AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR SHE NOTICED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST IN THE STEERING. SHE WAS ABLE TO DIRECT THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE, AND UPON EXITING ,NOTICED LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. SHE ASKED OTHERS TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED, THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLA…
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AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR SHE NOTICED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST IN THE STEERING. SHE WAS ABLE TO DIRECT THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE, AND UPON EXITING ,NOTICED LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. SHE ASKED OTHERS TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED, THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. UPON REVIEW AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE TRAIL OF POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE ROAD BED FOR APPROXIMATELY 4-500 FEET BEFORE SHE CAME TO A STOP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10195403
35,326 miles · Apr 25, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES WOULD BE REPLACED BEFORE SHE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE SHE WAS INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE BRAKES WERE STILL SQUEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES WOULD BE REPLACED BEFORE SHE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE SHE WAS INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE BRAKES WERE STILL SQUEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE TWO TO THREE DAYS BEFORE THE BRAKES WOULD STOP SQUEAKING. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER THE TIRES WERE REMOVED AND ORANGE DUST WAS FOUND ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALER CLEANED THE BRAKES, BUT NEVER REPLACED THEM. THREE WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BLOW COOL AIR. IN AUGUST 2006 THE VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING HOT AND FAILED WHILE DRIVING 58 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AGAIN. IN SEPTEMBER 2006 THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. ON APRIL 19, 2007, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BECAUSE STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE THAT WAS INSTALLED IN SEPTEMBER 2006 FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT PROVIDE AN ACCURATE VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,400, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,326. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED AND THEY WERE RUDE AND REFUSED TO HELP HER. LATER, THE DEALERSHIP ASKED FOR INFORMATION TO RENT THE CONSUMER A CAR AND THE RENTAL PLACE REFUSED TO RENT HER A CAR IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FIXED BY SMITH CHRYSLER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER SOLD HER A CAR THEN CHANGED THE NAME ON HER PAPERWORK, REFUSED TO GIVE HER THE TAGS TO THE CAR UNLESS PAYMENT WAS PROVIDED AND TOLD HER SHE HAD THE WRONG VIN NUMBER FOR THE CAR. THE CONSUMER STATED WANTS HER MONEY BACK FOR THE CAR AND THE DEALER TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. UPDATED 07/06/07 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10188872
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2005
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
I HAVE TAKEN MY PT CRUISER INTO DEALER 10-12 TIMES FOR PROBLEMS THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO CORRECT. THERE HAVE BEEN PARTS LOOSE THAT NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED, SUCH AS BELTS, HOSES, CONNECTIONS AND INTERIOR PARTS THAT HAVE FALLEN OFF THE CAR AND DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO MANUFACTURER AND APPLIED FOR…
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I HAVE TAKEN MY PT CRUISER INTO DEALER 10-12 TIMES FOR PROBLEMS THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO CORRECT. THERE HAVE BEEN PARTS LOOSE THAT NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED, SUCH AS BELTS, HOSES, CONNECTIONS AND INTERIOR PARTS THAT HAVE FALLEN OFF THE CAR AND DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO MANUFACTURER AND APPLIED FOR LEMON LAW, BUT CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT LISTEN AND TOOK DEALER SIDE. THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE NOISES, BUT I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THE SHOP SUPERVISOR WHO HAS BEEN CHECKING OUT MY CAR FOR THE NOISES HAS A SEVERE HEARING LOSS AND A CLAIM AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANY FOR HEARING PROBLEMS. THERE ARE HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISES, SQUEALS AND LOUD SCREECHING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR LOSES POWER AND SEEMS TO HESITATE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THERE IS ALSO A NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A TRAIN WHISTLE IN THE DISTANCE. I HAVE HEARD POPPING SOUNDS IN THE FRONT END AND SQUEALING AND SCREECHING SOUNDS FROM THE BRAKES AND UNDER HOOD IS CONSTANT. THERE IS ALSO A NOISE THAT IS HEARD SOMETIMES IN STEERING AND TURNING. