NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
258 reports134,000 miles · Feb 3, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V268000( STEERING). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
NHTSA ODI #10562702
127,730 miles · Dec 18, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE APPROX. 2 YEARS. AT AN EARLIER TIME I HAD USED THE FOG LIGHTS TWICE WITH NO INCIDENT. LATER AND PRIOR TO 12/17/13 THE FOG LIGHT INDICATOR APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH WASN'T EVEN TURNED ON BUT THE LIGHT CAME ON BY THEMSELVES. I JIGGLED THE SWITCH AND THE LIGHTS AND INDICATOR WENT…
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I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE APPROX. 2 YEARS. AT AN EARLIER TIME I HAD USED THE FOG LIGHTS TWICE WITH NO INCIDENT. LATER AND PRIOR TO 12/17/13 THE FOG LIGHT INDICATOR APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE FOG LIGHT SWITCH WASN'T EVEN TURNED ON BUT THE LIGHT CAME ON BY THEMSELVES. I JIGGLED THE SWITCH AND THE LIGHTS AND INDICATOR WENT OUT, AFTER THAT THE FOG LIGHTS WOULDN'T WORK AT ALL. ON 12/17/13 I WENT OUT TO MY GARAGE TO FIND THE FOG LAMPS ON. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OFF, THE CAR NOT RUNNING, THE KEYS WEREN'T EVEN IN THE IGNITION. THE LIGHTS JUST CAME ON BY THEMSELVES. I MANAGED TO TURN THEM OFF (FOR THE NIGHT) ONLY TO FIND WHEN I GOT TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING I COULDN'T SHUT THEM OFF. I DROVE THE CAR HOME, FINALLY PULLED THE FUSE FOR THE FOG LAMPS AND RETURNED TO WORK. I'VE ALSO HAD INCIDENCES WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS WILL DIM SLIGHTLY AND THEN ILLUMINATE FULLY. ACCORDING TO SOME OF THE FORUMS I'VE READ, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. SOME PEOPLE ALSO REPORT BURNING WIRES AND DEAD BATTERIES. I WISH THEY WOULD FILE A COMPLAINT. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556560
136,789 miles · Nov 20, 2013
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
SET CRUISE CONTROL AND THE CAR ACCELERATED RATHER THAN SET AT SPEED. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DESPITE APPLICATION OF BRAKES, INCLUDING EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH ONLY GOT IT DOWN TO 40 MPH. CAR HAD TO BE POPPED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO KEEP FROM CRASHING AND STOP THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10553098
94,000 miles · Jul 29, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
ABOUT 3 THREE YEARS AGO THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND THE RADIO LIGHT WOULD TOTALLY GO OUT. NOW THE FOG LIGHTS ARE COMING ON WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO A MECHANIC - HOPEFULLY THEY CAN FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532450
113,000 miles · May 9, 2013
Steering
FORTUNATELY AT A PARKING LOT INTERSECTION, THE RF TIE ROD END SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE CAUSING NO INJURY, DEATH OR ACCIDENT. THE BOLTED END WHICH FITS INTO THE SOCKET PULLED OUT FROM THE SOCKET. THERE WAS NO INDICATION AHEAD OF TIME THE TIE ROD END WAS NEAR FAILURE. I HAD PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE LF TIRE ROD END. IN DO…
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FORTUNATELY AT A PARKING LOT INTERSECTION, THE RF TIE ROD END SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE CAUSING NO INJURY, DEATH OR ACCIDENT. THE BOLTED END WHICH FITS INTO THE SOCKET PULLED OUT FROM THE SOCKET. THERE WAS NO INDICATION AHEAD OF TIME THE TIE ROD END WAS NEAR FAILURE. I HAD PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE LF TIRE ROD END. IN DOING SO, I WAS APPALLED AT THE POOR DESIGN OF THE PART. CHRYSLER'S OBJECTIVE TO PRODUCE A LOW PRICE JUST BARELY ADEQUATE PART WAS OBVIOUS. TYPICALLY, THIS PART IS MADE FROM A FORGING, CHRYSLER CHOSE TO PRODUCE THE PART FROM STAMPED SHEET METAL. I REPLACED THE PART WITH A FORGED, AFTER MARKET PART FROM MOOG. IT IS MY OPINION THIS IS AN UNSAFE DESIGN. IT WAS VERY FORTUNATE THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHERE IT DID OTHERWISE, MY WIFE COULD HAVE KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511346
37,000 miles · Jun 13, 2012
EngineSteeringFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING ON THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING FUMES EMITTING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOSE AND MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING ON THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING FUMES EMITTING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOSE AND MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #10461626
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003PT CRUIZER AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY WATER GAUGE WENT INTO RED ,HAD TO PULL OVER LATER ON CHANGED THERMOSTAT AND FLUSHED RADIATOR,RAN FINE FOR A DAY THEN OVERHEATING AGAIN FOLLOWING DAY SEEMS TO BE NOTHING WRONG NO LEAKING,JUST HAD TRANI.FIXED 2 MONTHS,HUSBAND DROVE CAR AGAIN AFTER ABOUT SEVEN MILES CAR START…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2003PT CRUIZER AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY WATER GAUGE WENT INTO RED ,HAD TO PULL OVER LATER ON CHANGED THERMOSTAT AND FLUSHED RADIATOR,RAN FINE FOR A DAY THEN OVERHEATING AGAIN FOLLOWING DAY SEEMS TO BE NOTHING WRONG NO LEAKING,JUST HAD TRANI.FIXED 2 MONTHS,HUSBAND DROVE CAR AGAIN AFTER ABOUT SEVEN MILES CAR STARTED OVERHEATING AGAIN,WENT TO RED HAD TO PULL OVER FOR CAR TO COOL DOWN,WHAT IS GOING ON,DOES CHRYSLER HAVE ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM? *JS
NHTSA ODI #10460981
70,000 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Exterior Lighting
AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES THE FOG LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ON EVEN IN THE OFF POSITION. PLACING THE TURN SIGNAL IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE WOULD REMEDY SITUATION, FURTHER FIXED BY PULLING THE FOG LIGHT FUSE. LATTER ON AT 80,000 MILES THE LOW BEAMS FAILED AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. HIGH BEAMS WOULD WORK OR THE F…
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AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES THE FOG LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ON EVEN IN THE OFF POSITION. PLACING THE TURN SIGNAL IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE WOULD REMEDY SITUATION, FURTHER FIXED BY PULLING THE FOG LIGHT FUSE. LATTER ON AT 80,000 MILES THE LOW BEAMS FAILED AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. HIGH BEAMS WOULD WORK OR THE FOG LIGHTS WOULD WORK (AFTER PUTTING THE FUSE BACK IN). THE DANGER WAS FURTHER ENHANCED BY WHEN YOU WOULD USE THE TURN SIGNAL THE FOG LAMPS WOULD SHUT OFF. THIS WAS FIXED BY REMOVING THE MULTI-STICK FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW COMPONENT. ALL ISSUE WERE RESOLVED BY THIS FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454493
49,000 miles · Feb 7, 2012
Power Train
CAR IS MANUAL TRANS, MY WIFE DRIVES IT AND HAS COMPLAINED FOR QUITE A WHILE OF CAR JUMPING I TOLD HER IT WAS HER, THE CAR NEVER DID IT FOR ME DURING TEST DRIVES. IN JANUARY SWITCHED CARS WITH HER IT TOOK 2 WEEKS FOR IT TO HAPPEN. COMING TO A STOP CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. HAS ALSO TRIED TO ENGAGE ON ITS OWN AT LIGHTS. WENT TO …
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CAR IS MANUAL TRANS, MY WIFE DRIVES IT AND HAS COMPLAINED FOR QUITE A WHILE OF CAR JUMPING I TOLD HER IT WAS HER, THE CAR NEVER DID IT FOR ME DURING TEST DRIVES. IN JANUARY SWITCHED CARS WITH HER IT TOOK 2 WEEKS FOR IT TO HAPPEN. COMING TO A STOP CLUTCH WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. HAS ALSO TRIED TO ENGAGE ON ITS OWN AT LIGHTS. WENT TO DEALER THEY SAID NO RECALLS ARE OPEN ON CAR AND RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM WAS ALREADY DONE SO YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. SEEMS LIKE NEWER OF THE SAME PART WAS INSTALLED. CAR IS OFF THE ROAD AND I HAVE SAID MY SORRIES TO MY WIFE. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10447045
67,000 miles · Sep 2, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V076000 (POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY) AND WAS REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE CONTACT HAVING OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V076000 (POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY) AND WAS REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE CONTACT HAVING OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND THE SHIFTER CABLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
NHTSA ODI #10423047
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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