9.4

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,100
Average Mileage:
94,200 miles
Total Complaints:
114 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine (38 reports)
  2. replace the engine (28 reports)
  3. not sure (15 reports)
  4. new engine (9 reports)
  5. rebuilt the engine (6 reports)
  6. needs new motor (5 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Chrysler Sebring:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #94

Apr 272011

Sebring LX 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,589 miles

The Chrysler company and their cars are a piece of sh*t! I had my car for 2 months and have spent nearly 1,500 fixing the vehicle. Let alone the 2,800 I paid for the vehicle from the auction. First I had to replace my water pump, and the next day after the water pump was fixed my engine failed!!! My car is currently not working, the entire engine is filled with oil sludge!!! Since I had the vehicle I have been on top of the maintenance. If anyone knows somewhere I can take this vehicle in MD to have the engine replaced under warranty or for free ny chrysler, or even a reimbursement, please let me know!!

- Kendra H., Baltimore, MD, US

problem #93

Apr 152011

Sebring LX 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,777 miles

My husband purchased the car for my 52 birthday on April 2, 2011. We had planned on getting new rims for the car and had only gone about 10 miles from home on the day the engine cut off on us which was April 15, 2011. We had the car towed to a garage and when the mechanic called to tell us he believed it was the timing chain, I immediately went online to check out possible cost for that repair. That's when I ran across this site. I saw how many people were having the same problem with basically the same make and model car I said there should be a class action lawsuit against Chrysler to make them pay for this repair. So if anyone finds such an action please let me know my e-mail address is debra9@hawaii.edu, Thank you and God bless you all.

- debra9, Waianae, HI, US

problem #92

Jun 022005

Sebring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles

Vehicle was towed to Geweke where in Lodi, CA. Service manager said engine was run dry on oil no warranty honored. Could not afford repair had vehicle taken by flatbed to Tracy, CA. Unloading the flatbed was covered in the oil that had leaked out on the trip. Not dry.

- Clifford M., Tracy, CA, US

problem #91

Dec 152010

Sebring 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

My Chrysler Nightmare....I bought this car in July, thought I got a great considering the car only had 93,000 miles. First the car started leaking, I had the water pump replaced for $800. A few months later the car started leaking again!!! Took it to a mechanic and he replaced the thermostat housing $300!!! Now It is early January and the car is making an extreme ticking noise. I took it to a mechanic and he thinks the timing belt needs replaced. I currently unemployed and used last years tax return to purchase this car and couldn't be in a worse spot. This is not right chrysler needs to make this right, sounds like everyone is having the exact same problem, oh and I always change my oil on time.

- nwallen, Saline, MI, US

problem #90

Oct 222010

Sebring LXI 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

I CAN SAY I REALLY DID LOVE MY CHRYSLER SEBRING. I MEAN SHES DECKED OUT WITH AUTOMATIC EVERYTHING. WHEN THEY SAY THERE IS A THIN LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE THERE IS . FIRST WAS THE SLUDGE PROBLEM COST ME 450.00 DOLLARS TO FIX. THE HOUSING FOR THE COOLANT 60.00 .I THEN GOT A OIL CHANGE ON SCHEDULE THEN TWO WEEKS LATER . MY CAR RAN HOT I STOPPED IT RIGHT THERE GOT IT TOWED.THEN MY ENGINE BLEW. I HATE CHRYSLER.

- miainmo, St.Louis, MO, US

problem #89

May 122009

Sebring LXI 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

I can not believe what I have been reading about this make of car. I too have been a victim of this engine design. I bought my 2002 sebring lxi a few years back in late 2007. I drove it for only a year and a half, and took really good care of it. Regular oil changes and even had it diagnosed when I first bought it. Then one day it started to run really rough and literally within a few minutes of noticing this the car completely shut down and seized up. A horrible knock came from the engine and it would not drive and now will barely even start and when it does it sounds like its gonna blow up!!!!!! I still owed over $5,0000 on it when this happened. I have been making payments on it for almost two years while it just sits there haunting me and stressing me out every time I look at it.

I just now saved up enough to replace the engine or have it rebuilt and then I came across this site with scores others telling about the exact same problem. I am sure glad I didn't spend the money yet before really investigating this.

Chrysler is literally ruining peoples lives by standing behind their cars. I have now paid thousands on my car and only got to drive it for a year and a half. I am going to end up eating the whole cost of this POS car!!!!

I wonder if there is a way to put a completely different engine in this car. If anyone knows please send me a comment. Also If you know of any other solutions on the legal end of things please share. We need to all band together and get paid for their mistake which has led to our misfortune.

