Engine failure driving in traffic- just luck I was not hit by another vehicle... was able to pull over to curbside with forward momentum and then get vehicle towed. Could have been catastrophic on a busy day or on a more crowded highway.

- West Chicago, IL, USA

I am fed up with this Chrysler sebring I bought 2 years ago. Its had so many problems and now a major one and a popular one I see is happening and before an accident happens lord willing I will make it to the dealer tomorrow. My steering in my 2001 sebring started up last week when I went to turn the wheel it was super tight and I knew instantly something was wrong. Now it is making cracking sounds and is still hard to turn. I called the dealer and they said it sounded like its my rack and pinion. I had taken it to my own mechanic who couldn't find anything visibly wrong with it and said it might be the rack and pinion. After reading all the problems this car has had with the steering I am not surprised mine is right there with them all. I have only 51,000 miles on the car. I am furious. I don't want to pay to get this fixed. I shouldn't have to. Its Chrysler fault. My air bag light is also on. Who knows what that is all about. My car started leaking oil from the oil pan gasket a month after I bought it at 32,000 miles and 2 of the motors have gone out in the power windows. This is really a piece of junk!

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

I was driving my car on the garden state parkway, when I came to a stop at a red light at exit 11, the engine made a horrible noise and stopped working in the middle of a left turn to get off of the parkway.

- Clermont, NJ, USA

Smoking (oil burning everywhere) oil pressure switch failed Apr. 07. had major tune up done in Aug. 07. then had battery trouble car died had towed to shop, mec. Checked battery and recharged it said to replace it soon, then the next day heard a ticking noise and a big clunk on my way to work but went to the shop instead they found intermix through-out, head gasket failure.

- Imperial Beach, CA, USA

My 2001 Chrysler Sebring just stopped running while I was driving down the highway motor had seized up and was junk.

- Cassville, NY, USA

My Sebring died today literally 6 seconds from home. I pulled out into traffic from the local mijer and it died! I just sank a bunch of cash into it to which makes this really great. Around last June I noticed a rattling that kind of made the car sound like a diesel semi. Trouble was it would happen during initial starting and kick out and go back to normal after 5 - 10 min. So naturally no professional ever heard this rattle as by the time I got it into a shop it seemed fine!!! even better, in the last couple of months a new problem cropped up you might be familiar with the flickering low oil pressure gauge at idol? that's just the beginning. It gradually required higher RPM to make it fade away and eventually always on. Well $200 replaces the oil sensor but don't expect that to fix the problem you just get to start the process all over again!!! two days ago I had it in again for a cam shaft sensor another $200 and the mechanic warns me not to invest too much more into this pos because the rattling and the low oil pressure are probably a sign that the engine is going. "it could be two months it could be two years but it's going go." How about two days. Engine failure!!!!!!! to any one willing to give it a try, I wish I did if only for feeling proactive is you can purchase a pure one purelite oil filter which will add 5lbs of pressure to the system and run a thicker oil. This advice I received from Chrysler's head mechanic! a busy man im guessing. He said that the rattling was because low oil pressure was not pushing it up into the (technical mumbo jumbo) im no pro. For the record I did not do this. It's winter here! and this fancy oil filter is not sold any where I know short of ordering online. The best part is I was planning to figure it out tomorrow on my only day off in two weeks! my wife's Ford has twice the miles my Sebring does and at least it still runs!!!! a Ford!!!!

- Mi, MI, USA

My car had just reached 100,000 miles when the engine started to make a knock sound. I had it towed to my mechanic and was informed I would need a new engine. Seems there is a plastic cover that is a known issue with these cars. Once this happens requires a new engine and facts show that a replacement engine will do the same thing within the 70,000-100,000 mile range. I have had the car less then 2yrs. I can't trade it due to owing too much. Why is chrylser nor being held accountable for this known defect. Look at the history.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

While driving my 2001 chrsyler Sebring all of sudden knocking and tapping noise started. Proceeded to pull over and turned the car off. Attempted to restart vehicle and it would not start. Call towing company and had it towed to chrsyler dealership. Paid for diagnostics and was told that it was engine failure due to oil slug. Car is inoperable. This 2.7L engine has been known for engine failure and chrsyler indicated that it was due to lack of maintenance. Oil changes were made according to the owners manual and this should not have occurred.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler Sebring. The vehicle has had engine failure due to sludge. There were no warning indicators prior to the engine failure. The contact noticed the failure when she started the vehicle and it made a terrible sound. The dealer stated that the vehicle needed a new engine due to improper maintenance. The contact stated that her vehicle was routinely serviced for scheduled maintenance. Through research, she discovered numerous complaints on the same failure, but no recalls. The vehicle is currently at the dealer and has not been repaired. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The failure and current mileages were 17,000.

