IllustrationPT CRUISER. VIBRATION AT CERTAIN SPEEDS WHILE UNDER ACCELERATION. *JB
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 reports2004 PT CRUISER BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGH, SOMETIMES SHAKING THE WHOLE VEHICLE. IT SEEMED LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL, BUT NEVER DID. IT WAS ALWAYS WORSE AFTER A CAR WASH OR DURING DAMP, OR HUMID WEATHER. I USED CARBON CLEANERS IN THE GAS, TOOK IT ON THE TURNPIKE, AS SUGGESTED BY THE DEALER, BUT IT CONTINUED. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE…
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2004 PT CRUISER BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGH, SOMETIMES SHAKING THE WHOLE VEHICLE. IT SEEMED LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL, BUT NEVER DID. IT WAS ALWAYS WORSE AFTER A CAR WASH OR DURING DAMP, OR HUMID WEATHER. I USED CARBON CLEANERS IN THE GAS, TOOK IT ON THE TURNPIKE, AS SUGGESTED BY THE DEALER, BUT IT CONTINUED. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT IN. THEY SAID CARBON HAD BUILT UP IN THE ENGINE AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY THE GASOLINE. I HAVE ALWAYS USED 87 OCTANE (AS SUGGESTED IN THE MANUAL) AND MOST OF THE TIME USED 2 GAS STATIONS. WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALER AS THEY WERE REPAIRING IT, HE SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER. I ONLY HAVE 23,000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT IS PARKED EVERY NIGHT IN A HEATED/COOLED /DRY GARAGE. I HAVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND FOLLOW THE MAINTENANCE B SCHEDULE FAITHFULLY.
THE KNOB ON THE DASH THAT CONTROLS THE POSITION FOR CIRCULATION OF HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONING FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT MOVE TO ANY POSITION TO THE LEFT. TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY PLAYED WITH IT BUT IS STILL A LITTLE STIFF WHEN TURNING TO LEFT. THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE HOW LONG IT WILL LAST. ALSO WAS INFORMED I…
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THE KNOB ON THE DASH THAT CONTROLS THE POSITION FOR CIRCULATION OF HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONING FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON BECAME STUCK AND WOULD NOT MOVE TO ANY POSITION TO THE LEFT. TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY PLAYED WITH IT BUT IS STILL A LITTLE STIFF WHEN TURNING TO LEFT. THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE HOW LONG IT WILL LAST. ALSO WAS INFORMED IF AND WHEN IT GOES IT WILL BE AN $800 JOB. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH DOESN'T COVER THIS JOB. SO SINCE WE WERE TOLD THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADJUST WERE WE WANT THE HEAT OR AIR TO CIRCULATE. ALSO MY SISTER HAS THE SAME YEAR PT AND SAID HER KNOB HAS BEEN STIFF LIKE THAT SINCE SEE PURCHASED IT NEW. SO I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. ALSO I'M NOT USUALLY ONE TO COMPLAIN THIS IS OUR SECOND PT, AND IT ISN'T OUR DEALERSHIPS FAULT THEY ARE REALLY GREAT. *JB
THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT WAS CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME, RESULTING IN THE BATTERY BEING DEAD. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES. THE 1ST TIME, THE DEALERSHIP SIMPLY CONNECTED THE SWITCH BACK TOGETHER. THE 2ND TIME, THE DEALERSHIP DID THE SAME THING AND TOLD US THAT WE COULD DISCONNECT T…
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THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT WAS CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME, RESULTING IN THE BATTERY BEING DEAD. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES. THE 1ST TIME, THE DEALERSHIP SIMPLY CONNECTED THE SWITCH BACK TOGETHER. THE 2ND TIME, THE DEALERSHIP DID THE SAME THING AND TOLD US THAT WE COULD DISCONNECT THE SWITCH IF IT OCCURRED AGAIN TO KEEP THE LIGHTS FROM STAYING ON. THE 3RD TIME I WAS UNABLE TO DISCONNECT THE WIRES AND HAD TO CUT THEM BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN AND I WAS ENROUTE TO FL FROM TN. THE DEALERSHIP IN FL WASN'T GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAD TO CUT THE WIRES MYSELF SO I COULD TRAVEL IN THE CAR. AFTER SOME CONSIDERATION, HOWEVER, THEY DECIDED TO FIX THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY. IT'S A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER AND HAS LESS THAN 8500 MILES ON IT. WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THIS CAR AT ALL! *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY LOST AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AND A RIM; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MANIFESTED REMOTE CONTROL PROBLEMS, AS WELL A CRACKED WINDSHIELD A BROKEN GAS TANK. I…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY LOST AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AND A RIM; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MANIFESTED REMOTE CONTROL PROBLEMS, AS WELL A CRACKED WINDSHIELD A BROKEN GAS TANK. IN ADDITION RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE, AND POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. *AK
