NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
24 reportsClear category filter55,805 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT INSIDE OF THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. A NEAR CRASH ALMOST OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERED THREE YEARS AND 36,000 MILES. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT INSIDE OF THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. A NEAR CRASH ALMOST OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERED THREE YEARS AND 36,000 MILES. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS; HOWEVER, HE DOES NOT WANT TO PAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,805.
NHTSA ODI #10274649
30,000 miles · Apr 10, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEADGASKETS ON THE ENGINE ARE LEAKING. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS BEING REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264905
64,000 miles · Jul 10, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE'S TEMPERATURE GAUGE DIAL WOULD RISE ABOVE THE HALFWAY MARK. THE FAN HAD TO BE ACTIVATED IN ORDER FOR THE DIAL TO RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAN AND THERMOSTAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE'S TEMPERATURE GAUGE DIAL WOULD RISE ABOVE THE HALFWAY MARK. THE FAN HAD TO BE ACTIVATED IN ORDER FOR THE DIAL TO RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAN AND THERMOSTAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO RECALL REGARDING THIS FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,029 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
NHTSA ODI #10233804
81,013 miles · Apr 10, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH MY 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, BUT THE FINAL STRAW IS WHEN, AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK AND STARTING IT - THE CAR BACKFIRED AND BLEW THE PLUGS. COST TO REPLACE $2,900.00. THIS HAPPENING RIGHT AFTER I SPENT $1,400.00 TO REPLACE BUSHINGS AND TIE RODS. CHRYSLER CORPORATE ASKED ME TO TAKE IT TO ON…
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I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH MY 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, BUT THE FINAL STRAW IS WHEN, AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK AND STARTING IT - THE CAR BACKFIRED AND BLEW THE PLUGS. COST TO REPLACE $2,900.00. THIS HAPPENING RIGHT AFTER I SPENT $1,400.00 TO REPLACE BUSHINGS AND TIE RODS. CHRYSLER CORPORATE ASKED ME TO TAKE IT TO ONE OF THEIR DEALERS IN WHICH I DID. CHRYSLER CORPORATE NOR THE DEALER WILL DISCUSS THE FACTORY DEFECT STATING NO KNOW REASON FOR A VEHICLE TO BLOW TWO PLUGS WHEN IT ONLY HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224157
55,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility
THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2 YEAR OLD PT CRUISER HAS A VERY LARGE CRACK WHICH IS GETTING BIGGER EVERY DAY. THE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES. THE DIAGNOSTIC ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. THE AC STOPPED WORKING. HUFFINES CHRYSLER CHARGED ME OVER $500 TO REPAIR THE COOLING SYSTEM.*CN
NHTSA ODI #10213402
180 miles · Apr 26, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
SINCE NEW, FEB. 2005, MY 2005 PT CRUISER SHAKES AND STUMBLES AT IDLE. AT 180 MILES, THE ENGINE STOPPED IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED, BUT IT RAN EXTREMELY ROUGH. THE DEALER REPLACED A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE ENGINE HASN'T DIED SINCE, BUT I STILL EXPERIENCE ROUGH IDLE AND STUMBLE ON ACCELERATION.…
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SINCE NEW, FEB. 2005, MY 2005 PT CRUISER SHAKES AND STUMBLES AT IDLE. AT 180 MILES, THE ENGINE STOPPED IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED, BUT IT RAN EXTREMELY ROUGH. THE DEALER REPLACED A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE ENGINE HASN'T DIED SINCE, BUT I STILL EXPERIENCE ROUGH IDLE AND STUMBLE ON ACCELERATION. THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY CAN DO NO MORE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10188959
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 CHRYSLER, PT CRUISER. I HAVE EXPERIENCED ROUGH IDLING AT TIMES. LATELY, I AM EXPERIENCING STALLING WHILE DRIVING. I LOOSE ALL POWER I CAN PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT DOES NOTHING THEN IN A FEW SECONDS IT WILL GO. AT STOPS IT WILL ALMOST GO DEAD. I LOOKED ON THE WEB SITE AND SAW A LOT OF C…
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I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 CHRYSLER, PT CRUISER. I HAVE EXPERIENCED ROUGH IDLING AT TIMES. LATELY, I AM EXPERIENCING STALLING WHILE DRIVING. I LOOSE ALL POWER I CAN PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND IT DOES NOTHING THEN IN A FEW SECONDS IT WILL GO. AT STOPS IT WILL ALMOST GO DEAD. I LOOKED ON THE WEB SITE AND SAW A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FILED WITH MY PROBLEMS. I FEEL A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS BADLY INJURED BECAUSE THEIR PT CRUISER STALLS WHILE DRIVING! BELOW ARE THE ODI ID NUMBERS: 10102249, 10126616, 10138986, AND 10163025. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10188830
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. *KB THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED TWO DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE OCCURRED. A PASSERBY EXTINGUISHED THE SMALL FIRE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10169100
10,600 miles · Aug 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE ENGINE STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PCM MODULE TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED FOUR SPARK PLUGS AND VARIOUS WIRING TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.
