engine problem
9.5
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$4,660.00
Average Mileage:
78,317 miles
Number of complaints:
19 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace engine (14 reports)
- not sure (3 reports)
- major engine rebuild: incl> value job+ water pump + timing c (1 reports)
- replaced with remanufactured engine (1 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2001 Chrysler Sebring engine failure
2008Jun 14
Sebring Convertible 2.7L V6
- Tiptronic transmission
- 68,000 miles
Unfortunately, heard about ALL the engine problems on vehicle AFTER the engine blew!
2008Jun 01
Sebring Lx Sedan 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 81,000 miles
A MAJOR ENGINE REBUILDER SAYS THE DESIGN OF THE WATER PUMP BEARING IS BAD CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE.. ALSO COULD BE CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE ON TIMING CHAIN CAUSED BY POOR DESIGN OF TENSIONER...OR BOTH... CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE.
AS THIS IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE: THE INTAKE VALVES ALWAYS HIT THE PISTONS CAUSING FAILURE NECESSITATING AN MAJOR ENGINE REBUILD.
ENGINE SLUDGE WILL COMPOUND THE PROBLEM AND/OR CAUSE FAILURE EARLIER IN THE MILEAGE WEAR CYCLE... BUT IN MY CASE @ 81000 MILES; THERE WAS NO SLUDGE AT ALL...BUT STILL COMPLETE FAILURE..
WATER PUMP BEARING (FAILED PARTS) FELL INTO OIL PAN.
PER DEALER PARTS DEPT... 2001 2.7L V6 ENGINE POSSIBLY MNFG. BY MITSUBISHI FOR CHRYSLER.. BODY AND GEN'L ASSEMBLY ON MY "VIN"
SHOWS CANADA
$7100 IS FOR DEALER INSTALLED REBUILT ENGINE-LABOR INCLUDED.
CHEAPER ALTERNATIVES EXIST THRU INDEPENDENTS.
HOPE THIS INFO HELPS ANY INTERESTED PARTIES...
2008Jul 09
Sebring
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
I bought a Chrysler Sebring from a used dealership because I wanted a car that would be reliable and I figured I would have a warranty if anything. Well, this car has been nothing but problems not too long after I got it, first the tires were recalled and then things here and there would happen, just recently I had it looked at just to make sure everything was ok and I spent about $700 on it for little things here and there, about a month after that my car just stopped in the middle of a busy road and I got it towed and they said it was the alternator which cost me about $500, so about $1,200 within a month on this stupid car. Then not even a month later it started smoking so we thought it was over heating, checked the anti freeze and the oil and the anti freeze was low so we added anti freeze to it, which seemed to have worked and that lasted two days, then it looked like it started over heating AGAIN so we added anti freeze to it again, my plan had been since Monday to bring it in on my day off which was the next day. However, the car started smoking A LOT and then wouldn't start after I turned it off. I was told that oil was all over the engine and the engine was done. What makes me even more mad is that I just sent in payments for this thing so that it would be paid up to December. I will NEVER buy a Chrysler again, I have never had a problem with a non American car as much as I have had with American cars.
2007Jul 23
Sebring LXT
- Automatic transmission
- 69,000 miles
Total Engine Failure - Repair shop found sludge in oil. This car was impeccably maintained with always on time oil changes as frequently as just a month before this incident. Engine was out of warranty and had to replace just to get anything back out of car. After finding this out we see this is a common problem with this make and model. Very disappointed in Chrysler for not seeing this and helping out.
2008May 23
Sebring LXI 2.6L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 81,000 miles
I loved my 2001 Sebring LXI until 3 weeks ago, when all of a sudden the engine started knocking, shutting down and the oil light would go on even though there was oil. Took it to my Chrysler dealer and the first thing the said was are you sure there is oil in it. Felt like asking them if I had "Stupid Woman" across my forehead. Then the proceeded to tell me that I would most likely need a new engine and it would cost up to $9000 including misc parts and labor. I'm waiting to hear if my extended warranty will be honored. The dealer is trying to make it sound like it is my fault that it is a crappy engine. I'm appalled at the number of complaints that have been noted on this once wonderful car and the callousness of Chrysler.
