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2005 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chrysler Pt Cruiser do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 202.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

159 reports with mileage · 28 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 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports12 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

187 reports
60,000 miles · Oct 24, 2007
Suspension

MY 2005 PT CRUISER STARTED MAKING NOTICEABLE NOISES FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE DEALER HAS NOW TOLD US THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T KNOW THE ACTUAL MILEAGE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT IS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. THERE IS A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT ON THE NHTSA DATABASE FOR THE SAME MODEL YE…

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MY 2005 PT CRUISER STARTED MAKING NOTICEABLE NOISES FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE DEALER HAS NOW TOLD US THAT THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I DON'T KNOW THE ACTUAL MILEAGE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT IS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. THERE IS A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT ON THE NHTSA DATABASE FOR THE SAME MODEL YEAR, FOR THE SAME FRONT BEARING ISSUE, BUT I DID NOT CHECK OTHER YEARS. WHILE RESEARCHING ONLINE TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, I FOUND THE FOLLOWING LINK WHICH CONTAINS MANY INCIDENCES OF PT CRUISER FRONT BEARING FAILURES WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHRYSLER-PT-CRUISER/TIL09OD8D72ERULQA *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206783

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2007
Electrical System

05 PT CRUISER HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE FEB 05 (BOUGHT NEW.) THE FIRST TIME I FILLED UP, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. REFERRING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, I RESTARTED THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. AT THE FIRST OIL CHANGE, I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE GAS CAP WAS PROBABLY LOOSE.…

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05 PT CRUISER HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE FEB 05 (BOUGHT NEW.) THE FIRST TIME I FILLED UP, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. REFERRING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, I RESTARTED THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. AT THE FIRST OIL CHANGE, I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE GAS CAP WAS PROBABLY LOOSE. OK -- MAYBE. THEY RE-SET THE COMPUTER AND DOWNLOADED A SOFTWARE UPDATE FROM CHRYSLER. WITHIN 3 DAYS, THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. TOOK IT IN & RESET AND WAS TOLD AGAIN IT WAS PROBABLY THE CAP. NOT -- I MADE SURE THE CAP WAS TIGHT AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. OVER THE NEXT YEAR, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME ON AT LEAST ONCE BETWEEN EACH OIL CHANGE. SOME TIMES IT STAYS ON THE ENTIRE TIME, SOMETIMES IT COMES ON AND GOES OFF TWO OR THREE TIMES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS (2 DIFFERENT DEALERS) CAN FIND NO STORED CODE, NOR CAN THEY REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY -SET THE COMPUTER EACH TIME. I'VE ALSO HAD BOTH THE REAR WINDOWS OPEN WITHOUT NOTICE SEVERAL DIFFERENT TIMES UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. ONCE, THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR WINDOW STAYED OPEN FOR NEARLY 40 MIN BEFORE CLOSING ON ITS OWN. USUALLY HAPPENS UPON FIRST STARTING THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE RACK & PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE OF A FAILED SENSOR EARLIER THIS YEAR. 3 MONTHS AGO, THE CAR STARTED STALLING WITHIN 5 MILES OF STARTING. SOMETIMES, THE ENTIRE MOTOR SHUTS DOWN; SOMETIMES I JUST LOOSE 1000-1500 RPMS. AFTER POPPING THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE IS FINE FOR HOWEVER LONG I WANT TO DRIVE. AGAIN, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS MONTH (10-07) A 3RD DEALER REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR AND A NEW FACTORY SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD, AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A WEEK. THE CAR SEEMED TO RUN MUCH BETTER FOR 10 DAYS, THEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. SO FAR, IT HASN'T STALLED AGAIN. I'LL TAKE IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE & HAVE THE COMPUTER RE-SET THIS WEEK. DO I HAVE A LEMON? *JB

NHTSA ODI #10205866

27,150 miles · Oct 5, 2007
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,150.

