Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser. While driving various speeds, all of the warning indicators illuminated. The acceleration and power steering failed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The failure recurred two additional times. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated they would respond back to the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser. The contact stated that when driving at low speeds and turning, the steering column would emit a loud noise and the steering wheel would become difficult to manuever. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they advised her that the power steering reservoir was severely rusted and caused a leak. The power steering reservoir needed to be replaced as a result. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the part being on back order. The manufacturer had not been notified. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. The VIN was unavailable.
This occurs all the time wether I am driving on residental road or on a highway going 70 MPH. My car feels like it is losing power which it is. All the lights on my dash are lit up like a christmas tree and I have to pull over to the side of the road very carefully as I lose steering as well. Sometimes I can just restart the car and everything is fine, sometimes it is a few minutes and a few times it has taken a few hours. I have taken the car in to get the codes read but they tell me it is either the gas cap is loose or another issue with the fuel. I took it to my mechanic and they put it on their computer and got different readings. I was told it was a fuel vacuum problem which was corrected. I still have the issues. Now sometimes the engine jerks and pulls but I don't loose power. Mechanic is unable to find problem. …
Purchased vehicle new in March 2009. In August 2012 had to have both front lower control arm bushings replaced - with only 3 years and 9,000 miles. Later learned son had to have same repair on used 2008 p/t he had bought. In October 2015, only 3 years and 9,000 miles more, had to have the same repair done again.
While driving on 10/7/2018 the steering became hard and upon stopping there were flames under the hood. I did research and found that there had been a recall on PT cruisers in the past, 04V268000. When I contact daimler Chrysler I was told there were no recalls on my VIN. Before driving the car on 10/7/2018 there was not any steering fluid under the car. Luckily the fire was noticed prior to leaving the car or the car would have been engulfed in flames. I will like Chrysler to pay for this repair. The car only has 70,000 miles and has been cared for very well. Please let me know if you can help with this claim. Thank you, [redacted]
I was coming home from work and driving down the street when the lights on the dashboard went out, the gas gauge went to zero and the car just died. I lost power steering and braking and I was lucky there was no one behind me at the time. The key was locked in the steering wheel and I could not restart. I called 911 for help as cars were now zooming up behind me stalled in the lane. I was so scared that someone would hit me. I sat waiting for the tow truck for about 15 minutes when the lights suddenly came on again and the gas gauge went back to full. I tried to start it and it started right up. I was able to drive it 2 blocks home. The next day I drove to the cleaners and while trying to park it died in the parking lot. I again waited and it finally started again. I took it to the Chrysler dealership and they say they can find nothing wrong. They suggested I junk it for about $100. …
I was driving on the freeway when the engine light came on (which it never had before), and within less than a minute the car ceased up, lost power and died. I was able to make it to the side of the freeway as it started puttering before ceasing completely. This incident has happened at least four more times since original date. I had the motor tested at the auto body shop and the said the cam sensor needs checked but the engine is burning my oil up and since this happened and has had to have oil put in 3 times since then in order to make it run when it stops. Just last month I spent over 500.00 replacing the radiator and power steering lines which I was informed was part of a recall on this vehicle but was not covered since it didn't apply to my VIN #. …
The horn does not work properly and is defected. It only works when the steering wheel turns to the left and sometimes it gets stuck and won't turn off. Won't work while traveling straight or turning right. The horn did not allow me to warn a driver that almost backed into me, this forced me to move away from him in an unsafe position and he still did not see me and kept on backing out. Had the horn worked it would have prevented this issue that almost cause an accident. I drove home to inspect the horn as to why it wasn't working is when I learned that it only worked while sitting still and turning the wheel to the left and at times it stuck and wouldn't turn off. I don't know how long it has been like this because I don't use it very often, until this particular incident happened. Also the passenger air bag shows to be off with air bag light on.
Related recalls (1)
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,…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chrysler PT Cruiser years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (61), 2002 (45), 2003 (29), 2004 (24) and 2005 (24) model years. Steering complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 04V-268 (hose, piping, and connections, Jun 3, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chrysler PT Cruiser steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 39% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections (28 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (13).
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.