IllustrationI WAS DRIVING MY 2002 PT CRUISER, I WAS STOPPED AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I GOT OUT AND WITHIN A MINUTE THE CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR AFTER THE DAMAGE. *TR
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
What owners actually said
511 reportsMULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (THAT CONTROLS THE FOG LAMP) SHORTED OUT, CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO BE ON NO MATTER WHAT POSITION THE SWITCH WAS TURNED TO. I WAS FORCED TO REMOVE THE FOG LAMP FUSE; CHRYSLER HAS SEVERAL HUNDRED OR MORE ON BACKORDER, I'VE BEEN TOLD IT MAY BE 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR BEFORE I CAN GET A REPLACEMENT. *TR
HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 02 PT CRUISER NOT STARTING FOR 7 YEARS AND WENT ON LINE AND FOUND OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLED CHYRSLER AND TOLD THEM THEY WERE GOING TO FIX AND PAY FOR PROBLEM. SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEMS WAS AND NOTICE CHRYSLER WAS PUTTING CHEAP PARTS ON THEIR VEHICLES. HE UPGRADED THE…
Read full complaint
HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 02 PT CRUISER NOT STARTING FOR 7 YEARS AND WENT ON LINE AND FOUND OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLED CHYRSLER AND TOLD THEM THEY WERE GOING TO FIX AND PAY FOR PROBLEM. SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEMS WAS AND NOTICE CHRYSLER WAS PUTTING CHEAP PARTS ON THEIR VEHICLES. HE UPGRADED THE CABLES CONNECTING TO AND FROM THE BATTERY AND HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE. THE CABLES WERE UNDER VOLTED AND WEREN'T ABLE TO CHARGE THE BATTERY AND I GOT STRANDED SOMETIMES. CHRYSLER CALLED DEALER AND HAD THIS WORK DONE AT NO EXPENSE TO ME. IT'S NOT THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR OR THE OTHER CONNECTION I CAN'T REMEMBER. IT HAS BEEN 3 MONTHS AND I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE. PLEASE LET YOUR SERVICE MANAGER KNOW THAT IT IS THE LOW VOLTAGE BATTERY CABLES TO THESE AREAS. HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING, HESITATION STARTING OR WOULDN'T START AT ALL HAPPEN AFTER NOT DRIVING THE CAR SOMETIMES FOR 2 DAYS JUST AFTER BRINGING IT BACK TO THE DEALER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TIRES CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO INTENSE HEAT IN THE WHEELS. THE BRAKE CALIPER ALSO LOCKED WHICH CAUSED THE LEFT WHEEL TO LOCK AND MELT THE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY CORRECTED THE FAILURE IN APRIL OF 2006. A DIFFERENT DEALER CONFIR…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TIRES CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO INTENSE HEAT IN THE WHEELS. THE BRAKE CALIPER ALSO LOCKED WHICH CAUSED THE LEFT WHEEL TO LOCK AND MELT THE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY CORRECTED THE FAILURE IN APRIL OF 2006. A DIFFERENT DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS NEVER REPLACED OR REPAIRED WHICH IS WHY THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,800.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. SHE NOTICED A LOUD RUBBING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL EVERY TIME SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OR REASON FOR THE NOISE. SHE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (04V268000) FOR THE POWER STEERING AND THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ACCORDING TO THAT RECALL…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. SHE NOTICED A LOUD RUBBING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL EVERY TIME SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OR REASON FOR THE NOISE. SHE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (04V268000) FOR THE POWER STEERING AND THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ACCORDING TO THAT RECALL; HOWEVER, SHE NOTICED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE DEALER LATER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT HEAR THE NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AWAY FROM THE DEALER, SHE SMELLED SMOKE, DROVE BACK TO THE DEALER AND SMOKE BEGAN TO "BELLOW" FROM UNDERNEATH THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE DEALER PROVIDED ASSISTANCE AND REPLACED THE HOSE, CALIPER, BRAKE PAD, ROTOR AND THE WHEEL COVER. SHE WAS CHARGED $406.60 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ADVISED OF THE REPAIR COST; HOWEVER, THEY ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE MATTER UP WITH THE DEALER. THE FOLLOWING YEAR THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE SAME DEALER TOLD THAT THE CALIPER WAS LEAKING. THEY CALIPER WAS REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE WARRANTY. SHE ASKED THE DEALER WHY THEY HAD NOT REPLACED IT THE FIRST TIME ACCORDING TO WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS A NEW ISSUE. SHE WENT BACK TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING YEAR FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AND WAS BILLED $239 TO REPLACE THE CALIPER SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. RECENTLY, SHE SMELLED SMOKE AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE CALIPER WAS WARPED BECAUSE OF INTENSE HEAT AND THE BRAKE LINE HAD SOOT IN IT AND THAT THE WARPED CALIPER WAS HOLDING THE WHEEL IN PLACE. SHE PROVIDED THE DEALER WITH A REFERENCE NUMBER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER TRIED TO SPEAK WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,900. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,181. UPDATED 12/7/09 *CN UPDATED 12/08/09
MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH CONNECTOR HOUSING DEGRADES DUE TO HEAT EXPOSURE OVER TIME WHICH CAN CAUSE SHORTING, LIGHT OR TURN SIGNAL FAILURE OR A SMOKE/FIRE HAZARD. THE FIRST INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WAS THAT THE FOG LAMPS WOULD TURN ON BY THEMSELVES. OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE MAIN LIGHTS TURNING ON AND A FEW INSTANCES OF THE ST…
Read full complaint
MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH CONNECTOR HOUSING DEGRADES DUE TO HEAT EXPOSURE OVER TIME WHICH CAN CAUSE SHORTING, LIGHT OR TURN SIGNAL FAILURE OR A SMOKE/FIRE HAZARD. THE FIRST INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WAS THAT THE FOG LAMPS WOULD TURN ON BY THEMSELVES. OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE MAIN LIGHTS TURNING ON AND A FEW INSTANCES OF THE STEERING COLUMN BILLOWING SMOKE WHILE DRIVING. CHRYSLER HAS 2000+ MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCHES ON BACK ORDER AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AFTER MANY OWNERS HAVE CALLED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *TR
THE MULTIFUNCTIONAL LIGHT SWITCH ON PT CRUISERS IS DEFECTIVE. OVER 500 PT CRUISER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THAT SUDDENLY THE FRONT & BACK FOG LIGHTS COME ON & DO NOT SHUT OFF EVEN WHEN THE MOTOR & ALL OTHER SWITCHES ARE TURNED OFF. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A SHORT IN THE SWITCH WHICH COULD RESULT IN HEAD LIGHTS SUDDENLY BEING TURNED OFF…
Read full complaint
THE MULTIFUNCTIONAL LIGHT SWITCH ON PT CRUISERS IS DEFECTIVE. OVER 500 PT CRUISER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THAT SUDDENLY THE FRONT & BACK FOG LIGHTS COME ON & DO NOT SHUT OFF EVEN WHEN THE MOTOR & ALL OTHER SWITCHES ARE TURNED OFF. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A SHORT IN THE SWITCH WHICH COULD RESULT IN HEAD LIGHTS SUDDENLY BEING TURNED OFF WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN CONSTANT FORCING ME & OTHERS TO REMOVE THE FUSE CONTROLLING THE FOG LIGHTS SO THAT THE BATTERY DOES NOT DRAIN DOWN AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN. I AND OTHERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING A REPLACEMENT PART. *TR
DASHBOARD IN 2002 PT CRUISER HAS CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE AND HAS BEGAN TO SEPARATE INTO PIECES. THIS INCLUDES THE CENTER DEFROST VENT. PER THE JUNE 18, 2007 MIAMI HERALD YOU HAD 9 COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF 2002 MODELS AND 12 FROM 2001 OWNERS. THIS WAS OVER 2 YEARS AGO. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS MANY MORE COMPLAINTS THAT P…
Read full complaint
DASHBOARD IN 2002 PT CRUISER HAS CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE AND HAS BEGAN TO SEPARATE INTO PIECES. THIS INCLUDES THE CENTER DEFROST VENT. PER THE JUNE 18, 2007 MIAMI HERALD YOU HAD 9 COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF 2002 MODELS AND 12 FROM 2001 OWNERS. THIS WAS OVER 2 YEARS AGO. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS MANY MORE COMPLAINTS THAT PROBABLY HAVEN'T BEEN FILED WITH THE NHTSA. CHRYSLER DENIES RESPONSIBILITY. VARIOUS MANUFACTURERS ( E.G. COVERKING) HAVE ALREADY STARTED MAKING DASH COVERS FOR THE PT CRUISER SPECIFICALLY TO COVER CRACKED DASHES; BUT I CANNOT USE ONE AS THESE COVERS DO NOT INCLUDE THE CENTER DEFROST VENT WHICH HAS BROKEN INTO PIECES AND FALLEN INTO THE VENT. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DASH COVER. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ENOUGH CARS SURELY TO INITIATE A DEFECT INVESTIGATION. CHRYSLER SHOULD BE MADE TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE DASHES! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH HE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH SEVERE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,200. U…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH HE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH SEVERE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,200. UPDATED 10/27/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/29/09.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. HE SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000. UPDATED 10/19/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED AN ATTACHMENT THAT WAS MAILED TO HER T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. HE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. NONE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. HE SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000. UPDATED 10/19/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED AN ATTACHMENT THAT WAS MAILED TO HER THAT INCLUDED INFO ABOUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HER.
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.