NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
18 reportsClear category filter71,000 miles · Feb 20, 2026
Steering
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a service appointment, the contact was informed that the power steering fluid hose was leaking. The contact stated that at that time, it was a small leak; however, the power steering fluid hose then developed a severe lea…
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The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a service appointment, the contact was informed that the power steering fluid hose was leaking. The contact stated that at that time, it was a small leak; however, the power steering fluid hose then developed a severe leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not inspected. The contact was informed that a diagnostic test needed to be performed. The contact declined to pay for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure however, the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
NHTSA ODI #11719373
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2024
Steering
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started shaking with and an abnormal odor emanating through the vents. Additionally, the steering wheel became firm. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diag…
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The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started shaking with and an abnormal odor emanating through the vents. Additionally, the steering wheel became firm. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering system needed to be repaired because the hose was disconnected. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage unknown.
NHTSA ODI #11620679
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2021
Steering
I bought this car and seen online there was a safety recall for the power steering/hoses malfunctioning. This cars power steering is non-existent and WILL NOT HOLD any power steering fluid. I'd like to file for the recall. This makes my car dangerous to drive. It's my only transportation. Thanks! [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] PARTS OF T…
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I bought this car and seen online there was a safety recall for the power steering/hoses malfunctioning. This cars power steering is non-existent and WILL NOT HOLD any power steering fluid. I'd like to file for the recall. This makes my car dangerous to drive. It's my only transportation. Thanks! [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11422896
100,000 miles · Oct 8, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering
WHETHER IN MOTION OR STANDING STILL, TILT STEERING WHEEL CLAMPING MECHANISM HAS WORN THROUGH WIRES CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG AND ITS WARNING SYSTEM, CREATING INTERMITTENT (SHORT?) FAILURE OF AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT, PRESENTING POSSIBILITY OF SUDDEN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS OFF, HORN WILL NOT…
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WHETHER IN MOTION OR STANDING STILL, TILT STEERING WHEEL CLAMPING MECHANISM HAS WORN THROUGH WIRES CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG AND ITS WARNING SYSTEM, CREATING INTERMITTENT (SHORT?) FAILURE OF AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT, PRESENTING POSSIBILITY OF SUDDEN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS OFF, HORN WILL NOT SOUND BUT VENTILATION FAN RUNS. WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ON, HORN WILL SOUND, BUT IF ACTIVATED, VENTILATION FAN STOPS RUNNING. MUST CONSTANTLY ADJUST STEERING WHEEEL TILT TO MAKE FAN RUN OR HONK HORN - CREATING A DISTRACTED DRIVING HAZARD.
NHTSA ODI #11267038
135,000 miles · Oct 17, 2017
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND OBSERVED FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE LEAK ORIGINATED FROM THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND OBSERVED FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE LEAK ORIGINATED FROM THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.