MY WIFE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. SHE HIT A GUARD RAIL HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE HIT IT HARD ENOUGH TO BEND THE FRAME 3 INCHES OUT OF SQUARE. THIS RESULTED IN BODILY INJURY. *NM
2004 PT CRUISER STALLS WHEN STOPPING WITHOUT WARNING. STALLS WHEN TURNING CORNERS OR STOPPING FOR SIGNS AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS. ACCIDENTS ALMOST OCCURRED A NUMBER OF TIME. 2 SEPARATE DEALERS HAVE HAD THE CAR, THEY CANNOT MAKE IT DO IT? AT LEAST 10 TRIPS AND THE LAST 9 WITHOUT PAPERWORK BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY DON'T NEED IT UNTIL THEY …
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2004 PT CRUISER STALLS WHEN STOPPING WITHOUT WARNING. STALLS WHEN TURNING CORNERS OR STOPPING FOR SIGNS AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS. ACCIDENTS ALMOST OCCURRED A NUMBER OF TIME. 2 SEPARATE DEALERS HAVE HAD THE CAR, THEY CANNOT MAKE IT DO IT? AT LEAST 10 TRIPS AND THE LAST 9 WITHOUT PAPERWORK BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY DON'T NEED IT UNTIL THEY CHECK IT OUT. SOMETHING IS FISHY WITH THESE CARS. PRIVATE PARTY LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT DOWN SHIFTING WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING TO MINIMUM SPEED. DEALERS AND CHRYSLER ARE DENYING A PROBLEM. I AM GETTING RID OF THE AUTO AS IT IS TOO UNSAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. I HOPE MORE OWNERS OF THESE COMPLAIN AS TO GET SOMETHING DONE ASAP. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. *JB
SINCE SEPT. 22, 2005, I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES AND AND THE CAR SPUTTERS AND STALLS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 3 TIMES AND IT HAS BEEN TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER 3 TIMES AND IS THERE RIGHT NOT SINCE MONDAY OCTOBER 3, 2005. I BOUGHT IT IN FEBRUARY 2004 AND IT IS STILL …
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SINCE SEPT. 22, 2005, I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES AND AND THE CAR SPUTTERS AND STALLS. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 3 TIMES AND IT HAS BEEN TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER 3 TIMES AND IS THERE RIGHT NOT SINCE MONDAY OCTOBER 3, 2005. I BOUGHT IT IN FEBRUARY 2004 AND IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE "CAM SENSOR" HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, I WAS TOLD IT HAD A SHORT THAT WAS FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENED. THIS LAST TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE "CRANKSHAFT" WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED! IT'S LIKE THEY ARE REBUILDING MY CAR BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I FEEL THIS CAR IS TOO NEW TO BE GOING THROUGH THIS. I HAVE MISSED WORK BECAUSE OF IT. BEEN STRANDED ON THE STREET AND FREEWAY (VERY DANGEROUS). HAVE LOST SLEEP AND AM VERY DEPRESSED AND STRESSED ABOUT IT. I FEEL THIS IS A CASE FOR THE LEMON LAW IF THERE EVER WAS ONE. *NM
DT: THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP FOR POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE. THE BRAKES WERE MUSHY. WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD KIND OF GLIDE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID BRAKES HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BEFORE 15,000 MILES. THIS WAS NORMAL ON THIS VEHICLE.*AK *JB
AT 10 MONTHS OLD, PT CRUISER GT ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER REPLACED PLUGS AND WIRES. 2 WEEKS LATER LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK DEALER 2 WEEKS TO ORDER HEAD GASKET. DEALER LAPPED THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES AND REPLACED HEAD GASKET. NEXT DAY, ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. DEALER REPLACED THE WASTE GATE SOLENOID. DEALER CALLED…
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AT 10 MONTHS OLD, PT CRUISER GT ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER REPLACED PLUGS AND WIRES. 2 WEEKS LATER LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK DEALER 2 WEEKS TO ORDER HEAD GASKET. DEALER LAPPED THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES AND REPLACED HEAD GASKET. NEXT DAY, ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. DEALER REPLACED THE WASTE GATE SOLENOID. DEALER CALLED AND SAID CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. BEFORE I GOT THERE, DEALER CALLED ME BACK TO TELL ME THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. DEALER THEN DETERMINED THAT A VACUUM HOSE HAD SLIPPED OFF CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT TO GO ON. PRIOR TO 12 MONTHS, CAR WAS OUT OF SERVICE 15 DAYS, OFFICIALLY AT THE DEALER 5 TIMES. ALL FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. DEALER IS SUPPOSEDLY WORKING WITH CHRYSLER TO GET THE CAR BOUGHT BACK.
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.