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2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pt Cruiser years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Chrysler Pt Cruiser are substantially higher than the model-year median of 202.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

351 reports with mileage · 160 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 97 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 →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

40 crash reports34 fire reports43 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

97 reports
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92,500 miles · Aug 22, 2005
Electrical SystemInterior LightingPower TrainFire

HELLO. I TRIED COPYING AND PASTING MY LETTER INTO THIS BOX HOWEVER, MY LETTER IS TOO LONG. THEREFORE, I AM COMPLETING THIS ONLINE FORM AND THEN WILL MAIL IN MY ENTIRE LETTER, DOCUMENTATION AND THE LIKE TO YOUR MAILING ADDRESS ALONG WITH A COPY OF THIS ONLINE FORM. THE COMPLAINT IS REGARDING MY 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, VIN# [X…

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HELLO. I TRIED COPYING AND PASTING MY LETTER INTO THIS BOX HOWEVER, MY LETTER IS TOO LONG. THEREFORE, I AM COMPLETING THIS ONLINE FORM AND THEN WILL MAIL IN MY ENTIRE LETTER, DOCUMENTATION AND THE LIKE TO YOUR MAILING ADDRESS ALONG WITH A COPY OF THIS ONLINE FORM. THE COMPLAINT IS REGARDING MY 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, VIN# [XXX] AND IT IS RELATING TO THE FACT CHRYSLER REFUSES TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE UNDER THE CURRENT AND ACTIVE NHTSA RECALL # 01V288000 (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEM). TODAY, 8/5/05 I WILL MAIL MY LETTER DETAILING THE ENTIRE PROBLEM BUT I AM SUBMITTING THIS PORTION ONLINE TO GET THE PROCESS STARTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. SINCERELY, [XXX] . *NM THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN A POP NOISE WAS HEARD CAUSED BY A SPARK WITHIN THE DASH ABOVE THE SPEEDOMETER. WHITE SMOKE HAD COME BILLOWING OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS IN THE HEADLINER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS BURNED. OTHER PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED AND SQUEAKS WERE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE SWAY BUSHINGS HAD WORN OUT AND WERE REPLACED. *SC INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10131732

14,000 miles · Jun 6, 2005
Electrical System

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, RADIO, DOOR LOCKS AND OTHER ITEMS HAVE FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN 5+ TIMES FOR REPAIR AND THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING. WE FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND THE DEALER CLAIMED OUR CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. NOW, THE CAR DOES NOT STA…

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THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, RADIO, DOOR LOCKS AND OTHER ITEMS HAVE FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN 5+ TIMES FOR REPAIR AND THE DEALER CLAIMS THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING. WE FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND THE DEALER CLAIMED OUR CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. NOW, THE CAR DOES NOT START EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY ETC.

NHTSA ODI #10124379

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2005
Electrical System

CAME OUT TO CAR AFTER WORK TO GO HOME. THE CAR WOULDN'T START, THE IGNITION WOULD TURN ON, BUT THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER. I TURNED THE IGNITION ON-OFF-ON TO GET ANY TROUBLE CODES AND WHEN I TOOK THE KEY OUT AFTERWARDS THE "KEY IN IGNITION CHIME" SOUNDED WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR AFTER I HAD ALREADY REMOVED THE KEY. I PUT THE KE…

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CAME OUT TO CAR AFTER WORK TO GO HOME. THE CAR WOULDN'T START, THE IGNITION WOULD TURN ON, BUT THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER. I TURNED THE IGNITION ON-OFF-ON TO GET ANY TROUBLE CODES AND WHEN I TOOK THE KEY OUT AFTERWARDS THE "KEY IN IGNITION CHIME" SOUNDED WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR AFTER I HAD ALREADY REMOVED THE KEY. I PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION AND TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN, BUT THE IGNITION WOULDN'T EVEN TURN ON, THERE WAS NO DISCERNBLE CLICK AS I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AT ALL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME I NEED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AND THAT IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE DAIMLER CHRYSLER SERVICE CONTRACT I HAD PURCHASED WHEN I GOT THE CAR NEW.

