NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
511 reports38,755 miles · Apr 12, 2008
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AND HAVE NOTICED THE FOG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH IS LIT. WHEN I LOOKED IN THE FRONT INDEED THE LIGHTS WERE ON. THE SWITCH WAS OFF BUT THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. I NOTICED A SMELL OF SMOKE IN THE CAR AND IT DRAINED MY BATTERY TO ZERO VOLTS. THE AUTO ALARM ALSO SEEMS TO ENGAGE FOR NO REASON…
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I HAVE A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AND HAVE NOTICED THE FOG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH IS LIT. WHEN I LOOKED IN THE FRONT INDEED THE LIGHTS WERE ON. THE SWITCH WAS OFF BUT THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. I NOTICED A SMELL OF SMOKE IN THE CAR AND IT DRAINED MY BATTERY TO ZERO VOLTS. THE AUTO ALARM ALSO SEEMS TO ENGAGE FOR NO REASON. AFTER CHECKING THE WEB I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS QUITE A BIG PROBLEM AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY HAD FIRES AND SMOKE FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THERE IS A SHORT IN THE SWITCH. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FOG LIGHTS HAVE NEVER BEEN USED SO THE SWITCH CANNOT BE WORN OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224263
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2008
Structure
I HAVE A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE IT WAS NEW. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD HAD TWO CRACKS RUNNING FROM EACH SIDE OF THE CENTER VENT TO THE WINDSHIELD. NOW THERE IS A LARGE CRACK RUNNING FROM THE CENTER OF THAT VENT TO THE FRONT OF THE DASH. THE DASH IN THIS…
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I HAVE A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE IT WAS NEW. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD HAD TWO CRACKS RUNNING FROM EACH SIDE OF THE CENTER VENT TO THE WINDSHIELD. NOW THERE IS A LARGE CRACK RUNNING FROM THE CENTER OF THAT VENT TO THE FRONT OF THE DASH. THE DASH IN THIS CAR IS JUST A COVER, A PIECE OF PLASTIC. THE CRACK IS NOT LIKE THE CRACKS YOU USED TO GET IN A DASH THAT WAS FOAM COVERED METAL. THESE CRACKS ARE WHERE THE PLASTIC HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN THROUGH. IN A WEB SEARCH, I FOUND WHERE THIS IS HAPPENING ON A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223665
32,000 miles · Apr 1, 2008
Steering
LEAKING STEERING RACK AND SOLENOID PACK. POSSIBLE LEAK IN STEERING PUMP ALSO. SAFETY OF TIE ROD ENDS, BUSHINGS, SWAY BARS, CONTROL ARMS NOTED IN INSPECTION OF FRONT END BOTH BY A CHRYSLER DEALER AND BY AN AUTO-REPAIR CHAIN. BOTH RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF PARTS (IN SHOP RIGHT NOW) TO ELIMINATE A SAFETY RISK. IN SPEAKING TO ANOT…
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LEAKING STEERING RACK AND SOLENOID PACK. POSSIBLE LEAK IN STEERING PUMP ALSO. SAFETY OF TIE ROD ENDS, BUSHINGS, SWAY BARS, CONTROL ARMS NOTED IN INSPECTION OF FRONT END BOTH BY A CHRYSLER DEALER AND BY AN AUTO-REPAIR CHAIN. BOTH RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF PARTS (IN SHOP RIGHT NOW) TO ELIMINATE A SAFETY RISK. IN SPEAKING TO ANOTHER OWNER OF THIS SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE, I LEARNED THAT HE HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223003
47,000 miles · Mar 31, 2008
Unknown Or Other
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. TWO YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ONE MORNING. BY THE EVENING, THE CRACK HAD GROWN LARGER. THERE ARE NOW THREE CRACKS IN SEVERAL PLACES. TWO YEARS AGO, THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED INCIDENTS. THE CONTACT FILED COMPLAINT NUMBER 17372167 WIT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. TWO YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ONE MORNING. BY THE EVENING, THE CRACK HAD GROWN LARGER. THERE ARE NOW THREE CRACKS IN SEVERAL PLACES. TWO YEARS AGO, THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED INCIDENTS. THE CONTACT FILED COMPLAINT NUMBER 17372167 WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 04/22/08. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10223870
80,267 miles · Mar 23, 2008
