9.5

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,300
Average Mileage:
107,650 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. replace engine (2 reports)
2002 Chrysler Sebring engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Chrysler Sebring:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Chrysler Sebring Owner Comments

problem #4

Jun 162010

Sebring 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,000 miles

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

My Chrysler stalled almost immediately. It was repaired several times. Later,even with proper oil changes and maintenance the engine failed. I was told the water pump and timing chain were bad and caused all the issues. After running hot...the engine was no longer any good. Several mechanics have stated that Chryslers within this year range have bad engines that will immediately damage components when they run hot due to water pump failure. This is clearly true,because it is extremely difficult to locate a used Chrysler Engine for purchase

- josephga, Smyrna, GA, US

problem #3

Feb 132010

Sebring XLI 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,550 miles

Wife drove car to play a tennis match. called me and complained of odd noises in the engine area. i went and got the car and tried to drive it home, maybe 2 miles. stopped on my near our home, and i could not get it to turn over. had the car towed to our house, about a half mile, then had it towed to our repair shop. was told the water pump had gone out. next was told coolant had gotten into engine and they could not work on that problem. had it towed to a repair shop - former chrysler dealer reapir shop. after they looked at problem, we were told the engine had no compression and would no longer work. we would need to get a new engine. repair shop said this was a bad engine, lot of problems, and they didnt understand why chrysler made the engine. just not a good engine. the repair shop is now trying to find a replacement engine, but told us the places that have them want an unreasonable price for the engine. and you can only repalace this engine with the same one _ 2.7l v-6 _ because they are specifically coupled with the transmission.

the water pump is apparently defective, causing the coolant to leak into the engine, causing damage to the engine and making it non-functioning. i have seen several similar complaints on recall sights and other internet pages, and in different areas of the country, so it is not an isolated problem. talked to a friend who works for one of the senators in DC, and his suggestion was to file a complaint directly with chrysler - the problem at this point is not big enough to be handled at a national level - ex: the toyota recall. so, the repair shop is still lloking for an engine, and my next step will be to file a complaint with chry

- bobbyar, Little Rock, AR, US

problem #2

May 012009

Sebring GTC 2.7L V6 Dohc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

My hubby just bought this car 2 months ago. He was trying to beat the high gas prices by not driving a huge truck anymore. Big mistake!

He was on the highway coming home from work the other night and the car started sputtering and he had to have it towed home. Checked codes and replaced camshaft sensor, crankshaft sensor, vehicle speed sensor and fuel pump. Finally got it running after replacing the camshaft sensor, but then it wouldn't start again. Checked oil dipstick and there was evidence of either coolant or water in the oil. The oil was similar to a Starbuck's latte, milky and foamy.

We paid $4,500 for this piece of sh*t and it needed tires and a new ragtop, so of course, my hubby liking to fix up his ride, already paid to have this stuff done and now it's going to the junk yard.

We don't have money for another vehicle. I lost my job 2 weeks before Christmas and haven't had much luck finding new employment since then. I'm so angry that this has been a very horrific experience for us. =(

- beefl, Lake Worth, FL, US

problem #1

May 012008

Sebring Convertible LXI 2.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

FAILURE OF WATER PUMP RESULTED IN CRANKSHAFT/MAIN BEARING WEAR/DAMAGE THAT HAS RENDERED A BEAUTIFUL CAR COMPLETELY UNDESIRABLE. THE CAR IS FIXED AND RUNS GREAT, BUT SHOWS AN OMINOUS OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLICKER AT LOW RPM AFTER THOROUGHLY HEATING UP. WHEN FIRST STARTED, A BEARING "CHATTER" IS AUDIBLE.

MY MECHANIC BLAMES THE MIXTURE OF OIL AND ANTIFREEZE ALLOWED WHEN THE WATER PUMP FAILS. THERE SEEMED TO BE NO "SLUDGE" PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR, SO IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE WEAR HAS BEEN OCCURRING ALL ALONG, AS IS SUGGESTED BY MANY OF THE OTHERS ON THIS FORUM, OR WHETHER THE DAMAGE WAS DONE WHEN THE WATER PUMP FAILED. REGARDLESS, THE RESULT IS A TOTAL DISASTER. IT COST $1200 ( A FAIR PRICE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT) TO REPAIR THE WATER PUMP AND MAKE THE CAR DRIVABLE.

THE BUMMER IS THAT NOW, MY MECHANIC, AND EVERY CHRYSLER SERVICE MANAGERS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH, ADVISE ME TO SELL THE CAR ASAP. I GUESS I AM RELATIVELY LUCKY. I STILL HAVE A RUNNING VEHICLE (VALUED AT $4500) TO TRADE. I DO HAVE THE MORAL DILEMMA OF KNOWING THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO EVENTUALLY BUY THIS CAR AND UNDOUBTEDLY SUFFER A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE SOMETIME IN THE FAIRLY NEAR FUTURE.

WHAT A SHAME! THIS WAS THE BEST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED UNTIL ONE WEEK AGO. NOW, I COUNT IT AS THE WORST PURCHASE I'VE EVER MADE. I HATE TO LET IT GO, BUT KNOW I HAVE NO CHOICE.

IF YOU ARE READING THIS AND HAVE YET TO SUFFER THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE, OR ARE CONTEMPLATING WHETHER TO BUY THIS CAR, MY ADVICE IS TO HAVE THE ENGINE FLUSHED REGULARLY, USE A LIGHTER WEIGHT OIL (5W20 etc.) AND CONSIDER REPLACING THE WATER PUMP AS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE RATHER THAN WAITING FOR IT'S EVENTUAL DEMISE.

GOOD LUCK! IT'S A GREAT CAR WITH A HORRIBLE GREMLIN.

- MIKE B., NOBLESVILLE, IN, US

Not what you are looking for?