2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems

24 complaints (11% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 86,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 24
of this car's complaints: 11%
typical mileage: 86,000
crashes: 3
recalls: 1

Which part fails

Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
2
Column
2
Hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid
1
Hydraulic power assist system
1
Column locking: anti-theft device
1

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

Related recalls

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported June 3, 2004 · 438,391 vehicles affected

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 firesOpened March 15, 2004, closed June 18, 2004

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 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 20, 2021 · Steering · 160,000 miles · TN

Power steering hose leaking.

Filed Nov 14, 2017 · Steering · 92,000 miles · MN

Power steering leakage on turbo model engine hot possible fire had fixed once and it broke again , there is a recall on the non turbo model already

Filed Jan 25, 2016 · Steering · 102,618 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to control. The contact parked the vehicle and added steering wheel fluid to the vehicle. The next morning, the contact noticed fluid underneath the vehicle. The contact informed the manufacturer who verified that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v268000 (steering) and was unable to provide a free repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 102,618.

Filed Jan 28, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 81,000 miles · NH

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while the vehicle being inspected, it was discovered that the suspension needed to be repaired and that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 04v268000 (steering) and 08e033000 (suspension) however it was informed that the recalls had expired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000. Updated 3/31/15*cn updated 7/8/2015

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Steering · 86,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that the power steering hose fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the power steering hose on two occasions but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed that the power steering hose needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v268000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Steering · 85,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that while making a turn, there was a grinding noise coming from the steering wheel. On one occasion, the vehicle was started and the steering wheel seized. The contact discovered that the power steering fluid was leaking. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering hose was exposed to the transmission and ruptured causing the power steering fluid to leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Nov 12, 2014 · Steering · 107,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. While driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the power steering pipe and pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Sep 26, 2014 · Steering · 100,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pt cruiser. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, the key would not turn in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired on two occasions but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed May 26, 2014 · Steering · 141,304 miles · NY

I left my residence at approx 8:45am on 5/19/2014 turned north steering was fine, the speed limit is 40mph, changes to 45, then 55, then down to 35mph approx.5.5 miles from my right turn, I turned left (west) entering a gas station breakinng at 35mph and found I had no power steering. It took all I could do to avoid hitting the gas pumps.

Filed Feb 20, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 116,000 miles · CA · crash

The vehicle failed to stop after applying brakes.

Questions about the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering

Does the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser have steering problems?

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 11% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 86,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 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).