NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
511 reports65,000 miles · Jan 11, 2006
Power Train
AT 24,000 MILES TRANSMISSION WENT OUR COMPLETELY. NOW AT 65,000 MILES TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AND NEEDS A TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK REPLACED. ENGINE COMPARTMENT SMOKES AND SMELLS HOT. FOUND TSB#0801505 AND NHTSA #10013731 ON FILE BUT DEALER CAN NOT TELL ME ANYTHING. FOUND SEVERAL WEB SITE LISTING THIS SAME COMPLAINT SOME WI…
Read full complaint
AT 24,000 MILES TRANSMISSION WENT OUR COMPLETELY. NOW AT 65,000 MILES TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING AND NEEDS A TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PACK REPLACED. ENGINE COMPARTMENT SMOKES AND SMELLS HOT. FOUND TSB#0801505 AND NHTSA #10013731 ON FILE BUT DEALER CAN NOT TELL ME ANYTHING. FOUND SEVERAL WEB SITE LISTING THIS SAME COMPLAINT SOME WITH CATASTROPHIC FAILURES ON THE ROAD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147457
37,000 miles · Dec 28, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2002 PT CRUISER HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY, INCLUDING OIL CHANGES, FOR THE ENTIRE TIME THAT I HAVE OWNED IT. IN SPITE OF THIS, IT HAS DEVELOPED ENGINE PROBLEMS THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE FORMING OF SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE OIL CONSUMPTION ON THE CAR HAS BEEN APPROXIMATELY A QUART PER 1000 MILES EVER SINCE THE 36000…
Read full complaint
MY 2002 PT CRUISER HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY, INCLUDING OIL CHANGES, FOR THE ENTIRE TIME THAT I HAVE OWNED IT. IN SPITE OF THIS, IT HAS DEVELOPED ENGINE PROBLEMS THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE FORMING OF SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE OIL CONSUMPTION ON THE CAR HAS BEEN APPROXIMATELY A QUART PER 1000 MILES EVER SINCE THE 36000 MILE SERVICE. I FEEL THAT THERE IS SOME INHERENT DESIGN PROBLEM THAT HAS LED TO THE PREMATURE WEARING OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THE LOSS OF POWER IN THIS AUTOMOBILE. I THINK THAT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE, IN THE SPACE OF 4 YEARS TIME. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10146202
3,001 miles · Dec 21, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. ALSO , THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HAD A LOUD POPPING AND SQUEALING NOISE, THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE OVERHEATED, IT TURNED THE RIM RED HOT. HE COULD SMELL TH…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. ALSO , THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HAD A LOUD POPPING AND SQUEALING NOISE, THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE OVERHEATED, IT TURNED THE RIM RED HOT. HE COULD SMELL THE BRAKE DUST FROM THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY REPLACED THE BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, DISC CALIPER, AND ROTORS. HE WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 12/7/2005. THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 14972 MILES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10145355
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2005
Unknown Or Other
CONSUMER REQUESTING RECALL INFORMATION FOR 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. *TS *NM
NHTSA ODI #10144284
3,000 miles · Nov 15, 2005
Steering
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V268000 CONCERNING THE STEERING POWER ASSIST HOSE PIPING AND CONNECTIONS. THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME DUE TO TH…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V268000 CONCERNING THE STEERING POWER ASSIST HOSE PIPING AND CONNECTIONS. THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10142712
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2005
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. ALSO , THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HAD A LOUD POPPING AND SQUEALING NOISE, THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE OVERHEATED, IT TURNED THE RIM RED HOT. HE COULD SMELL T…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. ALSO , THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HAD A LOUD POPPING AND SQUEALING NOISE, THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE OVERHEATED, IT TURNED THE RIM RED HOT. HE COULD SMELL THE BRAKE DUST FROM THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY REPLACED THE BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, DISC CALIPER, AND ROTORS. HE WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10142394
25,811 miles · Nov 2, 2005
Wheels
WAS LOSING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF AIR FROM LEFT REAR TIRE. TOOK IT TO SEARS, FOR TIRE REPAIR, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRE WAS FINE, BUT THAT THE CHROME PLATED WHEEL WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AT THE BEAD. THEN TOOK CAR TO DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE WHEEL WAS BEYOND REPAIR, AND ORDERED A NEW ONE. REPLACED A WEEK LATER. OK…
