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 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 NHTSA 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 updated 7/8/2015
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 NHTSA campaign number: 04V268000 (steering) and was unable to provide a free repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 102,618.
I have had problems with my automatic 2004 PT Cruiser since I have purchased the vehicle in January of 2004. The car has been in the shop for weeks at a time due to the car stalling while I am driving which is extremely dangerous since the power steering locks, and this action can potentially cause me to lose control of the car. The car is currently in the shop due to it stalling and driving rough. Every time I take the car to the Chrysler service department it seems like they find an issue but it is the wrong issue. Last time they told me the car was fine and nothing was wrong with it and the next day the car stalled while I was driving. I have rented PT Cruiser rental cars to verify that all PT Cruiser do not run rough and stall and the rental cars run like a dream compared to my car. If the troubles with the car do not change and the car cannot be fixed I would like out of the deal. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic stated that the power steering pressure hose would have to be replaced because it was fractured and was causing steering fluid to leak. The vehicle was repaired. After the repair, the failure occurred a second time. The vehicle was taken to another mechanic for a diagnostic test. The mechanic stated that the power steering pressure hose would have to be replaced a second time. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 04V268000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections) that May be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. …
Chrysler is claiming that all of power steering repairs are not due to the recall id no. 04V268000. The power steering hoses have failed, which caused the pump to fail. Chrysler charged us for failure of the pump, but now at this time we are having to pay for the hoses, which has caused the belt to be replaced, which now causes pump damage. We paid for the hoses to be replaced as well, but now find out now it is caused by Chrysler not fixing the right power steering components that are listed on this recall. We would like all compensation for our rental car fees that we have had to pay for while our car has been in the shop twice now for power steering issues. Our vehicle is a 2004 Chrysler PT.
I found that you all had issued a recall on 2004 non turbo Chrysler PT Cruiser pressure hose. I have a turbo'ed edition, however I have not found where there are any differences in any of the power-steering components for this edition of the vehicle. I have found a leak in my pressure hose that connects to the power steering that looks like it May have been burned from touching another part on the car. I am not a mechanic so I have not attempted to do any work on this vehicle. I cannot have the part replaced because the recall is for "non-turbo" editions of the car. I would ask that someone please explain to me how the power steering components are different from the recalled 04 PT Cruiser.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact heard a loud grinding noise in the steering column. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the power steering hose needed to be replaced at the cost of $200. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 04V268000 (steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections); therefore, they would not assume financial responsibility for the repair. He has not had the vehicle repaired. The failure mileage was 46,000 and current mileage was 50,647.
My PT Cruiser has had to have all of the front end replaced, car started acting up at 50,000 miles and I now how almost 81,000 and I have replaced everything in the front end except the cv joints, which I hope does not need after I send this. I just had to have the rack and pinion done. When speaking with Chrysler directly they state that the PT Cruiser has had a lot of recalls due to front end, but I am told that my VIN number does not fall in the mix. I am the only owner of my PT Cruiser. I have replaced parts on my car starting back in 2010 early 2011.
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 NHTSA campaign id number: 04V268000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
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 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 11% of the model year's 217 complaints. The component named most often is column (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 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 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death 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.