Chrysler Sebring engine problems

engine problem

10.0

really awful

Typical Repair Cost:

$70.00

Average Mileage:

88,672 miles

Number of complaints:

4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. replace engine (2 reports)

Helpful Websites About 2001 Chrysler Sebring internal water pump

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

problem #4

2008Aug 30

Sebring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

I have a 2001 sebring with around 97000 miles on it. I went down to spend the weekend (8/29/08) with my folks (around 180 miles from home). Mom and I went to rummage sales with my sister the next day. I had just dropped her off at her place, filled up the tank and mom and I headed to Dickeyville, WI. I had no problems, no warnings. All the way to Dickeyville the car was fine. Suddenly I hear a loud slurping sound (my mom was sucking on a drink at the same time so I don't' know if it was her I heard, the car or both). Suddenly the car shut off as though someone reached over and turned off the key. I managed to coast to the side of the road and park. The car would not restart. I called my dad and he called my brother to take a look. I had a lot of fluid pouring out of my car underneath. They couldn't figure it out so we hauled it to a dealership to look at it but by the time we got it up there they were closed and wouldn't be open until Tuesday. It was a week later when they finally looked at it. If I remember the terms correctly, when the waterpump went out it started a chain reaction. The waterpump caused the timing belt to jump which caused the pistons to bend. All the pistons were damaged. In short I was stuck with a giant paperweight. Dad helped me to find someone to work on it or to find a new motor. A lot of the people he talked to either wouldn't touch it or charged an arm and a leg for working on it or for the motor. We were told that the reason no one wanted to work on it is because it has a bad design and it is basically a "time bomb ready to go off." Dad said I could used one of his cars but it had to go to the shop first, that took another week. My car is still down at their place. I didn't get home until yesterday (9/22/08). That was one long frustrating weekend. I loved my car but now I never want to see another Chrysler as long as I live. What a piece of S...! By the way, the car that I drove home in is a 1990 Cadillac with over 200,000 miles on it. Doesn't look like much but it sure runs better than my car.

Penny T.

Butler, WI, USA

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problem #3

2008Feb 22

Sebring 2.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

Had the front end of the engine rebuilt. While the engine was out mechanic noticed that the water pump was old and leaking. Had it replaced along with the timing chain.....additional $700 on top of $2500 to have the engine rebuilt.

gscutie27

Dekalb, GA, USA

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problem #2

2008Feb 27

Sebring LXI 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

I echo the comments from Ana K from Bothell, WA. I purchased the car in the late Fall of 2001. It has performed fine over the years. Three weeks ago I had to spend $750 on some belts and a plastic piece above the engine (don't know the name of the part) because it was deteriorating and would end up leaking water all over the engine (at least that is what I was told while the car was in the shop and I was out of town on vacation). Then, yesterday morning (2/27/08) at 6:00am on my way to work, the car died without any warning. There was oil and water all over the engine. It was towed to the dealer and I was told the internal water pump had exploded and that the only way to fix the problem was to put in a new engine. Bottom line - the car is worthless. I asked the service guy why would anyone put a water pump inside the engine? The only way you'll know there is a problem is when it explodes and ruins the entire engine. He said they started putting water pumps inside the engines in some of their models a while back. He also said that the engine's today are much different than the engines from 90's and 80's, and he sees alot of major problems within a couple of years after a car has gone past its warranty. He said if you don't get an extended warranty, you are screwed. My wife and I buy cars to last for 10 years. We've had two Honda Accords, both went well over 200K miles without major engine problems and we currently have a 96 Suburban. After our last Accord we went with the Chrysler because we wanted to buy American (we bought the car a month after 9/11) and had planned to have it until 2011. I plan to write to the President of Chrysler, but we all know that the likelihood of getting any satisfaction from the company is slim to none. I'll try anyway and if/when I get none, I will never purchase another Chrysler again and will tell everyone I know the poor quality put out by them.

smokenj

Colts Neck, NJ, USA

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problem #1

2008Jan 03

Sebring LXI 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,686 miles

Ok so I just ran across this web site. I wish I saw this before I purchased my 2001 Peice of crap 2 yrs ago. So anyways this is what happened. I was driving no faster than 20mph when my car started to act like it was going to die. Then it did.With no warning or anything. When My husband came to see what was wrong he saw OIL and Water all over the engine. We had it towed to the Auto shop and was told that it was the internal water pump that exploded, sending water and oil all over the engine. My mechanic called the Chrysler company and they told him that it was ok if the Coolant and oil mixed in the Engine. HELLO anyone know that if this mixes together that is really bad for your engine. So I started calling The main Chrysler company and got no where. I feel like this company new that there was issuses with this Year Make and Model and still refuse to Send it to a RECALL which there is 8 of them Total. including the engin and several other items but they refuse to fix the problem. My car is in Mint condition and I still owe a lot on money on it so I really dont have the option to Just JUNK the car. So now I think that we should do something getting a law suit with Chrysler to MAKE them atleast own up to the Problem. So if there is a lawsuit already I want in. Please tell anyone that you know that has a car that is a Chyrsler Sebring 2001 with a 2.7 tell them to get it checked Fast. or Get rid of it.

Ana K.

Bothell, WA, USA

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