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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

210 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2004
Power Train

I HAVE NOW HAD TWO INCIDENTS WHERE I HAVE ACCIDENTLY/UNKNOWINGLY MOVED THE FLOOR TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. THEY HAVE BOTH BEEN WHILE PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURNS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WERE NEAR ACCIDENTS. *AK THE GEAR SHIFT MOVES SO EASILY FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITH JUST TH…

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I HAVE NOW HAD TWO INCIDENTS WHERE I HAVE ACCIDENTLY/UNKNOWINGLY MOVED THE FLOOR TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. THEY HAVE BOTH BEEN WHILE PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURNS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WERE NEAR ACCIDENTS. *AK THE GEAR SHIFT MOVES SO EASILY FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITH JUST THE SLIGHTEST PRESSURE CAUSING THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL. I DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT HAD HAPPENED WHEN JUST THE FORCE OF STOPPING, BEFORE TURNING, WITH MY HAND RESTING ON THE SHIFTER PUSHED IT OUT OF GEAR. THE SECOND TIME JUST MOVING MY PURSE ONTO THE CONSOLE PUSHED IT OUT OF GEAR. I HAVE OWNED 4 OTHER VEHICLES WITH FLOOR SHIFTERS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THE MOVEMENT OF THE SHIFTER WITHOUT FIRST PRESSING IN THE RELEASE BUTTON. I THOUGHT THE REASON THE GEAR RELEASE BUTTONS WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES WAS TO PREVENT THE ACCIDENTAL MOVEMENT OF THE GEAR SHIFT. WHEN SITTING IN THIS VEHICLE THE ONLY PLACE TO COMFORTABLY REST YOUR RIGHT ARM IS ON THE ARM REST WHICH THEN EXTENDS TO YOUR FINGERS RESTING ON THE BALL OF THE SHIFTER. TO ACCESS THE RELEASE BUTTON YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY GO UNDER SHIFTER TO PRESS IT IN, THIS IS A SAFE PROCEDURE, BUT NOW THAT I FOUND OUT THAT IT DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY I AM CONSCIOUSLY AWARE OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. I NOW FIND MYSELF SITTING ON MY RIGHT HAND WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT I WARN THEM NOT TO BUMP THE SHIFTER WHILE REACHING FOR THEIR DRINK IN THE HOLDER. I CALLED THE DEALER TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT AND HE ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL DESIGN OF THE CAR. IS THIS A NORMAL DESIGN OF ALL CARS? IF IT IS, IT IS A VERY POOR DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI #10058954

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED BEYOND REPAIR AT DELIVERY. FRONT GRILL AREA DEEPLY SCRATCHED ON BOTH SIDES OF GRILL. TRANSMISSION JERKS BADLY WHEN GOING INTO GEAR. ALL TIRES BADLY OUT OF BALANCE AT DELIVERY. BECAUSE OF THE OUT OF BALANCE TIRES AND THE WARPED BRAKES THE ABS SYSTEM SENSOR COULD RECEIVE FALSE SIGNALS THEREFORE RENDERING …

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FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED BEYOND REPAIR AT DELIVERY. FRONT GRILL AREA DEEPLY SCRATCHED ON BOTH SIDES OF GRILL. TRANSMISSION JERKS BADLY WHEN GOING INTO GEAR. ALL TIRES BADLY OUT OF BALANCE AT DELIVERY. BECAUSE OF THE OUT OF BALANCE TIRES AND THE WARPED BRAKES THE ABS SYSTEM SENSOR COULD RECEIVE FALSE SIGNALS THEREFORE RENDERING THE ABS INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10069443

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2004
Power Train

WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE VEHICLE WONT MOVE, BUT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL VEHICLE WOULD GO FORWARD. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND REPLACED SOME SENSORS. BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10053815

26,000 miles · Dec 6, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury

AIR BAG DID NOT RELEASED IN CRASH WHERE MY VEHICLE, 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING SEDAN, WAS GOING 20 MPH AND HIT BY VEHICLE GOING 45 MPH. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED OVER $9000 DAMAGE. I RECEIVED A MINOR INJURY. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10049302

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2003
Tires

THERE WAS A SLIGHT VIBRATION AT 60 MPH. THE DRIVER HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATED. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10048513

3,421 miles · Nov 18, 2003
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR 4/13/03 I HAVE HAD BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS ON 6/2002,9/23,11/27-3/2003,5/03,9/03,9/18,10/01/03,10/07/03 EACH TIME ADJUSTMENTS, REPAIRS, REPLACEMENT HAVE BEEN DONE. NOW SINCE 9/23/03 ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PROBLEM THAT STILL EXISTING I AM EXPERIENCING VERY A HEAVY,VIBRATION THIS IS FELT WHEN THE CAR IS AT A STAN…

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SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR 4/13/03 I HAVE HAD BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS ON 6/2002,9/23,11/27-3/2003,5/03,9/03,9/18,10/01/03,10/07/03 EACH TIME ADJUSTMENTS, REPAIRS, REPLACEMENT HAVE BEEN DONE. NOW SINCE 9/23/03 ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PROBLEM THAT STILL EXISTING I AM EXPERIENCING VERY A HEAVY,VIBRATION THIS IS FELT WHEN THE CAR IS AT A STANDSTILL CAR CAN EITHER BE IN NEUTRAL OR PARK AND IT FEELS AS THOUGH THERE IS A VIBRATING MECHANISM ATTACHED TO YOUR CAR. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY COULDN'T DETECT ANYTHING ON THEIR SCANNING DEVICE. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047150

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2003
Air Bags

WHEN STOPPING AT A STOP AIR BAG INDICATION LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIG BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AIR BAG SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD AND CONSOLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10044782

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2003
Electrical SystemVisibility

WINDSHIELD SHOWS A REFECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER'S VISION TO BE OBSTRUCTED. HAD TRIED TO ALLEVIATE PROBLEM BY COVERING OR PAINTING IT, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10044256

26,000 miles · Aug 22, 2003
Tires

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALLS. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10030033

18,000 miles · Jul 28, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE'S SHIFT CABLE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE DANGEROUSLY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10031258

Official recalls

2

16V401000 · 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

1

PE02082 · 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.