NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
511 reports22,000 miles · Mar 22, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, CRACKING NOISE WHEN ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM ACTIVATED. THE BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT APPROX. 22,000 MILES AND THE PADS WHERE WORNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE METAL. THERE WAS NO PRE- WARNING OF THE CONDITION. I PURCHASED A PTCRUISER WHEN FIRST MANUFACTORED THE BRAKES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.*A…
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GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, CRACKING NOISE WHEN ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM ACTIVATED. THE BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT APPROX. 22,000 MILES AND THE PADS WHERE WORNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE METAL. THERE WAS NO PRE- WARNING OF THE CONDITION. I PURCHASED A PTCRUISER WHEN FIRST MANUFACTORED THE BRAKES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10063656
24,000 miles · Mar 22, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
202 PT CRUISER - ENGINE FIRE - CAR TOTALLED - REPORTED TO CHRYSLER AND GOT A LETTER SAYING THEY WERE CHECKING INTO IT - NOTIFIED THE GENERAL MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP - NOTIFIED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP - TRIED TO CHRYSLER SEVERAL TIMES BY E-MAIL, FAX AND PHONE - AS OF TODAY I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM. SA…
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202 PT CRUISER - ENGINE FIRE - CAR TOTALLED - REPORTED TO CHRYSLER AND GOT A LETTER SAYING THEY WERE CHECKING INTO IT - NOTIFIED THE GENERAL MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP - NOTIFIED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP - TRIED TO CHRYSLER SEVERAL TIMES BY E-MAIL, FAX AND PHONE - AS OF TODAY I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM. SAW AN ARTICLE IN THE SAC BEE THIS WEEKEND ABOUT OTHER ENGINE FIRES - WANT TO REPORT THIS ONE - WANT CHRYSLER TO MAKE THIS RIGHT - PLEASE HELP. I HAVE A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT AND PICTURES. THANKS, WENDY DONOM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10063631
27,000 miles · Mar 21, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineFire
2002 PT CRUISER FIRE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10062731
51,770 miles · Mar 18, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR, FRONT END COLLISION, IN WHICH I HIT A CONCRETE STRUCTURE HEAD ON AT APPROX 45 MPH. THE AIRBAGS, NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER, DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN MY HITTING MY HEAD. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT AND SURELY A GREAT ENOUGH FORCE TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. DEALER SAYS IT WAS SIMPLY THAT THE SENSORS WERE …
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I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR, FRONT END COLLISION, IN WHICH I HIT A CONCRETE STRUCTURE HEAD ON AT APPROX 45 MPH. THE AIRBAGS, NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER, DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN MY HITTING MY HEAD. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT AND SURELY A GREAT ENOUGH FORCE TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. DEALER SAYS IT WAS SIMPLY THAT THE SENSORS WERE NOT TRIGGERED. WHAT MORE DOES IT TAKE TO TRIGGER THE SENSORS? *AK
NHTSA ODI #10062537
30,000 miles · Mar 5, 2004
Steering
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH, MAKING IT HARD FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10061462
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2004
Steering
I BOUGHT MY CAR NEW, A '02 PT CRUISER, AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE RACK AND PINION HAS CRACKED!!! I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER, WHICH TELLS ME THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO!!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10060235
38,000 miles · Feb 26, 2004
Power Train
AFTER 38,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION PUMP WENT OUT. THE DEALER STATED THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 36,000 MILES AND THERE IS NO DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY. IT WILL COST ME 1,6000 DOLARS TO REPLACE. NEVER WILL I BUY FROM CHRYSLER AGAIN! *AK
NHTSA ODI #10059019
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
MY 2002 PT CRUISER CAUGHT FIRE AND THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER SAY TOO BAD.THE CAR HAD TWO RECALLS ONE WHICH WAS FIXED AND ONE WHICH THEY NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10058995
17,000 miles · Feb 24, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineFire
WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS WARNED BY PEDESTRIANS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COULD BE DETECTED. THE DRIVER OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A RUSH OF FLAMES, WHICH DIED DOWN AFTER A SECOND. THE FIRE APPEARED TO ORIGINATE AT THE LO…
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WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS WARNED BY PEDESTRIANS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COULD BE DETECTED. THE DRIVER OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A RUSH OF FLAMES, WHICH DIED DOWN AFTER A SECOND. THE FIRE APPEARED TO ORIGINATE AT THE LOW CENTER OF THE FIRE WALL AT THE FUEL LINE, WHICH IS LOCATED NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ORLANDO FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT STATED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO A FUEL LEAK. *AK *NM *JB
NHTSA ODI #10057651
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2004
Structure
FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS HAVE WHAT LOOKS TO BE MASKING TAPE MARKS ON THEM WHERE THE PAINT HAS NOW FADED. THE FADED AREA IS APPROXIMATELY THE WIDTH OF MASKING TAPE AND GOES FROM THE EDGE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF BOTH BUMPERS ACROSS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF BOTH BUMPERS.
NHTSA ODI #10058425
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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