NHTSA ODI #11033993
99,000 miles · Mar 25, 2017
Steering
THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURN TO EITHER SIDE. I HAD THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACE TWICE AND THE RACK AND PINION REPLACE AND THE CAR STILL MAKES A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURN. DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE PART AND AN INDIVIDUAL MECHANIC HAS REPLACE THE SAME SWITCH. TO NO AVIL , I'M HA…
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THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURN TO EITHER SIDE. I HAD THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACE TWICE AND THE RACK AND PINION REPLACE AND THE CAR STILL MAKES A CLICKING SOUND WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURN. DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE PART AND AN INDIVIDUAL MECHANIC HAS REPLACE THE SAME SWITCH. TO NO AVIL , I'M HAVING THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10968508
152,530 miles · Jan 8, 2017
Steering
THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN GENERAL IS FAULTY. WE HAVE PAID TO FIX THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE SWITCH & THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE & NOW THE PUMP ITSELF HAS GONE OUT. WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS WHOLE LINE OF VEHICLES RECALLED. WE WERE DRIVING WHEN ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS PERSISTED & I KNOW THAT OUR VEHICLE ISN'T THE ONLY O…
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THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM IN GENERAL IS FAULTY. WE HAVE PAID TO FIX THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE SWITCH & THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE & NOW THE PUMP ITSELF HAS GONE OUT. WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS WHOLE LINE OF VEHICLES RECALLED. WE WERE DRIVING WHEN ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS PERSISTED & I KNOW THAT OUR VEHICLE ISN'T THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10940440
100,000 miles · Jan 21, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE FAILED AND CAUSED POWER STEERING FLUID TO SEEP INTO THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10821540
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2015
Power TrainSteeringUnknown Or Other
IN JULY 2014 NOTICED BACK WINDOW ON PASSENGER WAS LOOSE, WINDOW FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING 11 2014... HAD TIMES WHEN CAR WAS ACTING LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING GAS WHILE DRIVING AND CHECK ENG. LIGHT CAME ON BUT WOULD GO OUT AFTER IT QUIT. FINALLY MADE IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR TO HAVE IT SCANNED AND PART REPLACED AFTER 9 MOS. SETTING. RAN GO…
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IN JULY 2014 NOTICED BACK WINDOW ON PASSENGER WAS LOOSE, WINDOW FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING 11 2014... HAD TIMES WHEN CAR WAS ACTING LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING GAS WHILE DRIVING AND CHECK ENG. LIGHT CAME ON BUT WOULD GO OUT AFTER IT QUIT. FINALLY MADE IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR TO HAVE IT SCANNED AND PART REPLACED AFTER 9 MOS. SETTING. RAN GOOD FOR ONE WEEK THEN STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN DOING THE SAME THING. IN AUGUST OF 2015 I WAS APPROACHING MY HOME GOING DOWN A BIG HILL ON MY RD. WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 45 MPH WITH A SEMI RIGHT BEHIND ME. THE CARS SPEED WAS 45 THENWENT DOWN TO 20 IN A MATTER OF SECONDS FAST ENOUGH FOR THE TIRES TO SQUEAL. I HAD MY 2 YR. OLD GRANDSON IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I KNEW I COULDN'T MAKE IT IN MY DRIVEWAY SO I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON MY 4WAYS AND PULLED IN MY NEIGHBORS HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET SO I DIDN'T GET RAN OVER BY THE SEMI TRUCK. ALSO WHEN I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED IN JUNE OF 1915 THE STEERING IN THE CAR WAS REAL STIFF AND STILL IS ONLY WHEN TURNING BUT HAS POWER STEERING FLUID. BOUGHT MY OWN SCANNER AND IT SAYS I NOW NEED TO REPLACE A TRANS. CONTROL UNIT PART # P0700 ALONG WITH THE PART THAT WAS JUST REPLACED. I'M AT WITS END, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS ON ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS . PLEASE HELP ME BECAUSE I REALLY NEED MY CAR AND FEEL RIGHT NOW IT IS A DEATH TRAP AND DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN.
NHTSA ODI #10808571
30,000 miles · Apr 13, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10705355
NHTSA investigations
2EA07004 · Rear Quarter Panel Glass Separation
Opened Feb 16, 2007 · Closed Apr 5, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:glass, Side/rear
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL RECALL MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 PT CRUISER VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 5/17/05 THROUGH 9/1/05 TO CORRECT A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE REAR QUARTER PANEL GLASS THAT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.DCC WILL INSPECT THE REAR QUARTER PANEL GLASS AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY.DCC WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING OWNERS IN MAY 2007. VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO AND AFTER THE ABOVE BUILD DATES ARE NOT AFFECTED.A CHANGE MADE BY THE ASSEMBLY PLANT IN MAY 2005 THAT MODIFIED THE GLASS ATTACHMENT LED TO THE POTENTIAL FOR GLASS SEPARATION.IN SEPTEMBER 2005, SUBSEQUENT CHANGES TO THE PROCESS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THIS.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.SEE RECALL 07V149 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
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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