Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
390–25K
3825–50K
3550–75K
2175–100K
23100–150K
8150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER EVEN THOUGH FORCE WAS BEING APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER STEERING PRE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER EVEN THOUGH FORCE WAS BEING APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V268000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 3/25/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED EACH TIME, THE BELT WENT OUT, SHE LOST STEERING CAPABILITY. THE BELTS WOULD GET DIRTY FROM THE POWER STEERING FLUID. THE FAILURE OF THE HOSE, CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. UPDATED 04/24/14
NHTSA ODI #10564423
115,000 miles · Sep 20, 2013
Electrical System
I HAD SMOKE AND SMELLED BURNING COMING FROM MY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, *TR
NHTSA ODI #10544527
125,887 miles · Sep 9, 2013
Steering
I FOUND THAT YOU ALL HAD ISSUED A RECALL ON 2004 NON TURBO CHRYSLER PT CRUISER PRESSURE HOSE. I HAVE A TURBO'ED EDITION, HOWEVER I HAVE NOT FOUND WHERE THERE ARE ANY DIFFERENCES IN ANY OF THE POWER-STEERING COMPONENTS FOR THIS EDITION OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE FOUND A LEAK IN MY PRESSURE HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE POWER STEERING THA…
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I FOUND THAT YOU ALL HAD ISSUED A RECALL ON 2004 NON TURBO CHRYSLER PT CRUISER PRESSURE HOSE. I HAVE A TURBO'ED EDITION, HOWEVER I HAVE NOT FOUND WHERE THERE ARE ANY DIFFERENCES IN ANY OF THE POWER-STEERING COMPONENTS FOR THIS EDITION OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE FOUND A LEAK IN MY PRESSURE HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE POWER STEERING THAT LOOKS LIKE IT MAY HAVE BEEN BURNED FROM TOUCHING ANOTHER PART ON THE CAR. I AM NOT A MECHANIC SO I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO DO ANY WORK ON THIS VEHICLE. I CANNOT HAVE THE PART REPLACED BECAUSE THE RECALL IS FOR "NON-TURBO" EDITIONS OF THE CAR. I WOULD ASK THAT SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS ARE DIFFERENT FROM THE RECALLED 04 PT CRUISER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10542613
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2013
Steering
2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING HOSE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED A PAID INVOICE, FOR THE PRESSURE HOSE.
NHTSA ODI #10513174
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
132,910 miles · Feb 22, 2013
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,910.
NHTSA ODI #10499702
51,150 miles · Feb 12, 2013
Exterior Lighting
THE FOG LIGHTS IN MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER STAY ON, EVEN AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE LEFT BLINKER ON FOR THE FOG LIGHTS TO TURN OFF. AND SOME TIMES THE FOG LIGHTS TURN ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON WITH THE IGNITION OFF. THE FOG LIGHTS STAY ON AND DRAINS THE BATTERY DOWN , DID NOT NOTICE TILL IT WAS PAR…
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THE FOG LIGHTS IN MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER STAY ON, EVEN AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. I HAVE TO LEAVE THE LEFT BLINKER ON FOR THE FOG LIGHTS TO TURN OFF. AND SOME TIMES THE FOG LIGHTS TURN ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON WITH THE IGNITION OFF. THE FOG LIGHTS STAY ON AND DRAINS THE BATTERY DOWN , DID NOT NOTICE TILL IT WAS PARKED ON THE STREET AND ROOMMATE TOLD ME MY LIGHTS WERE ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10497909
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
111,000 miles · Nov 29, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM VERY SORE (NO OTHER INJURIES). THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10486502
86,000 miles · Nov 9, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COASTED DOWNHILL BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DETERMINED THAT THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF FUSE WAS BLOWN. THE MECHA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COASTED DOWNHILL BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DETERMINED THAT THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF FUSE WAS BLOWN. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
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.
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