2007May 30
(reported on)Sebring LX 2.7
- Automatic transmission
- 104,390 miles
I have been a Chrysler supporter for years... Through their hard times... I have had 3 "Chrysler's" and another 05 in the yard...... These 2.7 engines are boat anchors.... I found a used one with 16,000 kms on it.....$3000 and it might last a week. Can the @#$%#'s at the top of Chrysler spell CLASS ACTION... I'm sure they can. Chrysler deserves to loose every customer they have..... ALL the cars they are producing are CRAP..... hopefully when CERBERUS acquires Chrysler they fire all the rip off artists and pay back the customers who bought these cars the money the repairs from the Chrysler Pension Fund and the Golden Handshake Checks for the board members.... Contact Stephen Fienberg, CEO, Cerberus Corp in New York to let him know how all the Chrysler customer feel.
2008Mar 17
Sebring Convertible 2.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 96,000 miles
WHEN YOU SIT AT A POKER TABLE AND YOU BEGIN TO LOOK FOR THE SUCKER BUT CANT FIND ONE! GUESS WHAT? THAT MAKES YOU THE SUCKER. I BOUGHT 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHAT A BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED CAR BUT ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE SELLER(I BOUGHT VEHICLE TODAY) THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. PULLED OVER AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER. TO MY SURPRISE THE SERVICE TECH SAYS YOUR ENGINE JUST BLEW UP AND IT WILL COST YOU THE GRAND TOTAL OF $6150.00 PLUS INSTALLATION. AFTER ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE, I DO NOT BLAME THE SELLER I BLAME CHRYSLER FOR RIPPING ALL OF US OFF.CAN SOMEONE PLEASE START A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. I AM OUT A SHT LOAD OF MONEY AND THE CAR IS IN MY GARAGE JUST SITTING THERE! I FEEL VIOLATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WE LIVE IN THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. BY THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD SON. YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW HE FEELS!!!
2007May 03
(reported on)Sebring LX 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
Purchased a 2001 Sebring with 2.7L engine last year with 43000 miles on it. I took the car in for oil changes every 3000 miles as stated in owners manual. In March 2007 I went to start the car and only the head lights would come on, I was told that it had blown the fuse #20(start/ignition fuse). I had that fuse replaced twice before having to have the vehicle towed to a independent mechanic who told me I needed a new starter. Paid $530 for that, the car sounded great and drove perfectly UNTIL approximately 30 days later I took the car and the regularly scheduled oil change, I also had a tune up(which I believe the manual was needed due to mileage), and brakes. Two weeks later, I was out on a Saturday running errands and I went to start the car, it sounded like a Harley Davidson, I was in disbelief so I turned the car off and restarted it, didn't so much hear anything and figured it would be ok to drive back home(2-3miles)from where I was. During this drive the car gave no indication of overheating, nor did the engine or oil light come home. Once I was home and the car was parked I decided to start it again, at that point all the panel lights that normally illuminate and turn off did EXCEPT the engine light. By this time, it was too late in the day to get the car into any shop for a diagnostic. The following Monday I had the car towed to the same indep mechanic I used when the starter went out. He called me later in the day and told me that I blew two heads so I needed a new gasket, he told me that the cost would be $1400. I said ok, fix my car. On Tuesday he called me at work telling me that one of the blocks in the engine was cracked, that the car overheated and that it was my fault. When I told him that the car gave me no indication that it overheated, he insisted that a connector must have been broken and that was why it didnt register that it was overheating. He asked me to come into his shop so that he could show me where the engine was cracked. Now mind you, I'm by far no mechanic and when I went to his shop he of course had taken what appeared to me as everything under the hood apart and told me that he could fix my car for $3600 (installing a rebuilt engine). That is about $1500 shy of what I owe on this car. I told him no thank you, asked that since he had done no repairs and had told me initially that I only needed a new head gasket to put everything back so that the finance company can have their car. He then told me that he would but it would cost me the same as if I were getting the gaskets replaced. The owner of the shop where my car is said he would work with me if I gave him $2000 he would fix my car and allow me to payoff the $1400 in labor cost in two payments over the next couple of months. Needless to say, I gave him the 2k and I am heartbroken. I have owned Chrysler and Dodge in the past and never had problems, but this experience has made me callus and I WILL NEVER WANT ANOTHER CHRYSLER.
