NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
511 reports46,500 miles · Jan 30, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHEN FIRST CRANKING CA RIT WILL REV ITSELF UP, THE SPEEDOMETER GOES TO 120MPH RPMS TACHS OUT, AND THEN DROPS BELOW 1/2 RPM, SPUTTERS AND BACKFIRE SOFF. HAD IN CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THIS AND UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. TOLD ME THAT A SENSOR COULD BE GOING BAD. NOW WHILE MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING OUT OF NEIGHBORHOOD THE CAR WE…
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WHEN FIRST CRANKING CA RIT WILL REV ITSELF UP, THE SPEEDOMETER GOES TO 120MPH RPMS TACHS OUT, AND THEN DROPS BELOW 1/2 RPM, SPUTTERS AND BACKFIRE SOFF. HAD IN CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THIS AND UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. TOLD ME THAT A SENSOR COULD BE GOING BAD. NOW WHILE MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING OUT OF NEIGHBORHOOD THE CAR WENT DEAD AS DOES WITH ME AT TIMES AT STOP SIGN AND REFUSED TO CRANK AGAIN. CALLED ROADSIDE HAD IT FOR A CHARGE OF 75.00 AND WAS TOLD I HAD BAD GAS AND WANTED ANOTHER 510.00 TO FIX. WAS TOLD NOT COVERED UNDER REG. WARRANTY OR THE 1300.00 EXTENDED BUMPER TO BUMPER WE PURCHASED.
NHTSA ODI #10056174
23 miles · Jan 28, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
CONSUMER NOTICED FUEL WAS IN THE OIL. DEALER INDICATED FUEL PUMP MODULE SECONDARY SEAL FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10055953
29,400 miles · Jan 27, 2004
Suspension
WHEN DOING THE 30,000 MILE OIL CHANGE/INSPECTION I NOTICED SPLITS IN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. THIS IS ONLY NOTICEABLE WHEN THE SUSPENSION IS UNSUPPORTED. THE CAR WAS DEALER SERVICED FOR THE RECALLS AND WAS ASKED FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE BUSHINGS WITH A WRITTEN RESPONSE A THIS TIME. DEALER MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NORMAL WEAR…
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WHEN DOING THE 30,000 MILE OIL CHANGE/INSPECTION I NOTICED SPLITS IN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. THIS IS ONLY NOTICEABLE WHEN THE SUSPENSION IS UNSUPPORTED. THE CAR WAS DEALER SERVICED FOR THE RECALLS AND WAS ASKED FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE BUSHINGS WITH A WRITTEN RESPONSE A THIS TIME. DEALER MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NORMAL WEAR BUT RESPONSE WAS SUSPICIOUS IN NATURE AND NOT FORTHCOMING. THE CAR WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC AND STATED THAT THE BUSHINGS APPEARED TO BE COMING APART. THE CAR WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WITH THIS CONCERN AND THEY THEN DECIDED TO REPLACE THE BUSHINGS UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. NO PARTS RETAINED DUE TO DEALER POLICY THAT NO PARTS UNDER WARRANTY WORK WILL BE GIVEN TO THE OWNER. I REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FOR INFERIOR RUBBER AND DESIGN. IT APPEARS THAT IF THE BUSHINGS FAIL THE CONTROL ARM WILL FALL OFF AND MAY RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10054954
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2004
Wheels
CHROME PLATING 5 SPOKE WHEELS CHROME PLATING HAS BUBBLED/CORRODED ON THE SEALING SURFACE OF THE TIRE BEAD. *PH THIS HAS CAUSED THE TIRE TO LEAK AIR. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10056015
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WWW.PTCRUISERPROBLEMS.COM MY PT CRUISER CONSUMES OIL AT THE RATE OF A QUART OR MORE EVERY THOUSAND MILES. AFTER SEVERAL FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPTS FERMAN REACQUIRED IT FROM HIM, REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ONE FROM THE LOT. I PURCHASED MY 2002 PT CRUISER TOURING LIMITED ON 5/20/2002 WITH ONLY 4,780 MILES FROM: FERMAN AUTOMOTIVE HTTP…
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WWW.PTCRUISERPROBLEMS.COM MY PT CRUISER CONSUMES OIL AT THE RATE OF A QUART OR MORE EVERY THOUSAND MILES. AFTER SEVERAL FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPTS FERMAN REACQUIRED IT FROM HIM, REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ONE FROM THE LOT. I PURCHASED MY 2002 PT CRUISER TOURING LIMITED ON 5/20/2002 WITH ONLY 4,780 MILES FROM: FERMAN AUTOMOTIVE HTTP://WWW.FERMANAUTO.COM. MY PT CRUISER EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED ABOUT THE TIME OF THE FIRST OIL CHANGE. IT CONSUMED ABOUT ONE QUART OF OIL EVERY 500 MILES. THE FIRST ACTUAL ATTEMPT AT REPAIR FERMAN MADE WAS TO REPLACE THE VALVE COVER GASKET, THIS FAILED. SECOND REPAIR ATTEMPT WAS REPLACING THE ENGINE THEY TOLD ME. THEY ONLY REPLACED THE SHORT BLOCK, AND THIS ALSO FAILED. I SENT A VEHICLE DEFECT NOTIFICATION TO THE MANUFACTURE AND ONE TO THE STATE TO START THE LEMON LAW PROCESS. CHRYSLER CORPORATE OFFICE SENT THE REGIONAL LEAD TECHNICIAN TO OVERSEE THE LAST REPAIR ATTEMPT. FERMAN TORE DOWN THE ENGINE AND INFORMED ME THAT THEY FOUND NINE BAD VALVE SEALS. FERMAN REPLACED THE ENTIRE HEAD. THEY ALSO