This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Absolutely no symptoms prior to the engine suddenly blowing 2 head gaskets. At a previous oil change, I had been told that I had some sludge in my engine and asked would I like to purchase an additive for it? since I had read my owner's manual when I bought the car, I knew that Chrysler did not recommend adding anything to the engine, so I said no. I assumed it was just a sales ploy by the oil change outlet anyway. After having just exited a freeway, my car suddenly began to lose power with absolutely no lights coming on. After the car died, I opened the hood and had oil everywhere. The car was towed to my mechanic of 15 years who told me that both head gaskets had blown, the water pump had gone and that there was sludge all over the inside of my engine. He had never seen anything like it and thinks it is the worst designed engine imaginable. The water pump is located inside the engine. After spending $2600, the top half of my engine has been replaced, but the bottom half still needs to be replaced at an estimated cost of $5300. After driving for about 12 highway miles, my car cannot maintain oil pressure while idling and I have to keep the idle up manually so I don't harm the work we have already done. We replaced 24 lifters, 2 head gaskets, the water pump, 3 oil sending units and various miscellaneous parts. My other car has 300,000 miles on it. I know how to maintain a car. I am grateful it didn't lose power on the freeway I had just exited. I have filed a complaint with the center for auto safety and the mediation group handling this for Chrysler. I am awaiting paperwork from them at the present time.
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.
While driving the car on a long trip, one quart of oil in vehicle as every 700 miles. Engine and cap plugs leaks oil. There is a heating and cooling problem. The dealer will not tell all the details about what is wrong, but did say the block would have to be replaced.
The engine blew up while driving. This almost caused an accident. This engine had very low mileage at 42,800. From all information I can gather this is a problem with the company and they are not doing anything to fix this, over 700 complaints.
Engine on my 2001 Sebring sedan is idling roughly from loss of compression in one or two cylinders. Car had just over 60,000 mile when it started and dealer took car for two days, charged me hundreds of dollars to clean injectors and replace the injector in the low compression cylinder, and couldn't fix the problem. Then stated it's probably the engine but I just went over the 60,000 coverage and a repair wouldn't be covered. I maintained the vehicle and have records for all work done on it since I bought it new. Chrysler should make good to repair or replace the problem whatever it is since I'm now becoming aware of many other sludge problems in the same 2.7 6 cyl engine which apparently has defects in its manufacturing.
- Holbrook, NY, USA
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Heard knocking coming from the engine at around 59,000 miles. Said to be the result of oil sludge. Was told that I need a new engine at a cost of $6000. Haven't replaced engine. Still have to make the car payments on a car that does not work.
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.
2001 V-6 2.7 engine failure with 37,900 miles. Dealer states the engine failed due to oil sludge buildup dispite oil changes at every 6,000 miles. Their is a design flaw with this engine restricting oil flow to vital engine parts. I have found hundreds of similar claims on the internet. We need your help to force Chrysler to recall or compensate the owners of this defective engine. I tried to get Chrysler to help but all I get is stone wallled and fustrated.
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.
Engine started knocking, and the vehicle turned off and would not start. Consumer stated that the vehicle was still not running, and had not been towed.
Two weeks after a regular oil change, the 2.7L engine on my '01 Sebring made a large clunk. The dealership mechanic said it had blown a rod (ruined). Cause of the failure according to dealership was "oil sludge." Not covered in warranty. Price quoted for replacement was $7-8000. Mileage at the time was 47443.
On or about March 30, 2004 my car developed a ticking noise. I discovered the noise when ordering food at a drive through window. The noise was only evident when I had my window down. My car also had no heat by this time. Over the last two winters I would not have heat when the car was idle, but this year it had gradually deteriorated to no heat when idle or upon accelaration. According to the ower's manual no antifreeze would cause this problem. The car was low on oil and had no antifreeze. I took the car to an independent mechanic for an oil change and to check the antifreeze. The owner's manual stated you needed to do something special to add antifreeze, but the manual fail to tell you what that something special was. The oil was changed and the antifreeze was filled. The ticking noise persisted and then the red oil lamp came on one week after having this service performed. I made another appointment with the independent mechanic to see what was causing the ticking noise. After checking my car over I received a call saying that it appeared I needed a new engine, the anitfreeze that had been put in two weeks prior was completely gone. My car had no visible signs of leakage. Where did the antifreeze go" why is my low oil light coming on as well" it appears that the 2.7L engine fails regardless of maintenance due to design of the engine (limiting passage of oil) and this failure is also linked to the antifreeze leakage over time, causing the engine to over heat and build up sludge. The dealer then tells you that engine problem is due to sludge build-up or rather poor maintenance on your part and voids the warranty or refuses any assistance in the repair expense. My engine failed at approximately 52,000 miles. This problem is costing consumers thousands of dollars.
My 2001 Chrysler Sebring convertible with a 2.7 liter engine just quite on the highway with no prior warning or warning lights coming on one day last July. The dealer claims the engine seized due to sludge build-up. Since the car was 3, 600 miles over the 36,000 mile warranty, Chrysler has refused to repair the engine or even acknowledge that there is a problem with the 2.7 liter engine over-heating and causing sludge build-up.
After it rained, water collected in a puddle on the back interior floorboard. The dealer previously suspected the water came from the door seals and replaced them, however the leak resurfaced and it did not come from door seals. Consumer believed the leak came from the chassis. Other problems are as followed: Cd player malfunctioned, A/C unit failed and was repaired two times, the door panel was replaced, the steering column was replaced/squealed when turned/repair kit was installed/clockspring was replaced, the vehicle wouldn't start, there were electrical problems, a loud sound had come from the brakes, the window buttons were loose at the switch, and the engine cranked but did not start and was found to be flooded. Scc
When driving at 60 to 70 mph, consumer states the engine will suddenly shut off. Consumer has no brakes and steering is very hard. Consumer is not able to restart vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Waterford, CA, USA