I BOUGHT MY 2003 PT CRUISER TURBO GT IN AUGUST 2005. IN JANUARY 2006, AUGUST 2006 AND MAY 2007 I HAVE BEEN STRANDED DUE TO THE BATTERY FAILING. MECHANICS ARE BEFUTTLED BECAUSE CHARGING/STARTING SYSTEM CHECKS OUT OKAY ON DIAGNOSTIC. *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
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.
What owners actually said
258 reportsAIR CONDITIONER (A/C) COMPRESSOR FAILED AT 51,000 MILES. RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF COMPRESSOR, CONDENSER, LINE ORIFICE TUBE, MAP SENSOR, AND DRIER. TOTAL REPAIR $1,600. *AK
THE FOG LIGHTS IN THE CHRYSLER PT CRUISER SUDDENLY CAME ON AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. I BELIEVE THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCHES WERE DEFECTIVE IN PT CRUISERS AND NEED TO BE RECALLED. THE BATTERY COULD HAVE DIED IF I DID NOT PULL THE FUSE.*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE HOSES WERE REPAIRED THE FIRST THREE TIMES AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THE FOURTH TIME. DURING EACH FAILURE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM LOW TO SECOND GEAR AND THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE HOSES WERE REPAIRED THE FIRST THREE TIMES AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THE FOURTH TIME. DURING EACH FAILURE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM LOW TO SECOND GEAR AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE MECHANICS STATED THAT THE GEARS MALFUNCTIONED AND REPLACED EVERYTHING INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 61,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.*AK
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
NOT LONG AFTER I FIRST PURCHASED MY 2003 PT CRUISER ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, 2002, THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. EACH TIME, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND EACH TIME, IT WAS DETERMINED NOTHING WAS WRONG. AFTER THE FOURTH TIME, I WAS READY TO SEE ABOUT HAVING IT CLASSIFIED AS A LEMON IF IT HAPPENED ONE MORE TIME, BUT IT DIDN'T, UNTI…
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NOT LONG AFTER I FIRST PURCHASED MY 2003 PT CRUISER ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, 2002, THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. EACH TIME, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND EACH TIME, IT WAS DETERMINED NOTHING WAS WRONG. AFTER THE FOURTH TIME, I WAS READY TO SEE ABOUT HAVING IT CLASSIFIED AS A LEMON IF IT HAPPENED ONE MORE TIME, BUT IT DIDN'T, UNTIL RECENTLY. IN JANUARY 2007, I BELIEVE, I TOOK IT IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG. IN MARCH, I TOOK IT IN AND DEALER DETERMINED THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM WAS POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, WHICH WAS REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. BY THEN, ANOTHER SYMPTOM WAS THAT ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO INTERMITTENTLY, IT WOULD START, RUN FOR 5 SECONDS AND DIE. IF I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO RESET THE COMPUTER, IT WOULD START. ONE WEEK, I HAD IT TOWED IN BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T START. I DIDN'T RESET THE COMPUTER, BECAUSE I WANTED THEM TO SEE THE PROBLEM, BUT IT STARTED FOR THE DEALER, AND THEY DETERMINED NOTHING WAS WRONG. AFTER PROTESTING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED, DEALER AGREED TO TAKE IT IN TODAY, AND NOW THEY TELL ME THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, BUT THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE, AFTER IT'S INSTALLED, THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON YEARS AGO, AND DEVELOPED INTO THE ISSUE TODAY, WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED. ALSO, A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE ODOMETER THAT SAID "NO BUS." *JB
PT CRUISER 2003 FOG LIGHTS CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING, BATTERY RAN DEAD, COST OVER $200 TO REPLACES THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. CHRYSLER MECHANICS WERE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND CLEARLY WERE ENJOYING THE PROFITS. THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY WAY. I SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION TO CHRYSLER, WHICH THEY …
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PT CRUISER 2003 FOG LIGHTS CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING, BATTERY RAN DEAD, COST OVER $200 TO REPLACES THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. CHRYSLER MECHANICS WERE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND CLEARLY WERE ENJOYING THE PROFITS. THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR OR PARTICIPATE IN ANY WAY. I SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION TO CHRYSLER, WHICH THEY REJECTED BECAUSE THE CAR HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. REFERENCE NUMBER: 16043282, EMAIL CASE NUMBER: 1688956. OBVIOUSLY, THE NUMBER OF MILES ON THE CAR HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TURN SIGNAL STALK WEARING OUT! THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A POORLY-DESIGNED PART, JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. WHILE I APPRECIATED THAT MY WARRANTY WAS UP, PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE SHOULD RECEIVE ACTIVE CONSIDERATION FOR COMPENSATION. THIS WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE OR BREAK CHRYSLER, ALTHOUGH IT HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON ME. I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HAVING ME TELL PEOPLE HOW IMPRESSED I AM WITH YOUR SUPPORT FOR SUCH A SITUATION, RATHER THAN TELL THEM THEY SHOULD AVOID CHRYSLER PRODUCTS BECAUSE THEY COULD EASILY FIND THEMSELVES IN MY SITUATION. I PLAN TO MAKE GOOD ON MY STATEMENT TO PURSUE OTHER AVENUES OF SATISFACTION. WAS THERE ANYTHING YOU COULD DO TO HELP? *AK
I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 PT GT TURBO CRUISER AND HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE LIGHTS HAVE NEVER STOPPED FLICKERING SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CHRYSLER REPAIR FACILITIES WERE NICE TO DEAL WITH BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED CHRYSLER…
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I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 PT GT TURBO CRUISER AND HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE LIGHTS HAVE NEVER STOPPED FLICKERING SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CHRYSLER REPAIR FACILITIES WERE NICE TO DEAL WITH BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED CHRYSLER PRODUCTS AND THROUGHOUT THE YEARS HAVE PURCHASED QUITE A FEW, AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE THIS WILL BE MY LAST CHRYSLER PRODUCT.
WHILE LETTING MY CAR WARM UP, WITH THE HEATED SEATS ON LOW, THE DRIVERS SEAT STARTED SMOLDERING, AND FILLED THE CAR WITH SMOKE. I PHONED 911 FOR THE FIRE TRUCK. THE CUSHION UNDER THE LEATHER UPHOLSTERY DISINTEGRATED UNDER THE HEAT. THE CAR IS A 2003 PT CRUISER GT TURBO, WITH ONLY 23000 KM. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED MY DEALER, YE…
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WHILE LETTING MY CAR WARM UP, WITH THE HEATED SEATS ON LOW, THE DRIVERS SEAT STARTED SMOLDERING, AND FILLED THE CAR WITH SMOKE. I PHONED 911 FOR THE FIRE TRUCK. THE CUSHION UNDER THE LEATHER UPHOLSTERY DISINTEGRATED UNDER THE HEAT. THE CAR IS A 2003 PT CRUISER GT TURBO, WITH ONLY 23000 KM. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED MY DEALER, YET. *JB
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
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.
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