2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems

STEERING

POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING FROM THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE WHERE IT IS ROUTED UNDER THE ENGINE CASING. THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN WARN THROUGH BY RUBBING AGAINST ONE OF THE CLAMPS WHICH SECURE THE HOSE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE CASING. POWER STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING WHINING NOISES. POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WAS CHECKED. DIPSTICK WAS DRY.

NHTSA complaint #10928067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A HEAVY LEAK FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THAT THE FLUID WAS POWER STEERING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,295.

NHTSA complaint #10918642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 5 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,400.

NHTSA complaint #10851384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED AND SUDDENLY REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDERBODY PREMATURELY RUSTED AND COULD FRACTURE AT ANY MOMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CASING FOR THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID HAD TO BE CONSTANTLY ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,621.

NHTSA complaint #10762585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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FRONT SUB FRAME (CROSS MEMBER) BROKE APART AT WELD.

NHTSA complaint #10743592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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CENTER OF STEERING WHEEL (WHERE AIRBAG IS LOCATED) BECAME SO HOT THAT IT COULD NOT BE TOUCHED WITH YOUR BARE HAND. PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. WAITED UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN TO NORMAL TEMPERATURE THEN GOT BACK IN AND RESTARTED VEHICLE AND MOVED SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK FROM THE STEERING WHEEL JUST IN CASE. THE HEATING PHENOMENON DID NOT RECUR IN THE SHORT DRIVE HOME (5-10 MINUTES). HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. SCHEDULING A VISIT TO LOCAL DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NOTHING FOUND ON CHRYSLER RECALL INFORMATION AND EMAIL TO CHRYSLER GOT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER WITH PACKAGE 28G THAT INCLUDED SUPPLEMENTAL SIDE AIRBAGS.

NHTSA complaint #10649477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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MY CAR JUST SHUTS OFF LEAVING ME NO CONTROL TO STOP, TURN, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC BEHIND ME..... @ 55MPH TO NOTHING IS ASKING TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND. OR IF TURNING ACROSS A DIVIDED HIGHWAY, TO BE LEFT STUCK WITH 2 LANES OF SEMI COMING FOR ME AND MY KIDS. NOW IT SOMETIMES WONT EVEN DO ANYTHING WHEN I CRANK OVER THE IGNITION (LIKE THERE IS NO BATTERY) OR IF IT CRANKS AND STARTS IT WILL SHUT OFF RIGHT AWAY. IT WANTS TO IDLE DOWN AT STOPS AND STALL. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I LIKE N SPENT MORE MONEY TO HAVE TO BE TOLD THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. I READ OF SO MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WHO END UP JUNKING THESE CUZ THEY JUST STOP STARTING....SAD, WE NEED OUR CARS TO RUN. CHRYSLER KNOWS THEY R RIDDLED WITH SERIOUS ISSUES INCLUDING THE LIGHTS AND TRANSMISSIONS.....THESE ARE A BAD COMBINATION ON THE ROAD. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK @ SOME STATS! THANKS.

NHTSA complaint #10626759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND HEARD A METAL CLUNK NOISE, PROCEEDED ANOTHER BLOCK - FROM A STOP MADE A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO A HIGHWAY - AT THAT TIME A VERY LOUD METAL NOISE, NO BRAKES, NO STEERING, NO CONTROL OF VEH AT ALL. SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD WITHOUT ROLLING VEH, WHEELS TURNED OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, HAD VEH TOWED TO SHOP. ENGINE CRADLE WAS RUSTED OUT ON RIGHT SIDE AND GAVE WAY, WHICH DISCONNECTED STEERING CONTROL ARM AND AXEL FROM THE WHEELS, MECHANIC - STATED DRIPPING FROM AIR CONDITIONER HAD RUSTED THE PARTS ON THAT SIDE ONLY - REST OF UNDER VEH WAS IN GOOD SHAPE - STATED HAD SEEN THIS IN PT'S OFTEN - A KNOWN CHRYSLER ISSUE WITH THE PT CRUISERS AND THE NEONS ALSO - WHICH HAVE THE SAME PLATFORM. IF HAD BEEN GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD, POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT. OWN TWO OF THESE VEHS - TOOK THE SECOND VEH TO HAVE INSPECTED (ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES) - HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. RESEARCHED THE PT CRUISER FORUMS AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE. CHRYSLER IS NON RESPONSIVE - THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IS A DEADLY PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS UNREPAIRABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10619367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I PURCHASED A USED PT CRUISER THAT DROVE FINE UNTIL THE COMPONENTS NEAR THE POWER STEERING HOUSE TOUCHED AND CREATED A MAJOR LEAK AND CAUSED MY CAR TO SMOKE VERY BADLY CLOSE TO CAUSING A FIRE WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10596578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10594547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10594547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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FOR A MONTH I HAVE BEEN PUTTING POWER STEERING FLUID IN MY PT CRUISER AND WENT TO GET NEW TAGS AND COULD NOT PAS EMISSIONS BECAUSE OF A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I WAS SO UPSET I WENT TO THE SALON AND WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW I NEED TO GET MY VEHICLE CHECKED .. A WOMAN IN THE OFFICE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. I CHECKED AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. HOW DO I GET IT REPAIRED? WILL THEY HONOR IT ? IS THERE A LIST OF SPECIAL DEALERS? HELP I NEED TO PASS EMISSIONS TO KEEP MY CAR LEGAL.