NHTSA ODI #10205065

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2007
Suspension

I OWN A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE WARRANTY IS UP AND I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE FRONT AXLE BEARING IS SHOT. MY MECHANIC WAS VERY SHOCKED TO DISCOVER THIS ON SUCH A NEW CAR AND SAID IT WAS VERY UNSAFE. I AM VERY UPSET WITH CHRYSLER SINCE I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE…

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I OWN A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE WARRANTY IS UP AND I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE FRONT AXLE BEARING IS SHOT. MY MECHANIC WAS VERY SHOCKED TO DISCOVER THIS ON SUCH A NEW CAR AND SAID IT WAS VERY UNSAFE. I AM VERY UPSET WITH CHRYSLER SINCE I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE PT CRUISER AND HAPPENS ON EVERY MODEL AND YEAR. I HAVE READ ABOUT MANY EXACT SAME COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10203655

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

CUSTOMER BELIEVES HE HAD A FAULTY AIR BAG SYSTEM. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURIES TO HIMSELF AND TWO OTHER PASSENGERS. *KB THE CONSUMERS 2 CHILDREN WERE INJURED DUE TO THE SEAT BELT IMPACT. THE CONSUMER INJURED HIS KNEE AND SUFFERED A CONCU…

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CUSTOMER BELIEVES HE HAD A FAULTY AIR BAG SYSTEM. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURIES TO HIMSELF AND TWO OTHER PASSENGERS. *KB THE CONSUMERS 2 CHILDREN WERE INJURED DUE TO THE SEAT BELT IMPACT. THE CONSUMER INJURED HIS KNEE AND SUFFERED A CONCUSSION. *JB THE CONSUMER PROVIDED MULTIPLE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO PICTURES OF THE INJURED PARTIES. GEORGIA ACCIDENT REPORT. UPDATED 09/26/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10202628

2,000 miles · Aug 4, 2007
Wheels

THE RIMS ON MY 2005 PT CRUISER (22,000MILES) NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A GOODYEAR DEALER THAT MANY CHROME RIMS ARE CORRODED. I ALSO HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER PT OWNERS THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THEIR RIMS. HAS THERE BEEN A PROBLEM/RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10198504

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2007
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V149000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR). SHE HAS NOT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 36,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS INAPPLICABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10195114

25,000 miles · Jun 8, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE, A DRUMMING AND SQUEAKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD. THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED, YET THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 37,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10192754

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2007
Visibility

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE 2005 PT CRUISER FOR THE BACK WINDOWS. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE SO THAT THEY COULD HAVE THE PARTS THERE. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALER- LEN STOLLER IN WESTMINSTER, MD IT TOOK THEM AN HOUR OF ME SITTING AROUND TO TELL ME THAT THEY DID HAVE THE PARTS. THIS REALLY SUCKEED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10191784

71,000 miles · May 3, 2007
Exterior Lighting

BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AT SAME TIME. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME. BULBS RECEIVE MAJOR DAMAGE. MAJOR CHANCE FOR REAR END COLLISION WHEN BULBS BLOW. ANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS TYPE? THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189628

Official recalls

3

07V149000 · Visibility:glass, Side/rear

Apr 4, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR QUARTER GLASS ATTACHING FASTENERS MAY PULL THROUGH THEIR MOUNTS AND ALLOW THE GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE GLASS SEPARATES WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE OR INJURE A PEDESTRIAN.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR QUARTER GLASS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

04V481000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

Oct 8, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), 2.4L HIGH OUTPUT TURBOCHARGED ENGINE, AND 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSAXLE, MAY EXHIBIT INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND THE TRANSAXLE HOUSING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONTACT BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND THE TRANSAXLE HOUSING OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO PERFORATION OF THE BRAKE TUBE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE IN THE LEFT FRONT/RIGHT REAR CIRCUIT OF VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REVISED BRAKE TUBES. THE RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

04V268000 · 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

2

EA07004 · 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.