8.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,240
Average Mileage:
48,600 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. chrysler should pay for my car to be repainted (2 reports)
  3. defective primer used at factory, repaint (2 reports)
  4. painted the car , bmw jet black, totally awesomeme!!! (1 reports)
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problem #10

Sep 012010

Sebring LXI V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Bought a 2002 Chrysler Sebring LXI in Modesto, CA at Modesto Auto Mall for over 32,000 dollars Sept 2002. It was black beauty, husband babied it, polished 2xmo etc. Moved to Montana in 2004, car was constantly garaged and washed weekly, not driven in winter. In 2009 noticed clear coat peeling off hood, roof and trunk, got so bad total top of car now ruined. Just the same month I paid it off or so.

I am disabled, car has been barley driven. I saw 2 other Sebrings in my town looking like same year and their car had same issue. I typed in how much cost to repaint 2002 Sebring and up popped all these reports of same issue. One lady said she was told by Chrysler that there was indeed a clear coat issue among 2002 Sebring . That Chrysler said they would cover the re-paint on cars up to 5yrs of age and 50%thereafter. She also noted that she had yet to find a dealership that received the memo. I also noticed on other reports on same page that a person from Mercer had my same issue and got his car new from Modesto.

The dealership is the huge one on the right side of road, north end of McHenry Boulevard. Near the Cin. theaters, I am now single, disabled with multiple sclerosis and severe late stage Neuro Lymes that can't be cured after over 60,000 dollars spent. I'm broke, my car has 80,000mls, and looks like a junker. I'm contacting Modesto tomorrow, this is wrong, I haven't had the money to fix it, not at any rate.

They should recall these especially for original owners and pay 100%. It's bullshit when you pay $35,000 in the long run for a paint job to not last 7yrs. I have had many cars older than this, Cameros, etc never had this problem, it is UN-excusable. I will be demanding satisfaction!!!!! I have waited 5 years because I was focusing on my health and had back surgery and the other issues, now I need to drive my car since my husband left me and I am embarrassed to be seen driving it, it's that bad!

- L M., Missoula, MT, US

problem #9

Oct 012010

Sebring LXI 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

Does anyone have this same situation. My car is Black, but the color is fading and fading. Waxing does not help. Need help.nothing is more upsetting than a good looking car with crapping paint.

Update from Jul 31, 2013: Paint is not only fading, but is peeling away. First the roof, then the hood, and then trunck deck. Now I have noticed it is creeping down the sides of the car too! If Chrsyler did not finish the paint job correctly, why should a consumer have to put up with this? Simply put, Chrsyler did not finish their job, but we as consumer finished our job, by paying off the car, neither lump payment or monthly payments. We did what we had to do. Chrysler should just state, yes we did not finish the job, so let us help you by correcting this error. Again, Great looking car, crappy paint job. Looks like the car has a bad case of a skin disorder.

- jdawes, Sugar Land, TX, US

problem #8

Jan 012004

Sebring LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Bought car new. White paint pops started on rear deck. Progressed across deck, down rear panels, across top, rear side door panels, hood. Dealer said it was because I parked it under trees. NOT. Learned that Chrysler had problems with other models because they opted to not use a primer sealer. Was offered $1000 below blue book on new Chrysler trade-in. Just had the car repainted. $600

- throne, Dunedin, FL, US

problem #7

Aug 012008

Sebring V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles

The white spots on the trunk (two) and the one on the roof are getting bigger and with the cost of a paint job or a new car I think it should be covered by Chrysler. The spots are getting bigger pretty soon my car will look like a cow with all the spots and I want it fixed.

- makar, Cleveland, OH, US

problem #6

Aug 012004

Sebring LX 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,800 miles

I complained to the dealership where the vehicle was purchased that the paint on the roof was wearing off. They said nothing could be done and paint was not covered under warranty. I BELIEVED THEM! Until this winter, the spot had not gotten any larger, but it had definitely worn away more. This winter, however, probably 3/4 of the roof down to and including the trunk and both rear fenders are showing signs of the same problem. The paint is virtually gone in spots and the primer is showing through. The original spot on the roof is worn down to the metal. I found several other complaints online from owners of 2001 and 2002 black Chrysler Sebrings (mine is a black sebring) had paint peeling off or wearing off. I want Chrysler to pay for my car to be repainted the proper way. I do not feel that the age of my car or the length of the problem should be an issue, as I did report it to the dealership who refused to help me with it.

- Brenda H., Random Lake, WI, US

problem #5

Mar 282006

Sebring LX Convertable V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I bought the car used in 2003. At that time there was no visible damage. I started noticing first very slight peeling between the driver's door & the rear wheel after we had some hail damage in 2004/2005, but our insurance company rep (State Farm) claimed that the damage was not due to hail, so they would not repair it. I have lived in this area since 1995 & have had many vehicles that have never seen any of this damage: 1976 MGB, 1986 Chevy S10 P/U, 1987 Chevy S10 Blazer, 1990 Honda Civic Wagon. I did own a 1987 Chevy Celebrity that had similar issues (the entire roof hood & trunk lost its' clearcoat. I looked for any factory paint warranty information in the owners' manual & found nothing that convinced me that Chrysler would deal with the issue. I will not purchase another Chrysler product, though. I will get a reputable auto painter to repaint it--or will paint it myself in time. Anyone want to buy it?

- killer, Prattville, AL, US

problem #4

Oct 182007

(reported on)

Sebring LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

Anyone and everyone that I can convince to listen....please listen carefully......NEVER, NEVER EVER buy a Chrysler product. I bought my 2002 Sebring in early 2003 adn initially had nor problems with it. After about two years I began to notice what appeared to be small blemishes in the paint and make concerted efforts to step up the car of the paint. No matter what I tried or how often I tried it the paint faded, then began to crack and peel and eventually small areas of rust began to develop. I returned the vehicle to the dealer where I purchased it and STILL under warranty, the WalMart of Chrysler dealers-Ron Carter in Alvin, Texas. There service was about par with WalMart. First they denied it was a paint problem however the service manager stated, "Yeah...it's a bad paint job." The paint worsened and I was directed to meet with the ONE and ONLY "factory rep" in ALL of South Texas to have him approve the re-paint. (Ron Carter stated that is was a factory problem and therefore not their responsibility). The "fcatory rep" allegedly inspected the paint and deemed it environmental damage" sustain from "...living too close to salt water." When I pointed out that my wife's 2002 Chevy Camaro sat right next to my Chrysler virtually everyday and did not have a single blemish I was again told, "we (Chrysler) will not re-paint it." I asked what the appeals process was since I was told by two body shops that the clear coat was virtually non existant on the vehicle. Here is the punch line....THERE IS NO APPEALS PROCESS! Apparently Chrysler's f"factory reps" are so perfect that they are not to be second guessed or questioned.

Bottom line, I have a car that is blue booked at $6200 but was recently appraised at $300 (trade-in). The dealer that appraised the vehicle said it was the worst paint job on a new vehicle he had seen in 20 years.

DO NOT BUY CHRYSLER PRODUCTS...Chrysler wont stand behind them and the dealer's deny responsibility......oh, yeah, about a month ago the check engine light came on-stay tuned!

- Greg N., Kemah, TX, US

problem #3

Sep 032007

(reported on)

Sebring 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

I own a 2002 Sebring Convertible and LXI and the paint (blue) has peeled all along the right side of the car from the trunk to front of the bumper... it looks awful. I took it to the dealer and they said there was nothing I could do about it. Mind you, I love in Miami where customer service DOES NOT EXIST! Not even an apology or recommend something I can do. I am very disappointed in Chrysler, I love my car and always washed and waxed it myself, and then one day it just started to peel and turn white. I will NEVER consider a Chrysler vehicle again.

- Jurgen O., Miami, FL, US

problem #2

Sep 122006

(reported on)

Sebring LX

  • 39,000 miles

rear bumper delamination - still in process of trying to negotiate a deal w/ Chrysler or will file small claims action - they offered to have me pay $250 - I don't think so!

- torsh, Portage, WI, US

problem #1

Aug 262006

(reported on)

Sebring LXI

  • 60,000 miles

I have a chrysler sebring 2002, i bought it new right off the showroom floor. it used to be black now it is a spoted black and gray color. I noticed this paint problem 3 years after i bought it. This car was sparkling clean 5 out of 7 days even the dealer employees comented on how neat and clean my car was kept when i brought it in for service. The entire roof had to be repainted in 2005 and now 1 year later most of the spoiler and top passenger side is affected, it looks like my care has a fungus, no joke. I have reported the problem to chrysler and have been offered a 50/50 deal but im going to small claims court because its not half my fault. Unless you want to blame me for buying a chrysler.

- tmccarty, Speedwell, TN, US