NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
61 reportsClear category filter32,191 miles · Jul 13, 2005
SteeringSuspension
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO A QUICK TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE THE TO DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH FRONT TIE ROD ENDS WERE WORN AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. IN ADDITION THE CONTROL ARM HAD LOST A BUSHING WHICH CREATED A KNOC…
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO A QUICK TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE THE TO DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH FRONT TIE ROD ENDS WERE WORN AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. IN ADDITION THE CONTROL ARM HAD LOST A BUSHING WHICH CREATED A KNOCKING NOISE. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED TIE ROD ENDS AS WELL AS THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING. DEALER NOTED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER AND THIS WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY DENIED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE PT CRUISER AND THAT ALL CARS HAVE GREASE FITTINGS CALLED "ZIRKS" SINCE REPAIRS NO PROBLEMS AS OF YET. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED 32,191 MILES. CHRYSLER DID SAY THEY WOULD REIMBURSE $150 FOR THE TIE RODS ENDS BUT THAT WAS ALL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10128616
41,000 miles · Jun 24, 2005
Steering
MY 2001 PT CRUISER HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A LEAK IN THE STEERING GEAR WHICH CAN ONLY BE OBSERVED BY CHECKING THE BOOT WHICH HOLDS THE STEERING FLUID. THIS VEHICLE HAS 41,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD. IT IS GARAGE HOUSED AND I DO NOT FEEL THIS PROBELM SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH THE MILES AND THE USE IT HAS BEEN SUBJE…
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MY 2001 PT CRUISER HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A LEAK IN THE STEERING GEAR WHICH CAN ONLY BE OBSERVED BY CHECKING THE BOOT WHICH HOLDS THE STEERING FLUID. THIS VEHICLE HAS 41,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD. IT IS GARAGE HOUSED AND I DO NOT FEEL THIS PROBELM SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH THE MILES AND THE USE IT HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO. I HAVE HEARD THAT THE PT CRUISER HAS HAD THIS COMPLAINT LODGED A NUMBER OF TIMES SO I FEEL IT MAY BE A DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY CHRYSLER CORP.
NHTSA ODI #10126518
1,500 miles · Apr 14, 2005
Steering
STEERING FLUID LEAKED IN MY CAR FOR ITS LIFE--NO DEALER EVER IDENTIFIED THIS AS THE PROBLEM WHEN COMPLAINING ABOUT ROUGH STEERING NOISE AND OTHER ISSUES. DISCOVERED THE LEVEL OF FLUID WAS DOWN WHEN AN EMPLOYEE ADDED FLUID AFTER HEARING THE NOISE ,AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY. THE CONSTANT LEAK HAS DAMAGED THE RACK AND PINION--I WAS…
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STEERING FLUID LEAKED IN MY CAR FOR ITS LIFE--NO DEALER EVER IDENTIFIED THIS AS THE PROBLEM WHEN COMPLAINING ABOUT ROUGH STEERING NOISE AND OTHER ISSUES. DISCOVERED THE LEVEL OF FLUID WAS DOWN WHEN AN EMPLOYEE ADDED FLUID AFTER HEARING THE NOISE ,AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY. THE CONSTANT LEAK HAS DAMAGED THE RACK AND PINION--I WAS TOLD THIS BY A SERVICE DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. CRYSLER WILL NOT REPLACE R&P. WHEN HAVING THE RECALL DONE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED (R&P)--JUST THE HOSE--DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE DONE RECALL WORK BUT A NEIGHBOR WHO IS A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND SAID THE WORK WAS NOT DONE---OLD HOSE STILL THERE--LEAK STILL ACTIVE. CRYSLER NOT RESPONSIVE TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10116921
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2005
Steering
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V268000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING HOSE. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK NO NEW PARTS OR REPLACEMENTS WERE USED. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10099443
30,191 miles · Dec 2, 2004
Steering
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10102029
24,226 miles · Dec 1, 2004
Steering
AT 24,226 MILES, I NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS AGAIN HAS HAPPENED 4 MORE TIMES SINCE DEC 11, 2002. EACH TIME THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED, TWO RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLIES, AND ALL OF THE HOSES. THE LAST TWO TIMES, MY E…
