2001 Chrysler Sebring Complaint Log

CHROME WHEEL RIMS PROVIDED ON THIS VEHICLE ARE BADLY CORRODED WHICH CAUSES THE TIRES TO LOOSE AIR PRESSURE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO SEVERAL TIRE SHOPS AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. APPARENTLY, CHROME IS NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TO USE AIR EVERY OTHER DAY TO MAINTAIN A SAFE AIR PRESSURE ON THESE TIRES. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 18 MONTHS. *JB

CLOCKSPRING: I HAVE A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THEREFORE MY AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK. MY HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK EITHER. *JB

SPUTTERING, BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE IN DASH. CRACKED DASH. FLOODING IN CAR, VARIOUS MFG. DEFECTS. LEMON, BUT CANNOT FILE LEMON LAW AS CAR JUST TURNED 5 Y/O. SINGLE MOM, LIMITED INCOME. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS AT AN IDLE, THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL #00V299002 REGARDING THE ENGINE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

THE PAINT ALL OVER MY CAR IS FADING AND CRACKED AND IT IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. I HAVE SAW OTHER CARS EXACTLY LIKE MINE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE PAINT TO DO THIS AND I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH TOP COAT THE MANUFACTURE PUT ON. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE POSITIONING HINGE ON THE REAR OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT HAS WORN AND NO LONGER STAYS IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. ALSO, THE POSITIONING CLIP IS EASILY MOVED BY THE CHILD. THIS IS A GRACO COMFORT SPORT, MODEL #8630KBT, MANUFACTURED MAY, 25, 2004. UPDATED 9/13/2006 - *NM

MY CAR (2001 CHRYLSER SEBRING) CAME EQUIPPED WITH CHROMED WHEELS. APPARENTLY THE CHROME OVER TIME CRACKS ALLOWING AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRES. AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A STRANGE VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT SO I PULLED OVER AND DISCOVER THE LOW TIRE. I REINFLATED THE TIRE AND TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. THEY TOLD ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND PATCHED THE TIRE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE PATCH WAS ONLY TEMPORARY AND THAT EVENTUALLY ALL THE WHEELS WOULD FAIL. I WOULD EITHER NEED TO RECHROME THE WHEELS OR REPLACE THEM. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NORMALLY WEAR AND THE WHEELS WERE ONLY COVERED FOR 3 YEARS EVEN THOUGH I HAVE AN 7 YEAR WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT YET DECIDED WHICH OPTION TO DO BUT I FEEL THAT WHEELS THAT CAN FAIL LIKE THIS ARE A DANGER. THIS TIME I WAS NOT DRIVING THAT FAST AND THE LEAK WAS NOT THAT BAD BUT IT COULD BE WORSE IN THE FUTURE. ALSO RESEARCHING THE ISSUE OVER THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM ACROSS MANY MAKES AND MODELS. *NM

CAR OVERHEATED, MECHANIC SAYS A NEW ENGINE IS NEEDED, NO REPAIR AT THIS TIME NOT DRIVABLE. *NM

I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK END OF MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. I NEEDED TO PICK UP CHILDREN AND INTENDED TO LOOK INTO NOISE WHEN I GOT HOME. ABOUT A MILE FROM HOME ON A BUMPY COUNTRY ROAD, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE STRUT SUPPORT HAD CORRODED AND BROKEN, THROWING THE SHOCK INTO MY TIRE. TIRE IS DESTROYED AND STRUT/SHOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC LOOKS AT THE OTHER SIDE AND FINDS THAT IT TOO IS CORRODED AND READY TO BREAK. A FRIEND IS A MECHANIC FOR A CHRYSLER DEALER AND SAYS HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE AND CHRYSLER KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS MALFUNCTION SENT MY CAR INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE, AND I WAS JUST LUCKY THAT I WAS IN THE COUNTRY AND NO ONE WAS COMING THE OTHER WAY! THE WARRANTY ON MY CAR EXPIRED 2 MONTHS AGO. IS CHRYSLER IN ANY WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS? *JB

