Just bought this car for my niece who is in college, and could not afford a car. After buying it, I drove it home. as soon as the engine warmed up, the oil light comes on at idle. Started doing research, and find out it is a big issue, and Chrysler won't offer any assistance. This is a local car, and has been serviced regularly. It appears the only fix, is to replace the 2.7 engine with a 3.2 or 3.5. I have never owned a Chrysler product, and likely never will again.
I am a single woman who bought this 2004 Sebring this year. I used every last penny I owned to purchase it. Now I have nothing! I certainly don't have the money to fix it if there was a fix. I have read all the reports and there is NO FIX except another engine with the same problem!!!!!! I am sick and discouraged. Why would this problem not make the headlines so people are warned not to buy a Chrysler!!!! There are 1000's of complaints....why doesn't Chrysler have to do something????? This is unreal! There is currently a lawsuit but it does not include my car. If someone knows something different I would appreciate that information.
Was flickering at idle the day we purchased car. Dealer saids was oil level and they would check it and not to worry. Found out a month later about engine troubles with this car and possible catastrophic problems. Dealer not returning calls.
The oil light has started coming on and off. I took it in for an oil change and check up. The light remained on even after the change. The mechanic told me a bigger issue may be at fault. He noticed the light went out when he revved the engine but that it came back on when slowing or idling. Since then (two days) I have noted the length of time it is on is irregular fluctuates between flashing at times, stationary at others - and mostly when the vehicle is slowing down or I am applying the breaks. It is also very sluggish/slow when trying to accelerate.
This car had a history of dying (dead stop when slowing down or accelerating from a low speed and even while not moving while waiting at toll booth... (troubles began one week after purchase - used/24k miles at time) and now this.
I am out of warranty (60,000) and cannot afford to have fixed (unemployed thanks to downtourn of economy) From what I read here - I am really screwed and still owe on this vehicle for the next five years!!!! Considering all the issues I've had from the start and lack of support from Chrysler on an obvious and COSTLY defect, they have lost me as a customer (this is my second Sebring -the first was a JXI). I will NEVER buy another...
- Christine C.,
Baltimore, MD, US
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I agree with everyone's complaints When I bought this car I paid cash $8,000. It was great then in April I noticed the oil light was coming on at stops signs and idle. I lifted the hood and didn't hear any knocking and I watched the temperature gauge and Tachometer. It was all normal. Now I see that people are talking about sludge I am going to put a cup of kerosene in with the oil and run it for a day then get the oil changed. An old Indian trick my native friend showed me. I don't know what to do Thanks to the Bush era and destroying this economy my credit is ruined so I have no way to buy a car. I looked up the value of this car and was told at best I would get maybe 2,500 for it, 2004 PILE o CRAP! that is a huge loss in less than a year. Sorry but if the workers at Chrysler knew about this they deserve to lose their jobs. If I can I am going to try and find a Honda or Toyota or something. The hell with American cars.
Oil light started coming on when engine was warm and at idle.Had oil pressure checked because I was concerned that oil pump was weak.Mechanic said pressure was a little low but could not justify changing pump.He changed oil to straight 30 weight (was using 5W or 10W 30 before) and light stayed off for about a month.Recently started again...very annoying! I"m going to have oil sending unit replaced and see what happens.
Also, not another complaint but just a heads-up...same car, engine light came on and I realized the transmission was not shifting.First two "mechanics" I spoke with were ready to start calling around to find a rebuilt transmission at $2000.00 - $3000.00. A friend came over with his engine analyzer and that showed a code for "transmission control relay"...$13.50 and about five minutes for us to change it...problem solved. Beware and check all options before stimulating the economy too much.
The oil light keeps flickering whenever I come to a stop. The majority of the time it is directly related to the idle RPM which slowly drops down towards 500. It'll also do this if the heater is set to high or if I turn the steering wheel back and forth while stopped and in drive. I took it to Carmax (bought it in 2006) and they replaced the oil pressure sensor, discovered (and fixed) that it was leaking oil from both the oil pan and timing cover gaskets. They also fixed the thermostat housing which was leaking. Once it was ready I picked it up and it ran beautifully, had no problems idling....until I got part way home and came to a stop light. Sure enough the RPM started to drop and the oil light started flickering. Sigh...I get to take it back up to Carmax tomorrow. I've changed the oil every 5k miles using full synthetic.
The oil light comes on after the engine warms up and at low RPM's or when coming to a stop. This is pretty annoying especially when I have changed the oil and filter every 3,000 to 3,500 miles. I've noticed that this appears to be a common problem with this type of engine. Chrysler should recall them all and fix the problem. I'll never buy another Chrysler. I have only 55,000 miles on the car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Just bought this car for my niece who is in college, and could not afford a car. After buying it, I drove it home. as soon as the engine warmed up, the oil light comes on at idle. Started doing research, and find out it is a big issue, and Chrysler won't offer any assistance. This is a local car, and has been serviced regularly. It appears the only fix, is to replace the 2.7 engine with a 3.2 or 3.5. I have never owned a Chrysler product, and likely never will again.
- Paul S., Iowa City, IA, US