IllustrationBALL JOINT ARE MISSING
2004 Chrysler Pt Cruiser
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 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
390–25K
3825–50K
3550–75K
2175–100K
23100–150K
8150K+
164 reports with mileage · 53 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 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports15 fire reports14 injury reports
Suspension complaints
36 reportsWHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING, THE CAR WILL JERK TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT WITHOUT PROBACATION. VECHILE ACCELERATES WITHOUT FOOT BEING ON THE PEDAL. ONE TIME I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE STARTING REVING. I HAD TO USE BOTH FEET WITH EXTREME FORCE TO SLOW THE C…
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WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING, THE CAR WILL JERK TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT WITHOUT PROBACATION. VECHILE ACCELERATES WITHOUT FOOT BEING ON THE PEDAL. ONE TIME I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE STARTING REVING. I HAD TO USE BOTH FEET WITH EXTREME FORCE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. FINALLY, I JUST THREW THE CAR INTO PARK; ONCE IN PARK, THE CAR KEPT REVING. THE PEDAL WAS NOT PRESSED.THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THIS MAKES FOR UNSAFE DRIVING, AND ONLY DUE TO MY GOOD DRIVING SKILLS DID I AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V268000 (STEERING) AND 08E033000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER IT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V268000 (STEERING) AND 08E033000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALLS HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 3/31/15*CN UPDATED 7/8/2015*JS
ROUGH IDLE AT STOPPED INTERSECTIONS, LUNGES AND STALLS. STALLS A APPROXIMATELY 15-25 MPH WHILE MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND STARTING THE ENGINE AGAIN. THE FOG LIGHTS TURN ON BY ITSELF AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF DRAINING THE …
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ROUGH IDLE AT STOPPED INTERSECTIONS, LUNGES AND STALLS. STALLS A APPROXIMATELY 15-25 MPH WHILE MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND STARTING THE ENGINE AGAIN. THE FOG LIGHTS TURN ON BY ITSELF AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF DRAINING THE BATTERY. HAD TO DISCONNECT THE FUSE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. TO THIS DATE NON-FUNCTIONAL FOG LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FROM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NOT FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING TO RADIO AND CLIMATE CONTROL NOT WORKING UNTIL YOU STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT OFF. THEN START THE VEHICLE AGAIN THEN IT WORKS PROPERLY FOR ANOTHER FEW DAYS. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. WHEEL BEARING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE TOO AND CURRENTLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER CAR, BUT ONCE IT GOT CLOSE TO 50,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, THANK GOD IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THEN WHEEL BEARING, CONTROL ARM, MOTOR MOUNT, SWAY BAR BUSHING, RACK AND PINON, ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT OF THIS CAR HAS BEEN REPLACED. WHEN CONTACTING CHRYSLER THEY SAY THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF R…
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COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER CAR, BUT ONCE IT GOT CLOSE TO 50,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, THANK GOD IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THEN WHEEL BEARING, CONTROL ARM, MOTOR MOUNT, SWAY BAR BUSHING, RACK AND PINON, ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT OF THIS CAR HAS BEEN REPLACED. WHEN CONTACTING CHRYSLER THEY SAY THERE HAS BEEN ALOT OF RECALLS FOR THE FRONT END SUPENSION BUT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT FALL UNDER IT. THINGS THAT SHOULD OF NOT WORN OUT THIS SOON HAS WORN OUT, I JUST HAD TO DO THE BUSHING IN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AFTER REPLACING THE WHOLE CONTROL NOT OVER 2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE MAX OUT 2 FIRESTONE CREDIT CARDS TRYING TO KEEP MY CAR ON THE ROAD. LOVE THE DESIGN BUT HATE THAT I JUST CAN NOT DEPEND ON THIS CAR... PS I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR AND IT HAS LESS THAN 82,000 MILES ON IT TODAY 06/19/2012. *JS
MY PT CRUISER HAS HAD TO HAVE ALL OF THE FRONT END REPLACED, CAR STARTED ACTING UP AT 50,000 MILES AND I NOW HOW ALMOST 81,000 AND I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT END EXCEPT THE CV JOINTS, WHICH I HOPE DOES NOT NEED AFTER I SEND THIS. I JUST HAD TO HAVE THE RACK AND PINION DONE. WHEN SPEAKING WITH CHRYSLER DIRECTLY THEY …
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MY PT CRUISER HAS HAD TO HAVE ALL OF THE FRONT END REPLACED, CAR STARTED ACTING UP AT 50,000 MILES AND I NOW HOW ALMOST 81,000 AND I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT END EXCEPT THE CV JOINTS, WHICH I HOPE DOES NOT NEED AFTER I SEND THIS. I JUST HAD TO HAVE THE RACK AND PINION DONE. WHEN SPEAKING WITH CHRYSLER DIRECTLY THEY STATE THAT THE PT CRUISER HAS HAD A LOT OF RECALLS DUE TO FRONT END, BUT I AM TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL IN THE MIX. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF MY PT CRUISER. I HAVE REPLACED PARTS ON MY CAR STARTING BACK IN 2010 EARLY 2011. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BEING REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON EACH OCCASION, BUT WAS NEVER GIVEN A REASON AS TO WHY THE FAILURES OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE BEING REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON EACH OCCASION, BUT WAS NEVER GIVEN A REASON AS TO WHY THE FAILURES OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,432.
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WORN ,EXTREMELY CLEARANCE(WHEEL MOVES APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH TOP TO BOTTOM WHEN SHAKING IT). WILL REPLACE BEARINGS SOON. NOTICED WHILE REPLACING FRONT BRAKES AT 35,508 MILES. A SEALED WHEEL BEARING SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT AT THIS LOW MILEAGE UNLESS DEFECT IN BEARING OR MANUFACTURES DESIGN. *TR
HAVE REPLACED CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS THREE TIMES, STARTING AT 28,000. CAR HAS 74,000 NOW. I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THIS WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. BREAKS HAVE TO BE CHANGED EVERY YEAR. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A BROKEN AXLE. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS AND NEVER BROKE AN AXLE!! THIS CAR IS TOO HEAVY FOR IT'S MEDIOCRE AND UNSAFE…
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HAVE REPLACED CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS THREE TIMES, STARTING AT 28,000. CAR HAS 74,000 NOW. I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THIS WELL KNOWN PROBLEM. BREAKS HAVE TO BE CHANGED EVERY YEAR. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A BROKEN AXLE. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS AND NEVER BROKE AN AXLE!! THIS CAR IS TOO HEAVY FOR IT'S MEDIOCRE AND UNSAFE SUSPENSION. *TR
MY 2004 PT CRUISER NEEDS THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED AGAIN AFTER APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. THE BEARINGS ARE SHOT AND YOU HAVE TO BUY A WHOLE ASSEMBLY RATHER THAN AN INDIVIDUAL BEARING. I'VE SPOKEN TO NUMEROUS OWNERS AND THEY TOO HAVE THIS PROBLEM IS THERE A CHANCE OF A RECALL?? *TR
Official recalls
104V268000 · 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.
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
1PE04028 · 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.