NHTSA Complaint #10732575 — 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER

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.