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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

What owners actually said

217 reports
50,318 miles · Jun 15, 2008
Exterior Lighting

I WAS INFORMED BY MY NEIGHBOR THAT MY FOG LAMPS WERE ON. SINCE I HADN'T USED THEM IN OVER A MONTH THIS CAME AS A SURPRISE. THE SWITCH WAS NOT ON - NOR WOULD THE LIGHTS TURN OFF. A WEB SEARCH DETERMINED THAT THE "FIX" IS TO LEAVE THE TURN INDICATOR AT A LEFT TURN AND/OR REMOVE THE FUSE. THE SAME SEARCH REVEALED THAT FIRES HAVE…

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I WAS INFORMED BY MY NEIGHBOR THAT MY FOG LAMPS WERE ON. SINCE I HADN'T USED THEM IN OVER A MONTH THIS CAME AS A SURPRISE. THE SWITCH WAS NOT ON - NOR WOULD THE LIGHTS TURN OFF. A WEB SEARCH DETERMINED THAT THE "FIX" IS TO LEAVE THE TURN INDICATOR AT A LEFT TURN AND/OR REMOVE THE FUSE. THE SAME SEARCH REVEALED THAT FIRES HAVE RESULTED FROM THIS EXACT SAME FAULT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER/TF81KHBDLDVT92AH2/P15. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231061

33,600 miles · Jun 13, 2008
Suspension

REPLACING BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER LIMITED TURBO AT 33900 MILES. NOISE STARTED AT 33600 MILES. WAY TOO EARLY TO HAVE TO REPLACE BEARINGS ON ANY VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I LOOKED UP "PT CRUISER WHEEL BEARINGS" ON GOOGLE AND FOUND A FORUM ON TOPIX.COM AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE SO…

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REPLACING BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER LIMITED TURBO AT 33900 MILES. NOISE STARTED AT 33600 MILES. WAY TOO EARLY TO HAVE TO REPLACE BEARINGS ON ANY VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I LOOKED UP "PT CRUISER WHEEL BEARINGS" ON GOOGLE AND FOUND A FORUM ON TOPIX.COM AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER PT OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY IS REALLY LOOSE DUE TO THE BEARING FAILURE. I HAVE NEVER OWNED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT NEEDED BEARINGS REPLACED BEFORE 100,000 MILES. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCT AND DO A RECALL OF THE BEARING-HUB-KNUCKLE JOINT ASSEMBLY. *TR UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10230962

75,000 miles · May 22, 2008
Suspension

FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACE TWO TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228613

60,000 miles · May 8, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE, EVEN AFTER THE PASSENGER REACHED DOWN AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL IT UP WITH HER HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST GARAGE AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE VACUUM HOSE WHICH HAD A HOL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE, EVEN AFTER THE PASSENGER REACHED DOWN AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL IT UP WITH HER HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST GARAGE AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE VACUUM HOSE WHICH HAD A HOLE IN IT, WHICH WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. THE VACUUM HOSE WAS FOUND IN THE BACK OF THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID AND HAD RUBBED A HOLE IN THE HOSE. WHEN THE HOSE WAS SHOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY RESPONDED INDIFFERENTLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 5/30/08 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10227056

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I BROUGHT A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH 36,222 ON 11/1/08. WELL LESS THAN FIVE MONTHS I HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES COMPLETELY REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT GRINDING NOISE AND NOW THE FRONT BARRONS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE REPLACED THE BACK LEFT BARRON AND IT COST A WHOPPING $200.00 AND THE BRAKES COST $564.00. I HAVE GO…

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I BROUGHT A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH 36,222 ON 11/1/08. WELL LESS THAN FIVE MONTHS I HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES COMPLETELY REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT GRINDING NOISE AND NOW THE FRONT BARRONS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE REPLACED THE BACK LEFT BARRON AND IT COST A WHOPPING $200.00 AND THE BRAKES COST $564.00. I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALER TO ASK IF THEY COULD HELP AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL CHRYSLER AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. I ASK IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND WAS INFORMED NO, BUT AFTER READING SOME OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I BELIEVE THAT THEY REALLY NEED TO MAKE A RECALL. I CURRENTLY HAVE 46,400. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225878

42,000 miles · Apr 18, 2008
Wheels

STOCK CHRYSLER 17" CHROME ALUMINUM WHEELS ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY ARE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT CAUSING THE TIRE TO LOSE AIR PRESSURE. WAS TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET INSPECTED - AFTER WHICH I WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER DOES NOT WARRANTY DEFECTIVE MATERIALS IF THE VEHICLE IS OVER 3 YEARS OLD OR HAS MORE THAN 36,000 MILES. EVEN TH…