Read full complaint
WAS LOSING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF AIR FROM LEFT REAR TIRE. TOOK IT TO SEARS, FOR TIRE REPAIR, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRE WAS FINE, BUT THAT THE CHROME PLATED WHEEL WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AT THE BEAD. THEN TOOK CAR TO DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE WHEEL WAS BEYOND REPAIR, AND ORDERED A NEW ONE. REPLACED A WEEK LATER. OK SINCE, HOWEVER I NOW HAVE TWO MORE WHEELS DOING THE SAME THING. WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I AM AFRAID THAT THE WHEELS MAY FAIL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10141570
23,477 miles · Nov 2, 2005
Power Train
NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FLUID UNDER CAR IN THE MORNING. AFTER INVESTIGATION, DETERMINED IT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE FLUID LEVEL IN CAR WAS VERY LOW. SINCE IT WAS A"SPECIAL" FLUID, I COULD NOT BUY IT AT THE LOCAL PARTS STORE. TOOK A CHANCE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE "SOLENOID PA…
Read full complaint
NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FLUID UNDER CAR IN THE MORNING. AFTER INVESTIGATION, DETERMINED IT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE FLUID LEVEL IN CAR WAS VERY LOW. SINCE IT WAS A"SPECIAL" FLUID, I COULD NOT BUY IT AT THE LOCAL PARTS STORE. TOOK A CHANCE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE "SOLENOID PACK" AND "COOLER LINES". PARTS REPLACED, OK SINCE. IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND POSSIBLY FIRE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10141569
31,000 miles · Nov 2, 2005
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
SUBJECT: 2002 PT CRUISER BRAKES / TRANSMISSION I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU ARE THE PROPER PERSON TO BRING UP SOME SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE CHRYSLER PT CRUISER BUT IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT MAYBE YOU COULD DIRECT THIS TO SOMEONE WHO CAN. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, I HAD MY BRAKES SERVICES AT A LOCAL SHOP THAT I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH F…
Read full complaint
SUBJECT: 2002 PT CRUISER BRAKES / TRANSMISSION I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU ARE THE PROPER PERSON TO BRING UP SOME SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE CHRYSLER PT CRUISER BUT IT IS MY SINCERE HOPE THAT MAYBE YOU COULD DIRECT THIS TO SOMEONE WHO CAN. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, I HAD MY BRAKES SERVICES AT A LOCAL SHOP THAT I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR 10 YEARS. WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I USED TO DO MUCH OF THE WORK TO CARS MYSELF, AND ONCE IN A WHILE I DO AN AUDIT OF THE WORK HE DOES. AS ALWAYS, HE DOES A GREAT JOB. RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM LAKE TAHOE ON I80. THIS IS MOSTLY FULL OF MOUNTAINS WITH VERY STEEP GRADES AND A LOT OF SHEER CLIFFS. I HAD A FULL CAR LOAD OF HUMAN AND PERSONAL PROPERTY SO I WOULD CONCEDER IT TO BE CLOSE TO THE MAX WEIGHT OF THE CAR. I PLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FROM OVER-DRIVE TO THE NEXT LOWEST GEAR DURING THE STEEP GRADES. WE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL! I DISCOVERED TO MY HORROR THAT THE NEXT LOWEST TRANSMISSION SPEED WAS THIRD. SO I DROPPED IT DOWN AGAIN TO THE NEXT LOWER GEAR AND IT WAS FIRST GEAR. SINCE OUR SPEED WAS 55 MILES PER HOUR, IT DID NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. THANK GOODNESS IT DID NOT. SO I APPLIED THE ABS FRONT DISCS AND REAR DRUMS. BY THE TIME WE GOT DOWN FROM THIS AREA, I TOTALLY BURNED OUT THE BRAKES. I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER CARS FROM CALIFORNIA TO TEXAS TO FLORIDA WITH SIMILAR LOADS, BUT NEVER WITH A TRANSMISSION WITH NO SECOND GEAR. I HAVE NEVER BURNED NEW BRAKES UP IN A SIMILAR FISSION AND REQUIRED ONE NEW DISC. I DO NOT THINK THAT THEY ??CHRYSLER?? DID ENOUGH ENGINEERING IN STOPPING THIS CAR WITH STEEP HIGHWAY GRADES WITH A FULL LOAD, AND THE POPULATION IS AT RISK FOR RUN-AWAY CARS IN THOSE AREAS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR VALUABLE TIME. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141507
46,300 miles · Nov 2, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR BEGAN REPEATEDLY OVERHEATING REQUIRING AC TO BE TURNED OFF. THE COOLING FAN HAS CEASED WORKING AND AN ENTIRE ASSEMBLE NEEDED TO BE PURCHASED. IN DISCUSSING THIS WITH TWO SEPARATE GARAGES, THEY INDICATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY SEE FREQUENTLY AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SUBJECT OF RECALL. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141496
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.
Illustration