# 2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `1414956` · 2017-10-17 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** CHRYSLER
- **Model:** PT CRUISER
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- **Miles at failure:** 75,811
## Narrative
AFTER SHOPPING FOR 1/2 HOUR, I RETURNED TO MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT.  I OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND DISCOVERED GRAY COLORED SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE STEERING COLUMN HAZARD BUTTON.  IT SMELLED ODD.  NOT LIKE WOOD SMELL.  THE AUTO CLUB TOWED MY CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS AS HE SAID TO PREVENT FIRE.  MY MECHANIC SAID THE WIRES CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED THE CONNECTORS.  THE PARTS:  COMBINATION SWITCH, COMBO SWITCH CONNECTOR & ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS, SHRINK TUBING = TOTAL $320 PARTS.  LABOR:  REMOVE & REPLACE ALL APPLICABLE MODELS (MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH); REPLACE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH HARNESS (BURNED OUT CONNECTORS) = TOTAL $380 LABOR   THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT, I DROVE AN ESTIMATED 15 MILES TOTAL WITH TWO PRIOR STOPS.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*