NHTSA ODI #10166711
12,000 miles · Jan 16, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THE DEFECTS IN MY VEHICLE ARE PRIMARILY RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILING RESULTING IN THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. ALL OF THE POWER GOES OUT; THE ENGINE DIES AND COMES BACK ON AFTER EITHER A FEW MOMENTS OR A FEW MINUTES. DURING THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO BRAKE. THIS OCCURS INT…
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THE DEFECTS IN MY VEHICLE ARE PRIMARILY RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILING RESULTING IN THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. ALL OF THE POWER GOES OUT; THE ENGINE DIES AND COMES BACK ON AFTER EITHER A FEW MOMENTS OR A FEW MINUTES. DURING THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO BRAKE. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE AT SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE. TO DATE (1/16/2006) THIS HAS OCCURRED 18 TIMES ON MY VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT THEY ARE NOT CONFIDENT ON WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN WITNESSED BY OTHERS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN APRIL 2005. I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT AT AROUND 12000 MILES IN SEPTEMBER 2005. THIS PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT AND DC DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT. THEY OFFERED A SIMILAR 2005 PT BUT REFUSED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND SO FAR, THERE HAVE BEEN 9 SIMILAR OCCURRENCES OF THIS AND NONE HAVE BEEN SOLVED. THEREBY, I REFUSED TO TAKE ANOTHER 2005 PT CRUISER. I DO NOT HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE IN THE CAR SO IT SITS PARKED WHILE I MUST CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS WHILE THIS MATTER GOES THROUGH THE COURTS. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE ONLY ATTEMPTING WHAT DAIMLER CHRYSLER DIRECTED THEM TO DO. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH NO SUCCESS ON FOUR OCCASIONS (10/06-10/07, 10/20-10/24, 10/24-10/28, 11/07-11/17). THE DEALERSHIP PROMISED TO MAKE NECESSARY PART REPLACEMENTS AND THEN DRIVE IT ONE TO TWO HUNDRED MILES AFTER. THEY DID NOT DO EITHER. THEY SAID THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE MANPOWER TO HAVE SOMEONE DRIVE IT SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MOST TIMES THE CAR IS ON THE HIGHWAY FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE IT DIES. I HAVE GIVEN THE DEALERSHIP PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE FOR BOTH ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147830
NHTSA investigations
2EA07004 · Rear Quarter Panel Glass Separation
Opened Feb 16, 2007 · Closed Apr 5, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:glass, Side/rear
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) WILL RECALL MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 PT CRUISER VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 5/17/05 THROUGH 9/1/05 TO CORRECT A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE REAR QUARTER PANEL GLASS THAT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.DCC WILL INSPECT THE REAR QUARTER PANEL GLASS AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY.DCC WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING OWNERS IN MAY 2007. VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO AND AFTER THE ABOVE BUILD DATES ARE NOT AFFECTED.A CHANGE MADE BY THE ASSEMBLY PLANT IN MAY 2005 THAT MODIFIED THE GLASS ATTACHMENT LED TO THE POTENTIAL FOR GLASS SEPARATION.IN SEPTEMBER 2005, SUBSEQUENT CHANGES TO THE PROCESS WERE MADE TO CORRECT THIS.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.SEE RECALL 07V149 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
PE04028 · 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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