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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.

About this comparison →

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
Clear category filter
68,000 miles · Jul 30, 2008
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HER DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING. SHE RECENTLY NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED, MOSTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IN THE MIDDLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,591 AND …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HER DASHBOARD WAS CRACKING. SHE RECENTLY NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED, MOSTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IN THE MIDDLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,591 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10236391

65,000 miles · May 29, 2008
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK DIRECTLY DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE CRACK BEGAN AT THE VERY EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN A HORIZONTAL LINE ALL THE WAY ACROSS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT FOR FREE. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR B…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK DIRECTLY DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE CRACK BEGAN AT THE VERY EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD IN A HORIZONTAL LINE ALL THE WAY ACROSS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT FOR FREE. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE HE FEELS THAT IT IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10229175

47,000 miles · Mar 31, 2008
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. TWO YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ONE MORNING. BY THE EVENING, THE CRACK HAD GROWN LARGER. THERE ARE NOW THREE CRACKS IN SEVERAL PLACES. TWO YEARS AGO, THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED INCIDENTS. THE CONTACT FILED COMPLAINT NUMBER 17372167 WIT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. TWO YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ONE MORNING. BY THE EVENING, THE CRACK HAD GROWN LARGER. THERE ARE NOW THREE CRACKS IN SEVERAL PLACES. TWO YEARS AGO, THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED INCIDENTS. THE CONTACT FILED COMPLAINT NUMBER 17372167 WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000. UPDATED 04/22/08. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10223870

61,000 miles · Jun 27, 2007
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. AROUND OCTOBER OF 2006, THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMALL TIP OF THE DASHBOARD BEGINNING TO CRACK. THE CRACK IS NOW APPROXIMATELY 5-6 INCHES LONG. A FEW MONTHS AFTER IT BEGAN CRACKING, THE CONTACT NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK FORMING. CURRENTLY, THE SECOND CRACK IS AS LONG AS THE FIRST ONE.…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. AROUND OCTOBER OF 2006, THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMALL TIP OF THE DASHBOARD BEGINNING TO CRACK. THE CRACK IS NOW APPROXIMATELY 5-6 INCHES LONG. A FEW MONTHS AFTER IT BEGAN CRACKING, THE CONTACT NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK FORMING. CURRENTLY, THE SECOND CRACK IS AS LONG AS THE FIRST ONE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 69,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 07/24/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10194766

126,000 miles · Jun 22, 2007
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN THE CENTER. OVER TIME, THE CRACK HAS EXPANDED. NO WIRES ARE EXPOSED. THE CRACK HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR THREE TO FIVE MONTHS. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 129,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193986

52,067 miles · Jun 21, 2007
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE CRACK EXTENDS FROM THE WINDOW TO THE RADIO. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,067.

NHTSA ODI #10193924

7,000 miles · Jun 20, 2007
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN FOUR SPOTS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED MOSTLY IN A GARAGE AND AWAY FROM SUNLIGHT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 20,051 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193830

75,000 miles · Jun 18, 2007
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 95,848 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193632

45,000 miles · Jun 18, 2007
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMALL CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. NOW, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED. CHRYSLER ISSUED HER A WORK ORDER, BUT WILL NOT REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A SMALL CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. NOW, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED. CHRYSLER ISSUED HER A WORK ORDER, BUT WILL NOT REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193628

30,000 miles · Jun 18, 2007
Unknown Or Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN SIX SPOTS. THE CRACKS HAVE SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE IS OFTEN PARKED IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX HOURS PER DAY. THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN COVERED WITH ARMOR ALL PROTECTANT AND A WINDSHIELD REFL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN SIX SPOTS. THE CRACKS HAVE SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE IS OFTEN PARKED IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX HOURS PER DAY. THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN COVERED WITH ARMOR ALL PROTECTANT AND A WINDSHIELD REFLECTOR WAS USED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193627

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.