DASHBOARD CRACKED IN 4 PLACES. *AK

NONE OF THE GAUGES WORK ON THE DASH. SUCH AS THE ODOMETER THE GAS GAUGE,THE RADIO. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT LED UP TO THE FAILURE. FOR THIS IS A USED CAR. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING 4 DOOR SEDAN. SINCE THE PURCHASING THE NEW CAR DIRECTLY FROM THE DEALER THE CAR HAS FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. I FORTUNATELY HAVE NOT BE INJURED AS A RESULT HOWEVER, THIS IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM AS MY PREVIOUS CHRYSLER DID THIS AS WELL. IT WILL HAPPEN WHILE SITTING AT A STAND STILL THE CAR WILL PROPEL ITSELF FORWARD AND IF YOUR FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE IT WILL TAKE OFF. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHEN THE LUBE SPECIALISTS HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND AND SUGGESTED THAT VEHICLE BE INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAILING AND THAT IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALERS FOR THE PARTS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT VIEWED ONLINE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR SYMPTOMS OF RECALL.

THE REAR SHOCK MOUNTS COMPLETELY CORRODED AWAY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP AND THE SHOCK AND SPRING WAS COMPLETELY LOOSE FROM THE FRAME BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY BRACKETS THAT HAD FAILED. ALSO THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE BATTERY FAILED AND THE ONLY THING IT WILL DO NOW IS FLASH THE TREBLE/BASS LIGHTS AND WILL NOT FUNCTION.*CN

ON TURNING INTO A MAIN STREET IN OUR TOWN FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD ENDS ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ON MY CAR PULLED APART, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. DUE TO THE LOW SPEED INVOLVED, I WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE CAR TO THE CURB WITH NO FURTHER DAMAGE. I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I-89 EARLIER, AND HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED THEN, COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL, AND THE POSSIBLE DEATH OR INJURY TO MY WIFE AND I WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO VERMONT TIRE, HERE IN SOUTH BURLINGTON, WHERE THE TIE ROD ENDS (401-1704 & 401-1737) WERE REPLACED AND THE FRONT END WAS RE-ALIGNED. I HAVE THE OLD PARTS FOR INSPECTION, IF DESIRED. TOTAL MILEAGE ON THE CAR WAS 62285. NOTE, THE TIE ROD ENDS NORMALLY THREAD TOGETHER. IN THIS CASE CORROSION ALLOWED THESE PARTS TO PULL APART COMPLETELY. EXCEPT FOR ABOUT A HALF INCH AT THE VERY TOP OF THE THREADED END OF THE ROD, THE ROD COULD BE INSERTED AND WITHDRAWN WITH LITTLE OR NO RESISTANCE, AND THIS IS HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO WARNING IN THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE CAR TO INDICATE THE FAILURE WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PUDDLE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE COOLER HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V011002, REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 8/14/2006 - THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE WORN. *NM

PURCHASED A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING NEW WITH 101 MILES IN AUG 2001. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 42,000 MILES AND THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE CHRYSLER'S 2.7L ENGINE HAS MANY INTERNET DOCUMENTS SHOWING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. NOT COVERED BY CHRYSLER OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. WAS DRIVING VEHICLE 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AT 8:00 AM WHEN THE CAR JUST DIED. FORTUNATELY (ALTHOUGH RUSH HOUR) NO ONE WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE VEHICLE. CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS CHRYSLER WANTS $6,000 TO FIX THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE IS ONLY WORTH $8,800. CAR IS STILL SITTING AT DEALERSHIP. CHRYSLER HAS NOT MADE ANY CHANGES TO THIS ENGINE SO EVEN IF REPAIRS ARE MADE THIS PROBLEM WILL KEEP OCCURRING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO SMOKE. THE TRANSMISSION HOSE AND THE SOLENOID PACK WERE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V011002, REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION LINES. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - *NM

MY WIFE WAS IN A FRONTAL CRASH WITH ENOUGH IMPACT TO NEARLY PUSH THE ENGINE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I BELIEVE THIS WAS DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT OR DESIGN. I DO HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES THAT SHOW THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE. *JB

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE ON MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING MY ONLY SOLUTION IS TO LET THE CAR SIT FOR THE TWO YEARS I OWE ON IT BECAUSE THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT IS APPARENTLY A DESIGN FLAW. *NM

