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 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Hello My name is [redacted]. 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!
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. …
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 NHTSA campaign number: 04V268000 (steering); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 142,000.
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)
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser at45 MPH she smelled smoke. After driving two miles more there were flames and ashes coming from under the hood. The contact stated she pulled off the road, exited the vehicle, and removed her personal belongings. Atc approximately 15 seconds later the vehicle was completed engulfed in flames. The roads were clear. The contact stated there was a fire department report available. The fire marshall was unable to inspect the vehicle to determine to the cause of the fire. The vehicle was declared a total loss by the insurance company. She received a recall notice for the fuel pump module secondary seal on August 30 2004 and had it replaced at 8900 miles. Talso, he contact stated she received a recall for power steering pressure hose on August 11th 2005 at 14000 miles. …
..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 contact owns a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving various speeds with the fog lamp light illuminated there was a burning rubber smell. The following day, while driving approximately 35 MPH she also smelled burning rubber; however, after she parked the vehicle smoke was coming from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and they stated that several PT cruisers exhibited the identical failure which was caused by a switch in the steering column. The manufacturer stated that their special investigation unit will contact her to see what caused the smoke. They also advised her not to have the vehicle repaired or towed. The failure and current mileages were 51,000.
While pulling into a parking space vehicle caught on fire under the hood. Local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, who was waiting on the manufacturer to send out an inspector to investigate the fire. The Chrysler inspector and insurance inspector both reported that the fire was caused by the power steering hose failure. The hose leaked onto the hot exhaust pipe which caused the fire. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company. The vehicle was still covered under it's original warranty but the manufacturer refused to be financially responsible.
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 NHTSA campaign number: 04V268000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
The car had a fitting in the power assist steering system that was loosening. In a driving condition of high pressure, the system developed an instant, fast leak, which reacted to the high temperatures of the exhaust system. This reaction ultimately started the fire, which burned the engine compartment of the vehicle. Same incident as voq#10039792 per conversation with paul abbey on 6/16/04. Pe04029_cat
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 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 9% of the model year's 511 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 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 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 7 fires and 0 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.