IllustrationWHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE JERKED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Pt Cruiser years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser are substantially higher than the model-year median of 202.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pt Cruiser years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsCONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A 36000 MILES CHECK UP. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAL METAL TO METAL. MECHANIC STATED THEY HAD ONLY EXAMINED THE BRAKES, AND WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIRS. CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ROTORS HAD BEEN TURNED TOO MUCH.*AK TH…
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CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A 36000 MILES CHECK UP. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE BRAKES STARTED TO SQUEAL METAL TO METAL. MECHANIC STATED THEY HAD ONLY EXAMINED THE BRAKES, AND WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIRS. CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ROTORS HAD BEEN TURNED TOO MUCH.*AK THE CONSUMER WAS MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS AFTER BEING TOLD THE ROTORS WHERE TURNED TO MUCH BY THE MECHANIC. *TC
NO POWER STEERING AFTER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *BF UPON BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CONSUMER NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND WHEN SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SHE NOTICED A CLOUD OF SMOKE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HER POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS BROKEN AND IN NEED OF REPAIR. THE VEH…
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NO POWER STEERING AFTER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *BF UPON BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CONSUMER NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND WHEN SHE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SHE NOTICED A CLOUD OF SMOKE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HER POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS BROKEN AND IN NEED OF REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, SOON AFTER THE CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEALING SOUND AND DISCOVERED THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD A FITTING WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED WHEN THE PREVIOUS WORK WAS DONE. *TC *JB
COMPLAINT SENT VIA E-MAIL." I FIRST STARTED HAVING A SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR POWER STEERING. WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD, AND I THOUGHT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. I THEN CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND TOLD THEM, AND THEY JUST SAID THAT THEY WOULD MAKE A REPORT. BUT I HEARD NOTHING FROM THEM AT ALL. HOWEVE…
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COMPLAINT SENT VIA E-MAIL." I FIRST STARTED HAVING A SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR POWER STEERING. WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD, AND I THOUGHT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. I THEN CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER AND TOLD THEM, AND THEY JUST SAID THAT THEY WOULD MAKE A REPORT. BUT I HEARD NOTHING FROM THEM AT ALL. HOWEVER, I TOOK MY CAR TO CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THEY TEMPORARILY FIXED IT, BUT A MONTH LATER THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING A WHINING SOUND WHEN TURNING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY PUT A NEW POWER STEERING TO FIX IT. THREE WEEKS LATER OCT 8TH 2004, I STARTED HEARING THE LOUD WHINING NOISE AGAIN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR WILL CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THAT I OR MY PASSENGERS WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. *JB
WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A DELAWARE CAB (CROWN VICTORIA); WHICH CONTINUED TO DRIVE ME INTO THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AND BOTH OF US INTO THE PICKUP TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER. IT WAS A FOUR CAR COLLISION, WITH THREE OF US BEING TOTALLY STOPPED WHEN I WAS REAR-ENDED. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND INQUIRED AS…
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WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A DELAWARE CAB (CROWN VICTORIA); WHICH CONTINUED TO DRIVE ME INTO THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AND BOTH OF US INTO THE PICKUP TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER. IT WAS A FOUR CAR COLLISION, WITH THREE OF US BEING TOTALLY STOPPED WHEN I WAS REAR-ENDED. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND INQUIRED AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND WAS TOLD "WE NEED TO OFFER YOU A SETTLEMENT". CHRYSLER HAD AN "INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR" DO AN EVALUATION AND HAS INFORMED ME THAT "WE CAN NOT GIVE YOU A COPY OF THIS REPORT AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF YOU WANT A COPY YOU WILL HAVE TO SUE US". MY CAR WAS NOT RUNNING WHEN THE CAB DROVE ME INTO THE CHEVROLET LUMINA IN FRONT OF ME. THE OFFICER THAT RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT ASKED IF I HAD A SWITCH TO TURN OFF THE AIR BAG, WHICH THE CAR DID NOT. WHEN THE OFFICER REQUESTED US TO MOVE THE CARS OUT OF THE ROADWAY, HE TOLD ME TO STAY OUT OF MY CAR, WHILE THE OTHER CARS WERE MOVED BECAUSE HE WAS CONCERNED THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY. *NM
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED GAS FUMES. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND SAW FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
RIMS CORRODED ALONG THE LUGS AREA. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
01 V 288 000/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER: CONSUMER HAS A CONCERN THAT THE DEALER REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION FROM THE CONSUMER FOR AN 11/2 HOURS FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AT CONSUMER COST. RECALL NOTICE MENTION NOTHING CONCERNING A CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING . CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT STEERING PITMAN BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE. THE POWER STEERING UNIT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MPH WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Official recalls
304V268000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
Jun 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.
02V215000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
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.
01V288000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash
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.