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. MY CAR STALED, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND DRIVE HOME. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROD BEARING HAD GONE OUT AND THE MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF TALKING TO CHRYSLER THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ONE OF THEIR DEALERSHIPS SO THEY CAN LOOK AT IT AT MY COST. THE CAR HAD 82,121 MILES ON IT SO THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. CHRYSLER GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 200 TO 400 $ JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY THING BECAUSE OF EXCESS SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR. NEED LESS TO SAY I WENT TO A DIFFERENT COMPANY TO PUT IN A REMANUFACTURE MOTOR. THESE 2.7 LITER APPARENTLY HAS A LOT A DEFECTS. *AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. MY CAR STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND DRIVE HOME. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROD BEARING HAD GONE OUT AND THE MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF TALKING TO CHRYSLER THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ONE OF THEIR DEALERSHIPS SO THEY CAN LOOK AT IT AT MY COST. THE CAR HAD 82,121 MILES ON IT SO THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. CHRYSLER GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 200 TO 400 $ JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY THING BECAUSE OF EXCESS SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR. NEED LESS TO SAY I WENT TO A DIFFERENT COMPANY TO PUT IN A REMANUFACTURE MOTOR. THESE 2.7 LITER APPARENTLY HAS A LOT A DEFECTS. *AK

ENGINE FAILURE IN 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH 2.7 L. ENGINE AT APPROX. 65,000 MILES WITHOUT ANY FOREWARNING. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR OVERHEATING OCCURRED. ENGINE MUST NOW BE REPLACED DUE TO CRACKED BLOCK. CHRYSLER WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS. *NM

I BOUGHT A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH A 2.7 L ENGINE IN NOVEMBER 2005. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 59 FROM LOUISIANA TO ALABAMA ON JAN. 2, 2006 MY ENGINE SEIZED AND STOPPED. I HAD TO PULL OFF OF THE INTERSTATE IMMEDIATELY TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIT. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY FOUND IT HAD SLUDGE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. I HAVE KEPT MY CAR MAINTAINED AND HAD AN OIL CHANGE THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. THIS LEFT ME VULNERABLE TO HAVE INJURED MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. I WAS OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, BUT WAS TOLD SLUDGE WAS NOT COVERED. I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. *JB

WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AND THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP QUICKLY AND PULL INTO THE MEDIAN. I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP ONLY 2 MONTHS PRIOR WITH "POPPING" NOISES IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERFORMED AN INSPECTION AND SAID "ALL FRONT END COMPONENTS TIGHT AND SOUND /NO FAILURES DETECTED". LESS THAN 2,000 MILES LATER, THE BALL JOINT FAILED! WHAT IS EVEN MORE CONCERNING IS THAT THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS WERE EXPERIENCED 2 YEARS AGO AND MANY COMPONENTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION (INCLUDING BOTH BALL JOINTS) WERE REPLACED. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS AT 37,000 MILES AND COST ME $598.66 (SINCE THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERED TO 36,000 MILES - IRONIC, HUH?). THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED AT 63,000 MILES AND COST ME $693.06. UPON DRIVING THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE AFTER BEING TOWED, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE BALL JOINT POPPED COMPLETELY OUT OF IT'S JOINT AND SHOWED ME THAT THE TIRE WAS ONLY BARELY HANGING ON. HE ALSO SAID I WAS "LUCKY" THAT I HADN'T WENT 20 MORE FEET ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE THE TIRE WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLY INJURY. THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE REPAIRS BUT WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE EXPENSES. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY OR REFUND THE COST FOR THE FAULTY INSPECTION THAT WAS PERFORMED 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 35 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE CUSHION SPRING. THE STOCK REPLACEMENT PART PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER WAS AT LEAST FIVE TIMES HEAVIER THAN THE ORIGINAL PART. THE GAUGE OF THE ORIGINAL CUSHION SPRING WAS MUCH LESS THAN THE STOCK REPLACEMENT PART. AS THE CUSHION SPRING BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE THE PARTS LODGED IN THE PUMP GEARS, RESULTING IN HAVING TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH A 2.7 LITER ENGINE PREMATURELY FAILED AT 74,000 MILES. STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AT 64,000 MILES WITH EXCESSIVE ENGINE NOISE AND SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW BY MYSELF AND MAINTAINED PER THE SERVICE SCHEDULE IN THE CHRYSLER MANUAL. THE ENGINE GAVE OUT ABOUT 4 BLOCKS FROM OUR HOME WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT, FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED. WE HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE MOTOR WITH A JASPER REMANUFACTURED ENGINE WHICH HAS SEVERAL DESIGN MODIFICATIONS AND A BETTER WARRANTY THAN THE FACTORY ENGINE. *NM

