Transmission 4FA51 in Chrysler Sebring 2001 just totally quite will driving on freeway. Was able to coast off freeway and with help from several people and the CHP got it off the road. This is a very serious problem that Chrysler has with this transmission. It appears that a 2 piece wave spring breaks and enters pump on the transmission causing it to self destruct leaving the transmission totally inoperative. Should be a recall item. A replacement spring was designed and used in 2013. This may fix the weak 2 wave springs. Now I am finding that most of the parts on this transmission are not available. What the hell is that all about. Chrysler has a very serious problem that needs to be taken car. Help.

In April 2002 I bought a 2001 Chrysler Sebring LX with 1100 miles on it. I had minor problems up until 2008 when the transmission started to act up. I would go down the road and it would start to jerk and die out. It would idle high and take off fast. I had the transmission worked on and paid out of pocket. That lasted about 6 months.I drove it to the gas station and put gas in the car and when I tried to start it up, it would not start. It sounded like it had flooded. I got a boost and it started. I drove it one block and it started to smoke. I open up the hood and took the oil top off and I saw my car making a milk shake under the hood. Every one I took the car to would not fix it under $1500.00 and they could not guarantee the work because of the 2.7 engine. Everyone told me that that engine was bad news and that Chrysler should have had a recall. I believe with all of the complaints we should launch a law suit against Chrysler to receive at least half of the money we paid in these vehicles.

Alice J Dallas,Texas

I was going down a county road with the cruise control at 50mph when I felt a sudden jolt as if I had applied the brakes suddenly. I pulled off the road and it seemed fine going 0-20, but when I try to go on the highway, the rpms are through the roof. I brought it to Transmission Shop Inc to have it checked out. They found a bad solenoid pack and replaced it. However that did not fix the problem. They now think they found a bad wire and will be fixing that this morning. I somehow think that will not fix it due to the overall crappiness of this car. I will update this complaint when I find out more information. If it is this wire, the overall cost looks to be about $575. Not too bad when compared to the cost of a new transmission, but still THIS CAR SUCKS!

Update from Apr 13, 2010: I was going down a county road with the cruise control at 50mph when I felt a jolt as if I had applied the brakes suddenly. I pulled off the road and it seemed fine going 0-20, but when I try to go on the highway, the rpms are through the roof. I brought it to Transmission Shop Inc to have it checked out. They found a bad solenoid pack and replaced it. However that did not fix the problem. Then they found bad wire and be fixed that. Ended up costing $463. Not too bad when compared to the cost of a new transmission, but still THIS CAR SUCKS!