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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

What owners actually said

511 reports
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 · Apr 3, 2005
Air Bags

FOR THE PAST TW-THREE MONTHS, EITHER IT HAS STALLED IN THE GARAGE OR ON A BUSY THOROUGHFARE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION, I'VE HAD AN OIL CHANGE, WE'VE HAD RENTAL CARS, TOW TRUCKS, I'VE MISSED CHURCH, FLIGHT CONNECTIONS, VALUABLE TIME AWAY FROM WORK-FIFTH TIME REPORTING-DEALER HAS DONE EVERYTHING-THIS CAR IS…

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FOR THE PAST TW-THREE MONTHS, EITHER IT HAS STALLED IN THE GARAGE OR ON A BUSY THOROUGHFARE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER HAS REPLACED TRANSMISSION, I'VE HAD AN OIL CHANGE, WE'VE HAD RENTAL CARS, TOW TRUCKS, I'VE MISSED CHURCH, FLIGHT CONNECTIONS, VALUABLE TIME AWAY FROM WORK-FIFTH TIME REPORTING-DEALER HAS DONE EVERYTHING-THIS CAR IS GOING TO BE THE DEATH OF ME-IT HAS TOXIC FUMES-AND IS LITERALLY HAVINE ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND LEAVING IT ON THE PROPERTY. HOW DO WE CONTACT THE PRESIDENT, TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED, IT HAS HAD AN OIL CHANGE, THE DEALERS CAN'T FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT-AND I'M READY TO TURN IT IN-IT HAS COST ME LOST WAGES, TIME AWAY FROM EVENTS IN WHICH I WAS TO SPEAK, AND MOST OF ALL, MY SANITY. HOW DOES ONE CONTACT DR. DR. DIETER ZETSCHE, THE PRESIDENT? THERE IS NO E-MAIL ADDRESS. WAS THERE A FIRE? NOT YET, BUT THERE MIGHT BE A LOSS OF LIFE IF IT CONTINUES TO STALL ON THESE BUSY THOROUGHFARES-IT MAKES NO SENSE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116285

42,000 miles · Mar 26, 2005
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. CAR CAME TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP AS IF THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. TRAFFIC BEHIND ME HAD NO WARNING OF SUCH A RAPID DESCENT IN SPEED DUE TO NO BRAKE LIGHTS, I HAD NOT PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL IN OTHER WORDS. NO ACCIDENT RESULTED BUT WE WERE LUCKY IN THAT ASPECT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10114804

38,500 miles · Mar 6, 2005
SuspensionCrashInjury

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.

NHTSA ODI #10112617

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2005
Steering

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V268000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY. AFTER THE VEHICLE BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR DAYS HE TOLD CONSUMER TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT DONE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT MENTONED ON THE WORK ORDER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10113474

29,996 miles · Feb 25, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING TO MY NEXT CLIENT ON ICY PAVEMENT AT 35 DEGREES BELOW ZERO. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT HAD A HARD PEDAL, NO ABS BRAKING, NOTHING. CRASHED INTO PICK-UP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WHO WAS ABLE TO STOP AT LIGHT. HIS TRUCK WAS 1996 AND DID NOT HAVE ABS. IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FLUID AT THIS EXTREME TEMPERATURE? *N…

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I WAS DRIVING TO MY NEXT CLIENT ON ICY PAVEMENT AT 35 DEGREES BELOW ZERO. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT HAD A HARD PEDAL, NO ABS BRAKING, NOTHING. CRASHED INTO PICK-UP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME WHO WAS ABLE TO STOP AT LIGHT. HIS TRUCK WAS 1996 AND DID NOT HAVE ABS. IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FLUID AT THIS EXTREME TEMPERATURE? *NM

NHTSA ODI #10112186

50,000 miles · Feb 15, 2005
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH TRANSMISSION FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111553

49,000 miles · Feb 9, 2005
SteeringCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH DRIVER SWERVED TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL CAME OFF AT THE SPINDLE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED BACK TO THE RIGHT. THIS RESULTED IN THE DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING INTO A DITCH. SEVERAL MECHANICS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND INDICATED THAT…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH DRIVER SWERVED TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL CAME OFF AT THE SPINDLE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED BACK TO THE RIGHT. THIS RESULTED IN THE DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING INTO A DITCH. SEVERAL MECHANICS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND INDICATED THAT THE 4 SPINDLE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111240

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

60,000 miles · Feb 8, 2005
Latches/locks/linkagesInjury

INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ON PT CRUISER HAS SPLIT, CAUSING AN EXTREMELY SHARP SLIVER TO CUT MY FINGER. MR. AKKERMAN, ASST. SERVICE MANAGER AT THE CHRYSLER SERVICE CENTER IN HEMET AGREES THAT THIS IS PROBABLY A DEFECTIVE PART BUT THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING IT. I WONDER IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS O…

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INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ON PT CRUISER HAS SPLIT, CAUSING AN EXTREMELY SHARP SLIVER TO CUT MY FINGER. MR. AKKERMAN, ASST. SERVICE MANAGER AT THE CHRYSLER SERVICE CENTER IN HEMET AGREES THAT THIS IS PROBABLY A DEFECTIVE PART BUT THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING IT. I WONDER IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OR INJURIES FROM THIS HANDLE OR IF MINE IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10110142

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.