REPLACED THE VALVE COVER, THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE. SOME 2001 PT CRUISERS HAVE A DEFECTIVE VALVE COVER THAT CAUSES THE PCV VALVE TO SUCK IN OIL. I DROVE ABOUT 370 MILES AND CHECKED THE OIL TO FIND IT CONSUMED A QUART OF OIL! THERE IS ALSO A SECONDARY ISSUE WITH THE A/C. THE A/C HAS A PERSISTENT MILDEW ODOR THAT THE DEALER HAS NOT RESOLVED. THEY HAVE TREATED THE A/C WITH AN ANTI-MILDEW AGENT SEVERAL TIMES YET IT STILL RETURNS. I AND MANY OTHERS SUFFER WITH TRYING TO RESOLVE THE MILDEW ODOR PROBLEM ALSO. I AM CURRENTLY STILL PERFORMING ANOTHER OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. THE OIL CONSUMPTION HAS VARIED ONLY SLIGHTLY AND STILL CONTINUES. I HAVE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY AND I AM WORKING WITH HIM TO HOPEFULLY RESOLVE THIS SOON. CHRYSLER STATED THEY WILL REPLACE OR PURCHASE MY VEHICLE BACK FROM ME, IF THE OIL CONSUMPTION CONTINUES. PLEASE CONTACT ME. WWW.PTCRUISERPROBLEMS.COM WEBMASTER@PTCRUISERPROBLEMS.COM
NHTSA ODI #10070439
31,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
MAY 17, 2003 WAS THE MOST RECENT EPISODE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES FOR OVERHEATING. THEY'VE BEEN UNABLE TO SATISFACTORILY FIX THE PROBLEM OR ADMIT IT'S A DEFECT. I'VE LODGED COMPLAINTS WITH CHRYSLER CORPORATE, BUT THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY RESOLUTION THEY'RE WILLING TO OFFER IS EXTENDED COVE…
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MAY 17, 2003 WAS THE MOST RECENT EPISODE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES FOR OVERHEATING. THEY'VE BEEN UNABLE TO SATISFACTORILY FIX THE PROBLEM OR ADMIT IT'S A DEFECT. I'VE LODGED COMPLAINTS WITH CHRYSLER CORPORATE, BUT THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY RESOLUTION THEY'RE WILLING TO OFFER IS EXTENDED COVERAGE, WHICH WON'T KEEP MY CAR FROM OVERHEATING EVERY TIME I ATTEMPT A TRIP LONGER THAN 30 MINUTES.
NHTSA ODI #10069073
22,690 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Electrical System
THE SAFETY RECALL FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE WAS COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER 2002. ON 11 JANUARY 2004, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AGAIN. DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE CONTROLLER (AGAIN), LEAVING ME TO WONDER IF THIS IS PERMANENT 'FIX' OR IS IT ONE THAT I WILL NEED TO CONSTANTLY BE WORRYING ABOUT? CHRYSLER RECALL CENTER PROVI…
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THE SAFETY RECALL FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE WAS COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER 2002. ON 11 JANUARY 2004, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AGAIN. DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE CONTROLLER (AGAIN), LEAVING ME TO WONDER IF THIS IS PERMANENT 'FIX' OR IS IT ONE THAT I WILL NEED TO CONSTANTLY BE WORRYING ABOUT? CHRYSLER RECALL CENTER PROVIDES NO ASSURANCE. DEALER SAYS, 'IF IT FAILS, BRING IT IN AGAIN.' - NOT MUCH ASSURANCE. * CB
NHTSA ODI #10053278
50,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Steering
POWER STEERING FAILED. DEALERSHIP STATES THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PUMP ARE DEFECTIVE. THIS WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING. THE PART IS BACK ORDERED UP TO 3 WEEKS WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THERE MUST BE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF RACK FAILURES. *CB
NHTSA ODI #10053259
26,100 miles · Jan 5, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKES STARTED MAKING A SCRATCH/GRINDING SOUND EVERY TIME I WOULD COME TO A STOP. THERE WAS NO DIFFICULTY WITH BRAKING, JUST THE NOISE. SO, I VISUALLY INSPECTED THEM AND NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT ROTOR WAS WORN ON THE OUTER EDGE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL, REPUTABLE, TIRE STORE AND THEY FOUND THE DAMAGE TO HAVE BEEN CAUS…
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THE BRAKES STARTED MAKING A SCRATCH/GRINDING SOUND EVERY TIME I WOULD COME TO A STOP. THERE WAS NO DIFFICULTY WITH BRAKING, JUST THE NOISE. SO, I VISUALLY INSPECTED THEM AND NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT ROTOR WAS WORN ON THE OUTER EDGE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL, REPUTABLE, TIRE STORE AND THEY FOUND THE DAMAGE TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A CLIP THAT CAME LOOSE, THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE PART OF THE BRAKE PAD. I HAVE KEPT THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE CAR HAD 26,000 MILES, MUCH OF THOSE MILES WERE HIGHWAY DRIVING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10052394
34,000 miles · Dec 18, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051730
Official recalls
3Jun 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.
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.
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.
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