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STOCK CHRYSLER 17" CHROME ALUMINUM WHEELS ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY ARE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT CAUSING THE TIRE TO LOSE AIR PRESSURE. WAS TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET INSPECTED - AFTER WHICH I WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER DOES NOT WARRANTY DEFECTIVE MATERIALS IF THE VEHICLE IS OVER 3 YEARS OLD OR HAS MORE THAN 36,000 MILES. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 7 YEARS/85,000 MILES. AN THE ROTTING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE RIM IS NOT LIMITED TO A SPECIFIC TO THE VEHICLE OF CHRYSLER'S PRODUCTION. IT EFFECTS ALL MAKES AN MODELS WITH THE CHROMED ALUMINUM RIMS. SEBRING - PT CRUISER - PACFICA - ETC. AN GIVING THE FACT THE RIMS DON'T HOLD AIR I BELIEVE THAT COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THAT EFFECT THE HANDLING AN BRAKING WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL. CHRYSLER IS STILL CURRENTLY SELL'S THE SAME PRODUCT ON THERE NEW CARS. EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WHEELS AN THERE DEFECT. BUT DO TO THE FACT THAT BY THE TIME THE CUSTOMER NOTICES THERE RIMS ARE DEFECTIVE THE 3 YEARS/36,000 MILES IS UP. AN THE CUSTOMER WHO BOUGHT THE CAR IS TOLD THEY AREN'T UNDER WARRANTY BUT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER A NEW SET THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO SO AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER'S POCKET BOOK. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER PRACTICE'S ARE WRONG ON HOW THEY OPERATE - BY SELLING THE CUSTOMER WHAT IS ULTIMATELY DEFECTIVE MATERIALS. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE OWNER'S WITH THE CHROME ALUMINUM RIMS AN HAVE TOLD ME THEY FOUGHT CHRYSLER AN THAT THEY TOO HAVE TO REPLACE AIR IN THE TIRE EVERY OTHER DAY LIKE MYSELF. P.S. DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE RIMS I AM REQUIRED TO PUT ATLEAST 20+ PSI IN MY TIRES EVERY OTHER DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224942

59,585 miles · Apr 8, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL LINE CLIP FELL OFF ALLOWING GASOLINE TO SPILL ONTO LOWER PART OF THE ENGINE. THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN AND WAS TOWED TO A CHRYSLER DEALER AND REPAIRED BY PUTTING ON A NEW "REVISED" FUEL LINE CLIP. THE OLD PART WAS NOT ON THE CAR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223694

48,742 miles · Apr 3, 2008
Exterior Lighting

I OWN A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AND CAME CLOSE TO HITTING A JOGGER IN THE PRE-DAWN HOURS. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE PASSABLE, BUT THE HIGH BEAM IS COMPLETELY USELESS AND CREATES A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD! I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHTS REAMED AND EVEN CHANGED TO 80 WATT BULBS, BUT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE HEADLAMP HOUSING DESIGN. THE …

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I OWN A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AND CAME CLOSE TO HITTING A JOGGER IN THE PRE-DAWN HOURS. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE PASSABLE, BUT THE HIGH BEAM IS COMPLETELY USELESS AND CREATES A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD! I HAVE HAD THE HEADLIGHTS REAMED AND EVEN CHANGED TO 80 WATT BULBS, BUT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE HEADLAMP HOUSING DESIGN. THE HIGHBEAM PUTS OUT A DIFFUSED, UNFOCUSED LIGHT WHICH DOES NOT ADD ANY INCREASED NIGHT VISION OVER THE LOW BEAM LAMPS, FORTUNATELY THE LOW BEAMS STAY ON WITH THE HIGH BEAMS. I AM NOT AWARE IF THE AUTO MANUFACTURERS MUST MEET MINIMUM HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, BUT IF THEY DO EXIST I'M SURE MY PT CRUISER WOULD FAIL. THANK YOU, BRIAN P. MORAN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223279

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

SINCE MY PURCHASE OF THIS 2004 PT CRUISER LESS THAN 5 MONTHS AGO, CAR CONTINUOUSLY LURCHES AT STOP LIGHTS, AND IF I DID NOT HAVE BRAKE COMPLETELY DEPRESSED WOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, WHEN ACCELERATING VERY SLUGGISH AS IF IT IS NOT GETTING ANY GAS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME..... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221031

40,000 miles · Mar 4, 2008
Suspension

2004 PT CRUISER, MULTIPLE WHEEL BEAR FAILURES IN LESS THAN 80K MILES 1ST AT APPROX 40K AND SECOND AT APPROX 80K. BOTH TIMES LEFT SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10220093

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.