3.4
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 38,498 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Chrysler 2.7 L V6 engine prone to sludge and failure, despite continuous maintenance.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
The engine on my 2004 Sebring convertible gts blew while driving down I 95 toward miami going 75 mph. I lost all control and power to vehicle. Luckily I was able to coast off exit 129 in ft pierce to a gas station. Only to have car towed to Firestone where they informed me that my engine had blown and that it was a very known and common problem in this engine.
- West Melbourne, FL, USA
Thermostat fail 2004 Chrysler Sebring.
- Alhambra, CA, USA
2004 Chrysler sebring limited. Oil sludge in engine led to engine failure at 50,000 miles. This car was perfectly maintained, including regular oil changes and other maintenance. The engine should not have failed. Apparently this is a chronic problem with these cars. My mother was stuck in the middle of a busy road when this happened. She had just had dental surgery the day before and was recovering from a severe infection. She had to sit in 98 degree temperatures for many hours after having to push the car to a safe spot. The car was almost hit by other cars as she pushed it and she suffered heat exhaustion and other problems as a result of the incident. We have not yet been able to fix the car as it will require complete replacement of the engine.
- Detroit, MI, USA
I bought the car in August of 06'. it's an 04' Chrysler Sebring. The [xxx] car started stalling and stopping when I came to a stop. It dies on me at least once a day now. It finally stopped while driving today in the middle of traffic on a highway. It scares me. I read on auto beef (which is where I found you) of other complaints from many other people with the exact same problem. The dealerships and other mechanics cannot seem to find out what it is. I took my car to the dealership today and they ran a test and found nothing wrong with it. The same problem everyone else is having. I don't get it. I don't know what else to do....please help!!! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Centerville, IN, USA
Engine ceased while stopped at stop light. Vehicle had to be pushed out of the way. Later found engine failed do to sludge in the engine.
- Lafayette, IN, USA
Vehicle has died for no reason on several occasions, and then recently started knocking. I had it towed to the dealer and was told that the engine was ruined with sludge. It is still under warranty. We have done a few of the oil changes ourselves, and had some done at auto services other than Chrysler so they do not wish to warranty the engine. This is an ongoing problem I discovered after searching the internet and Chrysler is trying not to honor the warranty by claiming the oil was not changed correctly by the owner, and or, the service companies other than Chrysler. I cannot afford to continue paying for a car that does not run, and I cannot afford a new engine for a car that is a 2004 model, or any year model for that matter. A $20,000 vehicle should last more than 4 or 5 years. 20,000.
- Yuma, AZ, USA
2004 Chrysler Sebring touring sedan with a 2.7L engine shuts off when car is decelerating. The car started malfunctioning with about 35,000 miles on it, it now has about 69,000 miles. The problem was intermittent, but now it happens more frequently. I have had it checked out but the technician could not figure it out nor are there any codes associated with the problem. Please help. Thanks, jimmy L. atkins, jr.
- Columbus, GA, USA
2004 Chrysler Sebring stalls and jumps forward when foot is on brake. Then it cuts off.
- Warner Robins, GA, USA
Engine failure.
- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA
At 30,987 miles, my 2004 Chrysler convertible 2.7L V6 engine seized up while I was driving in the high speed lane of interstate rt 95 in philadelphia, pa. I had just left phila. City and was driving only 5-10 mins when this happened. There was no warning, no engine light or oil light came on. The car just died. Luckily traffic was very light and I could coast safely over to the breakdown lane. Ended up after towing to local shop of pepboys and then again to a 5-star Chrysler dealer, the engine was diagnosed as freezing up due to sludge in oil. Had to replace whole engine at cost of $4,855 on a virtually brand new car. Warranty coverage denied since I could not provide proof of oil changes through receipts.
- Silver Spring, MD, USA
Car acts as if it will cut off when at a complete stop.
