IllustrationTHE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 55 TO 60 MPH AND HIT A VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE BUMPER CAME OFF BUT THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
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 reportsWHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS WAITING ON THE MANUFACTURER TO SEND OUT AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE FIRE.*AK THE CHRYSLER INSPECTOR AND INSURANCE INSPECTOR BOTH REPORTED THAT THE FIRE WAS…
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WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS WAITING ON THE MANUFACTURER TO SEND OUT AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE FIRE.*AK THE CHRYSLER INSPECTOR AND INSURANCE INSPECTOR BOTH REPORTED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILURE. THE HOSE LEAKED ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL COVERED UNDER IT'S ORIGINAL WARRANTY BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE. *NM
DURING AN INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK *SC *JB
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND PERFORMED POORLY WHEN APPLIED. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTS THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT WORK ON THE BRAKES AT ALL. *AK THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE AND THE BRAKES WOULD SOMETIMES GO ALMOST TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID…
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THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND PERFORMED POORLY WHEN APPLIED. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTS THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT WORK ON THE BRAKES AT ALL. *AK THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE AND THE BRAKES WOULD SOMETIMES GO ALMOST TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT ALWAYS LOCK, THE BRAKES WOULD RUB AND HESITATE TO STOP, THE A/C DID NOT GET COLD ON HIGH SETTINGS, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD ELECTRONIC SYSTEM WAS OFF, THE FUEL, MPH AND THE RPM LIGHTS HAD COME ON, AT THE INSIDE TOP OF ALL FOUR DOORS, THE LINING WAS BULDGING IN AND OUT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE LOCKING, THE RIGHT SIGNAL HAD TO BE MANUALLY STOPPED, AND THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT DID NOT HOLD. THERE WAS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE ODOMETER READING. (THE CONSUMER FELT THAT IT DID NOT DISPLAY THE PROPER MILEAGE) *SC
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
BASED ON CONCERNS BY OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS, I HAVE CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON MY TWO YEAR OLD, 11,000 MILE CAR. THE RUBBER IS SEPARATING FROM THE METAL, DUE TO A POOR BOND BETWEEN THE TWO? IN ANY CASE THIS IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR A NEW CAR WITH SO LITTLE USE. I BELIEVE DAMLERCHRYSLER SHOULD BE …
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BASED ON CONCERNS BY OTHER PT CRUISER OWNERS, I HAVE CHECKED THE CONDITION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON MY TWO YEAR OLD, 11,000 MILE CAR. THE RUBBER IS SEPARATING FROM THE METAL, DUE TO A POOR BOND BETWEEN THE TWO? IN ANY CASE THIS IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR A NEW CAR WITH SO LITTLE USE. I BELIEVE DAMLERCHRYSLER SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REPAIRING SAID BUSHINGS: PARTS, INSTALLATION, EXTEND WARRANTY, WORN TIRES DUE SAID LOOSE PARTS, AND OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. HAVING OWNED MANY CARS AND QUITE A FEW NEW CARS, NEVER A PROBLELM WITH THESE COMPONENTS STARTING TO DISINTEGRATE. PLEASE REVIEW OTHER COMPLAINTS AND TRUST THAT YOU WILL PROVIDE A FAIR SOLUTION TO THE MANY OWNERS OF THIS MODEL CAR, MANY OF WHICH HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR A REPAIR/REPLACEMENT FROM THEIR OWN POCKET!!!!*AK
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE RUBBER. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RATTLES, SEVERE TIRE VIBRATION OR FRONT END VIBRATION. SOME OF MY MEMBERS HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR AS LOW AS 5000 MILES. CURRENTLY MINE HAS 36.000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING ON MINE. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. AND THER…
