IllustrationFront seat belt doesn't engage after many attempts.
2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser do not stand out strongly from 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
550–25K
4225–50K
3850–75K
2075–100K
21100–150K
13150K+
189 reports with mileage · 69 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 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
22 crash reports15 fire reports14 injury reports
Seat Belts complaints
7 reportsWE OWNED A 2003 PT CRUISER AND I HAD A WRECK ON APRIL 18, 2008 AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THE SHOULDER STRAP DID NOT CATCH TO HOLD ME FROM BEING THROWN FORWARD. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND A CAR REAR ENDED ME AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. IT THREW ME FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND I INJURED MY LEFT SHOULDER WHERE…
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WE OWNED A 2003 PT CRUISER AND I HAD A WRECK ON APRIL 18, 2008 AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THE SHOULDER STRAP DID NOT CATCH TO HOLD ME FROM BEING THROWN FORWARD. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND A CAR REAR ENDED ME AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. IT THREW ME FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND I INJURED MY LEFT SHOULDER WHERE I HAD MY HAD RESTING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD TO HAVE SURGERY AND I FEEL THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF THE SHOULDER STRAP HAD CAUGHT WHEN THE COLLISION HAPPENED. WE BOUGHT ANOTHER PT CRUISER, A 2007 AND MY HUSBAND AND HIS FRIEND WHO WAS DRIVING HAD AN ACCIDENT ON JANUARY 21, 2009. THEY SWERVED TO KEEP FROM HITTING A DOG AND HIT A GUARD RAIL ALMOST HEAD ON AND AGAIN THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SHOULDER STRAPS DID NOT CATCH. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A BAD PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISERS. HAVE YOU HAD ANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS SORT OF PROBLEM? *TR
9/1/06 AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED . AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS TO CHRYSLER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION, THERE WAS NO REPLY. ON 9/29/06, MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AS WELL AS MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING 50 MILES AN HOUR. THAT DAY I CALLED CHRYSLER AGA…
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9/1/06 AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED . AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS TO CHRYSLER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION, THERE WAS NO REPLY. ON 9/29/06, MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AS WELL AS MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING 50 MILES AN HOUR. THAT DAY I CALLED CHRYSLER AGAIN AND AN INVESTIGATION WAS CREATED. AFTER THE INVESTIGATION CHRYSLER FOUND NO RESPONSIBILITY ON THEIR PART. I SUBMITTED A CLAIM INTO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THEY FOUND THE DEFECT TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, AND WILL NOT COVER THE DEPLOYED AIR BAGS OR LOCKED SEAT BELT. AT THIS TIME THERE HAS BEEN NO REPARATION. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP STALLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CONSTANTLY FAILED TO REMAIN SECURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFI…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP STALLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CONSTANTLY FAILED TO REMAIN SECURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR SERVICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOT. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - THE TECH FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS HAD SLOWLY BEEN GRINDING AWAY, THROWING METAL SHAVINGS INTO THE CONVERTER AND THE PUMP. *NM
I HAVE A 2003 PT CRUISER THAT JUST WENT OUT OF POWER TRAIN WARRANTY 7K MILES AGO-WITH NO WARNING, NO HESITATION, LACK OF POWER, MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TAKING THE CONVERTER, PUMP AND TORQUE CONVERTER-LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION! I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE IN 1,2,3,D OR R-NOW I AM STUCK WITH A $2643.50 B…
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I HAVE A 2003 PT CRUISER THAT JUST WENT OUT OF POWER TRAIN WARRANTY 7K MILES AGO-WITH NO WARNING, NO HESITATION, LACK OF POWER, MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TAKING THE CONVERTER, PUMP AND TORQUE CONVERTER-LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION! I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE IN 1,2,3,D OR R-NOW I AM STUCK WITH A $2643.50 BILL. MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE CONSTANTLY VIBRATES, BEEN TO SHOP NUMEROUS TIME TO RESOLVE BUT NO BODY CAN FIND ANYTHING-TIRES ARE FINE, CV JOINT, NOTHING CAN BE FOUND. I AM ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE-MY SEAT BELT UNBUCKLES BY ITSELF, POSSIBLY LEAVING ME WITH NO RESTRAINT IN THE POSSIBILITY OF A WRECK. I AM FILING COMPLAINTS WITH CHRYSLER, BBB, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, NHTS, LEMON LAW AND ANYTHING ELSE I CAN FIND- *NM
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, ALSO THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER PROPERLY. *JB
LOCKING MECHANISM BROKE DURING THE INSTILLATION OF A CHILD SEAT. IF THIS CAN BREAK THIS PART I FEEL THAT IT WOULD NOT HOLD UP IN AN ACCIDENT. DT
Official recalls
204V268000 · 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.
03V076000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly
Mar 10, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODELS ONLY, A WELDED PIN INTERNAL TO THE DUAL-MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) ASSEMBLY CAN UNSEAT AND BECOME LODGED BETWEEN THE FLYWHEEL AND THE CLUTCH DISC.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE CLUTCH MAY NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES WITH THE UPDATED DESIGN PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2003. 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.