IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
2002 Chrysler Sebring
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Chrysler Sebring do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 132.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sebring years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
200–25K
3825–50K
2650–75K
3075–100K
19100–150K
6150K+
139 reports with mileage · 71 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports4 fire reports11 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
48 reportsI WAS DRIVING ME CAR AND THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. I HAD NO WARNING FROM THE OIL AND ENGINE LIGHTS. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID A BEARING IN THE PISTON HAD SPUN FROM ENGINE SLUDGE. I SAW ON LINE THAT THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. MY CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AND THEN THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. IT WAS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AND DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION THERE WAS NOWHERE FOR ME TO AVOID THE ONGOING TRAFFIC. A NICE GENTLEMAN ASSISTED ME TO THE OFF RAMP. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC (TUNEX). THEY S…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. MY CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AND THEN THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. IT WAS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AND DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION THERE WAS NOWHERE FOR ME TO AVOID THE ONGOING TRAFFIC. A NICE GENTLEMAN ASSISTED ME TO THE OFF RAMP. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC (TUNEX). THEY SHARED WITH ME THAT I WOULD NEED TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALER SO THAT MY WARRANTY WOULD COVER THE PROBLEM. I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO COVER MY CAR, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE OIL CHANGE RECORDS AND MY MECHANIC WENT PERSONALLY TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE HIS COUSIN WORKS, AND TESTIFIED TO MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE PENDING ARBITRATION. *JB
THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE TO COME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER RESET THE TIMER THE FIRST TIME AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE OTHER 4 TIMES. *JB
2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING ENGINE FAILED. DIAGNOSED AS EXCESSIVE OIL SLUDGE. EXTENDED WARRANTY AND DEALER DENIED CLAIM DUE TO INADEQUATE OIL CHANGES. I BOUGHT CAR USED IN JULY, 2003. WHAT HAPPENED: THE CAR STOPPED AFTER A LOUD TAPPING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF …
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2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING ENGINE FAILED. DIAGNOSED AS EXCESSIVE OIL SLUDGE. EXTENDED WARRANTY AND DEALER DENIED CLAIM DUE TO INADEQUATE OIL CHANGES. I BOUGHT CAR USED IN JULY, 2003. WHAT HAPPENED: THE CAR STOPPED AFTER A LOUD TAPPING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I SENT COMPLAINT LETTER SENT TO CHRYSLER'S CEO ON 9/22/04. *AK
THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. *NM THE VEHICLE HAD A CONTINUING BRAKE PROBLEMS AND WOULD DIE WHILE IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED AT 92 MILES, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH LOW OIL. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED. THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTIN…
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THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. *NM THE VEHICLE HAD A CONTINUING BRAKE PROBLEMS AND WOULD DIE WHILE IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED AT 92 MILES, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH LOW OIL. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED. THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO LOSE POWER AND THE OIL LIGHT HAD COME BACK ON. OTHER PROBLEMS WERE: THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT, THE FRONT END WOULD VIBRATE, THE BRAKES SQUEALED, THERE WAS SLIGHT LEAK AT THE PROPORTIONING VALVE, THE TOP WAS PULLED DOWN AND THE RADIO HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, THE SIDE MIRRORS AND THE POWER LOCKS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND THE BRAKE PADS HAD WORN DOWN TO 2/32. *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE SEIZED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN DRIVING 45-50 MPH, CONSUMER WOULD TAKE FOOT OFF THE GAS AND VEHICLE MADE A WHINING NOISE. DEALER REPAIRED PROBLEM. *JB
Official recalls
216V401000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 3, 2016
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
15V338000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 2, 2015
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.