2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 11%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 11% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10593994, filed 2014-05, 141,304 miles“My 2004 Pt Cruiser needs the front hub assembly replaced again after approximately 40,000 miles. The bearings are shot and you have to buy a whole assembly rather than an individual bearing. I've spoken to numerous owners and they too have this problem is there a chance of a recall??”
NHTSA complaint #10302098, filed 2010-01, 72,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10542613, filed 2013-09, 125,887 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10454659, filed 2012-04, 50,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10211186, filed 2007-12, 58,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V268000Jun 3, 2004On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.4l non-turbocharged engines and automatic transaxles, the power steering pressure hose may contact the automatic…Covers: Chrysler PT Cruiser 2001–2005
Related service bulletins
- 10017651Nov 2, 2005Revised power steering system bleeding procedures.
- 10017630Oct 7, 2005Flash: rough idle or idle fluctuation with power steering operation.
- 10011958Nov 29, 2004Power steering fluid contamination.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 | 14% |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% |
| 2008 | 5 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 18 | 5% |
| 2005 | 18 | 10% |
| 2004 | 24 | 11% |
| 2003 | 29 | 11% |
| 2002 | 45 | 9% |
| 2001 | 61 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
44 complaintsSuspension
36 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsExterior lighting
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsWheels
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsFuel system
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology