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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

27 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2021
SteeringUnknown Or OtherWheels

Answers and explanations to all of the above questions: My power steering assembly is leaking pretty bad and is only getting worse. I have a bad shoulder that I had surgery on and if it goes completely out I am afraid i wont be able to turn the steering wheel & cause an accident. The rims on the vehicle are cracked/cracking & I …

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Answers and explanations to all of the above questions: My power steering assembly is leaking pretty bad and is only getting worse. I have a bad shoulder that I had surgery on and if it goes completely out I am afraid i wont be able to turn the steering wheel & cause an accident. The rims on the vehicle are cracked/cracking & I believe one has a hole or 2 & another 1 is forming one. It's also scratching & ruining the rotors. Its not the pads they are fine but I need at least 1 new rotor & can't because the rims are defective causing it to happen again which can easily damage the calipers locking up the wheel causing a crash plus sometimes theres a loud crunching noise not grinding like the pads are bad cause they are not. I know the difference. The trac off & airbag lights are on then they go off then come back on again.The dashboard is cracked and it caused the vent to break where anything can get in it.The clear coat is peeling and yet the paint under it is in great shape.I also believe that the instrument cluster is causing the lights to come on the dashboard.The vehicle can be picked up when ever you have a spot open for it. I would like 48 hours notice due to work. This is a safety issue if the power steering goes while driving I cant steer it because I didn't know it was leaking it went out and I was stuck blocking traffic and couldn't turn it the passenger had to do it for me, If the rims get worse or hole bigger it can crack or break in half while I am driving. The defrost vent is open to particles that can get in there that shouldn't. The airbag light on could be a defect or the air bags defective. Nothing has been inspected on it since I just found out when looking up this make, year and model a price on power steering to find out there's a recall on it as well as other issues. There were no warnings and the only code that came up was the high fan relay switch. Since then the trac off light goes on and off as well as airbag light and now is currently on.

NHTSA ODI #11441234

199,685 miles · Oct 28, 2019
EngineSteeringUnknown Or OtherFire

DROVE THE VEHICLE 12 MILES TO GET HOME. (THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY) IMMEDIATELY TURNING OFF ENGINE AFTER MAKING IT HOME. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE (BIG LEAK) FROM HOSE AND SMOKE SMELL FROM UNDER HOOD. (ENGINE LOOKS CHARD)

NHTSA ODI #11271512

55,000 miles · Apr 13, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY WIFE AND I AND IT ALMOST TOOK OUR LIVES BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF IT ALIVE AND THE INSURANCE AND THE ATTORNEYS GAVE ME SOME MONEY SO I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT ME A CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FOR $4, 700 FOR A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FROM LARRY H MILLER HONDA I STARTED HAVING OVERHEATING ISSUES RIGH…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY WIFE AND I AND IT ALMOST TOOK OUR LIVES BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF IT ALIVE AND THE INSURANCE AND THE ATTORNEYS GAVE ME SOME MONEY SO I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT ME A CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FOR $4, 700 FOR A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER FROM LARRY H MILLER HONDA I STARTED HAVING OVERHEATING ISSUES RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED IT FROM THEM AND EVENTUALLY BLEW THE HEAD GASKET IN IT NOT KNOWING THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS ALSO GOING IN IT I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FROM THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT I SPENT MY WHOLE $4, 700 FROM MY SETTLEMENT TO GET THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS ON IT'S GOT 60, 000 MILES ON IT AND IT'S IT'S IN MY BACKYARD MY WIFE AND I DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS OVERHEATED AND CAUSED IT TO BLOW THE HEAD GASKET I CHANGE THE WATER PUMP TIMING BELT EVERYTHING AND THEN IT BLEW A HEAD GASKET PLEASE HELP ME MY WIFE AND I ARE STUCK BECAUSE WE HAVE NO WAY TO GETTING AROUND AND I'M NOT ABLE TO WORK BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE WE STRUGGLED SINCE OUR AUTO ACCIDENT AND THIS IS JUST BEEN ONE HURDLE THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GET OVER IT PLEASE HELP ME

NHTSA ODI #11195963

112,884 miles · Aug 19, 2016
Unknown Or Other

STRUCTURE - NOTICED SLIGHT CLUNK FROM FRONT SUSPENSION ON BUMPS. ON MECHANIC'S LIFT, FOUND ALL SUSPENSION PARTS STILL GOOD OR RECENTLY REPLACED, BUT FRONT K-MEMBER SEVERELY RUSTED THROUGH. DECLARED UNSAFE AND UNFIXABLE, ALTHOUGH AT 112,000 MILES THE REST OF THE CAR IS STILL IN GREAT SHAPE.

NHTSA ODI #10897162

100,755 miles · Oct 31, 2015
EngineUnknown Or OtherFire

OK THIS IS THE 10TH COMPLAINT FILED ON THIS VEHICLE BOTH BY MYSELF AND MECHANICS WHO HAVE WORKED ON IT IN LAST 6 MONTHS. MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BESIDE MY HOUSE THIS MORNING AT 6AM. NOBODY IN CAR AND THE ONLY THING THAT ALERTED ME WAS WHEN MY DOGS WENT OUT AND WERE BARKING LIKE CRAZY. I WILL HAVE THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR REPORT ON M…

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OK THIS IS THE 10TH COMPLAINT FILED ON THIS VEHICLE BOTH BY MYSELF AND MECHANICS WHO HAVE WORKED ON IT IN LAST 6 MONTHS. MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BESIDE MY HOUSE THIS MORNING AT 6AM. NOBODY IN CAR AND THE ONLY THING THAT ALERTED ME WAS WHEN MY DOGS WENT OUT AND WERE BARKING LIKE CRAZY. I WILL HAVE THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR REPORT ON MONDAY OR TUESDAY. I SUGGEST CHRYSLER WHO HAS ALL THE SAME COMPLAINTS AS YOU DO PAY ATTENTION WHEN YOU ARE TOLD A CAR IS UNSAFE. I COULD HAVE LOST EVERYTHING THIS MORNING SO CHRYSLER BETTER BE GLAD WAS JUST CAR. I AM STILL SHAKING AND I AM A SINGLE DISABLED MOM THANK GOD FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT HERE WHEN THEY DID. I WANT ANSWERS!

NHTSA ODI #10787454

100,000 miles · Oct 6, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFireInjury

OK MAYBE 4TH TIME IS A CHARM ON TRYING TO GET PT CRUISER OFF ROAD. I HAD A FIRE IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO OVERHEATING WHICH WAS REPORTED BUT DUMB ME PUT IT OUT AND REPLACED GRILL AND RADIATOR AND HAD TO TAKE SEPERATE LOAN OUT FOR $2500 IN REPAIRS AND NOW VEHICLE WON'T START AND NOW BEING TOLD IS COMPUTER WELL THAT EXPLAINS WHY WHEN…

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OK MAYBE 4TH TIME IS A CHARM ON TRYING TO GET PT CRUISER OFF ROAD. I HAD A FIRE IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO OVERHEATING WHICH WAS REPORTED BUT DUMB ME PUT IT OUT AND REPLACED GRILL AND RADIATOR AND HAD TO TAKE SEPERATE LOAN OUT FOR $2500 IN REPAIRS AND NOW VEHICLE WON'T START AND NOW BEING TOLD IS COMPUTER WELL THAT EXPLAINS WHY WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO GET OUT OF CAR WHEN WAS ON FIRE THE DOOR LOCKS DIDN'T WON'T TO WORK FIRST TIME. THE CAR IS A 2002 WITH 100,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE ALREADY PUT NEW TIRES ON IT AND BATTERY AND HAD ALL THESE REPAIRS DONE TRYING TO SAVE THE CAR BECAUSE I AM A SINGLE MOM ON DISABILITY MAYBE SINCE CHRYSLER IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR INJURIES AND DEATHS NOT BEING REPORTED YOU CAN ADD ME BECAUSE I WAS BURNED DURING THE FIRE TRYING TO PUT OUT. I HAVE FORWARDED EVERY SINGLE DOCUMENTATION OF EVERY INCIDENT NOT ONLY TO CHRYSLER BUT NHTSA AND NOW WANT ME TO REPLACE A COMPUTER AT $1300 THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY EVERYONE WHO HAS EXAMINED CAR IT IS SERIOUS BUT I GUESS IF ME OR MY SON HAD DIED IN CAR THEN MAYBE SOMETHING WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. I HAVE MADE MY PAYMENTS AND PAID FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE FOR 6 MONTHS WHILE ALL THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON AND ONLY WAS ABLE TO DRIVE CAR FOR A MONTH. THE VEHICLE IS AT CHRYSLER DODGE IN COLUMBIA,TN AND PHONE NUMBER IS 1-931-380-0326. I HAVE 9 TOW BILLS AND NOBODY CARES THAT ME OR MY SON COULD HAVE LOST OUR LIVES!