NHTSA complaint #10575657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I BOUGHT A CAR FROM NORTH COAST AUTO MALL AND IT HAD A LOT OF SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THEY ENSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX THESE ISSUES IF I BOUGHT THE CAR. AFTER BUYING THE CAR, THEY HAVE HAD ME IN AND OUT OF THEIR SHOP 4 OR 5 TIMES TO WHICH THEY ONLY LUBE THE PARTS OR LIE TO ME CLAIMING THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN FIXED. I FEEL THAT THIS BUSINESS PRACTICE IS UNSAFE AND MISLEADING. THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED A CONTROL ARM TO WHICH GOODYEAR LATER (WHEN I WAS BUYING TIRES) INFORMED ME THAT MY CONTROL ARMS WERE BAD. I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS. NORTH COAST SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS THEY ARE SELLING UNSAFE CARS, CLAIMING TO REPAIR ISSUES AND THEN PUTTING ME IN AN UNSAFE CAR. 30 CLAIMS HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT SIMILAR ISSUES VIA THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR SAFETY REASONS.

NHTSA complaint #10575277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING HOSE RECALL NOTICE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING PROBLEMS TWICE, WHERE THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SAME HOSE, AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FIRST REPLACEMENT, DUE TO A RECALL HE DISCOVERED, WHICH WAS THE SAME ISSUE HE EXPERIENCED.

NHTSA complaint #10567322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE 2001 PT CRUISER, I HAD THE CONTROL BUSHINGS AND TIE ROD REPLACED AFTER I HAD THEM REPLACE IT TOOK ONLY ONE YEAR FOR THEM TO GO OUT AGAIN. I WILL NEVER BUY OR SUGGEST PURCHASING A PT CRUISER. THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS PAGE/SITE TO LIST COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA complaint #10563420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V268000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) BUT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10452262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

IN 2004 CHRYSLER RECALLED PT CRUISERS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS FOR A FAULT WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE WHICH CAUSED FIRES IN A FEW CARS. THEY DID NOT HOWEVER COVER 2001 PT CRUISERS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *TR LAST WEEK (8-20-09) MY WIFE DROVE TO THE POST OFFICE (2 MILES FROM HOME) AND SMELLED BURNING RUBBER, SHE DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY BACK HOME. I EXAMINED THE CAR THAT NIGHT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE DRIVE BELTS, TIRES, AND THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY LEAKS. I TOOK IT FOR A QUICK TEST DRIVE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. THE FOLLOWING DAY (8-21-09) MY WIFE AGAIN DROVE THE CAR TO THE POST OFFICE, THIS TIME IT STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISES AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. SHE DROVE THE CAR STRAIGHT HOME AGAIN. THERE STILL DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY LEAKS BUT WHEN I TEST DROVE IT I COULD TELL THE POWER STEERING WAS NON FUNCTIONAL. I OPENED THE FILL CAP FOR THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO CHECK ITS LEVEL AND THE REMAINING FLUID IN THE SYSTEM DRAINED ONTO MY DRIVEWAY. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE HAD BEEN A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE THAT WAS BEING BURNT OFF ON THE ENGINE. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ONLY USING THE CAR FOR LOCAL TRIPS AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE DANGEROUS IF THE HOSE HAD LET GO WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. RECALL 04V268000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04028, SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE PT CRUISERS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AS WELL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.

NHTSA complaint #10281697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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IN 2004 CHRYSLER RECALLED PT CRUISERS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS FOR A FAULT WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE WHICH CAUSED FIRES IN A FEW CARS. THEY DID NOT HOWEVER COVER 2001 PT CRUISERS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *TR LAST WEEK (8-20-09) MY WIFE DROVE TO THE POST OFFICE (2 MILES FROM HOME) AND SMELLED BURNING RUBBER, SHE DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY BACK HOME. I EXAMINED THE CAR THAT NIGHT AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE DRIVE BELTS, TIRES, AND THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY LEAKS. I TOOK IT FOR A QUICK TEST DRIVE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. THE FOLLOWING DAY (8-21-09) MY WIFE AGAIN DROVE THE CAR TO THE POST OFFICE, THIS TIME IT STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISES AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. SHE DROVE THE CAR STRAIGHT HOME AGAIN. THERE STILL DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY LEAKS BUT WHEN I TEST DROVE IT I COULD TELL THE POWER STEERING WAS NON FUNCTIONAL. I OPENED THE FILL CAP FOR THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO CHECK ITS LEVEL AND THE REMAINING FLUID IN THE SYSTEM DRAINED ONTO MY DRIVEWAY. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE HAD BEEN A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE THAT WAS BEING BURNT OFF ON THE ENGINE. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ONLY USING THE CAR FOR LOCAL TRIPS AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE DANGEROUS IF THE HOSE HAD LET GO WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. RECALL 04V268000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04028, SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE PT CRUISERS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AS WELL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.