- Micah T., Ferndale, WA, US

problem #88

Oct 062010

Sebring 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

1st had a valve cover leak got that fix

2nd had blown head gasket got that fix

3rd the engine lock up talking to finance company as you can see when it rains it pours on this car

- xs6299, Walterboro, SC, US

problem #87

Sep 242010

Sebring 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

timing chain.......heads........rods........why is this really happening

- lauriel, Saint Paul, MN, US

problem #86

Sep 112010

Sebring LXI 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

Went looking to purchase a Chrysler in 2001. It was incentive for working for an auto manufacturing partner of Chrysler. Although I didn't see anything on the lot, I got a call from the dealer 3 weeks later telling me that "my" car was in. Apparently the salesman was listening as I stated what I was looking for and they ordered it to my specifications. There it was a brand new 2002 slate blue, leather interior, with a sunroof - shiny Sebring! I had never owned a brand new car. I was star struck. Here I am nine years later under 100,000 miles having had to carpool the last two days because the engine gave out on me this weekend. I am sitting in my office wondering what the hell I am going to do with the POS and reflecting back on all the issues I have had with it. Over the past 4 years I have experienced overheating, the check engine light going off and on, stalling while at intersections, oil light coming on at idle, a rattle in the engine that my mechanic said the oil change last week would fix, and now total breakdown of the vehicle. Mechanic says it will probably be $4-$5K to fix. Kelly Blue Book is right around there. Any suggestions for a reliable clunker that I can purchase to get me to and from work?

- sg in va, Poquoson, VA, US

problem #85

Sep 062010

Sebring 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

i bought a 2002 chrysler sebring for my son as a 1st car. Three months later car ran hot, towed to dealer and was told total engine failure. cost about 5,600 to rebuilt one with a 3yr 100,000 mile warranty. can't afford another car so i'm stuck with gettting this one fixed and hoping that nothing else will go wrong with this car. I'm very disappointed in this car. chrysler need to own up to this engine model and recall them

- ktvbrown39, Slidell, LA, US

problem #84

Sep 092010

Sebring Limited 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,500 miles

I'm just in tears over my engine failure. No money to replace the engine or rebuild it. Don't know what to do.

- Lance L., De Forest, WI, US

problem #83

Aug 262010

Sebring 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

Had a full tune up in June,then changed the oil just two weeks before the head gasket went. I was told the car was extremely over heated but it never registered on my gauges, never showed any outward signs,steam or anything, just clanked and died while i was driving leaving a trail of anti freeze. The thing is I had told my mechanic it was acting up with the heat not working properly and before the tune up it had leaked a little anti freeze, but the mechanic after going thru the entire car could not find a thing, replaced the thermostat and tuned it up. Bad timing on the entire mess, but there just isn't a good time to lose your car. P.S. this car had other major components go

- clarson, Marlborough, MA, US

problem #82

Aug 252010

Sebring LX 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

Really loud noises, after my car stopped by her own, restart and the next day my engine stop fonctionning. my timing belt broke, my engine too

- ferhdemerak, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

problem #81

May 262010

Sebring LXI 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

Well, first of all, my English isn't good, still working on it. But for real, I want to tell everyone that Chrysler really suck. Basically am tired of fixing my Chys 2002 2.7 Convertible every month. The water pump. engine, sensors, coolant, and Today The Mechanic toll me that my car is not working because it looks like I need to replace the timing belt. Also, he say that happened because of the oil and because the car was overheating, after all the motor is f*ck up almost completely. Well anyways am living by myself and I feel like sh*t because I pay 14 thousand dollars so at the end the car is worth less than 2 thousand.. I Hate Chrysler now... I wish they could fix it to make me happy x the 1st time. but to bad for me. :(

- franklin.me18, Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #80

Apr 082010

Sebring 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I still owe 5000 on the car and now I have to replace the engine

- Richard G., Henderson, TX, Reunion

problem #79

Mar 152010

Sebring LX 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

click to see larger images

oil sludge resulting in engine failure oil sludge resulting in engine failure oil sludge resulting in engine failure

I bought my 2002 Chrysler Sebring car at an auction, but I did not know the engine was no good. I found out it was no good after and had to replace the engine in 2007 because the oil pump was blown. it cost me $2,700 for a used engine plus I had to pay $800 to get it put in the car.

My big grief in now the engine blew again in January, 2010 and again it is because of the oil pump blew. It seems like this happens after 87,000 miles. I want Chrysler to replace the engine. While I was looking for a rebuilt engine everyone said the same thing. The 2002 Chrysler Sebring 2.7 liter engine has an oil pump problem.

