
105 miles · Apr 18, 2008
Structure
I DECIDED TO DRIVE TO A CITY ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF WAY. NOT KNOWING ON THE WAY BACK I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO TIE THE BACK DOOR SHUT. ME, MY BOYFRIEND, AND MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE WITH ME. WE HAD WENT INTO A MALL. WHEN COMING BACK OUT I HAD OPENED THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPEN TO LET MY DAUGHTER IN. AFTER I HAD HER BUCKLE…
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I DECIDED TO DRIVE TO A CITY ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF WAY. NOT KNOWING ON THE WAY BACK I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO TIE THE BACK DOOR SHUT. ME, MY BOYFRIEND, AND MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE WITH ME. WE HAD WENT INTO A MALL. WHEN COMING BACK OUT I HAD OPENED THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPEN TO LET MY DAUGHTER IN. AFTER I HAD HER BUCKLED IN I TRIED TO SHUT THE DOOR AND IT WOULDN'T SHUT. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WE USED SHOE STRINGS AND BELTS TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT AND MY BOYFRIEND ROAD HOME IN THE BACK TO ALSO HELP HOLD THE DOOR. FOR I DIDN'T WANT MY 4 YEAR OLD TO FALL OUT THE DOOR ON THE WAY HOME. SO FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS I HAD A ROPE TIED FROM ONE DOOR TO THE OTHER DOOR AND MY KIDS HAD TO RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT TO THE BABYSITTERS A FEW BLOCKS AWAY WHICH IS COMPLETELY ILLEGAL BECAUSE OF BEING 4 AND 5. BUT WHAT WAS I TO DO I'M A SINGLE MOM. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME 80 DOLLARS JUST TO TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG AND THEN ANOTHER 80 TO FIX IT PLUS THE PART. NOW I'M HAVING OTHER ISSUES WITH MY 2002 PT CRUISER AND NO MONEY TO FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224964
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE MULTIFUNCTION TURN SIGNAL SWITCH ALLOWS STOPS WORKING AND FOG LIGHTS STAY ON MAKING THE BATTERY RUN DOWN AND THE ONLY IMMEDIATE REMEDY IS TO DISCONNECT THE FOG LIGHTS, I PULLED THE FUSE. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET, IT IS A BIG PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224840
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
CRACKING DASHBOARD AND THE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224710
79,000 miles · Apr 12, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WORN OUT AT 79,000 MILES ALL 4 BRAKE ROTORS WORN OUT 79,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224300
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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