NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
217 reports50,000 miles · May 4, 2012
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MULTI-SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS CAUSING THE FOG LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MULTI-SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS CAUSING THE FOG LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10457524
74,300 miles · May 4, 2012
Electrical System
FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MODULE CAUSED FOG LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF AND IN THE DRIVEWAY, RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY. FOG LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN I CONNECTED JUMPER CABLES TO EXTERNAL BATTERY. FOG LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AS THE LIGHT CONTROL STEM ON THE MULTIFUNCTION MODULE IS WIGGLED. REMOVED FOG LIGHT FUSE TO PRE…
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FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH MODULE CAUSED FOG LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF AND IN THE DRIVEWAY, RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY. FOG LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN I CONNECTED JUMPER CABLES TO EXTERNAL BATTERY. FOG LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AS THE LIGHT CONTROL STEM ON THE MULTIFUNCTION MODULE IS WIGGLED. REMOVED FOG LIGHT FUSE TO PREVENT RECURRENCE UNTIL MULTIFUNCTION MODULE CAN BE REPAIRED/REPLACED. INTERNET SEARCH AND THIS SITE INDICATE THIS IS A PERSISTENT AND RECURRING PROBLEM ACROSS MANY PT CRUISER MODELS AND YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457482
50,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Power TrainSteeringSuspension
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
NHTSA ODI #10454659
85,000 miles · Nov 18, 2011
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER MADE AN ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT REFUSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. A LOCAL MECHANIC MADE AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE DEFECT ALSO BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER MADE AN ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT REFUSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. A LOCAL MECHANIC MADE AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE DEFECT ALSO BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10436370
69,482 miles · Oct 26, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
REPLACED THE "LEAK DETECTION PUMP" ON MARCH 20, 2010 AND AGAIN ON OCTOBER 26, 2011 *TT
NHTSA ODI #10432966
119,000 miles · Oct 25, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING OIL FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SEAL FAILED AND WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSUME ONE AND A HALF QUART OF OIL BETWEEN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LOOSING OIL FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SEAL FAILED AND WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSUME ONE AND A HALF QUART OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
NHTSA ODI #10432751
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2011
Suspension
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.
NHTSA ODI #10419721
95,200 miles · Aug 14, 2011
Exterior Lighting
THE FOG LAMPS WILL NOT TURN OFF. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, THE STEERING COLUMN HAD SMOKE COMING FROM IT AND IT SEEMS THAT AS A RESULT, THERE IS A SHORT IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WHICH CAUSED THE FOG LAMPS TO PERMANENTLY STAY ON. IT APPEARS THAT OTHER CHRYSLER PT CRUISER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. I HAVE INCLUDED A LINK REGA…
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THE FOG LAMPS WILL NOT TURN OFF. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, THE STEERING COLUMN HAD SMOKE COMING FROM IT AND IT SEEMS THAT AS A RESULT, THERE IS A SHORT IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WHICH CAUSED THE FOG LAMPS TO PERMANENTLY STAY ON. IT APPEARS THAT OTHER CHRYSLER PT CRUISER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. I HAVE INCLUDED A LINK REGARDING OTHER CHRYSLER CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER/TF81KHBDLDVT92AH2/P6. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10419338
115,000 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Electrical System
FOG LAMPS BEGAN FLICKERING ON AND OFF THEN THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT AS WELL AS THE REAR TAIL LIGHTING.
NHTSA ODI #10415828
90,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE BLOWING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, HER WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THAT TYPE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTUR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE BLOWING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, HER WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THAT TYPE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10401024
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.
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