I need Chrysler to own up to this problem and do something about it. This time I was told it woud cost me about $4,300 for a rebuild engine. plus another $800 to get it put in the car. No way I think it is time Chrysler step in. The car is in good condition so I do not want to dump it. I will not get much if I try to see it with a busted engine.

- juneann, Suwanee, GA, US

problem #78

Jan 142009

Sebring LXI

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

We rented this car on our honeymoon and thought it would be a great reminder of what a great time we had so we bought it not knowing what we just got ourselves into, its been a nightmare all we have had to fix, the engine giving out being #1 IT WAS SOOO expensive to fix this stupid car just to worry about WHEN its going to happen again thank God i wasn't on the freeway when the thing just stopped completely it just shut off and i could barely turn the steering wheel. Found out its a defect in the engine design, which took forever to fix. MY HUSBAND AND I WILL NEVER BUY CHRYSLER AGAIN!!!

- Lisa Z., Conneaut, OH, US

problem #77

Sep 012009

Sebring 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

Well first of all I'd like to thank you all for posting your complaints about the chrysler sebring and I agree 100% I'm currently being held hostage by my sebring that currently has 69,000 miles on it and the only good thing is that I have an extended warrenty. If you don't have one and don't have alot of money try to get rid of it asap it's a money pit. problem & solution (oil sludge) don't use regular motor oil if you do have regular motor oil in you car drain it and flush the engine to get rid of the sludge and put synthetic oil in it, it will cost alittle bit more but it will save your engine. I had the same problem with the oil light flashing because of the sludge. Synthetic oil did the trick and make sure that you antifreeze coolent gets changed regularly. Unfortunately we have to be smarter than the car maker and the car.

I saved my sebring by reading all your complaints and solutions on site it was very helpful. number one rule to go by if you own a sebring, if you here any weard noises don't run the car and tow it to the shop. I just got my sebring serviced again this week after getting a new computer installed at the beginning of the year because of transmission shifting problems and for some reason it sprung 3 fluid leaks oil pan gasket, drain plug, coolent housing, timing chain/water pump cover oh sorry that's 4 leaks. Unbeliveable I could only laugh now I'm tired of getting mad and what really gets me is that the service labor coat is more than the cost of the parts.

I wish I had read all your complaint before I had bought my chrysler sebring I would have bought something else more reliable and dependable. Like I said try to stay on top of your maintaince service and have a qualified mechnic do the work, save your service records. These little helpful hints really saved my car and wallet from certain death.

- gmetalg1234, North Hollywood, CA, US

problem #76

Aug 112009

Sebring LXI 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,974 miles

When I purchased this car, it was for my wife as a reminder of the rental car Chrysler Convertible we drove in Hawaii for our 25th Anniversary in June of 2009. We drove the car for 5 or 6 days and took it to our mechanic because of a noise in the engine and he quoted me a price to send the engine to be checked out and cleaned up a bit. He told me it would be over $3000.00 to completely rebuild the engine (not including my mechanic's charge to remove and reinstall the engine) because oil sludge had completely destroyed the engine. My original quote was $1300.00 to $1500.00 depending on what all needed done to the inside of the engine at the shop.

The shop said that it looked like the engine had 150,000 miles on it.

- Charles F., Huntington, WV, US

problem #75

Jan 182010

Sebring LXI 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

O my dear friends who own this car. I too am an owner. I LOVE my beautiful white convertible. I'm so incredibly devastated to have to trade it in but I can not continue to pay $380 a month and endure costly repairs for over $1000 twice in 6 months. My engine failed. It all started one morning I was driving home from dropping hubby off at work. I noticed the heat went out and the car sputtered and then just stopped. It dinged at me with an check oil light. I walked home crying all the way. Fast forward two weeks later and my mechanic tells me it's major engine damage (apparently by never getting my antifreeze drained and replaced in the four years I've owned it) and that the oil is mixing with the antifreeze and my head gasket needs to be replaced and it was going to cost $1800 to fix - and that's if he doesn't find anything else wrong with it while in there. I had to replace the transmission completely costing $2,300 back 4 months ago. I have four brand new tires on her too. O my dear friends, I'm going to miss her. I have tears in my eyes right now as I'm imagining never being able to put the top down and have my hair blown by the wind.

Tip If you're dealing with this same problem, I've drivin' to and from work (which is less than 10 minutes) with this major engine damage for two weeks. As long as I NEVER let it get hot or even warm for that matter, I make it home safe at the end of the day. I keep antifreeze in it even though it's decaying the engine and disappearing.

Good luck with your problems, e-mail me at ashleydbga@aol.com if you have any comments or questions

- Ashley C., Atlanta, GA, US

Read the next 20 complaints »