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION FROM MY PT CRUISER EXPLODED ON I95 NEAR KINGSLAND GA WHILE COMING BACK FROM A TRIP ON 3/3/08. IT HAS A EXCELLENT MAINTAINANCE RECORD ON THIS CAR. ALL SERVICES WHERE DONE WHEN DUE BY A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN HINESVILLE GA, WHERE I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2002. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY INDICATIONS THAT THERE WAS ANY…
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THE TRANSMISSION FROM MY PT CRUISER EXPLODED ON I95 NEAR KINGSLAND GA WHILE COMING BACK FROM A TRIP ON 3/3/08. IT HAS A EXCELLENT MAINTAINANCE RECORD ON THIS CAR. ALL SERVICES WHERE DONE WHEN DUE BY A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN HINESVILLE GA, WHERE I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2002. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY INDICATIONS THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION. IT NEVER MADE ANY STRANGE NOISE, LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID, SKIPPED GEARS..AND JUST LIKE THAT IT EXPLODED. IT HAD A COMPLETE TUNE UP PERFORMED ON PT CRUISER SEPT 2007. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN KINGSLAND GA. TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A COST OF $3,484.66 A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE EXPLODED WITH 80267 MILES. I FEEL OVERALL THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH PT CRUISERS TRANSMISSIONS AND THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222048
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2008
Structure
DASHBOARD CRACKED STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE (NORTH TO SOUTH). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221763
48,380 miles · Mar 13, 2008
Suspension
MY CRUISER WAS IN THE SHOP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, WHEN THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE WORN. IN READING THIS SITE, I SEE THAT THIS HAS BECOME A REAL PROBLEM FLEET WIDE. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT, PLUS THE $100 DEDUCTIBLE ON THE EXTENDED WARRANT. BASED ON WHAT I READ, I THINK THAT T…
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MY CRUISER WAS IN THE SHOP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, WHEN THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE WORN. IN READING THIS SITE, I SEE THAT THIS HAS BECOME A REAL PROBLEM FLEET WIDE. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT, PLUS THE $100 DEDUCTIBLE ON THE EXTENDED WARRANT. BASED ON WHAT I READ, I THINK THAT THE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221041
95,000 miles · Mar 11, 2008
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND NEVER SWITCHED FROM SECOND GEAR. THE ENGINE JUST KEPT REVVING. THE CONTACT DROVE TO A SAFE AREA AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MADE A SOUND AS IF IT FAILED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND NEVER SWITCHED FROM SECOND GEAR. THE ENGINE JUST KEPT REVVING. THE CONTACT DROVE TO A SAFE AREA AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MADE A SOUND AS IF IT FAILED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10220771
92,100 miles · Mar 9, 2008
Suspension
MY 2002 PT CRUISER HAS HAD TWO SETS OF FRONT CONTROL ARMS REPLACED AT 90,000 MILES DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILING. THE FIRST TIME THE BUSHING CAME OUT COMPLETELY. THE SECOND TIME IT WAS STILL IN PLACE BUT TORN. BOTH REPAIR SHOPS INDICATE THIS IS A KNOWN AND VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND A SAFETY CONCERN.…
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MY 2002 PT CRUISER HAS HAD TWO SETS OF FRONT CONTROL ARMS REPLACED AT 90,000 MILES DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILING. THE FIRST TIME THE BUSHING CAME OUT COMPLETELY. THE SECOND TIME IT WAS STILL IN PLACE BUT TORN. BOTH REPAIR SHOPS INDICATE THIS IS A KNOWN AND VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220510
86,623 miles · Mar 3, 2008
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, RENDERING THE VEHICLE USELESS AND ENDANGERING THE DRIVER. TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. ESTIMATE TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION $2,134.20. THE VEHICLE HAS 86,632 MILES AND WAS PURCHASED USED AT 77,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10219915
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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