NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
511 reports100,000 miles · Apr 17, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING AND CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED A STEERING HYDRAULIC POWER ISSUE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAIL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING AND CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED A STEERING HYDRAULIC POWER ISSUE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA ODI #10583384
128,500 miles · Apr 5, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
MY WIFE'S CAR HAS HAD ISSUES SINCE WE GOT THE CAR. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND IT IS STILL NOT HOLDING A CHARGE. I FOUND THAT WHILE JUMP STARTING THE CAR, YOU GET SPARKS AS YOU ATTACH THE CABLES. THIS IS EVIDENCE OF A SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUES THAT I HAVE FOUND ARE NONFUNCTIONAL INTERIOR LIGHTS, MIRROR C…
Read full complaint
MY WIFE'S CAR HAS HAD ISSUES SINCE WE GOT THE CAR. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND IT IS STILL NOT HOLDING A CHARGE. I FOUND THAT WHILE JUMP STARTING THE CAR, YOU GET SPARKS AS YOU ATTACH THE CABLES. THIS IS EVIDENCE OF A SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUES THAT I HAVE FOUND ARE NONFUNCTIONAL INTERIOR LIGHTS, MIRROR CONTROLS, DOOR LOCKS, AND RADIO. I HAVE FOUND RECALL INFORMATION ON VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. UPON CALLING DAIMLER CHRYSLER I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL. I MA HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577641
70,000 miles · Mar 26, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine
THE IGNITION KEY DOES NOT STAY IN WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THE MECHANIC WHO WORKED ON THE CAR IN OCTOBER SAID HE HAS REPLACED SEVERAL IGNITION SWITCHES IN THIS MODEL CAR. COULD IT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED BY THE SAME COMPANY AS THOSE INVOLVED IN THE GM RECALL? THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574888
104,350 miles · Mar 11, 2014
SteeringSuspension
THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE STATE'S HE WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY ON THE WAY HOME. HE HEARD POP AND THEN SOMETHING UNDER THE VEHICLE STARTED RATTLING, THE OWNER STATED WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP THEY PUT IT ON THE RACK. THE SHOP NOTIFIED THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULDN…
Read full complaint
THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE STATE'S HE WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY ON THE WAY HOME. HE HEARD POP AND THEN SOMETHING UNDER THE VEHICLE STARTED RATTLING, THE OWNER STATED WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP THEY PUT IT ON THE RACK. THE SHOP NOTIFIED THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN, BOTH STEERING KNUCKLE BUSHINGS, BALL JOINTS, FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION PARTS WERE ALL BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE FOR AS IT NOT JUST MINE AS I ASK THE SHOP AND THEY HAS SEVERAL VEHICLE OF THAT MAKE COME IN WITH SAME PROBLEM. WE AS TAX PAYERS BAILED THEM OUT, AND NOW IT TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TELL THEM THEY NEED TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND ANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF PT CRUISER ON THE ROAD TODAY, BUT I GUESS THEY GREEDY SON OF B***HES IN DETROIT TOOK THE MONEY AND LEFT THE CUSTOMER PAYING FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR FAMILIES. NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO DIE IN CAR IN ORDER FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE.
NHTSA ODI #10568362
121,650 miles · Feb 28, 2014
Seat BeltsInjury
A GUY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND TO AVOID HITTING HIM I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES. MY SEATBELT NEVER LOCKED SO I WAS THROWN FORWARD ALMOST TO THE STEERING WHEEL THEN SLAMMED BACKWARDS INTO MY SEAT. NOW I HAVE WHIPLASH AND A BONE OUT OF PLACE IN MY NECK UP NEAR MY SKULL. I HAVE AN EMERGENCY ROOM BILL FOR SEVERE HEADACHE AND AM H…
Read full complaint
A GUY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND TO AVOID HITTING HIM I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES. MY SEATBELT NEVER LOCKED SO I WAS THROWN FORWARD ALMOST TO THE STEERING WHEEL THEN SLAMMED BACKWARDS INTO MY SEAT. NOW I HAVE WHIPLASH AND A BONE OUT OF PLACE IN MY NECK UP NEAR MY SKULL. I HAVE AN EMERGENCY ROOM BILL FOR SEVERE HEADACHE AND AM HAVING TO PAY A CHIROPRACTOR TO TRY TO GET IT BACK IN PLACE TO STOP THE HEADACHES, IF SHE CAN'T WITH WHERE IT IS I MAY NEED A SURGERY I CAN'T AFFORD SINCE INSURANCE WON'T PAY FOR AVOIDED ACCIDENTS. IF THE SEAT BELT HAD LOCKED I WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD MY WHOLE BODY THROWN FORWARD THEN BACKWARD AND COULD HAVE POSSIBLY AVOIDED SUCH A SEVERE NECK AND BACK INJURY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566539
150,000 miles · Sep 16, 2013
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT NOT SECURED WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY, AS THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO FASTEN THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFI…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT NOT SECURED WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY, AS THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO FASTEN THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10543867
151,232 miles · Aug 22, 2013
StructureSuspension
I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I SLOWED AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENDED UP IN THE DITCH, BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. I PROCEEDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE SUBFRAME OF MY …
Read full complaint
I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I SLOWED AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENDED UP IN THE DITCH, BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. I PROCEEDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE SUBFRAME OF MY VEHICLE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN WITH THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHERS THAT I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH. I FEEL THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS OF MY VEHICLE, OTHER THEN THE SUBFRAME I NEEDED TO HAVE MY CAR LAST MORE THEN 10 YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536825
84,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNAL CONTROLS CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10526176
450,000 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Suspension
THE CAR MAKES A CRACKING SOUND WHEN YOU TURN OR GOES OVER BUMPS SOUND LIKE ITS COMING FROM OF CAR POSSIBLE FRONT SUSPENSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515543
127,500 miles · May 17, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, HAD TO PULL OVER. WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD THERE WAS OIL ON THE CAP. JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE.....BEFORE THIS INCIDENT MY POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING, TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THERE WAS A REC…
Read full complaint
DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN, HAD TO PULL OVER. WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD THERE WAS OIL ON THE CAP. JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE.....BEFORE THIS INCIDENT MY POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING, TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL DEALING WITH THE POWER STEERING AND THE HOSE, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE. I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER PERSON HE PUT MY CAR ON THE LIFT AND THERE IT WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM THE HOSE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THE DEALER BUT WASN'T. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512613
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.
Illustration