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2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pt Cruiser years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Chrysler Pt Cruiser are substantially higher than the model-year median of 202.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

384 reports with mileage · 234 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 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports17 fire reports24 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

46 reports
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52,800 miles · Jul 22, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUSIER THE GAS TANK IS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED AND IS KEPT IN A GARAGE EXCEPT WHEN I USE.

NHTSA ODI #10129713

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS FUMES WERE COMING IN FROM THE VENTS WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY. THEN, IT STALLED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10117070

47,066 miles · Sep 8, 2004
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainSteering

I HAVE A 2001 PT CRUISER. I HAD AN INCIDENT IN WISCONSIN 11/24/03 WHERE MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED, THUS I COULD NOT START THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. ON 2/26/04 THE STEERING COLUMN WAS CLICKING. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP IN ST. LOUIS. THE STEERI…

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I HAVE A 2001 PT CRUISER. I HAD AN INCIDENT IN WISCONSIN 11/24/03 WHERE MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED, THUS I COULD NOT START THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. ON 2/26/04 THE STEERING COLUMN WAS CLICKING. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP IN ST. LOUIS. THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED A BEARING WENT OUT AT 38913 MILES. THEN 8/31/04 I HAD JUST PULLED INTO MY SUBDIVISION AFTER A LONG TRIP AND THE CAR WOULD REV BUT DID NOT ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE DUE TO THE MECHANICS STRIKE AT THE DEALERSHIPS. THE FRONT PUMP OF THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT AND NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AT 47066 MILES. IN ADDITION, NEITHER OF THE TWO DEALERSHIPS MENTIONED A FUEL SYSTEM RECALLS THE WERE ISSUED IN 8/02 AND NOT COMPLETED ON MY CAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10090619

50,000 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. IT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO GAS IN THE TANK, EVEN THOUGH THE TANK WAS FULL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED. THE SENDING UNIT PROVIDED FALSE FUEL LEVEL INFOMATION TO THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE DASH. *NM.

NHTSA ODI #10087178

73,550 miles · Jun 23, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE DRIVING, THE EMISSION WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PERTAINING TO THEIR GAS CAP. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *NM THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT 2000 GAS CAPS HAVE FAILED BEFORE HIS VEHICLE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10074298

44,500 miles · Mar 1, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. A WEEK LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER THEN CALLED THE MECHANIC/DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. AFTER THE WAS EXAMINED, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE LEAK DETECTOR PUMP …

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CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. A WEEK LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. THE CONSUMER THEN CALLED THE MECHANIC/DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN. AFTER THE WAS EXAMINED, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE LEAK DETECTOR PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT LAST YEAR THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP AND SHE THINKS THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE RELATED. SHE SAID SHE WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE REPAIRS. *JB THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AGAIN. THE SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD CORRECT ITSELF. RECALL# 0345436 *SC

NHTSA ODI #10055784

47,000 miles · Feb 1, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL LINE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SECURED WITH NYLON TIES TO PREVENT CHAFING AGAINST AC LINES. HOWEVER, FUEL LINE RUBBED AGAINST HOUSING OF OUTSIDE AIR FILTER WHERE IT MEETS THE FIREWALL. THIS CHAFED THE HOUSING MATERIAL AND EVENTUALLY CAUSED A HOLE IN IT. THE EDGE OF THIS HOLE SUBSEQUENTLY WORE THROUGH THE FUEL LINE AND CAUSED F…

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FUEL LINE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SECURED WITH NYLON TIES TO PREVENT CHAFING AGAINST AC LINES. HOWEVER, FUEL LINE RUBBED AGAINST HOUSING OF OUTSIDE AIR FILTER WHERE IT MEETS THE FIREWALL. THIS CHAFED THE HOUSING MATERIAL AND EVENTUALLY CAUSED A HOLE IN IT. THE EDGE OF THIS HOLE SUBSEQUENTLY WORE THROUGH THE FUEL LINE AND CAUSED FUEL TO SPRAY INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NO FIRE RESULTED. REPAIRED BUY SPLICING A FITTING INTO THE FUEL LINE AT THE POINT OF THE LEAK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10056293

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

I SMELLED GASOLINE AND DISCOVERED A PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER MY 2001 PT CRUISER. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE NECK LEADING FROM THE GAS TANK AND THE TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS NOTHING IN MY DRIVING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS APPARENT DEFE…

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I SMELLED GASOLINE AND DISCOVERED A PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER MY 2001 PT CRUISER. WHEN I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE NECK LEADING FROM THE GAS TANK AND THE TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS NOTHING IN MY DRIVING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS APPARENT DEFECT MAY OCCUR ON MORE THAN JUST MY CAR AND MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH 42,000 MILES ON THEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAD ALSO DONE RECALL WORK AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION ON THIS GAS TANK AND THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CARE THEY TOOK DOING THE RECALL WORK. THE CRACK IN THE TANK WHEN VIEWED IS BETWEEN A PLASTIC 2.5" DIA. TUBE PIECE IN THE UPPER CORNER OF THE TANK AND THE TANK ITSELF, THIS TUBE PIECE IS A SEPARATE PIECE THEY HAS BEEN ATTACHED TO THE PLASTIC TANK. THE SEAL BETWEEN THE TWO HAD BEEN BROKEN IS SOME WAY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10049651

37,000 miles · Aug 22, 2003
Fuel System, GasolineFire

2001 PT CRUISER -- KNOWN ISSUE INVOLVING FUEL LINE CHAFFING AGAINST METAL AC LINES. VEHICLE WAS SENT TO DEALER FOR RECALL, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE FUEL LINE LEAKS ANYWAY AND CAUSES MODERATE DAMAGE VIA ENGINE FIRE. FUEL EXPLOSION OCCURRED UPON SWITCHING OFF THE IGNITION AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10033336

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE VEHICLES FUEL PUMP RECALL WAS NOT PERFORMED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10015025

Official recalls

5

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.

02V214000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Aug 8, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE COULD CONTACT THE AIR-CONDITIONING TUBE SERVICE PORT. THIS CAN CAUSE CHAFING OF THE LINE RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL LINE FOR ABRASION AND INSTALL A CLIP TO ENSURE ISOLATION. IN CASES WITH EVIDENCE OF FUEL LINE ABRASION, THE FUEL LINE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

02V215000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Aug 8, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP MODULE MOUNTING FLANGE COULD LEAK FUEL IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY SEAL OVER THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

02V162000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Jun 14, 2002

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE RIGHT REAR "65%" SEAT CENTER LOWER ANCHOR WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A WIRE DIAMETER THAT IS GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DIMENSION AS SPECIFIED IN THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE CONNECTOR FOR A LATCH-TYPE CHILD RESTRAINT IS NOT ATTACHED CORRECTLY TO THE ANCHORAGE POINTS, THE RESTRAINT WILL NOT PROPERLY PROTECT A CHILD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RIGHT REAR SEAT CENTER ANCHOR AND, IF NECESSARY, RESIZE THE ANCHOR TO MEET THE DIAMETER SPECIFIED WITHIN THE STANDARD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 4, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V366000 · Child Seat

Nov 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.

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

3

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.

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.

PE02058 · Fuel Hose Abrasion

Opened Jul 19, 2002 · Closed Oct 4, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

No summary supplied.