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AT 24,226 MILES, I NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS AGAIN HAS HAPPENED 4 MORE TIMES SINCE DEC 11, 2002. EACH TIME THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED, TWO RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLIES, AND ALL OF THE HOSES. THE LAST TWO TIMES, MY EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE HAS HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AS CHRYSLER TELLS ME THAT SINCE I HAVE THE WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT EXCEPT RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AGAIN SINCE 24,000 MILES. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE FACT THAT CHRYSLER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. THESE 5 FAILURES HAVE ALL HAPPENED IN LESS THAN 31,000 MILES. I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW AS I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO CATCH THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILS COMPLETELY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10100896
77,000 miles · Nov 4, 2004
Steering
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO POWER STEERING PUMP FLUID LEAKAGE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10099396
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2004
Steering
PRIOR TO RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAD MY OIL CHANGED THE MECHANIC SAID HE TOPPED OFF MY POWER STEERING FLIUD IT WAS A LITTLE LOW. WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE I ARRANGED TO HAVE THE HOSE REPAIRED (SERRA CRYSLER,JEEP ETC). I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE HOSE WAS DA…
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PRIOR TO RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAD MY OIL CHANGED THE MECHANIC SAID HE TOPPED OFF MY POWER STEERING FLIUD IT WAS A LITTLE LOW. WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE I ARRANGED TO HAVE THE HOSE REPAIRED (SERRA CRYSLER,JEEP ETC). I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE HOSE WAS DAMAGED AND MUST BE REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER DIAGONISTIC CHECKING I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING SWITCH WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACING. THIS COST $68.00. MY QUESTION IS IF THE POWERING STEERING ASSIST HOSE,PIPING & CONNECTIONS ARE BAD, DID THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE POWER STEERING SWITCH GOING BAD? THE MANAGER JAY JORDON SAID THAT ONE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OTHER. SO I PAID FOR THE SWITCH & LABOR. COULD SOMEONE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR SO OTHERS WILL BE PREPARED TO PAY THE EXTRA COST.
NHTSA ODI #10098005
23,700 miles · Oct 28, 2004
Steering
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS LATER PROBLEM RECURRED, RETURNED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, UNIT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. TOOK TO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP, WAS TOLD THAT UNIT WAS SHOT, HA…
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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS LATER PROBLEM RECURRED, RETURNED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, UNIT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. TOOK TO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP, WAS TOLD THAT UNIT WAS SHOT, HAD A GREY SUBSTANCE IN STEERING FLUID THAT APPEARED TO BE SOME FORM OF LEAK SEALANT, DESTROYED SEALS IN UNIT, HAD TO REPLACE UNIT AT MY OWN COST,($400). DEALER DENIED ADDING ANYTHING OTHER THAN STEERING FLUID. WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BY ANOTHER PT OWNER, NEVER INFORMED BY CHRYSLER. DEALER SAID IT WAS NO LONGER THEY'RE RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THIRD PARTY REPAIR WAS MADE. NO RESPONSE FROM CHRYSLER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10097960
50,822 miles · Oct 22, 2004
Steering
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED. *BF PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE POWER STEERING HOSE SAFETY RECALL, THE CONSUMER HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP, PULLEY AND ACCESS BELT REPLACED AFTER SHE NOTICED FLUID LEAKING. AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE, SHE FELT THAT ALL THE REPLACED PARTS DIDN'T NEED TO REPLACED - JUST THE POWER STEERING HOSE.…
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POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED. *BF PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE POWER STEERING HOSE SAFETY RECALL, THE CONSUMER HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP, PULLEY AND ACCESS BELT REPLACED AFTER SHE NOTICED FLUID LEAKING. AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE, SHE FELT THAT ALL THE REPLACED PARTS DIDN'T NEED TO REPLACED - JUST THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE CONSUMER WROTE A LETTER TO CHRYSLER AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR PART OF THE REPAIR COST WHICH TOTALLED $503.24. *PH CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V268000 RECALL DATE : JUN 02, 2004 COMPONENT: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE *TC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10097822
Official recalls
5Jun 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
3PE04028 · 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.