Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
670–25K
9625–50K
6950–75K
4575–100K
51100–150K
23150K+
351 reports with mileage · 160 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
40 crash reports34 fire reports43 injury reports
What owners actually said
511 reports
100,100 miles · Sep 19, 2007
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH, THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION ON THE GROUND. GOODYEAR TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A GOODYEAR DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BOLTS SEPARATED IN HALF AND RELEASED THE TRANSMISSI…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH, THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION ON THE GROUND. GOODYEAR TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A GOODYEAR DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE BOLTS SEPARATED IN HALF AND RELEASED THE TRANSMISSION. THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHES AND A BRACKET NEAR THE TIMING BELT WERE ALSO DAMAGED. DAIMLER CHRYSLER STATED THAT HER WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT HAS THE BOLTS AND FAILED PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY GOODYEAR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,146 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99746. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10203465
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY CAR OVERHEATS JUST WHEN GOING SLOW CHANGED RADIATOR CAP THERMOSTAT CLEANED RADIATOR STILL OVERHEATS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10202498
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH. THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER FOR A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED OFF. HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE HOME. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH. THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER FOR A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED OFF. HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE HOME. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, HOWEVER; THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE SIZE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,266.
NHTSA ODI #10200548
48,500 miles · Aug 15, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 PT CRUISER, REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND WITH 50, 000 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY HAD AN EPISODE OF OVERHEATING. WHEN CHECKED, ONE OF THE SOFT PLUGS (FREEZE PLUGS) HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND ALL THE COOLANT HAD LEAKED OUT. PLUG WAS REPLACED, CORRECT COOLANT PUT IN, RAN FINE FOR 2 WEEKS. OVERHEATED AGAIN, STOPPED DRIVING IT AND HAD THE RA…
Read full complaint
2002 PT CRUISER, REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND WITH 50, 000 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY HAD AN EPISODE OF OVERHEATING. WHEN CHECKED, ONE OF THE SOFT PLUGS (FREEZE PLUGS) HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND ALL THE COOLANT HAD LEAKED OUT. PLUG WAS REPLACED, CORRECT COOLANT PUT IN, RAN FINE FOR 2 WEEKS. OVERHEATED AGAIN, STOPPED DRIVING IT AND HAD THE RADIATOR FLUSHED AND NEW CAP INSTALLED. DRIVING HOME (30 MINUTES) OVERHEATED WORSE THAN BEFORE FLUSH AND NEW CAP. NEW MECHANIC SAYS NEEDS A NEW RADIATOR (LEAKING AND CLOGGED) AND THE #1 CYLINDER HAS WATER IN IT SO THE HEAD MUST BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS IS THE 2ND 2002 THEY'VE SEEN IN 2 WEEKS, AND HE'S DONE 5 OTHERS THIS YEAR. AND THIS IS NOT A LARGE CITY - AND ONLY ONE MECHANIC. MAY FORUMS SEEMS TO BE FILLING WITH MESSAGES ABOUT THIS OVERHEATING ISSUE AND THE WARPING OF THE ALUMINUM HEADS. POORLY DESIGNED AND OUT OF WARRANTY? *JB
NHTSA ODI #10199699
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2007
Air Bags
POSSIBLE AIRBAG OR ELECTRICAL DEFECT ON 2002 PT CRUISER TOURING EDITION. I WAS DRIVING UP THE ROAD IN MY 2002 CRUISER WITH APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES ON IT, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON MY DASH. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY $800.00, MY LIGHT IS …
Read full complaint
POSSIBLE AIRBAG OR ELECTRICAL DEFECT ON 2002 PT CRUISER TOURING EDITION. I WAS DRIVING UP THE ROAD IN MY 2002 CRUISER WITH APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES ON IT, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON MY DASH. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY $800.00, MY LIGHT IS STILL ON. THE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY AND AIRBAG MODULE HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND IT HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10198679
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2007
Structure
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER HAS LITERALLY CRACK STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. I AM SURE THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT GETS ANY LARGER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10197772
83,500 miles · Jul 27, 2007
Exterior Lighting
MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH SHORTED OUT CAUSING LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON. LEAVING MY WIFE UNABLE TO ATTEND HER CHEMO THERAPY SESSION ON TIME, DUE THE NEED TO GET CAR JUMP STARTED. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS MIS FUNCTION WAS NOTICE,BROUGHT TO DEALER AND REPAIRED BY SAME AT NO CHARGE . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10197673
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2007
Exterior Lighting
FOG LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE, FOG LIGHTS STAY ON WHETHER THE SWITCH IS TURNED ON OR OFF. SMELL OF BURNING WIRES AFTER VEHICLE SITS FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS WITH THE LIGHTS ON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10196782
124,157 miles · Jul 18, 2007
Structure
MY 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER RECEIVED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CRACK SLOWLY GREW AROUND THE VENT AND STARTED TO COLLAPSE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PIECES WILL FALL INTO THE WIRING UNDER THE DASH. CARMAX (WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR) AND CHRYLSER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR IS ONLY 5 1/2 …
Read full complaint
MY 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER RECEIVED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CRACK SLOWLY GREW AROUND THE VENT AND STARTED TO COLLAPSE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PIECES WILL FALL INTO THE WIRING UNDER THE DASH. CARMAX (WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR) AND CHRYLSER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR IS ONLY 5 1/2 YEARS OLD. FOR MY SAFETY, I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR MYSELF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10196677
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2007
Structure
I OWN A 2002 P/T CRUISER AND THE DASH OARD CRACKED RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE TOP OF THE CONTROL CONSOLE, ABOUT A FOOT LONG OR 15 INCHES LONG CRACK. THERE WAS NO VEHICLE ACCIDENT CAUSING THIS, OR ANY OTHER TRAUMA TO THE DASHBOARD. IT SIMPLY CRACKED IN THE 5 YEARS WE OWNED THE CAR.*AK
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.
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.
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
2
PE04028 · 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.
2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration