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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

Tires complaints

7 reports
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58,520 miles · Mar 31, 2013
TiresWheels

APPROXIMATELY 10-12 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, ALL FOUR TIRES BEGAN TO GET FLAT. THIS HAS OCCURRED EVERY TWO WEEKS SINCE THAT TIME. EVERY TIME I FILL THE CAR WITH FUEL, I HAVE TO PUT AIR IN ALL FOUR TIRES. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER ONLINE IN EARLY FEBRUARY 2012 AND RECEIVED A RATHER FLIP RESPONSE... THANKING ME FOR TELLING…

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APPROXIMATELY 10-12 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, ALL FOUR TIRES BEGAN TO GET FLAT. THIS HAS OCCURRED EVERY TWO WEEKS SINCE THAT TIME. EVERY TIME I FILL THE CAR WITH FUEL, I HAVE TO PUT AIR IN ALL FOUR TIRES. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER ONLINE IN EARLY FEBRUARY 2012 AND RECEIVED A RATHER FLIP RESPONSE... THANKING ME FOR TELLING THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT OFFERING NO FIX TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS MY SECOND PT CRUISER.. AND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY FIRST CRUISER. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THE ALUMINUM WHEELS CAUSING AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRES. I ENJOY MY PT CRUISER, BUT FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, OTHER THAN BUYING EXPENSIVE NEW WHEELS; ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IT NOT ONLY GIVES ME BAD GAS MILEAGE, BUT ALSO IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505165

85,902 miles · Jan 16, 2013
Tires

I HAVE PHOTOS AVAILABLE OF THE TIRE IN QUESTION. THERE ARE 3 SEPARATE PIECES: THE COMPLETE (INTACT TREAD), THE INSIDE SIDEWALL AND THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE CAME APART WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM VISITING RELATIVES AFTER THE HOLIDAYS. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE EFFECTIVELY CAME APART. THE C…

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I HAVE PHOTOS AVAILABLE OF THE TIRE IN QUESTION. THERE ARE 3 SEPARATE PIECES: THE COMPLETE (INTACT TREAD), THE INSIDE SIDEWALL AND THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE CAME APART WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM VISITING RELATIVES AFTER THE HOLIDAYS. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE EFFECTIVELY CAME APART. THE CAR STARTED FISHTAILING AND I CAME VERY CLOSE TO RUNNING OFF THE ROAD WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ROLLING OVER. IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. I FEEL THAT THIS TIRE AND PROBABLY THE OTHER 3 TIRES HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. GOODYEAR/DUNLOP WANTED THE TIRES TO BE INSPECTED BY ONE OF THEIR DEALERS AND THEN CONFISCATED AND DESTROYED. I BELIEVE THAT THE WAY THE TIRE IN QUESTION EFFECTIVELY DISINTEGRATED CONSTITUTES A SERIOUS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. I CURRENTLY HAVE ALL FOUR TIRES STORED IN MY GARAGE. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, I AM ASKING FOR YOU TO INSPECT THESE TIRES SO IT CAN BE DETERMINED ACCURATELY WHETHER OR NOT THEY PRESENT AN ONGOING SAFETY PROBLEM. I WOULD NOT WANT ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCE THE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE I HAD TO ENDURE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493196

127,000 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER TURBO WITH BOG O ECONOMY PERFORMANCE H TIRES, LINE SIZE 225/45R/17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES BLEW TWICE IN AN EIGHT MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRES EXHIBITED A BUBBLE WHICH WAS WHAT CAUSED THE DEFECT. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER TURBO WITH BOG O ECONOMY PERFORMANCE H TIRES, LINE SIZE 225/45R/17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES BLEW TWICE IN AN EIGHT MONTH PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRES EXHIBITED A BUBBLE WHICH WAS WHAT CAUSED THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,147.

NHTSA ODI #10378682

92,481 miles · Jun 21, 2010
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. SHE STATED THAT IN JULY 2007 SHE PURCHASED FOUR GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORTED TIRES. THE TIRES BECAME DRY ROTTED AND WORE PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE TIRES WERE DISCONTINUED BY THE MANUFACTURER YET WERE STILL BEING SOLD BY A SEPARATE UNKNOWN COMPANY. GOODYEAR ANALYZED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. SHE STATED THAT IN JULY 2007 SHE PURCHASED FOUR GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORTED TIRES. THE TIRES BECAME DRY ROTTED AND WORE PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE TIRES WERE DISCONTINUED BY THE MANUFACTURER YET WERE STILL BEING SOLD BY A SEPARATE UNKNOWN COMPANY. GOODYEAR ANALYZED THE TIRES AND DETERMINED THE TIRES EXHIBITED PREMATURE WEAR. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO DISCOUNT A NEW SET OF TIRES FOR THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT DECLINED AND STATED THE TIRES MAY BE THE SAME AS THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,481 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10339336

74,219 miles · Aug 13, 2008
Tires

TWO GOODYEAR EAGLE LS TIRES SUFFERED BELT SEPARATION WITHIN 10 DAYS. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOPS WHICH DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AND REPLACED WITH NEW TIRES. FOUR TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM TIRE RACK, AND THE REMAINING TWO TIRES ARE STILL ON THE AUTO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237951

18,400 miles · Jun 20, 2007
SuspensionTires

LESS THAN 19,000 MILES ON THE 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AND THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON FRONT WENT BAD. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS SO BAD I DID NOT DRIVE IT FURTHER THAN A BLOCK FROM WORK , THE CLOSEST PLACE. THEY CHARGED ME $313.00 TO FIX THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE NEXT DAY, I FOUND OUTT HE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY ,BOUGHT IT SECOND HAND…

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LESS THAN 19,000 MILES ON THE 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AND THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON FRONT WENT BAD. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS SO BAD I DID NOT DRIVE IT FURTHER THAN A BLOCK FROM WORK , THE CLOSEST PLACE. THEY CHARGED ME $313.00 TO FIX THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE NEXT DAY, I FOUND OUTT HE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY ,BOUGHT IT SECOND HAND. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CONFIRMED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS ALSO GOING BAD AND REPLACED IT AND THE DAMAGED HUB. CHRYSLER WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME THE $313.00 BECAUSE IT WAS NOT FIXED AT A DEALERSHIP. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HUB WAS NOT REPLACED, AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY EITHER. THIS SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY AS WELL. A CAR WITH LESS THAN 19,000 MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE BAD WHEEL BEARINGS ALREADY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS SO BAD THAT THE WHEEL COULD HAVE SEIZED OR FALLEN OFF AND CAUSED A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF AND/OR OTHERS ON THE INTERSTATE. ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE SOME KIND OF DEFECT, AND THE FRONT TIRES HAVE WORN UNEVENLY DUE TO THE DAMAGED WHEEL BEARINGS. CHRYSLER WILL NOT REPLACE FRONT TIRES UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10193867

600 miles · Mar 27, 2006
Fuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkagesTires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY LOST AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AND A RIM; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MANIFESTED REMOTE CONTROL PROBLEMS, AS WELL A CRACKED WINDSHIELD A BROKEN GAS TANK. I…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY LOST AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AND A RIM; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MANIFESTED REMOTE CONTROL PROBLEMS, AS WELL A CRACKED WINDSHIELD A BROKEN GAS TANK. IN ADDITION RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE, AND POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10153791

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.