Illustration2002 PT CRUISER, AT 59000 MILES BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. A YEAR LATER AT 75000 MILES BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE GONE AGAIN AND BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE NOW WORN DUE TO THIS FAILURE, DEALER REFUSES TO COVER ANY OF THE FAILURES. *NM
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pt Cruiser years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
670–25K
9625–50K
6950–75K
4575–100K
51100–150K
23150K+
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
Suspension complaints
40 reportsDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE IS A CHEMICAL SMELL WHICH GAVE CONTACT HEADACHES AND AN OCCASIONAL SORE THROAT. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NOT A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE WHEN THE WIN…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE IS A CHEMICAL SMELL WHICH GAVE CONTACT HEADACHES AND AN OCCASIONAL SORE THROAT. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE WAS NOT A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE WHEN THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP. THE SPEAKERS MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE REAR SEAT BACKING WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 07/25/06. *JB
I WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE ADVISOR JAMES QUINN AT BRUNSWICK AUTO MALL IN BRUNSWICK, OHIO (330-273-3300) THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM(RUBBER BUSHINGS ON MY 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WERE WORN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 44,971 MILES. I DID A WEB SEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS PT CRUISER USER FORUMS AND FOUND REFERENCES TO CHRYSLER CHA…
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I WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE ADVISOR JAMES QUINN AT BRUNSWICK AUTO MALL IN BRUNSWICK, OHIO (330-273-3300) THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM(RUBBER BUSHINGS ON MY 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WERE WORN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 44,971 MILES. I DID A WEB SEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS PT CRUISER USER FORUMS AND FOUND REFERENCES TO CHRYSLER CHANGING THE SUPPLIER OF THE BUSHINGS SOMETIME AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT. CHRYSLER CHANGED THE BUSHINGS SUPPLIER DUE TO VERY EARLY FAILURE AND ALSO UPGRADED THE QUALITY OF THE BUSHINGS. MY BUSHINGS FAILED DUE TO HAVING THE OLDER STYLE BUSHINGS. 45K MILES IS VERY EARLY FOR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS TO WEAR OUT. I CONTACTED CHRYLSER WARRANTY AT 800-992-1997 TO COMPLAIN AND WAS ASSIGNED REFERENCE NUMBER 14736996. AFTER EXPLAINING THE SITUATION, THE CHRYLSER REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT CHRYSLER WOULD OFFER NO CUSTOMER GOOD-WILL ASSISTANCE WITH PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE I WAS 1 YEAR AND 4 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CHRYSLER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE CHRYSLER EXTENDED WARRANTY IN ANTICIPATION OF UNANTICIPATED VEHICLE REPAIR PROBLEMS LIKE MY BUSHINGS. THE "UNANTICIPATED" EARLY FAILURE OF REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON OLDER MODEL PT CRUISER BUSHINGS IS A SEVERE SAFETY THREAT TO CONSUMERS WHO EXPECT QUALITY PARTS IN THEIR VEHICLES THAT SHOULD NORMALLY LAST AT LEAST 100,000 MILES. THE UNANTICIPATED FAILURE OF THE PT CRUISER BUSHING CAN EASILY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, ACCIDENTS, OR MUCH WORSE. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY COMPLAINT. BEST REGARDS. *JB
I HAVE A 2002 PT CRUISER AND TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY SAID: BUSHINGS (BOTH LOWER-FRONT) REMOVE & REPLACE CONTROL ARM SHAFT AND BUSHINGS, LOWER BOTH CONTROL ARM. BEARING & SEALS. FROM WHAT I AM READING IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PT CRUISERS. *NM
DT*: AT 45,000 MILES THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND LINK FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB
THE FRONT SUSPENSION BUSHING ON ALL CHRYSLER PT CRUISERS ARE DESIGNED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THEY CAN DISLODGE FROM THEIR POSITIONS WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO LOSE IT'S ALIGNMENT. THE BUSHING FAILURE IS COVERED WITH CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY BUT THE EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ASSOCIATED WITH IT, IS NOT. THE TIRE DAMAGE H…
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THE FRONT SUSPENSION BUSHING ON ALL CHRYSLER PT CRUISERS ARE DESIGNED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THEY CAN DISLODGE FROM THEIR POSITIONS WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO LOSE IT'S ALIGNMENT. THE BUSHING FAILURE IS COVERED WITH CHRYSLER'S WARRANTY BUT THE EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ASSOCIATED WITH IT, IS NOT. THE TIRE DAMAGE HAPPENS SO FAST THAT THE TIRES CANNOT BE SALVAGED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PT CRUISERS. THE DEALERS REFUSE TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THE TIRE WEAR CAUSED BY THEIR PROBLEM. *NM
2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER DEVELOPED A NOISE IN WHICH THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE REPAIRED. PARTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED BUT THE NOISE REMAINS.*MR *JB
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
DRIVING DOWN STREET AT 20 MI PER HR. RIGHT FRONT LOWER A ARM BROKE OFF WHEEL CAUSING WHEEL TO TURN RIGHT HITTING A PARKED CAR. IS AT BODY SHOP BEING REPAIRED.
LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING SEPERATION: LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILED WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE SUDDEN FAILURE CAUSED THE CAR TO DROP ON PASSENGER SIDE. TECH AT LOCAL WAL-MART STATED THAT IF IT HAD FAILED WHEN I WAS TURNING THE REDUCED CLEARNCE WOULD HAVE CAUSED MY FRONT RIGHT CORN TO DIG INTO THE GROUND. *JB
Official recalls
304V268000 · 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
2PE04028 · 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.