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2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 202.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

164 reports with mileage · 53 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 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports15 fire reports14 injury reports

Steering complaints

24 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2005
Steering

I HAVE HAD MY CHRYSLER PT CRUISER IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME STEERING COLUMN NOISE 4 TIMES. IN 2 TIMES THEY HAVE SCRATCHED MY STEERING WHEEL TWICE . THEY REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL ALREADY ONCE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN ON FRIDAY APRIL 22 AND I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK TONIGHT. I SAW 2 SCRATCHES ON THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN I IMMED…

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I HAVE HAD MY CHRYSLER PT CRUISER IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME STEERING COLUMN NOISE 4 TIMES. IN 2 TIMES THEY HAVE SCRATCHED MY STEERING WHEEL TWICE . THEY REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL ALREADY ONCE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN ON FRIDAY APRIL 22 AND I RECEIVED THE CAR BACK TONIGHT. I SAW 2 SCRATCHES ON THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE SERVICE REP LOOK AT THE STEERING WHEEL. I'M NOT HAPPY THAT I HAVE TO KEEP BRINGING THE CAR BACK IN FOR THE SAME THING, I WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER THE PT UNDER THE LEMON LAW. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10118606

100 miles · Dec 6, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY AUTOMATIC 2004 PT CRUISER SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2004. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR WEEKS AT A TIME DUE TO THE CAR STALLING WHILE I AM DRIVING WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SINCE THE POWER STEERING LOCKS, AND THIS ACTION CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR.…

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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY AUTOMATIC 2004 PT CRUISER SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2004. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR WEEKS AT A TIME DUE TO THE CAR STALLING WHILE I AM DRIVING WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SINCE THE POWER STEERING LOCKS, AND THIS ACTION CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP DUE TO IT STALLING AND DRIVING ROUGH. EVERY TIME I TAKE THE CAR TO THE CHRYSLER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IT SEEMS LIKE THEY FIND AN ISSUE BUT IT IS THE WRONG ISSUE. LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME THE CAR WAS FINE AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT AND THE NEXT DAY THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAVE RENTED PT CRUISER RENTAL CARS TO VERIFY THAT ALL PT CRUISER DO NOT RUN ROUGH AND STALL AND THE RENTAL CARS RUN LIKE A DREAM COMPARED TO MY CAR. IF THE TROUBLES WITH THE CAR DO NOT CHANGE AND THE CAR CANNOT BE FIXED I WOULD LIKE OUT OF THE DEAL. I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE MY NEW CAR DUE TO A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102249

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2004
SteeringCrash

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD HITTING A CULDER. ONCE THIS OCCURRED THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE FLIPPING ON THE NOSE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AFTER BEING TRAPPED FOR OVER AN HOUR. THE CONSUMER DIED ON THE SCENE. PLEASE COMPLETE FORM. *JB *SC

NHTSA ODI #10097017

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2004
SteeringCrash

ON JULY 7, 2004, I HAD AN COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN AND I HIT A POLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. *AK WHEN I INFORMED DAIMLER CHRYSLER OF THE ACCIDENT, THEY HAD AN INVESTIGATOR TOW MY CAR TO MANCARI'S CHRYSLER JEEP IN CRESTWOOD, ILLINOIS ON JULY 15, 2004 TO…

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ON JULY 7, 2004, I HAD AN COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN AND I HIT A POLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. *AK WHEN I INFORMED DAIMLER CHRYSLER OF THE ACCIDENT, THEY HAD AN INVESTIGATOR TOW MY CAR TO MANCARI'S CHRYSLER JEEP IN CRESTWOOD, ILLINOIS ON JULY 15, 2004 TO INPECT THE DAMAGES. WHEN FINISHED, THE INVESTIGATOR CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT CHRYSLER WOULD CONTACT ME REGARDING THE DAMAGES. AFTER THE INVESTIGATOR CONTACTED ME, I CALLED DAIMLER CHRYSLER ABOUT TWO TIMES A WEEK ASKING FOR A STATUS AND WOULD GET PUT ON HOLD FOR A LONG TIME ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT MY FILE IS STILL UNDER REVIEW. WHEN I ASKED FOR A MANAGER, THEY WOULD TELL ME NO ONE IS AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, I SENT EMAILS TO GET TO CHRYSLER TO GET A RESPONSE. ONE RESPONSE WAS ABOUT CONTACTING CHRYSLER FINANCIAL. I CALLED AND SPOKE TO A MR. LAMBERT AND HE GAVE ME AN EXTENSION ON MY CAR PAYMENT UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2004. I TOLD MR. LAMBERT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE PT CRUISER DUE TO MY ACCIDENT AND ARTICLES THAT I FOUND. THE ARTICLES ARE EXPLAINING DEFECTS OF THE PT CRUISER (WWW.THEAUTOCHANNEL.COM AND WWW.DAIMLERCHRYSLERVEHICLEPROBLEMS.COM). THEREFORE, MR. LAMBERT TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD REVIEW THE LEMON LAW TO SEE IF I CAN GET A NEW CAR. MR. LAMBERT HAS NOT INFORMED ME OF A DECISION ABOUT A NEW CAR BUT I HAVE OBTAINED A COPY OF THE LEMON LAW STATUTES TO PROTECT MYSELF. ACCORDING TO MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT, I HAVE A RIGHT TO DEMAND A NEW VEHICLE IF I FIND THAT MY CURRENT VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. AS OF NOW, MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS PAYING TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT MANCARI'S CHRYSLER AUTO BODY SHOP IN OAK LAWN, ILLINOIS. MANCARI'S HAS SUPPOSEDLY BEEN FIXING MY CAR SINCE THE END OF JULY 2004 AND THEY STILL HAVE MY CAR. THANKSFATIMAH R. MUHAMMAD

NHTSA ODI #10091187

Official recalls

1

04V268000 · 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.

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

1

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.