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WOULD REPLACE THE POWER STEERING UNIT TO SEE IF IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEMS AND ORDERED THE PART. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE SERVICE, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE AGAIN AND DID NOT DO ANYTHING. WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES THE NOISE IS SO LOUD IT CAN BE HEARD FOR A LONG DISTANCE. IT SOUNDS LIKE CARS BEING CRUSHED. THE NOISE IS ALSO PRESENT IN TURNING CORNERS AND DRIVING, BUT WORSE IN STEPPING ON BRAKES. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES A BRAKE PROBLEM BUT SAY THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS RADIO/CD PLAYER DID NOT WORK WHEN NEW, SENSOR LIGHT REPLACED, RATTLES UNDER DASH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ETC, BUT THE NOISES AND IN-ABLILITY TO REPAIR HAVE ME WORRIED ABOUT SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THEY HEAR THE NOISE, BUT THEN TELL ME THE MECHANIC CANNOT DUPLICATE AND DO NOTHING TO REPAIR. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE IN 2003. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10138432
10,400 miles · Sep 9, 2005
SteeringCrash
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE BREAK AWAY DESIGN OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSED A FATAL INJURY. THE POLICE RULED THAT THE FATALITY OCCURRED AS OVERCORRECTING. THE CONTACT STATED HE KNEW OF ANOTHER CASE WITHIN A TEN MILE RADIUS WHERE THE SAME TYPE OF FATA…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE BREAK AWAY DESIGN OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSED A FATAL INJURY. THE POLICE RULED THAT THE FATALITY OCCURRED AS OVERCORRECTING. THE CONTACT STATED HE KNEW OF ANOTHER CASE WITHIN A TEN MILE RADIUS WHERE THE SAME TYPE OF FATALITY HAPPENED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10136006
16,000 miles · Jul 12, 2005
SteeringTires
TIRES ARE FIRESTONE EAGLE P205/55/16. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH A FRONT SHIMMY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND HAD RE-BALANCING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT TO NO AVAIL. THE REASON I SUSPECT THE TIRES IS THAT I HAD SOME FIRESTONE TIRES IN THE PAST DO EXACTLY WHAT I AM EXPEREINCING.I PURCHASED THE CAR USED WITH 15…
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TIRES ARE FIRESTONE EAGLE P205/55/16. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH A FRONT SHIMMY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND HAD RE-BALANCING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT TO NO AVAIL. THE REASON I SUSPECT THE TIRES IS THAT I HAD SOME FIRESTONE TIRES IN THE PAST DO EXACTLY WHAT I AM EXPEREINCING.I PURCHASED THE CAR USED WITH 15000 MILES ON IT.THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS EXPEREINCINGTHE SAME SHIMMY. THE CAR AT SLOWER SPEEDS BEGINS TO ROCK FROM SIDE TO SIDE.I WAS TOLD THE LAST TIME THAT I HAD IT LOOKED AT, THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES.
NHTSA ODI #10128532
12,000 miles · Nov 30, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND BRAKES FAILED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE HOSE BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. *BF RECALL# 04V268000. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10105287
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2004
Steering
CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER HEARING THAT THE PT CRUISER WAS ON RECALL HE PHONED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED THE RECALL. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM HE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS NOT ON RECALL, BUT THAT HE SHOULD REPORT THE PROBLEM TO MANUFACTURER. WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL…
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CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER HEARING THAT THE PT CRUISER WAS ON RECALL HE PHONED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED THE RECALL. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM HE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS NOT ON RECALL, BUT THAT HE SHOULD REPORT THE PROBLEM TO MANUFACTURER. WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. HE DID NOT FEEL VERY SECURE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND WAS URGED TO WAIT BEFORE BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN, AND TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10080246
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2004
Steering
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL SKIPPED. CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10075842
2,375 miles · Feb 10, 2004
Steering
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO RACK AND PINION. *AK
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, 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
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.
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