IllustrationI READ ON THE INTERNET THAT A GREAT DEAL OF OWNERS OF CHRYSLER PT CRUISERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO MINE. MY 2003 HAS ONLY 50,000 KM. (NOT MILES) AND I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THIS SEEMS MUCH TOO SOON TO REPLACE SUCH AN ITEM. *TR
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 →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
550–25K
4225–50K
3850–75K
2075–100K
21100–150K
13150K+
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
Suspension complaints
35 reportsFRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AT 71,000 MILES. *TR
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
I WENT TO HAVE MY BRAKES CHECKED AND WAS TOLD MY RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE BROKEN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (TOWED IN BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT) AND THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAS VERY SELDOM SEEN BUSHINGS IN THE SUSPENSION BREAK WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON THE CAR. MY …
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I WENT TO HAVE MY BRAKES CHECKED AND WAS TOLD MY RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE BROKEN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (TOWED IN BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT) AND THE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAS VERY SELDOM SEEN BUSHINGS IN THE SUSPENSION BREAK WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON THE CAR. MY CAR IS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. I COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION BUT WAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED UNTIL THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE. I AM QUITE HAPPY THAT THE MECHANIC WHO DOES MY BRAKES NOTICED THE CONTROL ARMS. I ASKED CHRYSLER TO CHECK THEM WHILE MY TRANSMISSION WAS BEING REPAIRED, IF NOT, THEY WOULD NEVER HAVE CHECKED. THE SUSPENSION IS OF COURSE, NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY ANY LONGER. REPAIR COSTS WERE NEARLY $600. *NM
PT CRUISER LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS SHOT WITH ONLY 32000 MILES. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. A DEFECT IN THE BUSHING MATERIAL IS SUSPECT AND FAILURE CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL. *NM
I HAVE A 2003 PT CRUISER THAT JUST WENT OUT OF POWER TRAIN WARRANTY 7K MILES AGO-WITH NO WARNING, NO HESITATION, LACK OF POWER, MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TAKING THE CONVERTER, PUMP AND TORQUE CONVERTER-LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION! I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE IN 1,2,3,D OR R-NOW I AM STUCK WITH A $2643.50 B…
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I HAVE A 2003 PT CRUISER THAT JUST WENT OUT OF POWER TRAIN WARRANTY 7K MILES AGO-WITH NO WARNING, NO HESITATION, LACK OF POWER, MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TAKING THE CONVERTER, PUMP AND TORQUE CONVERTER-LEAVING ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION! I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE IN 1,2,3,D OR R-NOW I AM STUCK WITH A $2643.50 BILL. MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE CONSTANTLY VIBRATES, BEEN TO SHOP NUMEROUS TIME TO RESOLVE BUT NO BODY CAN FIND ANYTHING-TIRES ARE FINE, CV JOINT, NOTHING CAN BE FOUND. I AM ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE-MY SEAT BELT UNBUCKLES BY ITSELF, POSSIBLY LEAVING ME WITH NO RESTRAINT IN THE POSSIBILITY OF A WRECK. I AM FILING COMPLAINTS WITH CHRYSLER, BBB, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, NHTS, LEMON LAW AND ANYTHING ELSE I CAN FIND- *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A KNOCKING SOUND IS HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO REVERSE, OR WHEN A STOP, AND THEN PLACED INTO PARK. THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLS AFTER EACH START AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE SKIM MODEL IN TH…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A KNOCKING SOUND IS HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO REVERSE, OR WHEN A STOP, AND THEN PLACED INTO PARK. THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLS AFTER EACH START AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE SKIM MODEL IN THE COMPUTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/05/06. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 2/28/2006 - *NM
REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES, CAUSING SLOP IN CONTROL ARM, WHEEL CAMBER TO VARY DURING OPERATION AND AUTO TO TEND TO WANDER ON ROAD (ALONG WITH THE SOUND OF METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT IN THE SUSPENSION). DC DEALER REFUSED TO COVER REPLACEMENTS AS A DEFECTIV…
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REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-RIGHT AND LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES, CAUSING SLOP IN CONTROL ARM, WHEEL CAMBER TO VARY DURING OPERATION AND AUTO TO TEND TO WANDER ON ROAD (ALONG WITH THE SOUND OF METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT IN THE SUSPENSION). DC DEALER REFUSED TO COVER REPLACEMENTS AS A DEFECTIVE BUSHING (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND ADVISED ME ON 1/20/06 THAT THE PART IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE - ON BACK ORDER - 7,500 UNITS ON ORDER FROM SUPPLIER. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY WIDE-SPREAD FAILURE OF THIS BUSHING WITH THE RESULTANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO CAMBER CHANGES DURING OPERATION. - I HAVE ALSO BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS FAILURE CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE WATTS LINKAGE IN THE DRIVE TRAIN, AND EXCESSIVE WEAR OF TIRES.*AK
REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES, CAUSING SLOP IN CONTROL ARM, WHEEL CAMBER TO VARY DURING OPERATION AND AUTO TO TEND TO WANDER ON ROAD (ALONG WITH THE SOUND OF METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT IN THE SUSPENSION). THE BUSHING WAS REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIM…
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REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 35,000 MILES, CAUSING SLOP IN CONTROL ARM, WHEEL CAMBER TO VARY DURING OPERATION AND AUTO TO TEND TO WANDER ON ROAD (ALONG WITH THE SOUND OF METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT IN THE SUSPENSION). THE BUSHING WAS REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. AT 64,000 MILES 1/10/06) THE REAR BUSHING ON FRONT-LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM OF SUSPENSION FAILED CAUSING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I THEN INSPECTED THE REAR BUSHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE THAT WAS REPLACED AT 35,000 MILES AND DETERMINED THAT IT IS SHOWING INDICATIONS OF BEGINNINGS OF ANOTHER FAILURE. DC DEALER REFUSED TO COVER LEFT SIDE AS A DEFECTIVE BUSHING (OUT OF WARRANTY) AND ADVISED ME ON 1/16/06 THAT THE PART IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE - ON BACK ORDER - 7,500 UNITS ON ORDER FROM SUPPLIER. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY WIDE-SPREAD FAILURE OF THIS BUSHING WITH THE RESULTANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO CAMBER CHANGES DURING OPERATION. *JB
Official recalls
204V268000 · 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
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.