NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
258 reportsMileage unknown · Jun 30, 2004
Steering
CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER HEARING THAT THE PT CRUISER WAS ON RECALL HE PHONED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED THE RECALL. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM HE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS NOT ON RECALL, BUT THAT HE SHOULD REPORT THE PROBLEM TO MANUFACTURER. WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL…
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CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER HEARING THAT THE PT CRUISER WAS ON RECALL HE PHONED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED THE RECALL. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM HE WAS EXPERIENCING WAS NOT ON RECALL, BUT THAT HE SHOULD REPORT THE PROBLEM TO MANUFACTURER. WHEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. HE DID NOT FEEL VERY SECURE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND WAS URGED TO WAIT BEFORE BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN, AND TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10080246
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2004
Equipment
ODOR OR SMELL IN A/C SYSTEM. DEALER TELLS US THAT IT IS MOLD AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10079014
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO DRIFT OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10079955
Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
I SMELL STRONG FUEL WHILE DRIVING. AS FAR AS I CAN RECALL, THE SMELL OCCURS WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. SINCE I LIVE IN TEXAS, MY AIR CONDITIONING IS ALMOST ALWAYS ON, SO THE FUEL SMELL IS A CONSTANT REMINDER. I CHECKD IF MY AIR CIRCULATION KNOB IS TURNED TO INTERIOR ONLY. THAT DIDN'T MATTER. THE SMELL OF FUEL IS THERE WHE…
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I SMELL STRONG FUEL WHILE DRIVING. AS FAR AS I CAN RECALL, THE SMELL OCCURS WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. SINCE I LIVE IN TEXAS, MY AIR CONDITIONING IS ALMOST ALWAYS ON, SO THE FUEL SMELL IS A CONSTANT REMINDER. I CHECKD IF MY AIR CIRCULATION KNOB IS TURNED TO INTERIOR ONLY. THAT DIDN'T MATTER. THE SMELL OF FUEL IS THERE WHETHER AIR CIRCULATION IS EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO FUEL/GASOLINE DELIVERY PROBLEMS FOR MAKE : CHRYSLER MODEL : PT CRUISER YEAR : 2002 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V215000 RECALL DATE : AUG 07, 2002 COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY I DON'T KNOW IF MY PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS 2002 MODEL RECALLS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ADVISE. I COULDN'T TELL IF THIS LEADS TO FIRE OR INJURY TO MYSELF AND FAMILY. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! *AK
NHTSA ODI #10078811
19,379 miles · Jun 24, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END. EACH TIME I MENTION THE NOISE TO THE DEALERSHIP DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON 12/30/04 AND1/7/04, I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES MADE NOISE ON THE PT CRUISERS. *AK ON 4/6/004 THE AUTO WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…
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WHEN DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END. EACH TIME I MENTION THE NOISE TO THE DEALERSHIP DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON 12/30/04 AND1/7/04, I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES MADE NOISE ON THE PT CRUISERS. *AK ON 4/6/004 THE AUTO WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THE CHARGE WAS $527.47. AFTER THE ROTORS WERE REPLACE THE NOIS CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED A SECOND TIME FOR SERVICE ON 6/15/04.
NHTSA ODI #10078752
19,819 miles · Jun 21, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
REPORTED ON 11/18/2003 TO SERVICE ADVISOR 15 TIMOTHY M COY SR OF NICK ABRAHAM CHRYSLER THAT PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THEY ADJUSTED BRAKE.IFE PARKED SUBJECT VEHICLE ON 4 GRADE PARKING LOT OR SLIGHT GRADE.*AK SHE SET PARKING BRAKE AND LEFT CAR PARKED, SHE RETURNED TO FIND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED 100 FT…
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REPORTED ON 11/18/2003 TO SERVICE ADVISOR 15 TIMOTHY M COY SR OF NICK ABRAHAM CHRYSLER THAT PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THEY ADJUSTED BRAKE.IFE PARKED SUBJECT VEHICLE ON 4 GRADE PARKING LOT OR SLIGHT GRADE.*AK SHE SET PARKING BRAKE AND LEFT CAR PARKED, SHE RETURNED TO FIND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED 100 FT. DOWN THE HILL AND WAS SITTING AGAINST PARKING LOT GUARD RAIL. CAR WAS LOCKED AND PARKING BRAKE LEVER WAS IN SAME POSITION AS SHE HAD LEFT IT. AFTER LOOKING AT CAR'S DAMAGE I TRIED PARKING BRAKE AND I FOUND THAT IT WOULD NOT HOLD AS WELL, IN SAME LEVER POSITION
NHTSA ODI #10078528
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT REAR BRAKE WAS LEAKING. MECHANIC REPLACED NEW CYLINDER AND CLEANED THE SURFACE OF THE BRAKE PADS. ONE MONTH LATER, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10079294
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2004
Steering
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL SKIPPED. CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10075842
12,300 miles · May 13, 2004
Power Train
2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 5 SPEED TURBO: ON 3 OCCASIONS, WITH THE CLUTCH IN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD UPON IGNITION. 1ST INCIDENT AROUND 12,000 MILES THEN AGAIN A FEW HUNDRED MILES LATER TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM & NOT TOO MOTIVATED TO FIX IT. WHAT DO I DO NOW? *AK
NHTSA ODI #10072555
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2004
SeatsInjury
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE RIGHT REAR SEAT, IT BECAME STUCK THEN RELEASED SUDDENLY CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO FALL AND SEVERELY INJURE HIS RIGHT WRIST. *PH *MR
NHTSA ODI #10066944
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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