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING 2.7L MOTOR. 69000 MILES. MOTOR QUIT. DIAGNOSED AS BROKEN TIMING CHAIN, NEW MOTOR NEEDED $6,900. FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, MOTOR JUST STOPPED. I WAS FORTUNATE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. *JB

THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING HAS FAILED TWICE IN ITS LIFETIME (CURRENTLY ~65,000 MILES) - LUCKILY BOTH TIMES WERE DURING PARTS OF THE YEAR WHERE I DID NOT NEED HEADLIGHTS, BUT THIS TIME AROUND I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED. THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK. *NM

I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES AND HAD A PASSENGER IN THE CAR WITH ME. NOTHING DEPLOYED...BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THE NEXT DAY...WELL I TOOK IT TO DINOVOS AND THEY SAID THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT PRE TENSIONER WAS OPEN...CLEANED IT AND GREASED IT AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF...IF I WAS IN AN ACTUAL WRECK..WOULD I HAVE HAD AN AIRBAG..THAT IS THE QUESTION OF THE DAY.*JB

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING 2.7 LITER DOHC PERFORMED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON 9-11-05, DUE TO A LONG TRIP. EVERYTHING WAS GOOD AS FAR AS FLUID LEVELS, PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE, VEHICLE RAN FINE OIL WAS NOT BURNT OR LOW OIL CHANGE INTERVAL WAS ON SCHEDULE. ON 9-12-05 AT 9:30 A.M., AT INTERSTATE SPEED VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, AS IT SHUT DOWN TEMP. GAUGE WENT TO THE MAX. MY WIFE AND SEVEN MONTH OLD CHILD WERE STUCK ON HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP. VERY HOT AND HUMID DAY ABOUT ONE-HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME. TOWED VEHICLE BACK TO HOME AREA. VEHICLE ACTED AS IF TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE. UPON REMOVAL OF INTAKE AND VALVE COVER, TWELVE INTAKE VALVES ARE BENT AND STUCK OPEN DO TO THE TIMING CHAIN JUMPING OR WATER PUMP FAILURE. HAVE NOT INSPECTED ANY LOWER IN THE ENGINE YET. VEHICLE HAS 88,374 MILES ON IT. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. MADE CONTACT WITH CHRYSLER TO SEE IF THEIR WAS A POSSIBLE RECALL. CHRYSLER SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY TIMING PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE, BUT WERE VERY EVASIVE WHEN CHALLENGED WITH QUESTIONS. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.*JB

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING 2.7L 24V DOHC ENGINE FAILURE- COMPLETELY DEAD AND LEFT ME ON HIGHWAY. WATER PUMP FAILED, TIMING CHAIN INSIDE ENGINE BROKE RUINED ENGINE. HAD TO REPLACE FOR $8000.00. *TR

CONSUMER HAD A LEAK IN ENGINE, DUE TO SLUDGE IN CHRYSLER SEBRING. *TS THE CONSUMER READ AN ARTICLE WHICH MENTIONED THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 797,000 QUESTIONABLE CHRYSLER ENGINE THAT COULD EXPERIENCE SLUDGE PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE SLUDGE WAS THE RESULT OF OIL MAINTENANCE NEGLECT. *NM