NHTSA complaint #10281697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2007 AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURES. IN APRIL OF 2008, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS. RECENTLY, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER'S DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS THAT APPLIED TO HER VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,551.

NHTSA complaint #10236394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT APPROACHES A STOP OR BEGINS TO DECELERATE, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY WHILE AT A STOP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 134,000. UPDATED 07/31/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED. UPDATED 08/05/08

NHTSA complaint #10234277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILED. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND SWAYING ACROSS THE ROAD, WHICH CAUSED GREAT STEERING DIFFICULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING. THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10230453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

I GOT A POWER STEERING LEAK IN MY 2001 PT CRUISER. IT WAS THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER. BUT I WAS TOLD MY THE CHRYSLER DEALER THAT THERE WAS AN UPGRADE, THAT I COULDN'T GET THE OE COOLER, I HAD TO GET A NEW COOLER, HOSE, AND RESORVOIR. TO BE PURCHASED BY ME AND THE LABOR TO INSTALL THEM TO BE PAID BY ME. I SAID I DIDN'T WANT AN UPGRADE, I JUST WANTED THE OE COOLER. ONCE AGAIN I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO GET THE UPGRADE. I SAID THAT I WOULD PAY FOR THE COOLER AND LABOR TO INSTALL IT, I THOUGHT THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD PAY FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PARTS AND LABOR. I WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER WOULD NOT DO THIS. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD EITHER REPLACE THE PART THAT IS DEFECTIVE AND CHARGE ME, OR DO ANY ADDITIONAL WORK AT THEIR EXPENSE. THEY WOULDN'T DO IT.

NHTSA complaint #10223605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

OWNER NOTICED A SLIGHT "PUDDLE" (SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR) ON GARAGE FLOOR. OWNER JACKED UP CAR TO INSPECT AND IDENTIFY WHERE LEAK WAS ORIGINATING. NOTED A MISPLACED BUSHING ON THE BRACKET HOLDING THE POWER STEERING HOSE IN PLACE UNDER THE ENGINE. ONE END OF THE BUSHING HAD BROKEN ALLOWING THE HOSE TO CHAFE AGAINST THE BRACKET AND LEAK FLUID. OWNER IMMEDIATELY TOOK CAR INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE REPAIRED. UPON EXAMINATION, DEALER INFORMED OWNER THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS (2) HAD BROKEN ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO SIT LOWER ON THE FRAME AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE BUSHING TO FAIL. OWNER PAID OVER $1,000 TO REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS (2) AND REPLACE BUSHING AND POWER STEERING HOSE. OWNER FEELS THAT MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE WAS PREMATURE AS THE CAR ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD AND HAS BEEN GARAGED ITS ENTIRE LIFETIME. OWNER HAS IN HIS POSSESSION THE DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNTS. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DEATHS, THERE CERTAINLY COULD HAVE BEEN IF THE OWNER HAD NOT BEEN SO OBSERVANT AND VIGILANT ABOUT MAINTAINING THE CAR. LOSS OF POWER STEERING FUNCTION OR ENGINE DETACHMENT WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC ON THE ROAD, PARTICULARLY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10214848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:COLUMN

THE CLOCKSPRING IN MY STEERING COLUMN BROKE. I NOTICED A RUBBING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD STICK WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WHEN ACTIVATED WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THE CLOCKSPRING IS REPLACED. FOR A ITEM TO FAIL ON A VEHICLE THAT INVOLVES SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND NOT BE REPLACED AT THE MANUFACTURES EXPENSE IS QUITE IRRESPONSIBLE AND CARELESS FOR THE PUBLICS SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #10208588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE ROD DISCONNECTED FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AND CANNOT STEER THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT THE PART IS NON-SERVICEABLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIE RODS ARE MEANT TO FAIL AND ARE NORMALLY SELF-GREASING, HOWEVER THE TIRE RODS ARE NOT. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE PART IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THE PART IS USUALLY NOT DUE FOR INSPECTION UNTIL 90,000 MILES. SHE ALSO NOTIFIED THE LOCAL DEALER AND ASKED TO SPEAK WITH THE REGIONAL SALES MANAGER. THE REPRESENTATIVE HAS YET TO RESPOND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 82,580 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,500. UPDATED 02/01/08.

NHTSA complaint #10192661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A PUDDLE OF FLUID WAS NOTICED UNDER THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR HAD A PIN-SIZED HOLE. THE RESERVOIR WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10166871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V268000 CONCERNING THE STEERING HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST HOSES, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS. THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT THIS AFFECTED THE BRAKE FLUID LINES AS WELL. SHE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HER OWN EXPENSE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER.

NHTSA complaint #10143345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

2001 PT CRUISER DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHERE IT STALLED IN TRAFFIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.*MR THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE. THE CONSUMER WANTED THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF RECALL RELATED ISSUE WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL, HOWEVER THE DEALER WANTED MORE MONEY.

NHTSA complaint #10130238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.