NHTSA ODI #10120883

56,000 miles · Apr 7, 2005
Electrical SystemEquipment

MY IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN AFTER PUTTING IN THE KEY. IT WAS AS IF THE SOLENOID WAS FROZEN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116538

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2005
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER STOPPED WORKING. THE DOME LIGHT AND THE WARNING SIGNALS FOR LEAVING THE HEADLIGHTS ON OR THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION ARE ALSO NOT WORKING. ALTHOUGH SOME 2002 CRUISERS WERE RECALLED FOR AN INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE, THE DEALER (FITZGERALD AUTOMALL IN GAITHERSBURG, MD) TOLD ME THAT MY CAR…

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THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER STOPPED WORKING. THE DOME LIGHT AND THE WARNING SIGNALS FOR LEAVING THE HEADLIGHTS ON OR THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION ARE ALSO NOT WORKING. ALTHOUGH SOME 2002 CRUISERS WERE RECALLED FOR AN INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE, THE DEALER (FITZGERALD AUTOMALL IN GAITHERSBURG, MD) TOLD ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A FAILURE SOMEWHERE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT IT WOULD NOT REPAIR AND OFFERED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CLUSTER. I BELIEVE THAT THIS TYPE OF DEFECT SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL OR REPAIRED BY CHRYSLER AT ITS EXPENSE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10110226

24,030 miles · Dec 30, 2004
Electrical System

I OWN A 2002 PT CRUISER, WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL CONCERNING THE DASH CLUSTER GAUGES. GAUGES FAILED ON ME CAUSING ME TO RUN OUT OF FUEL ON I-285 IN ATLANTA. TOOK VEHCILE IN FOR RECALL REPROGRAMING OF THE DASH CLUSTERS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 4000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT 24000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN WAITING …

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I OWN A 2002 PT CRUISER, WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL CONCERNING THE DASH CLUSTER GAUGES. GAUGES FAILED ON ME CAUSING ME TO RUN OUT OF FUEL ON I-285 IN ATLANTA. TOOK VEHCILE IN FOR RECALL REPROGRAMING OF THE DASH CLUSTERS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 4000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT 24000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN WAITING OVER TWO WEEKS FOR THE DEALER TO OBTAIN THE PART NEEDED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. TODAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART HAS TO BE "BURNED" INTO THE DASH ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MOREOVER, THE SERVICE MANAGER WAYNE HAMMOND (770-216-9300) STATED THAT HE HAD A NUMBER OF CONSURMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN RIDING AROUND WITH A GAS CAN IN MY VEHICLE FOR FEAR OF RUNNING OUT; WITHOUT DASH OR INTERIOR LIGHTS OR GAUGES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10104759

39,000 miles · Nov 5, 2004
Electrical System

NHTSA RECALL 01V288000. DAIMLER/CHRYSLER ISSUED AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10099506

37,180 miles · Nov 5, 2004
Electrical System

YOUR CAMPAIGN NUMBER NHTSA 01V288000. ON OCTOBER 31ST THE CLUSTER PANEL IN MY 2002 PT CRUISER FAILED - AIR BAG, BRAKE AND ENGINE LIGHT LIT UP ON PANEL AND WON'T GO OFF. CALLED CHRYSLER, THEY DENY THERE IS A RECALL. CAR IS IN SHOP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $692.00 TO FIX. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10098324

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2004
Electrical System

01 V 288 000/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER: CONSUMER HAS A CONCERN THAT THE DEALER REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION FROM THE CONSUMER FOR AN 11/2 HOURS FOR DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AT CONSUMER COST. RECALL NOTICE MENTION NOTHING CONCERNING A CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092328

3,000 miles · Aug 12, 2004
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND PERFORMED POORLY WHEN APPLIED. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTS THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT WORK ON THE BRAKES AT ALL. *AK THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE AND THE BRAKES WOULD SOMETIMES GO ALMOST TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID…

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THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND PERFORMED POORLY WHEN APPLIED. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTS THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT WORK ON THE BRAKES AT ALL. *AK THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE AND THE BRAKES WOULD SOMETIMES GO ALMOST TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT ALWAYS LOCK, THE BRAKES WOULD RUB AND HESITATE TO STOP, THE A/C DID NOT GET COLD ON HIGH SETTINGS, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD ELECTRONIC SYSTEM WAS OFF, THE FUEL, MPH AND THE RPM LIGHTS HAD COME ON, AT THE INSIDE TOP OF ALL FOUR DOORS, THE LINING WAS BULDGING IN AND OUT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE LOCKING, THE RIGHT SIGNAL HAD TO BE MANUALLY STOPPED, AND THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT DID NOT HOLD. THERE WAS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE ODOMETER READING. (THE CONSUMER FELT THAT IT DID NOT DISPLAY THE PROPER MILEAGE) *SC

NHTSA ODI #10079747

Official recalls

3

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.

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.

01V288000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

Sep 10, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR A SOFTWARE ERROR IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MICROPROCESSOR. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLUSTER, WITH THE MAJORITY OF ITS GAUGES, ILLUMINATION, AND WARNING LAMPS, COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH AN INOPERATIVE CLUSTER COULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-FLASH THE CLUSTER SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 8, 2001. 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.

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

2

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.