(1) THE COURSE OF ACTION WHEN LEAVING MY EMPLOYMENT WORKPLACE ON THURSDAY, JULY 21, APPROXIMATELY 6:00 P.M. CST: I STARTED MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH MY REMOTE START (WHICH I HAVE DONE DAILY SINCE 2002), GOT INTO THE CAR TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT, SECURED MY SEAT BELT, AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE (NO CARS WERE PARKED IN FRONT OF MINE). (2) THE MOMENT I PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR (DRIVE) IT TOOK OFF LIKE A BULLET WITHOUT ANY ACCELERATION. THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING INDEPENDENTLY (RUNAWAY) AND HEADED TOWARD A 4-LANE, BUSY STREET. BRAKING HAD NO EFFECT ON SLOWING THE CAR BUT I COULD STEER. I TURNED TO AVOID ENTERING THE BUSY STREET BUT CRASHED INTO THE CORNER OF A BRICK BUILDING. ELAPSED TIME FROM THE POINT OF FAILURE TO THE CRASH WAS VERY SHORT; I ESTIMATE IT TO BE 5 SECONDS. I WAS INJURED AND HOSPITALIZED WITH A FRACTURED HEEL BONE, ANKLE BONES, AND RIBS. (3) THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS SO THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. *NM

DT: WHILE DRIVING MY CHRYSLER SEBRING THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. IT STARTING MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND THEN THE CONSUMER HEARD A CRUNCH. WHEN THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD THE TIMING CHAIN HAD CUT A SLICE OUT OF THE PLASTIC VALUE COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN DID BREAK. HE ALSO TOLD THE CONSUMER TO SEARCH THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME MOTOR. THE CONSUMER HASN'T DONE ANY RESEARCH TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE YET. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN IRREGULAR ENGINE SNAPPING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS A NAIL IN THE TIRE, BUT UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO NAIL IN THE TIRE. THE ENGINE FIRST STARTED WITH THE SNAPPING SOUND, THEN VIBRATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN. THE NOISE HAS BEEN THE SAME SINCE IT STARTED. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK

FRONT TOP BALL JOINT SNAPPED WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. NO WARNING, HAD TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIR. FOUND DAMAGED CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES WHEN REPLACING BOTH FRONT TOP AND BOTTOM BALL JOINTS. ONLY 53,000 MILES ON THE CAR! INTEND TO WRITE TO CHRYSLER.

DECEMBER OF 2002 - REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER QUIT. WIRE CONNECTOR CAME LOOSE FROM REAR WINDOW. COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. WINDOW HAD TO BE REPLACED TO FIX PROBLEM. MAY OF 2004 - AIR BAG INDICATOR CAME ON AND CHIME SOUNDED. SENSOR OR SOME SORT REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF OVER $300.00 JUNE OF 2005 - REPEAT OR ABOVE PROBLEM. APPOINTMENT TO BRING CAR IN FOR SERVICING ON JUNE 28TH. JUNE OF 2005 - REPEAT OF REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER. ITEM HAS NOT WORKED FOR MONTHS. I HAVE RUN A REPORT ON MYCARSTATS.COM AND HAVE FOUND BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL. APPEARS WE HAVE A PROBLEM HERE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE AIR BAG PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME AND I CERTAINLY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY NEXT WEEK WHEN I BRING IT IN FOR SERVICING.

DT: CALLER SAID THE WHEEL FELL OFF IN DRIVEWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE TOP UPPER BALL JOINT GAVE WAY, LEAVING THE BOTTOM BALL JOINT TO HOLD THE TIRE. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER HAS NOT HAD IT FIXED. *AK

UPPER BALL JOINT IN PASSENGER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FOLD INWARD WITH AN ASSOCIATED TEMPORARY LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. NEW PART WAS INSTALLED AND UPON INSPECTION, THE OLD BALL JOINT APPEARED RUSTY AND CORRODED.

DT CONSUMER STATES THE WHEELS ON HIS VEHICLE HAVE CORRODED AND CAUSED AIR TO LEAK OUT. WHEN THE WHEELS WERE REPLACED BY THE SERVICE DEALER THEY STATED IT WAS FROM THE ROAD SALT DURING THE WINTER. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY *TT

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

DRIVER NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE LOSING AIR PRESSURE FROM THE WHEELS. THE WHEELS CONTAINED ALUMINA CHROME ALLOY PLATED, AND THE SEAL DETERIORATED. THIS CAUSED LOW TIRE PRESSURE. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WHEELS WOULD BE CHANGED AT DRIVER'S EXPENSE. *AK

