9.5

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,390
Average Mileage:
92,050 miles
Total Complaints:
22 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine (13 reports)
  2. not sure (9 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chrysler dealer.

problem #22

Dec 282016

Sebring 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 190,000 miles

I won a car from my local chrysler dealer. The car had a 2.7l v6 engine in it that nada and kbb do not list such an engine in this type of car that I won, so I can only assume it was a dealer swap prior to the raffle drawing, but they deny the swap when I called them about this incident. When I won it, last June it had like 181,000 miles on the car, unknown mileage on the engine, but I had it from Jun to Dec 2016 and drove it maybe 9000 miles max and it failed without warning. I changed the oil every 3000 to 4000 miles, so like 2-3 times since I have had the car and it had no indication of any engine problems prior to spontaneous and complete engine failure. I have my cars serviced regularly for tire rotations, car inspections etc. Nothing could have warned me about this and I had no idea about the class actions lawsuits pertaining to this exact engine until my engine failed a few months ago.

- Debra O., Aiken, SC, US

problem #21

Jul 012015

Sebring LXI 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

If I would have known that the engine in this car was going to die, I would have never bought it. I bought it used. with 87000 miles. Since I had one years ago, I figured I could deal with another. NEVER AGAIN! I have so many problems with it, it's ridiculous. It is costing more money to repair it than it cost to buy it. And nobody will take responsibility for it. Today it just won't start... I don't know what to do..

- ladevic716, Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #20

Mar 142015

Sebring Limited 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,730 miles

I bought this car with 62000 miles on it and loved it! It was my first convertible. I have always done regular oil changes every 3000 miles, it was great for about 2 years then things started to fall apart!

I have put 3 thermostat's and housing in because they are plastic and are not made to last for very long a year if your lucky, 3 in a year and a half for me! Then a water pump, timing chain, struts, a heater blower motor and finally the motor over heated on me about an hour after an oil change and started knocking really bad, had towed to the shop and they said I needed a new motor that the bearings were fried because of oil sludge! They said it was a common design flaw with the water pump on this motor that would cause the sludge issue and I was better off junking it and getting something else because the replacement motor would do the same thing!

Thanks Chrysler for your once again QUALITY MADE IN THE USA product we can all be so proud of parked in our driveways, but cant drive !!!! Shame on you ... You take money for a bail out to save your company and then screw over the American people like this, proving it was money poorly spent! It should be mandatory all of you at Chrysler should have to drive one of these cars daily and see if you think there's an issue or not it sounds like there are a lot of people who have the same problems.

I will no longer buy Chrysler products and will tell anyone who will listen not to also.

- Kathy E., Puyallup, WA, US

problem #19

Sep 012013

Sebring LXI 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,000 miles

This has (obviously) been a full time problem with this 2.7 engine and this will be the ONLY time I will own a Dodge/Chrysler product due to the costliness of the issue and company arrogance on the matter.

- 999morse, Amer. Falls, ID, US

problem #18

Jul 032014

Sebring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

Oil pressure light comes on when rpms drop. Trying out draining oil completely and cleaning system with Marvels & good synthetic oil to see if it improves. Really irritated with all the problems I've had with this car lately. I've driven it for 10 years with very few problems and then all at once it goes to hell!

If Chrysler knows that they have a problem with this occurring in their engine they should have to take care of it. I will never purchase another Chrysler product.

- Sheryl B., Nortonville, KY, US

problem #17

May 152014

Sebring Convertible 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

I had this car 11 years and drove it only 87,000 miles. I took good care of it and had it regularly maintained. Then the engine died due to oil sludge. My mechanic advised me to get rid of it, so I had it junked.

I don't drive much, and this car should have lasted me another 10 years. Now, I'm faced with a large expenditure to get a new car or go without. This is my third Chrysler, and I expected more from them. More frustrating, I traded in my Jeep Cherokee to get this car. I should have just kept the Cherokee. Think of the money and hassle I'd have saved.

- lemmy, Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #16

Nov 292012

Sebring LXI 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

It's My understanding this is a common defect with the Chrysler 2.7L engine,hope Chrysler compensates and/or fixes issues.