2008Feb 14
Sebring LX 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 100 miles
One night, after work, my car overheats. It was bellowing white smoke. I pulled over and opened the hood. There was oil and anti-freeze every where. I checked the oil and it was black. I couldn't believe it because I change my fluids regularly. I got a few diff. quotes on this car. All of them ranging from $3,000 to $5,500. The story was pretty much the same all around. I needed a new engine. There was anti freeze in my oil. And because these engines are made out of aluminum they aren't very tolerant to heat. I still owe $3,500 to the people who financed me on this POS car. This is interfering with my school and work. I hope I can bounce back from this.
2008Feb 27
Sebring LX 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 63,499 miles
I was on the Interstate when out of nowhere my car quits. I coasted as far as I could, then parked the car on the shoulder of an offramp. The engine would not start. I had to get it towed to the next small town where the mechanic informed me that the engine was a gonner. I then had to get it towed 80 miles to my mechanic. He confirmed the diagnosis. Now I find out that this is a recurring problem with the Chrysler Sebring 2.7l engine. The best used engine is in Washington state at a cost of $2500, add on shipping and installation I am looking at $4000 to replace it with another potentially bad engine. Why doesn't Chrysler admit to the design problem and fix it! Maybe a class action suit is what is needed. I will never buy or recommend a Chrysler. I work to hard for my money to waste it on a bad car company.
2008Jan 17
Sebring LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 80,778 miles
The engine created a rattling noise in the middle of the Highway, with no sign of anything wrong on the dash-board, with a oil up to the allowed limit and stopped. Tried to restart the engine and it did but with a big rattling noise. We stopped and parked it on to the shoulder. We called CAA for assistance and the emergency technician first thought that we did not have oil in the engine. He did check and found that the engine and the required amount of oil, because we had changed the oil just a month ago. He was a little puzzled and he knew that the engine had gone, but not sure why. We took it to a garage and could not verify why this happened but told us the connecting bearing rode had broke and the engine is gone. Not sure what to do at this point. I called a service person at Chrysler and told me she never heard of such a problem and told me that Chrysler is not in any position to help me. I am really puzzled and I am planning to make a complaint to the Chrysler Canada. I hope they would listen. It looks like I am not the only person who had this problem. Is there a way you could provide with some previous experiences that could help my case?
2007Nov 23
Sebring Lxi, Convertible 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 75,248 miles
AFTER HAVING OIL CHANGED STARTED TO HEAR AN UNUSUAL KNOCK. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG. OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DROVE CAR BRIEFLY 1 DAY AND CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RUN. WAS ABLE TO FIND AN ARBITRATOR THAT IS HANDLING THESE COMPLAINTS BUT INFORMATION NEEDED I DID NOT HAVE SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I DISCARDED. LOOKED FOR USED ENGINES BUT HARD TO COME BY. WOUND UP GETTING A REMANUFACTURED INSTALLED AT GARAGE IN CHICAGO. I HAVE BOUGHT CHRYSLERS BEFORE BUT WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER BRAND AGAIN. THETRE IS NO SUPPORT OUT THERE ANY MORE FROM A REGIONAL COMPLAINT CENTER. ALL CALLS HAVE TO GO TO DENVER AND THEY NEVER CALL YOU BACK OR ALL AUTOMATED ! HOPE CHRYSLER GOES BANKRUPT !!!
2007Jul 11
(reported on)Sebring LXI 2.7L
- Automatic transmission
- 71,000 miles
We purchased this car from a Chrysler dealer in Feb 2006. It had extensive maintenance records from the car rental agency that had owned it since new. In Aug 2006 the engine overheated and began a loud knocking sound. My mechanic dropped the oil pan and determined that the #2 rod bearing had disintegrated in the engine. SO,engine failure despite proper maintenance
The dealer we bought the car from assumed no responsibility and Chrysler said the car was simply out of warranty. I eventually purchased a re manufactured engine and had my mechanic install it.
This is a defect in the design that should be covered by Chrysler.
