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2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 202.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

189 reports with mileage · 69 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 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports15 fire reports14 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

29 reports
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15,000 miles · Jan 12, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

POWER FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254774

32,208 miles · Oct 20, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT AND CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONER TO FAIL. THE UNIT WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,583. THE TECHNI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT AND CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONER TO FAIL. THE UNIT WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,583. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V268000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, IN WHICH SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, THE THROTTLE BODY, THE RADIATOR, AND VARIOUS COMPONENTS IN THE POWERTRAIN AND STEERING UNIT. THE REPAIRS COST $4,000. TYPICALLY, THE FAILURES IMMEDIATELY RECUR AFTER THE REPAIRS ARE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER GAVE HER A SMALL REIMBURSEMENT OF $878. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,208 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,500.

NHTSA ODI #10246138

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineInjury

APPROACHED VEHICLE AFTER VISIT AND NOTICED STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM 20 FT. AWAY. OPENED CAR DOOR, FUMES EVEN STRONGER. FELT DIZZY & DISORIENTED. CALLED SERVICE TO HAVE IT TOWED (DID NOT WANT TO START CAR WITH STRONG FUMES). WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FUEL LINE (RECALL) AND THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. NEARLY 1 YEAR LATER, SAME PRO…

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APPROACHED VEHICLE AFTER VISIT AND NOTICED STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM 20 FT. AWAY. OPENED CAR DOOR, FUMES EVEN STRONGER. FELT DIZZY & DISORIENTED. CALLED SERVICE TO HAVE IT TOWED (DID NOT WANT TO START CAR WITH STRONG FUMES). WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH FUEL LINE (RECALL) AND THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. NEARLY 1 YEAR LATER, SAME PROBLEM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. 1/2 TANK OF GAS LEAKED IN ONE DAY. NO OBVIOUS SOURCE OF LEAK FROM EXTERIOR. LINGERING GAS SMELL IN INTERIOR. WAS TOLD NVLD PUMP WAS REPLACED. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY, POSSIBLE ADVERSE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES, LIKELIHOOD OF FIRE. CAR HAS HAD MANY OTHER ISSUES AS WELL, INCLUDING SMELL FROM AC SYSTEM (ORIGINALLY NON-FUNCTIONAL) WHICH SMELLS LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE/BURNING PLASTIC. DEALERSHIP IS DISMISSIVE. POSSIBLE LEMON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242301

45,000 miles · Dec 13, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSteering

2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH DEFECTED CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BUSHINGS ARE WEARING PREMATURELY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, STEERING COLUMN, FRONT BEARING AND WATER PUMP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10212754

35,326 miles · Apr 25, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES WOULD BE REPLACED BEFORE SHE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE SHE WAS INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE BRAKES WERE STILL SQUEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES WOULD BE REPLACED BEFORE SHE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE SHE WAS INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE BRAKES WERE STILL SQUEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE TWO TO THREE DAYS BEFORE THE BRAKES WOULD STOP SQUEAKING. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER THE TIRES WERE REMOVED AND ORANGE DUST WAS FOUND ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALER CLEANED THE BRAKES, BUT NEVER REPLACED THEM. THREE WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BLOW COOL AIR. IN AUGUST 2006 THE VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING HOT AND FAILED WHILE DRIVING 58 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AGAIN. IN SEPTEMBER 2006 THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. ON APRIL 19, 2007, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BECAUSE STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE THAT WAS INSTALLED IN SEPTEMBER 2006 FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT PROVIDE AN ACCURATE VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,400, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,326. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED AND THEY WERE RUDE AND REFUSED TO HELP HER. LATER, THE DEALERSHIP ASKED FOR INFORMATION TO RENT THE CONSUMER A CAR AND THE RENTAL PLACE REFUSED TO RENT HER A CAR IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FIXED BY SMITH CHRYSLER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER SOLD HER A CAR THEN CHANGED THE NAME ON HER PAPERWORK, REFUSED TO GIVE HER THE TAGS TO THE CAR UNLESS PAYMENT WAS PROVIDED AND TOLD HER SHE HAD THE WRONG VIN NUMBER FOR THE CAR. THE CONSUMER STATED WANTS HER MONEY BACK FOR THE CAR AND THE DEALER TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. UPDATED 07/06/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10188872

51,747 miles · Jan 17, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE TOW TRUCK MECHANIC JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. DURING DIAGNOSIS THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND THE VEHICLE TO BE OPERATING WITH OUR ERRORS. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WOULD N…

