IllustrationTL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE OIL GAUGE READS EMPTY AND NEEDED TO REFILLED EVERY TWO WEEKS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HEATED UP VERY QUICKLY AND THE ENGINE GOT VERY HOT. *AK
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
What owners actually said
217 reportsTL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 PT CRUISER, THE CHROME IS LIFTING OFF THE WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND ADVISED HIM TO CALL NHTSA HOTLINE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE CHROME WAS NOTICEABLE WHEN HE PURCHASED THE CAR. THE AUTOMOBILE IS TWO YEARS OLD AND HE IS THE SECOND OWNER.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AT 2 MPH, THE FRONT BUMPER STRUCK A CONCRETE BARRIER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FRONT BUMPER SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE, AND THE POLICE WERE NOT ALERTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AT 2 MPH, THE FRONT BUMPER STRUCK A CONCRETE BARRIER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FRONT BUMPER SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE, AND THE POLICE WERE NOT ALERTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
WIFE, DRIVING INTO REGULAR PARKING SPOT @ WORK. SPEED 10 -15 MPH. APPLIED BRAKE AND THE VECHILE "LUNGED"FORWARD. STRIKING THE CURB. DAMAGE APPEARED MINIMAL. BUT WAS QUITE EXTENSIVE UNDERNEATH. BUT THERE WAS QUITE A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE SUBFRAME AND UNDERSIDE OF FRONT, NOT VISABLE EXTERNALLY. CAUSE....WE THINK. A BABY…
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WIFE, DRIVING INTO REGULAR PARKING SPOT @ WORK. SPEED 10 -15 MPH. APPLIED BRAKE AND THE VECHILE "LUNGED"FORWARD. STRIKING THE CURB. DAMAGE APPEARED MINIMAL. BUT WAS QUITE EXTENSIVE UNDERNEATH. BUT THERE WAS QUITE A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE SUBFRAME AND UNDERSIDE OF FRONT, NOT VISABLE EXTERNALLY. CAUSE....WE THINK. A BABY BOTTLE ROLLED FROM THE BACK SEAT AND LODGED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN THE PT CRUISER, THERE IS A CLEAR PASSAGE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. WE ARE SURE THAT THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF OUR INCIDENT. I HAVE INSTALLED A HARDBOARD "STOP" UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT TO PREVENT A REOCCURANCE. PASSENGER SIDE HAS A STORAGE DRAWER AND THUS IS NOT A PROBLEM. HAS THERE BEEN OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE THE CAUSE COULD BE AN OBJECT ROLLING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER AREA AND GETTING JAMED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL? *NM
ON OCTOBER 4, 2006, I HAD NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE ON THE PT CRUISER WAS STILL READING FULL AND I KNEW AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A WEEK IT SHOULD BE READING EMPTY. I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE GAUGE READ "FULL" BUT WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES IT WOULD READ "EMPTY"; IT EVEN READ 1/2 FULL A COUPLE OF TIMES. ON OCTOBER 5,2…
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ON OCTOBER 4, 2006, I HAD NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE ON THE PT CRUISER WAS STILL READING FULL AND I KNEW AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A WEEK IT SHOULD BE READING EMPTY. I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN I ACCELERATED, THE GAUGE READ "FULL" BUT WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES IT WOULD READ "EMPTY"; IT EVEN READ 1/2 FULL A COUPLE OF TIMES. ON OCTOBER 5,2006, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DAVE DENNIS CHRYSLER JEEP AND DODGE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. ACCORDING TO THE WORKORDER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE "FUEL SENDING UNIT". AT THAT TIME, I HAD ALSO ASKED FOR THEIR FREE 16 POINT CHECK WHICH INVOLVES CHECKING FLUID LEVELS AND TIRE AIR PRESSURE, ETC. THIS SERVICE WAS NOT PERFORMED BECAUSE THE NEXT MORNING WE HAD TO STOP FROM OUR ROAD TRIP TO PUT AIR IN ALL 4 TIRES. THE FRONT PASSENGER ONLY HAD 10PSI IN IT. ON OCTOBER 27, 2006 I HAD TO RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALER AGAIN AFTER I HAD FILLED THE GAS TANK TO CAPACITY. THE FUEL GUAGE WAS ONLY READING 3/4 FULL. ONCE AGAIN THEY REMOVED AND REPLACED THE "FUEL SENDING UNIT". I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HATCH DOOR ON THE PT. YOU HAVE TO USE MORE THAN NORMAL FORCE TO MAKE SURE IT IS CLOSED SECURELY. IF YOU USE REGULAR FORCE TO CLOSE THE HATCH, THE DOOR IS FLUSHED WITH THE REST OF THE CAR BUT THE SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON STATING THAT THE DOOR IS NOT CLOSED CORRECTLY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT ALONG THE STRESS POINTS ON THE HATCH DOOR THE PAINT HAD CRACKED. THE BODY SHOP SANDED AND REPAINTED THE DOOR BUT SAID THE FORCE USED TO SHUT THE DOOR IS A "FACTORY" ISSUE. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. IT WAS DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT BRAKE SHOP WHO DETERMINED A HOSE RUPTURED AND THE HOSE WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED. THERE WA…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. IT WAS DRIVEN OFF THE ROAD AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IT WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT BRAKE SHOP WHO DETERMINED A HOSE RUPTURED AND THE HOSE WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V481000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES; HYDRAULIC; ANTILOCK. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
MY 2004 PT CRUISER NOT STEERING CORRECTLY AND FRONT END NOISES NOT NORMAL. DEALER ON SECOND TEST REPLACED BOTH FRONT HUBS AND BEARINGS BECAUSE OF WORN OUT BEARING SEATS MILEAGE 15,468. *NM
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR. PURCHASED NEW WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE ENTIRE HUB ASSEMBLY AND EVEN A WHOLE NEW AXLE. HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THE AXLE IS TOO SHORT AND IS COMING LOOSE RESULTING ON THE EXPEDITED WEAR ON THE BEARINGS CAUSING A NEED FOR A W…
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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR. PURCHASED NEW WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE ENTIRE HUB ASSEMBLY AND EVEN A WHOLE NEW AXLE. HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THE AXLE IS TOO SHORT AND IS COMING LOOSE RESULTING ON THE EXPEDITED WEAR ON THE BEARINGS CAUSING A NEED FOR A WHOLE NEW ASSEMBLY. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. *NM
I HAVE OWNED A MANUAL SHIFT 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER SINCE JAN 2004. IN JUNE OF 2006 THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACK IN OUR DRIVEWAY. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT GEAR IT IS IN. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER WHO AT FIRST SAID IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN. THEN THEY SAW IT WITH THEIR OWN EYES. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS THE CLU…
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I HAVE OWNED A MANUAL SHIFT 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER SINCE JAN 2004. IN JUNE OF 2006 THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACK IN OUR DRIVEWAY. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT GEAR IT IS IN. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER WHO AT FIRST SAID IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN. THEN THEY SAW IT WITH THEIR OWN EYES. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WAS THE CLUTCH SLIPPING. TWO DAYS LATER I HAD PAID FOR A NEW CLUTCH AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL BACK ANYMORE, EVEN WHEN THEY PUSHED ON IT. I WAS TOLD TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE AT LEAST 3 CLICKS FOR THE NEXT 3 DAYS UNTIL THE CLUTCH HAD SETTLED IN. THREE WEEKS LATER I PARKED ON MY DRIVE OF NORMAL SLOPE AND RAN INSIDE FOR 5 MINUTES. WHEN I RETURNED THE VEHICLE WAS 3/4 DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THEIR SERVICE MANAGER AND MECHANIC HAD BEEN TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT THE ROLL BACK IS NORMAL FOR THAT CAR. WHEN ASKED WHY IT NEVER DID IT BEFORE I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE HAD GOTTEN OLDER AND MORE LOSE AND THAT ALL THE PT CRUISERS ROLL BACK. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEALER WHO HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CHRYSLER. I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER BUT THEY ARE STILL STANDING THEIR GROUND SAYING THAT THE ROLL BACK IS NORMAL. NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING EVEN A 2006 MANUAL SHIFT PT CRUISER CAN BE SEEN ROLLING BACK WHEN THEY PUT IT ON A SLOPE IN THEIR SHOP. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. IT COULD ACTUALLY CAUSE A DEATH IF THERE WAS A CHILD PLAYING NEAR THE VEHICLE OR EVEN INJURY TO AN ADULT. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE ROLLED, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SAFETY BELT, BUT STILL INCURRED MUSCULAR AND NEUROLOGICAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DET…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE ROLLED, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SAFETY BELT, BUT STILL INCURRED MUSCULAR AND NEUROLOGICAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
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.