- Tony M., Goose Creek, SC, US

problem #15

Sep 142012

Sebring LX 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

well to say the least, I see from this web-site I,am not alone. I guess I'll just join in with all others to say thanks Chrysler for the problems you gave me. however if I had my way about it, I would do without them. Also just to let you know my other cars now are Ford and Chevy. I don't really know if there is such thing as Karma, But if its out there I pray it finds you Chrysler.

- Roy S., Crystal City, TX, US

problem #14

Jul 082012

Sebring LX 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,847 miles

Strike two. Second 2.7 engine bit the dust. I have been absolutely fanatical about changing oil with light semi synthetic, went about 800kms over when returning from a trip. seized tighter than a bung on a pine cone. I think a Lada or Yugo will be my next car. Certainly more reliable than Chrysler.

- Ian A., Chase, BC, Canada

problem #13

Feb 172011

Sebring JXI 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

I bought this car in 2006 and I now consider myself lucky to have gotten 106000 miles out of it. All the research after the fact was ridiculous-Chrysler knew this engine had issues and they kept producing it. That is why no matter how bad I love the car I will NEVER buy another Chrysler product, back to imports for me!

- Cg C., Catawba, NC, US

problem #12

Feb 252011

Sebring LX 2.7L 24 Val

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,000 miles

what a jewel Chrysler produced if i could go to them and stuff it i would, what a piece of junk, good thing, its my sons for school, on graduation, he starts making money, I'm going to set the car on fire where i got it and blame it on hot sludge. i will get him a good older Chevrolet or ford maybe a classic, and screw Chrysler, problems u name it, their people, their attitude, their crap, screw u Chrysler, should have got a used Toyota, KIA, ets, sometimes people say hey thats a nice looking car, i retort, if i put a turd in a Christmas pkg,its the same thing, thanks USA Chrysler, stuff it,bu the way i did the fixes myself, otherwise i would in jail now because, committing battery, to one of your employes Chrysler, my bro is a mech and i tinker, we fixed it ourselves, screw u chrysler

c.j. ramirez San Antonio Texas 78148, wanna hear more come c me, screw u chrysler

- ramszs, Universal City, TEX, US

problem #11

Feb 012011

Sebring Touring 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,241 miles

Brought the car Dec 23, 2010. One week later car started running hot. Replaced thermostat, thermostat housing. Before I could leave the dealership started running hot again. Replaced the radiator cap. Still ran hot, Chrysler said broken head gasket. Took it home 3 days later took 10 minutes to get it to crank. Got stuck at work had to have car towed home. Car sat for month would not crank tried starter fluid and everything. Car started, drove two hours, car ran hot then white smoke came out. Engine gone! This is my third Chrysler vehicle. No more for me. If there is a class action regarding 2003 Chrysler Sebring convertible due to engine failure would love to join it.

- Janita T., Savannah, GA, US

problem #10

Jul 252008

Sebring LX 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,429 miles

I have owned Chrysler and Dodge vehicles (11 in total since 1982) all my adult life.

Since 1988 the quality has declined. This engine issue on my '03 Sebring was over the top. I will NEVER (underline bold and ten exclamation points) own another Chrysler.

I am sick of the arrogant tyoes that work in the service departments, the slimy salesmen and the crappy products. I am done with Chrysler and would suggest that anyone considering one would do well to see oilsludge.com or carcomplaints.com before investing in one.

- apoplectic, CHase, BC, canada

problem #9

Jul 012008

Sebring LX 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,565 miles

Caveat Emptor! I have purchased my last Chrysler product. This disgusting hunk of excrement has been a lemon from day one culminating in the failure of the engine due to sludging.

Engine light continues to come on for numerous problems... Car rattles terribly and sounds cheap A/C failed, requiring replacement of evaporator core Brake rotors chronically warp Try changing the battery on the thing! (hidden in a wheel well behind a tire! Worse yet, try changing an effing headlight! Must dismantle the entire front bumper and new clips are required to replace it.

- Ian A., Chase, BC, Canada

problem #8

Nov 162008

Sebring LXI 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,250 miles

Was traveling about 80-100 miles away from home, on the way home, stopped at a red light heard the engine knocking, got off the highway as soon as possible, husband pulled into station, checked oil, (which was done on a regular basis- with the BEST of oils) was almost empty, no engine light came on--no warning at all....towed home to tune of $800.00; called local mechanic was told to bring in (more cost) mechanic called later said would need new motor.....not happening..husband lost job in all this...still owed on the car...was just repo'd.....THANKS CHRYSLER for making someone's life just about as bad as it gets....If anyone knows of law suit over this I would be HAPPY to join just to possibly get my credit fixed......Would never ever buy a Chrysler product....

