Hello My name is [XXX]. I own a 2002 Chrysler Pt cruiser and for some reason the power steering went out while I was driving! I was able to make it home because I wasn’t far away! My power steering stopped out of no where and my fluid is full and my belt is attached I was also told my pump was in great condition! I’m really concerned because I had my 6 year old child in the car! I now can’t make appointments work or even take my child to school I’m in need for help! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems
45 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 39,755. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 45
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 39,755
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections11
- Rack and pinion4
- Hydraulic power assist system4
- Linkages: tie rod assembly2
- Linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm2
- Hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid2
- Steering wheel/handle bar1
- Linkages: arm: idler and attachment1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 04V268000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Engine compartment fires
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 the federal safety agency 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.
PE04028
What 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Answers and explanations to all of the above questions: My power steering assembly is leaking pretty bad and is only getting worse. I have a bad shoulder that I had surgery on and if it goes completely out I am afraid i wont be able to turn the steering wheel & cause an accident. The rims on the vehicle are cracked/cracking & I believe one has a hole or 2 & another 1 is forming one. It's also scratching & ruining the rotors. Its not the pads they are fine but I need at least 1 new rotor & can't because the rims are defective causing it to happen again which can easily damage the calipers locking up the wheel causing a crash plus sometimes theres a loud crunching noise not grinding like the pads are bad cause they are not. I know the difference. The trac off & airbag lights are on then they go off then come back on again.The dashboard is cracked and it caused the vent to break where anything can get in it.The clear coat is peeling and yet the paint under it is in great shape.I also believe that the instrument cluster is causing the lights to come on the dashboard.The vehicle can be picked up when ever you have a spot open for it. I would like 48 hours notice due to work. This is a safety issue if the power steering goes while driving I cant steer it because I didn't know it was leaking it went out and I was stuck blocking traffic and couldn't turn it the passenger had to do it for me, If the rims get worse or hole bigger it can crack or break in half while I am driving. The defrost vent is open to particles that can get in there that shouldn't. The airbag light on could be a defect or the air bags defective. Nothing has been inspected on it since I just found out when looking up this make, year and model a price on power steering to find out there's a recall on it as well as other issues. There were no warnings and the only code that came up was the high fan relay switch. Since then the trac off light goes on and off as well as airbag light and now is currently on.
Drove the vehicle 12 miles to get home. (the vehicle was stationary) immediately turning off engine after making it home. Power steering fluid leakage (big leak) from hose and smoke smell from under hood. (engine looks chard)
Vehicle recalled in 2004 for power steering pressure hose leak potential. Recall was completed. Power steering pressure hose is now leaking. Chrysler will not honor a repair.
..on my 2002 pt cruiser the front suspension cross member has rotted so bad that it broke in a few places causing the lower a arm to move in such a way as to cause the steering wheel to pull out of your hands all the way to the left and or right,the car could not be driven more then 15 MPH,..and that was while holding the wheel tightly....if this cross member was to break while driving 65 MPH there would be a very bad crash,..I suggest any one that has a pt cruise have it checked for the cross member rotting before a crash takes place,,,I was able to buy a new cross member and the cheapest price was $514 plus tax and shipping,..now comes the costs to install it...what is odd the cross member rotted out on the passenger side only,...I have some pics of it with the a arm off the cross member..
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving at various speeds, the power steering fluid leaked. The contact also stated that the air conditioner became inoperable after the failure occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v268000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a noise and noticed smoke coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. In addition, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering belt fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired multiple times; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v268000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 142,000.
I had just put fuel in my car and was driving across a parking lot. I proceeded to park my car and noticed smoke rising out of my steering wheel and a burning smell. My lower set of lights ( fog lights) had turned on by themselves, which is odd since they haven't been working for at least two years. In order to stop the smoking in the steering wheel, I had to remove fuse #8. Same set of lights have turned on before a few years back draining my battery since I couldn't turn them off with their switch. In addition, my headlights turn off automatically at random while I'm driving and my clock lights go out frequently. Headlights have gone out on me 5 times over the past 3 years. I try not to drive much at night as a result.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that power steering fluid was leaking and causing a grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed a steering hydraulic power issue. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.
The owner of the vehicle state's he was traveling down the entering the highway on the way home. He heard pop and then something under the vehicle started rattling, the owner stated when he took the vehicle to a shop they put it on the rack. The shop notified the owner that the vehicle shouldn't be driven, both steering knuckle bushings, ball joints, front right suspension parts were all bad and needed to be replaced. Chrysler should recall this vehicle for as it not just mine as I ask the shop and they has several vehicle of that make come in with same problem. We as tax payers bailed them out, and now it time for the government to tell them they need to fix this issue and any other issues with the vehicle. There are still a lot of pt cruiser on the road today, but I guess they greedy son of b***hes in detroit took the money and left the customer paying for the safety of their families. Nobody should have to die in car in order for something to be done.
Questions about the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering
Does the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser have steering problems?
Owners have filed 45 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 9% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 39,755 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V268000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chrysler PT Cruiser have bad steering?
The Chrysler PT Cruiser model years with the most steering complaints are 2001 (61 complaints), 2002 (45 complaints) and 2003 (29 complaints).
Other 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser problems
Electrical 97Body 67Engine 60Lights 57Airbags 44Suspension 40Brakes 37Transmission 35Wheels 21Fuel system 20Tires 14Visibility 14Acceleration 13Seats 9Seat belts 8Driver assistance 3Locks 3
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