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
120,000 miles · Nov 28, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE INTERIOR INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH) AND CALLED THE MANUFAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE INTERIOR INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V288000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10437481
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2011
Wheels
2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. CONSUMER STATES THE WHEELS LEAK AIR AROUND THE RIMS CAUSING THE TIRES TO DEFLATE *TGW
NHTSA ODI #10431137
90,000 miles · Oct 18, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering
10-18-2011 I JUST BOUGHT MY CAR LAST MONTH (09-26-2011) AND MY CONTROL ARMS AND BUSHING HAVE ALREADY WENT BAD. NOW 2 NIGHTS AGO (10-16-2011) MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE EVERYTHING CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRING UNDER THE DASH IS MESSED UP. I SEE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF RECALLS FOR …
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10-18-2011 I JUST BOUGHT MY CAR LAST MONTH (09-26-2011) AND MY CONTROL ARMS AND BUSHING HAVE ALREADY WENT BAD. NOW 2 NIGHTS AGO (10-16-2011) MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE EVERYTHING CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRING UNDER THE DASH IS MESSED UP. I SEE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF RECALLS FOR THAT HAPPENING TO THE 2002 PT CRUISERS AND NOW THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM WILL NOT FIX IT (EVEN THOUGH I'M STILL WITHIN MY 30 DAY WARRANTY) I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM WOULD NOT GIVE ME A CARFAX ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO, SOLD ME THE CAR WITH A RECALL ALREADY ON IT THAT WAS ISSUED WAY BACK IN 2004. (POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE) THAT I WAS TOLD COULD CAUSE A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430685
64,690 miles · Oct 6, 2011
SteeringSuspensionWheels
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS SEVERAL TIMES: FRONT-APRIL OF 2005 AT 64690 MILES, FRONT-APRIL 2006 AT 89223 MILES, FRONT-MAY 2006 AT 91750 MILES, FRONT WHEEL BEARING-JULY 2009 AT 153048 MILES, FRONT WHEEL BEARING-APRIL 2011 AT 182684 MILES, REAR WHEEL BEARING-OCTOBER 2011 AT 191072 MILES. …
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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS SEVERAL TIMES: FRONT-APRIL OF 2005 AT 64690 MILES, FRONT-APRIL 2006 AT 89223 MILES, FRONT-MAY 2006 AT 91750 MILES, FRONT WHEEL BEARING-JULY 2009 AT 153048 MILES, FRONT WHEEL BEARING-APRIL 2011 AT 182684 MILES, REAR WHEEL BEARING-OCTOBER 2011 AT 191072 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED OR REPAIRED THE SUSPENSION PARTS: FRONT BUSHING CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINT LOWER CONTROL ARM-MARCH 2006 AT 86643 MILES, LEFT INNER TIE ROD HAD EXCESSIVE PLAY-JANUARY 2007 AT 107087 MILES, TWO OUTER TIE RODS REPLACED-JANUARY 2008 AT 127121 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428901
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SEVEN YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SEVEN YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10428791
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL GOING ABOUT 20 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WE HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK THE BAR BEHIND THE GRILL AND SMASH INTO THE RADIATOR AND RUIN IT. THE BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED ON THAT KIND OF IMPACT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428319
35,000 miles · Sep 29, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUSIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE BUSHINGS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2005. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUSIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE BUSHINGS FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED EVERY YEAR SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2005. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ADDRESSING THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
NHTSA ODI #10427908
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2011
Structure
DASHBOARD CRACKED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10425208
100,000 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE INTERIOR WIRING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED; THEREFORE, THE WARNING LIGHTS OVERHEATED AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE DEALER STATED THERE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V288000, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING: INTERIOR/UNDER DASH WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; YET, HIS VIN WAS NOT IN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE INTERIOR WIRING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED; THEREFORE, THE WARNING LIGHTS OVERHEATED AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE DEALER STATED THERE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V288000, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING: INTERIOR/UNDER DASH WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; YET, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10423943
90,000 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Structure
2002 PT CRUISER MOTOR MOUNTS KEEP GOING OUT. I HAD MY MOUNTS REPLACED 6 MONTHS AGO. THEN WITHIN 2 MONTHS THEY WENT OUT AGAIN. NOW THEY ARE MAKING NOISE AGAIN. THESE ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. IF THESE MOUNTS ALL FAIL, THE ENGINE CAN FALL ON TO THE AXLE AND WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN? *TR
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
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