- Elmhurst, IL, USA

I bought a used 2001 Chrysler sebring with a 2.7 liter V6 engine from an independent car lot around May 2006. The car was very clean and had the original manuals in the glovebox but no service records from the previous owner (there was only one owner according to carfax). The car had 99K miles on it and ran well when I test drove it. I moved to tn and did routine maintenance on the car - an alignment, new tires, and regular oil changes with synthetic oil at jiffy lube. The engine started to make rattling noises when I started the car, when accelerating and when going up hills in early July 2007. The sound got worse as time progressed. I took the car to a Firestone auto center in mid-July 2007. The mechanics told me that they couldn't fix the engine and that I would need to replace it. I had only put 11K miles on it since I owned it and I was still making payments on the car. I asked them how much it would cost to have a new engine put in. They looked up the price for a rebuilt engine and with labor and gave me an estimate of $7200. Then the mechanic told me privately that he didn't think it was worth it to fix the car. He also said that the engine could fail at any minute and possibly leave me stranded or in a dangerous situation. I looked up the value of the car - it was only worth $6000 (I still owed about $6500 in payments). I then went onto online car forums to see if anyone else had problems with this engine to see what my options were. There I found out that many people had the same problems with the engine failing and that some who had replaced the engine had the second engine eventually fail also. So I went shopping for a new car using the sebring as a trade-in. I told the dealership about the engine (the rest of the car was in great condition). I got $1000 for the trade and basically lost $5000 because of the bad engine. I work in a helping profession so this loss was a considerable set-back for me.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler Sebring. While driving 35 mph, the contact heard a knocking noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle is currently at the garage and the cause of failure was diagnosed as the timing chain and housing. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 53,813.

- Sarrell, PA, USA

2001 Sebring convertible - oil lamp appears on dashboard, car stalls, towed by aaa, informed I need new engine. Online history of problems with oil sludge/new engines needed, NHTSA recall I was never notified about, I purchased additional warranty in May 2001 (6 years total) which ran out 2 weeks ago have nowhere to turn for help. I'm currently collecting service records (my oil changes are up to date) - how can I have a voice with Chrysler in this matter?

- University Heights, OH, USA

No events leading up to failure - engine failure - coolant in engine - 2.7 liter engine Chrysler Sebring 2001 chrylser wants $7000 to fix. They know these are bad engines and they are allowed to sell them.

- Richmond, VA, USA

My 2001 sebring engine locked up in the middle of a busy intersection due to catastrophic failure of the piston rods, bearing and crankshaft on the 2.7L engine. This failure has been widely reported and I was lucky enough to have just cleared the ft. Mchenry tunnel on I95 in baltimore Maryland. The center for auto safety has recorded many of these types of issues with the sebring. It will cost $6,000 to repair and someone is going to get hurt.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

: the contact stated while traveling 50 mph, the vehicle's engine blew up on the highway. The contact suffered minor injuries. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic shop who determined that the cause of the engine blow out was due to oil sludge build up and the engine would need to be replaced. The dealer was notified.

- Homewood, AL, USA

: the contact stated while traveling 25 mph, a loud clunking noise was heard coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined the problem was due to sludge build up causing damage to the lower end connecting rods. Also, the dealer determined that the problem was not caused by poor maintenance. The manufacturer was also contacted and determined the same thing as the dealer.

- Pinellas Park, FL, USA

I was driving down the road when I heard a loud knocking noise. My car staled, I was able to restart the car and drive home. I was informed that the rod bearing had gone out and the motor would have to be replaced. After a few days of talking to Chrysler they told me to take it to one of their dealerships so they can look at it at my cost. The car had 82,121 miles on it so there was no warranty. Chrysler gave me the run around for about a week. They wanted to charge me 200 to 400 $ just to look at it. I was told that Chrysler would not pay for any thing because of excess sludge in the motor. Need less to say I went to a different company to put in a remanufacture motor. These 2.7 liter apparently has a lot a defects.

- Ravenna, MI, USA

I was driving down the road when I heard a loud knocking noise. My car stalled. I was able to restart the car and drive home. I was informed that the rod bearing had gone out and the motor would have to be replaced. After a few days of talking to Chrysler they told me to take it to one of their dealerships so they can look at it at my cost. The car had 82,121 miles on it so there was no warranty. Chrysler gave me the run around for about a week. They wanted to charge me 200 to 400 $ just to look at it. I was told that Chrysler would not pay for any thing because of excess sludge in the motor. Need less to say I went to a different company to put in a remanufacture motor. These 2.7 liter apparently has a lot a defects.

- Ravenna, MI, USA

: the consumer stated the engine stalled without prior warning. Although no warning lights illuminated prior to the stalling, the check oil light illuminated afterwards. The consumer restarted the vehicle and drove to a dealer. The service department suggested replacing the engine. The dealer discovered sludge and other fluid contamination in the engine; however basic maintenance was performed regularly.

- Mentor, OH, USA

2001 Chrysler Sebring 2.7L motor. 69000 miles. Motor quit. Diagnosed as broken timing chain, new motor needed $6,900. Failure occurred while driving, motor just stopped. I was fortunate to get to the side of the road without an accident.

- Huntington Woods, MI, USA