NHTSA ODI #10780214

168,000 miles · Sep 25, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING 55 MPHR AND THE CAR DIED. IT WOULDNT START BACK UP HAD TO TOW IT HOME. REPLACED THE TIMING, WATER PUMP, HEAD GASKET. IT WOULD CRANK BUT WONT START. I NEVER IN MY LIFE HAD THIS MUCH PROBLEMS OUT OF A SOME CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10776564

1,000 miles · Dec 14, 2010
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

2002 PT CRUISER SPORT MODEL. CAR WOULD NOT START, WHEN SITTING FAR A FEW DAYS, HAD BEEN DRIVING CAR ALL DAY AND TURNED CAR OFF TO DO AN ERRAND AND CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED WHERE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED SEVERAL TIMES. BOUGHT CAR NEW AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR 7 YEARS. KEPT BRINGING BACK TO THE DEALER …

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2002 PT CRUISER SPORT MODEL. CAR WOULD NOT START, WHEN SITTING FAR A FEW DAYS, HAD BEEN DRIVING CAR ALL DAY AND TURNED CAR OFF TO DO AN ERRAND AND CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED WHERE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED SEVERAL TIMES. BOUGHT CAR NEW AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR 7 YEARS. KEPT BRINGING BACK TO THE DEALER AND COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS EVERY TIME. FINALLY FOUND A DEALER SERVICE MANAGER THAT KNEW THE PROBLEM. INSUFFICIENT QUALITY PARTS WERE BEING USED WHEN CHRYSLER WAS ABOUT TO GO BANKRUPT. THE BATTERY WIRES FROM THE BATTERY TO THE ALTERNATOR WERE NOT SUPPLYING ENOUGH VOLTAGE TO MAINTAIN ENOUGH TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY. UPGRADED THE WIRES TO A HIGHER VOLTAGE AND HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS. IT TOOK 7 YEARS TO FIND THE PROBLEM WHICH CAUSED PROBLEMS OF ME USING THE CAR. CHRYSLER USED LOW GRADE PARTS THROUGH OUT THE CAR AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING RID OF THEM AND THEN SOMEONE ELSE BUYS IT AND IT CONTINUES. I WILL NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER MADE CAR AGAIN, VERY UNSATISFIED CUSTOMER CONSIDERING HOW MUCH I PAID FOR IT. WAS WAY OVER PRICED AT THE TIME I BOUGHT IT. I COULD BUY A MUCH BETTER CAR AND HIGHER END MODEL FOR WHAT I PAID FOR MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370619

100,000 miles · Jan 26, 2009
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD IN HIS VEHICLE WAS BEGINNING TO SPLIT IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. ONE SPLIT WAS IN THE MIDDLE AND THE OTHER WAS APPROXIMATELY A THIRD OF THE WAY FROM THE LEFT. HE WAS ABLE TO LIFT UP THE CENTER PIECE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD IN HIS VEHICLE WAS BEGINNING TO SPLIT IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. ONE SPLIT WAS IN THE MIDDLE AND THE OTHER WAS APPROXIMATELY A THIRD OF THE WAY FROM THE LEFT. HE WAS ABLE TO LIFT UP THE CENTER PIECE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $270 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10256352

65,000 miles · Aug 3, 2008
Unknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER HAS 3 CRACKS IN IT. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I NOTICED THE GRATE IN THE DASH THAT DISPERSES THE AIR FROM THE DEFROST VENT ON THE TOP OF THE DASH WAS DETERIORATING AND THE PLASTIC GRATE PIECES WERE BREAKING OFF. EARLIER THIS YEAR I NOTICED 2 CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DEFR…

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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER HAS 3 CRACKS IN IT. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I NOTICED THE GRATE IN THE DASH THAT DISPERSES THE AIR FROM THE DEFROST VENT ON THE TOP OF THE DASH WAS DETERIORATING AND THE PLASTIC GRATE PIECES WERE BREAKING OFF. EARLIER THIS YEAR I NOTICED 2 CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DEFROST VENT. FINALLY, IN MAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT I THOUGHT WAS A ROCK HITTING MY WINDSHIELD. WHEN I LOOKED AT MY DASHBOARD I HAD A HUGE CRACK THAT NOW SPLIT THE DASHBOARD IN HALF FROM THE DEFROST VENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD BACK TOWARD THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. AT THIS TIME I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION TO REPAIR THE DASHBOARD BECAUSE IT IS BEYOND WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236797

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.