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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE TOW TRUCK MECHANIC JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. DURING DIAGNOSIS THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND THE VEHICLE TO BE OPERATING WITH OUR ERRORS. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE CONTACT HAD TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY, AND WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER IN TRAFFIC. THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE HEAD GASKET AND DISCOVERED THE MOTOR WAS BURNED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,747. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10178898

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

MY 2003 PT CRUISER, STILL UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY, HAS HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH OIL LEAKS. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE WAS ONE YEAR AGO. NOW, WITHIN THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, I HAVE HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR OIL AND/OR BRAKE FLUID LEAKS THREE TIMES. I AM TAKING IT IN FOR A FOURTH TIME TOMORROW. I AM SI…

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MY 2003 PT CRUISER, STILL UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY, HAS HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH OIL LEAKS. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE WAS ONE YEAR AGO. NOW, WITHIN THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, I HAVE HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR OIL AND/OR BRAKE FLUID LEAKS THREE TIMES. I AM TAKING IT IN FOR A FOURTH TIME TOMORROW. I AM SIMPLY LOOKING FOR ANY AND ALL AVENUES WITH WHICH TO FORMALLY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LACK OF QUALITY IN THE VEHICLE AND THE LACK OF QUALITY SERVICE AT THE "FIVE STAR" DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM. I HAVE NOTIFIED CHRYSLER OF THE PROBLEMS AND THE CAVALIER RESPONSE WAS EXTREMELY DISCONCERTING. IT IS QUITE CLEAR TO ME CHRYSLER DOES NOT CARE ABOUT QUALITY OR ITS CUSTOMERS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10155920

49,000 miles · Apr 3, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING, AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 15 TIMES AND MULTIPLE COMPONENTS INCLUDING THE FUEL PUMP HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THESE REPAIRS HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE STA…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING, AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 15 TIMES AND MULTIPLE COMPONENTS INCLUDING THE FUEL PUMP HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THESE REPAIRS HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE STALLING PROBLEM. UPDATED 6/12/2006 -*NM

NHTSA ODI #10154427

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, CAR IDLES AT LOW RPM, AND STALLS AT ANYTHING NEAR 1000 RPM, WHICH IS ITS NORMAL IDLE SPEED, AT LEAST 25 STALLS IN THE PAST 2-3 MONTHS. SO FAR CHRYSLER KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT CAN'T FIND IT, SO THEY KEEP GIVING IT BACK TO ME. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10139456

8,733 miles · Apr 6, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

HESITATION IN VEHICLE IN ALL SPEEDS (5 SPEED), TOOK TO CHRYSLER AT LEAST 5 TIMES (4 DIFFERENT DEALERS) TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.....THE FOLLOWING WAS PERFORMED... 1) RE-FLASHING OF PCM 2) CHANGING OF SPARK PLUGS 3) CHECK OF SPARK PLUG WIRES 4) FUEL INJECTORS CHECKED FOR CLOGGING 3 TIMES DEALERS REPLACED ONE (OR MORE) OR A…

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HESITATION IN VEHICLE IN ALL SPEEDS (5 SPEED), TOOK TO CHRYSLER AT LEAST 5 TIMES (4 DIFFERENT DEALERS) TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.....THE FOLLOWING WAS PERFORMED... 1) RE-FLASHING OF PCM 2) CHANGING OF SPARK PLUGS 3) CHECK OF SPARK PLUG WIRES 4) FUEL INJECTORS CHECKED FOR CLOGGING 3 TIMES DEALERS REPLACED ONE (OR MORE) OR ALL SPARK PLUGS (WITHIN ONE YEAR) 1 TIME PCM WAS RE-FLASHED 2 TIMES DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE HESITATION WAS 'NORMAL' 2 TIMES DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE HESITATION WAS NOT FOUND, WHEN EACH TIME IT WAS INSISTED THAT THE TECHNICIAN OR SERVICE MANAGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO CONFIRM THE HESITATION. GATHERING ALL INVOICES FOR CORRECT DATES...

NHTSA ODI #10116511

Official recalls

2

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.

03V076000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly

Mar 10, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODELS ONLY, A WELDED PIN INTERNAL TO THE DUAL-MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) ASSEMBLY CAN UNSEAT AND BECOME LODGED BETWEEN THE FLYWHEEL AND THE CLUTCH DISC.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE CLUTCH MAY NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES WITH THE UPDATED DESIGN PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2003. 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.