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THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE RUBBER. THIS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, RATTLES, SEVERE TIRE VIBRATION OR FRONT END VIBRATION. SOME OF MY MEMBERS HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR AS LOW AS 5000 MILES. CURRENTLY MINE HAS 36.000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING ON MINE. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN. AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT THESE TYPE OF BUSHINGS SHOULD BE HAVING THIS SEPARATION PROBLEM AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. A RECALL IS IN ORDER, BEFORE A OWNER HAS A VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO THE VEHICLE LOOSING STEERING CONTROL. *AK
I READ SEVERAL PT RELATED FORUMS AND MANY MEMBERS HAVE COMMENTED ABOUT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILURES, WEEL SO HAVE MINE. I AM EXPERENCING VIBERATION FROM THE FRONT END AND WILL MAKE ARANGMENTS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE FORUMS IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF THEY WILL FAIL......BUT WHEN …
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I READ SEVERAL PT RELATED FORUMS AND MANY MEMBERS HAVE COMMENTED ABOUT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILURES, WEEL SO HAVE MINE. I AM EXPERENCING VIBERATION FROM THE FRONT END AND WILL MAKE ARANGMENTS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE FORUMS IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF THEY WILL FAIL......BUT WHEN THEY WILL FAIL. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MATTER THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFTY ITEM, AS TOTAL LOSS OF THESE BUSHINGS WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROLL OF THE CAR CAUSING A CRASH. THANK YOU 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER DREAM SER 1.*AK
TWO MAJOR COMPLAINTS: 1. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON 3 OCCASIONS IN DESERTED PARKING SPOTS - WITH MY CAR JUST NOT STARTING - THE IGNITION WILL NOT WORK AND THERE WAS A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE / DISCHARGE. ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WE CALLED ON EACH OCCASION AND ONLY ON CHARGING THE BATTERY WOULD THE CAR START. THE FIRST INSTANCE HA…
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TWO MAJOR COMPLAINTS: 1. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON 3 OCCASIONS IN DESERTED PARKING SPOTS - WITH MY CAR JUST NOT STARTING - THE IGNITION WILL NOT WORK AND THERE WAS A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE / DISCHARGE. ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WE CALLED ON EACH OCCASION AND ONLY ON CHARGING THE BATTERY WOULD THE CAR START. THE FIRST INSTANCE HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD (ITS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, 4 CYL NON TURBO , AUTOMATIC - BOUGHT IN MARCH 2003) - THE SECOND SIMILAR INSTANCE WAS 3 MONTHS LATER AND THE LAST ONE WAS A FEW WEEKS BACK. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR REPEATEDLY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BUT THEY KEEP SAYING THAT MAYBE SOMETHING IS DRAWING EXTRA POWER. THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE OR TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTION. 2. I READ ABOUT THE RECALL NOTICE RELEASED IN JUNE 2004. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM SAYING THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY CONFIRMATION FROM CHRYSLER HEADQUARTERS. I CALLED UP CHRYSLER AND I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A LETTER IN THE MAIL AUTHORIZING THE RECALL. ITS BEEN A MONTH AND THE LETTER HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED - THE CHRYSLER COMPANY DOES NOT RETURN CALLS AND ON LISTENING TO MY PROBLEMS SAYS I WILL RECEIVE A LETTER IN THE MAIL. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TOUCH MY CAR UNLESS I HAVE A LETTER - WHAT DOES CHRYSLER WANT US TO DO -THEY SELL US INFERIOR PRODUCTS AND NOW DO THEY WANT US TO BURN !! PLEASE HELP AND TAKE ACTION AGAINST THIS COMPANY BEFORE ANY MORE LIVES ARE LOST. *LA
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT GAS GAUGE WAS ON EMPTY. CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GAS STATION AND FILLED THE GAS TANK BUT THE GAS GAUGE STILL WAS ON EMPTY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE GOT HOT FROM THE SUN THE DASHBOA…
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UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT GAS GAUGE WAS ON EMPTY. CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GAS STATION AND FILLED THE GAS TANK BUT THE GAS GAUGE STILL WAS ON EMPTY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE GOT HOT FROM THE SUN THE DASHBOARD COMPONENTS BECOME INOPERATIVE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPEED HE WAS DRIVING, AND HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE GAS TANK. *AK
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.