- rbfl, New Port Richey, FL, US

problem #7

Dec 172007

Sebring LX Convertible 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

I am appalled to see how many people that have experienced the same misfortune as I have. This is my second Sebring Convertible (first was the 98 model) I put well over 120000 miles on the 98 car with no mechanical problems whatsoever, just routine maintenance. We traded for the 2003 in the fall of 2004, car had 21000 miles on it. No problems till the 100000 mile mark, oil light flickered and the same thing that happened to all of the others on this site happened to me. I have a mechanic as a friend and luckily he found me a less expensive alternative to the dealership. I just have one question, I installed a 2004 model of the same engine, 18000 verifiable miles on it. Did Chrysler do anything to remedy the sludge problem or can I expect the same problem out of the 04 version. I have always tried to support American Companies but if Chrysler new they had this problem and did nothing that just SUCKS.

- Clarence D., Harriman, TN, US

problem #6

Sep 152008

Sebring LX 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

There is no Chrysler dealership that will fix this, even though it is under warranty. We haven't had it long enough to do anything but 1 oil change.

- Debra K., Somerville, TN, US

problem #5

Sep 222008

Sebring LX 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

I bought this car from CarMax, in Memphis Tn. It had 58826 miles on it. At 60000 miles we did an oil change. Now at 66000 miles the engine is gone. Chrysler dealership says that it has oil sludge. This car still has warranty on it and they still are refusing to fix it, even though I have only had it long enough to do one oil change.

- Debra K., Somerville, TN, US

problem #4

Oct 062008

Sebring Limited Edition 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

CHRYSLER MAKES DEFECTIVE ENGINES, BLAMES "OIL SLUDGE" AND ME FOR NOT CHANGING OIL. WHICH I DID REGULARLY. THEN SAY THEY NEED TO "DIAGNOSE" AND BREAKDOWN THE ENGINE AT A COST OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO ME, BEFORE THEY CAN DETERMINE IF THEY WILL COVER THE COSTS. IF AND WHEN THEY DON'T COVER THE COSTS OF A NEW ENGINE OR REPAIR, I AGAIN WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO PUT ENGINE BACK TOGETHER. THEN THE REPAIR ITSELF COSTS AN ADDITIONAL $10,000!!!!

Ahh, sorry for the CAPS but this is a real pisser. My car ran cool and quite and never had any engine problems. I brought it to a Chrysler shop for a new starter and battery since it wouldn't start all of a sudden and they said thats what was needed. I also had them put on 4 new tires and spent $700 for it all together. when I got the car back, I drove approximately 15 miles, made a turn and car stopped. I tried 3 or 4 times to restart the car, when I did get it started it made a LOUD clunking noise from engine and the temperature guage was all the way up (never ever overheated before that). Lifted the hood and almost burned my hands off. Engine was boiling hot. I got the car towed back to Chrysler repair shop, thats when they accused me of never changing the oil and the engine failed to "engine sludge". I changed the oil on a reg basis. They said its a $10, 000 job to fix. Before they can see if it will be covered under warranty, they need to open and break down the engine, which nobody covers, and costs thousands of dollars ontop of the 10 thousand , they expect me to pay for it. Then when they wont cover it, im left to pay an additional several thousand dollars to put the broken engine back together or pay 10 thousand to fix. They pretend they know nothing of issues with these engines, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to google "Chrysler 2.7 engine defective" on the internet to prove otherwise. My fiancee and I just evacuated New Orleans due to hurricane Gustav. She is disabled and we are really struggling and on the verge of homelessness, and now our only means of transportation is gone.

- Brian C., Nashville, TN, US

problem #3

Jan 012008

Sebring 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

My 2003 Sebring engine seized at 52,000, despite proper oil maintenance. They blamed oil maintenance. I replaced engine. Now I'm suing the bastards. I'm a products liability lawyer. Please join me or at least be a potential witness that the same thing happened to. I'm going to put together as many people as possible. They can't keep getting away with this. John Durst, www.nynylaw.com, 212-964-1000. (There is no risk to you, btw.)

- John D., New York, NY, US

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