I HAVE A SLUDGE BUILD UP IN MY 2.7 CHRYSLER SEABRING LXI 2001. I HAVE FAITHFULY CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE CHRYSLER FACTORY WARRANTY AND MOST OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PLANS WILL NOT COVER ENGINE REPAIRS IF THEY FIND SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. MY CAR FAILED WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHICH COULD HAVE LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURIES.*AK

I HAVE A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH THE 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINE. IT HAS RECENTLY EXPERIENCED ENGINE PROBLEMS UP TO AND WILL PROBABLY INCLUDE COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE FROM OIL SLUDGING IN THE ENGINE. THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 5000 MILES AND WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF THESE OIL CHANGES. THE CAR ONLY HAS 29500 MILES RIGHT NOW. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY CAN NOT WARRANT THE PRODUCT BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF THEIR WARRANTY PERIOD. THEY EVEN WENT AS FAR AS TO SAY THAT EVEN IF IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THEY CAN'T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SO BASICALLY I AM JUST REPORTING TO YOU MY COMPLAINT. I KNOW YOU PROBABLY HAVE RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS ENGINE. PLEASE URGE CHRYSLER TO EXTEND THEIR WARRANTIES OR OFFER A RECALL. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AN ENGINE FAILING BECAUSE OF OIL SLUDGE WITH ONLY 29500 MILES ON IT. THANKS, JOE RAGUSE. *NM

AFTER I RECEIVED A TUNE UP OF MY VEHICLE, IT STARTED A PROBLEM. AFTER MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 20 MIN, THE ENGINE STARTS TO ALMOST DIE OUT, THEN COME BACK TO LIFE. THIS IS W/O USING AC OR HEAT. HOWEVER, IF I USE MY A/C OR HEAT, IT BECOMES MUCH WORSE. IN BOTH SITUATIONS, W/OR W/O AC & HEAT, THE PROBLEM BECAME SO BAD MY CAR DIED OUT. THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY CAR, AND CLAIMED IT DID NOT DO THIS TO THEM WHEN THEY HAD IT IN THEIR POSSESSION. I MYSELF, HAVE CHANGED THE AIR FILTER, GOT AN OIL CHANGE, CHANGED MY TRANS FLUID, PCV VALVE, & PUT IN FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT STOPPED. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO MURRAYS AUTO PARTS, THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, GIVING IT THE CODE P1391 MISFIRE CODE. I CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THIS CODE, NOBODY HAD ANY IDEA WHAT IT MEANT. EVERY TIME I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER, THEY DENY THEY HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT, AND PUT ME OFF LIKE I DON'T KNOW WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT. I JUST WANT MY CAR FIXED. *NM

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AND PARKED, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING COUPE LXI NEEDS REBUILT TRANSMISSION AT 63,000. THE COST $2000.*AK

WHEN CAR BOUGHT SHARED DRIVER INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LOOSE. TOOK BACK IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. MONTHS LATER POWER WINDOW BUTTONS ARE FALLING THROUGH SAME DOOR HANDLE, RENDERING WINDOW INOPERABLE. UPON ME TAKING IT APART TO SEE IF I COULD FIX, FOUND THE PLASTIC STEMS THAT INTERLOCK POWER WINDOW BUTTONS TO THE HANDLE, ARE DISENTAGRATING.THAT WHEN I TOOK IN FOR ABOVE MENTIONED WARRANTY WORK, ALL THAT WAS DONE, THEY GLUED HANDLED TO UPOLSTRY. THE REAR WINDOW DRIVER SIDE HAS NOW ALSO BEDOME INOPERABLE DUE TO SAME DISENTEGARATION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND/OR FIRE AND UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR TO ESCAPE ONE WOULD BECOME TRAPPED UNABLE TO LOWER A WINDOW TO GET OUT.

VEHILCE IS A CHYRSLER SEABRING CONVERTIBLE (2001). CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE. WHILE DRIVING, CAR DIED WITHOUT WARNING. CLANKING NOISE HAPPENED UNDER HOOD AND CAR STALLED APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS LATER.*AK TWO MECHANICS HAVE DIAGNOSED THE NEED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. QUOTES TO REPAIR RANGE FROM $3,700 TO $8,700. CALLED CHYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE. WAS TOLD THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SENT LETTER TO CEO OF CHRYSLER USA AND HAVE NOT REC'D RESPONSE TO DATE.