- Mcdonough, GA, USA
Car kept stalling and just died one morning. A passerby stopped to help me and said the oil was low. I put oil in it and headed to the dealer. The dealer asked for receipts to prove I had oil changes over the past year so the work would be covered under the warranty. I provided receipts and was told by the dealer that the receipts were unacceptable because the garage that did the oil changes did not use the proper format on their receipts. Chrysler wanted me to pay $6950 for a new engine. My mechanic then faxed over receipts that would be acceptable to the dealer and because the receipt said that I had a fram oil filter put in the car and there was still a factory oil filter in it they would not replace the motor under the warranty. They said the engine was full of sludge and would need to be replaced along with the timing belt and heads.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
My vehicle in May 2006 starting showing signs of ignition failure. My check engine light remains on while I am driving the vehicle. When I attempt to turn off vehicle off, it remains on for at least 15 minutes or longer until I can get it to turn off w/O the key in the ignition. This means my car is drivable w/O a key in the ignition. This car started having problems at 29,000 miles. The hood of the vehicle gets extremely hot. According to the recall reports which states that a break in molding in the fuel pump can lead to ignition failure which is a safety hazard and can cause a fire. My car has been in the shop 3X in less than 5 months. Ancira Jeep Chrysler has failed to fix this problem and has continued to charge me for a fuel pump, cam sensor, and ignition. I picked up my car from the dealership just a few days ago and not even 10 min later when I got home the problem was still occuring but worse. My car is in the shop as we speak and I have yet to hear feedback unless I call; even then, they can't give me an answer. The service advisor called me to ask me how to turn my car off, there is a huge problem when a certified dealership w/mechanics is asking their customer how to fix their car. I should not have to pay at all, this is a defective product and the service and quality I have recieved is unacceptable. I was not provide transportation for there errors and I am relying on others for transportation.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
Driving our car in Chicago and we live in Ohio. Stop at a light and the car starts making this loud noise. Get the car to my sisters (thankfully). Had to rent a trailer to get the car home. Brought it to the mechanic who said the engine failed due to sludge. Oil was changed 3 days before. Engine could not be rebuilt. Contacted Chrysler and they told me there was nothing they could do. This is a faulty engine and Chrysler should stand behind there product.
- Edgerton, OH, USA
: the contact stated the vehicle built sludge in the engine and caused the engine to fail permanently. The service dealer determined the vehicle had sludge built up when looking at a different issue and on the way home from the dealer the engine died.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
Since purchasing our 2004 Chrysler Sebring (touring) new off the dealer's lot in the summer of 2004, we have experienced several cases of sudden and unexplained stalling. The problem seems to happen most often when we come to a stop during highway driving. The car usually sputters a few seconds before stalling. I then have to put the car in park, turn off the ignition and then turn the keys back. This has resulted in several near-misses because cars approaching from behind do not realize my vehicle is dead. Over the past two years, we have experienced about 15 to 20 stalling incidents. After the first few cases, we took the car to the Chrysler dealership and they could not replicate the stalling and could not find any fault codes or obvious defects. We have contacted the dealership several times since our visit to see if Chrysler has issued any updates on the apparent manufacturing issue. So far, we have not received any advice on what to do about the problem.
- Evansville, IN, USA
: the contact stated at various speeds the vehicle stalled, but restarted each time. The dealership determined the engine had sludge in it and needed to be replaced. Also, the seat belt on driver's side sticks, and the airbag light stays on. Taken several times to the dealer to be fixed, but it was never fixed. Updated on 06/07/2006.
- North Augusta, SC, USA
2004 Chrysler Sebring touring 20000 miles. When car is stopped with foot on brake car jumps forward for no reason like some one had put their foot on the gas this has happen couple times took it to the dealer. He found a service bulletin and was going to do it when I take it back. But after reading it seems like there is a lot of people with this problem there should be recall before some one is killed!!!! also when in traction control it makes a terrible noise like the brakes grinding on the rotors when the wheels are spinning dealer not sure what is wrong and is going to look into it.
- Bradford, PA, USA
- Salt Lake City, UT, USA