2007Dec 16
Sebring LX
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
Today driving down a country road going about 50 miles per hour my engine light and oil light both come on. About 5 seconds later my car just shuts off. Guess what...it won't start. I get the feeling reading the other complaints my problem is going to be...OIL SLUDGE. Looks like I am not going to be surprised when the mechanic confirms my findings. Well, I will definatly post my finding just as soon as I get the bad news confirmed.
2007Dec 13
Sebring LX
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
I bought a 2001 Chrysler Sebring, thinking that Chrysler was a good company that makes dependable vehicles. Now, six months after I purchased the car, the engine needs to be replaced. I am a single mother with two children and purchased this car thinking it would be dependable. I am not going to spend my money on putting a new engine in, but on an attorney instead.
2007Oct 26
Sebring LX 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 61,000 miles
No major problems to date since the purchase in 2001 and car is running great. Minor issues such as rear defrost wires constantly detach and told can't reattach, etc..
Suddenly the car stalls at a turn signal. Put car in park and restart - nothing unusual but 1st time can note car stalling. Car runs great for another day and then on the morning commute, car begins to stall. I pull over and notice a horrible smell - open hood and oil all over engine and hood of car. Have car towed to place of purchase - Medved and told "bad news" - the entire engine has to be replaced at a cost of $9000 total but a guarantee of at least 3 years. After asking what I could have done to prevent this at Medved, I was told there was nothing I could have done and this just happens but take all the time I need to decide to have it fixed. To make matters worse I was then charged $110 for them to open the hood and determine this.
In all of my years of owning Toyota truck (~200,000 miles) and a Honda Accord (145,000), I had never had engine problems and such a horrible dealer experience. Not only do I think Chrysler should be shut down for selling this engine in this car but Medved should be equally ashamed for quoting almost double for the replacement cost compared to research done online for this issue.
2007Aug 21
Sebring ES 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 92,000 miles
OMG!!! I was driving on the highway and the car felt like it was coasting/running weird. I got off the highway and drove on the streets. I noticed white fume coming from the exhaust pipe in the back. I finally arrived at my destination and parked the car. I left for lunch and all of a sudden the car started coasting again then the oil light starting blurring! I decided to turn off from the main street and the steering wheel starts to lock up and it hard to turn the wheel then the car just cuts off! I have the car towed and they inspect under the hood. OIL HAS COVERED MY ENGINE! They say that it COULD be a head gasket blown however, this car has TWO HEAD GASKETS!!! Then I'm told the engine blew. WTH!!! I changed my oil every 3,000 miles and I just had a tune up on June 07 not to mention that my car ran hot in June and I had to replace the coolant pump. I'm PISSED. I am financing this car!!! The amount of money to get another engine is CRAZY and every mechanic has admitted that the 2.7 Engine is TRASH! I'm stuck with this car...which I really liked. Hopefully with enough complaints there will be a lawsuit and I can be compensated.
2007Oct 30
(reported on)Sebring Limited 2.7L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 81,000 miles
Was going down the road minding my own business and then a loud noise happened when I braked to stop. Then it happened. NOTHING!! The car died! In the middle of the road! It would not turn over at all! The mechanic told me he thought the timing chain and went, he said he tried to turn the motor manually and he couldn't get it to turn at all! The engine had locked up also! Now he tells me I have to have a new engine which will run me around $4,000! I still owe money on the vehicle, no engine, and a good payment left! What to do? I do not know where to turn with this one! Please advise and help!
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Aug 21
Sebring LXI 2.7L V6
in November of 2004 i purchased a 2001 sebring lxi from my parents(original owners). i was very excited it was a beautiful car with a nice stereo , sunroof and a sport transmission. after 3 and a half years and many oil changed later i was returning home one night from picking up my son about 10 miles from home, when the temp gauge started to rise above halfway, then shot up to red. i pulled the car over open the hood and nothing seemed wrong. the next morning i had it towed to my mechanic he looked it over, ran some tests, and explained to me that the motor was a loss.... a blown headgasket and thrown rod. i hear this is a very common thing with the 2.7l motors. Chrysler is well aware of the defect and claim it to be caused by lack of care for the motor, well f that s, i change my oil religiously.......
Brian L.
Radford, VA, USA
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