Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The vehicle speed control was previously disconnected. While driving 25 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the steering column. The dealer stated that the failure was electrical and related to the vehicle speed control. The high and low beam switch was also burned. The manufacturer stated that there was no existing recall. The contact allowed the vehicle to cool down and was able to drive home. A mechanic will repair the vehicle since the manufacturer stated that they were unable to offer any assistance. She is unable to drive the vehicle due to the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 65,100.
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.
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.
My 2001 PT Cruiser which I purchased in August 2005 suddenly caught fire on deember 27, 2005 and was a total loss. There had been a recall for sudden engine fires caused by leaking power steering fluid. The dealer where I purchased the car, reseda Dodge in reseda, ca, had records showing the recall repair had been done, but my insurance company, state farm, found the the fire was caused by leaking power steering fluid. Chrysler denied my claim with no reason given.
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.
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.
When a moderate left turn was made, there was a rubbing noise heard. Later, as the vehicle made another left turn, there was a loud pop/bang heard, and the vehicle suddenly veered sharply into a hard left turn. The vehicle hit a concrete base. A front end specialist stated that the steering rack and pinion had broken. Scc see 10014911 for more details.
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. 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. …
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. …
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. …
Related recalls
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
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.
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.
NHTSA 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 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,…
Steering complaints in other PT Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 61 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 10% of the model year's 618 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-268 (hose, piping, and connections, Jun 3, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.