Model year record

2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 292 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V268000

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections

Component
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
438,391
Reported to NHTSA
2004-06-03
Owners notified
2004-09-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system3877,444 mi
Steering1886,000 mi
Exterior lighting1756,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1736,884 mi
Engine15106,000 mi
Air bags11160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1030,000 mi
Suspension1049,500 mi
Suspension: front840,000 mi
Unknown or other821,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine78,529 mi
Tires774,219 mi
Wheels743,000 mi
Power train650,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission517,901 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic512,000 mi
Structure5100 mi
Vehicle speed control5106,000 mi
Suspension: front: hub428,560 mi
Visibility4100 mi
Wheels: rim4600 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash321,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline322,530 mi
Power train: axle assembly352,437 mi
Seat belts371,000 mi
Seats33,600 mi
Service brakes321,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings259,585 mi
Power train: driveline217,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor215,000 mi
Steering: column2100,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections292,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm227,998 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2
Air bags: frontal130,000 mi
Child seat: base1
Electrical system: ignition15,187 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid11,620 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electronic stability control (ESC)1108,773 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline122,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system160,950 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor121,132 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment140,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: fog lights1
Exterior lighting: fog lights: switch160,490 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights148,742 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch175,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch130,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1600 mi
Fuel/propulsion system178,407 mi
Interior lighting161 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1600 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)124,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift170,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly117,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission124,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly117,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission: lubricant130,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly127,000 mi
Seat belts: front170,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1
Seats: mid/rear assembly16,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1100 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system158,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Structure: body: bumpers117,700 mi
Suspension: rear128,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal160,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1132,910 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: windshield115,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1600 mi

The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2005 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.