NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
10 reportsClear category filter200,000 miles · Mar 2, 2018
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF. AFTER REMOVING PRESSURE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STIFF. AFTER REMOVING PRESSURE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11075818
94,000 miles · Nov 11, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
I LOST CONTROL OF THE PT CRUISER ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND COULD NOT CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO RIDE THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET. THE ENGINE RPM WENT OVER 4000 RPM. WHEN I CAME HOME, I NEEDED ALL MY STRENGTH TO MOVE SHIFT INTO PARK WHILE KEEPING BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS ENTERING…
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I LOST CONTROL OF THE PT CRUISER ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND COULD NOT CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO RIDE THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET. THE ENGINE RPM WENT OVER 4000 RPM. WHEN I CAME HOME, I NEEDED ALL MY STRENGTH TO MOVE SHIFT INTO PARK WHILE KEEPING BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I WAS ENTERING A ROTARY.
NHTSA ODI #10789793
160,293 miles · Nov 14, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CAUSED THE SPEED TO INCREASE TO APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CAUSED THE SPEED TO INCREASE TO APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,293.
NHTSA ODI #10654970
111,000 miles · Jun 10, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR FAILED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10516017
70,000 miles · Jan 12, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT BEGAN TO CHUG AND JERK. I THOUGHT IT WAS BAD GAS AND CALLED A FRIEND. THE NEXT MORNING OUT OF THE BLUE IT BEGAN TO SELF ACCELERATE. I TRIED TO HIT THE GAS TO SEE IF IT WAS STUCK, HIT THE CRUISE ON/OFF, APPLIED THE BRAKES - NOTHING. IT WAS GOING 60 MPH BY ITSELF. I FLEW THRU STOP SIGNS, UNABLE TO STO…
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT BEGAN TO CHUG AND JERK. I THOUGHT IT WAS BAD GAS AND CALLED A FRIEND. THE NEXT MORNING OUT OF THE BLUE IT BEGAN TO SELF ACCELERATE. I TRIED TO HIT THE GAS TO SEE IF IT WAS STUCK, HIT THE CRUISE ON/OFF, APPLIED THE BRAKES - NOTHING. IT WAS GOING 60 MPH BY ITSELF. I FLEW THRU STOP SIGNS, UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR, NOTHING WORKED. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I EVENTUALLY PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE KEY AND HAD IT TOWED. THE HARD PLASTIC COVER THAT COVERS THE ACCELERATOR HAD BROKEN OFF AND LODGED ITSELF ON TOP OF THE ACCELERATOR, MAKING THE CAR ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN NO GAS WAS APPLIED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376449
23,800 miles · Feb 9, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A SECONDARY ROAD THE 05 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER ACCELERATED FROM 30 MPH TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE TURBO ON THE VEHICLE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND KICKED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME, ONCE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECREASE IN SPEED HE TURN…
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A SECONDARY ROAD THE 05 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER ACCELERATED FROM 30 MPH TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE TURBO ON THE VEHICLE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND KICKED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME, ONCE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECREASE IN SPEED HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. HE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 23800.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10182145
33,000 miles · Aug 7, 2006
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPING AFTER DRIVING 10 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT WITH BRAKE PRESSURE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR AND THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. MODERATE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE FRONT OF…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPING AFTER DRIVING 10 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT WITH BRAKE PRESSURE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR AND THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. MODERATE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A FAILURE OR DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 09/15/06. *JB UPDATED 9/20/2006 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10164829
74,345 miles · Dec 1, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlInjury
I AM WRITING TO ASK HAS THERE HAVE BEEN ANY REPORTS OF THE 2002 PT CRUISER HAVING AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM? ON 11/30/2005 AS I WAS MAKING A U-TURN WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THAT CAUSED ME TO HIT A CURB AND BLEW OUT MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE, IT ALSO LEFT ME IN A DISORIENTED STATE OF MIND. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER…
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I AM WRITING TO ASK HAS THERE HAVE BEEN ANY REPORTS OF THE 2002 PT CRUISER HAVING AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM? ON 11/30/2005 AS I WAS MAKING A U-TURN WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED THAT CAUSED ME TO HIT A CURB AND BLEW OUT MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE, IT ALSO LEFT ME IN A DISORIENTED STATE OF MIND. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THAT CAR UNTIL IT HIT THE CURB. PLEASE AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE CAN YOU LET ME KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THIS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10144158
1,522 miles · Jun 13, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
MY CAR HAS ONLY ABOUT 1,500 MILES ON IT, AND IT USUALLY DRIVES BEAUTIFULLY, BUT TODAY I SLOWED DOWN (FROM ABOUT 35 MPH) TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT A LIGHT AND THE BRAKES SEEMED SOFT SOMEHOW, THEN I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A FOUR-WAY STOP ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FURTHER ALONG AND IT WAS HARD TO STOP AND I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE RA…
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MY CAR HAS ONLY ABOUT 1,500 MILES ON IT, AND IT USUALLY DRIVES BEAUTIFULLY, BUT TODAY I SLOWED DOWN (FROM ABOUT 35 MPH) TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT A LIGHT AND THE BRAKES SEEMED SOFT SOMEHOW, THEN I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A FOUR-WAY STOP ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FURTHER ALONG AND IT WAS HARD TO STOP AND I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE RACING. IN FACT THE CAR JUMPED OUT INTO THE INTERSECTION A LITTLE WAYS AFTER IT STOPPED. I LOOKED THIS UP AND READ ABOUT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND I CAN SAY THAT I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR (IF I HAD, THE CAR OBVIOUSLY WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED -- IT JUMPED FORWARD AFTER I'D HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR, AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING MADLY EVEN AFTER I LOOKED TO SEE IF FOR SOME REASON THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK AND SHIFTED OUT OF DESPERATION INTO PARK). I BELIEVE THAT THE THROTTLE MALFUNCTIONED FOR SOME REASON AND I WILL TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW.
NHTSA ODI #10125062
1,000 miles · Apr 6, 2005
TiresVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTREME VIBRATION DURING ACCELERATION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT WHILE ON THE ROAD. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND GOODYEAR DEALER WERE CONTACTED HOWEVER WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10115202
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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