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.
I recently purchased a 2002 Chrysler Sebring convertible from a private individual and after a few weeks had the car in the garage for a quick checkup. My mechanic said the engine with only 50,000 original miles looks like it is from a vehicle with 150,000 miles because of the sludge buildup. I am afraid to purchase a used engine (which is hard to find to begin with) because it may fail because of the problem with these engines from sludge and also the timing chain problem I have discovered after much research of the 2.7L engine on the internet. Instead I have to pay over $5000 to have a remanufactured engine installed in my used vehicle.
2002 Chrysler Sebring with 2.7L V6 engine. Engine has not failed yet, but only because I no longer drive car for fear engine will seize while I'm driving, causing an accident. Oil light started flickering beginning of Aug. 2009; replaced oil pressure switch, which did not resolve problem; mechanic recommended replacing oil pump; after researching, discovered oil sludge issue, which I am 100% positive is the problem with my Sebring. 87,000 miles on car; have changed oil every 3,000 miles; more often than recommended by Chrysler.
On April 30, 2009, my well maintained 2002 Chrysler Sebring experienced total engine failure. The engine in question was the defective 2.7 litre V6 engine which are prone to oil sludge. A stalled lawsuit claims as well do I, 'the engines were defective in that the engine design caused the formation of engine oil sludge to an unacceptable and improper degree, that the build-up of such oil sludge resulted in excessive heating of the engine, excessive wear and tear of the engine, excessive formation of carbon deposits which blocked oil passageways and restriction of oil circulation in the engine, and resulted in substantial failure of the engine''. Chrysler Corp and my local dealer refuse to investigate and deny knowledge of the class action lawsuit, which is stalled due to the filing of chapter 11.
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 67,000.
With relatively low mileage the engine began to smoke. Then the oil pressure light came on when at an idle. Now, the engine needs replaced because it is worn out due to lack of lubrication. This should not happen when oil changes are done at correct intervals.
- Hamilton, OH, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle shut off in the middle of the highway. The road conditions were not a factor. The failure occurred while exiting off of the highway. The contact struggled to maintain control of the vehicle. He was informed that a new engine would be needed at the cost of $3,000. The failure occurred without warning. The contact did not want to restart the engine because there was too much oil all over the engine and hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and he stated that the failures were caused by a jump timing and faulty parts. There were no crashes, injuries, or property damage done to the vehicle. The vehicle is still at the repair shop, but no repairs have been made. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 112,000.
Premature engine failure, 2.7 liter Chrysler no warning lights leading up to inevitable engine failure. 10/27/08, 6:30 P.M. heater abruptly stopped working. 10/28, 2 miles into a.M. commute; stopped at red light, turned right once traffic clear. Upon acceleration engine hesitates, nearly causing driver behind to rear end me. Pulled off street to check that car was running ok, seemed fine. 9 miles into commute. Oil light flickers, pulled into gas station within 4 blocks, scared engine would lock up or blow. Checked oil, dry dipstick! purchased 2 quarts, added 1 & barely registered on dipstick. Added 2nd, now registered over filled (oil in engine was held back due to sludge, & released while adding new oil?). oil light stops flickering & is off. 1 more mile to work. Engine hesitated a couple of times during a.M. & P.M. commutes. 9:58 P.M., 11 miles into P.M. commute stop at gas station, check oil. Before opening hood, noticed antifreeze odor, couldn't tell if coming from my car or others nearby. Oil still registered on dipstick as overfilled. Noticed steam coming from engine near mid front of car, passenger side, could not find exact location. Purchased coolant just in case. Final 2 miles of commute, temp gauge registered higher than normal. 10/29, 8:00 a.M. take car to dealership. Drip marks on driveway from evening before. Arrived at dealership service, informed me they were no longer Chrysler dealership/service as of Oct. 1, (sign outside & cars in the lot had not been taken away). Diagnosis: Replace water pump, oil, ac & power steering belts, oil sending unit, timing chain & gears, tensioners & upper connectors. Estimate: $1,548. 2nd opinion: Replace water pump, valve cover gasket, thermostat, belts, & oil for $1,371. Also suggested replacing timing chain, total $2,500. However, the shop had 15-year former Chrysler service veteran on staff who suggested I not make repairs because the engine will seize soon, and I'd be wasting money. Still making payments on car.
First I had continuous oil leak so the pan or some part was ordered and installed. The oil is still leaking out of that pan or part? that was a couple hundred bucks including checking the constant flickering oil light which now just flickers and I pay it no attention. The second issue was a computer chip or something, the car would just not start so I took it in that was 800 something by the time the car was going again. The third issue was the connecter that has three hoses to it went bad and smoke came from under hood and when I opened it the water was spraying leaking and of course empty which was another 300 bucks after towing parts labor etc... the current problem is the steering which I don't know what's wrong with I just do my best to stay in the lane. Also I have found out the wheel are really really cheap and flaking so my brand new tires were immediately punctured which I've paid a bunch to keep them sealed and balanced and not to mention the wear from the steering and flats has pretty much ruined the new tires.
Sebring developed sludge problem, cost almost $6,000 to drop in a replacement engine. Chrysler should issue a recall and reimburse everyone that's had this issue.
I am yet another owner of a chyrsler sebring with the 2.7L motor going bad do to engine oil sludging that Chrysler refuses to address with a recall. It is in a 2002 ith 72,000 miles on the engine. Brian kleshinskio
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While driving 50 mph, the engine stalled. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that there was oil sludge in the engine that caused the engine to fail. No repairs were made. The current and failure mileages were 81,000. Updated 03/18/08. The consumer stated the vehicle is still under warranty. Updated 03/18/08
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic and he stated that sludge build up and a frozen engine compartment caused the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired because the cost is expensive. The contact has yet to notify daimler Chrysler or the dealer. The failure and current mileages were 101,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring. While driving 60 mph, the contact heard a loud bang and the vehicle shut off. As of December 26, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 82,249.
My 2002 Chrysler Sebring's engine seized up when I was driving down the road one night to take my husband to work. I had it towed to my dealer just to find out that I was 32 miles out of my extended warranty and that I had apparently not changed my oil and that caused my engine to lock up. When my engine locked up I had floored it to go around a slow-moving semi on a little 2 lane highway. The engine started making a terrible knocking sound and I noticed that even though I was pushing down on my gas pedal, the rpms were going down instead of up. I finally got back into the right hand lane and my car sort of wobbled a couple times. It kept losing speed and when we stopped at a stop light the engine died and would not restart. Now I am stuck with a $5500+ repair bill only to find out that this engine was and has been defective since day one. I want Chrysler to pay for my engine and all my heartache.
Driving on the morning of August 6, 2007 and my car's oil came on, which it has in the past and nothing could be found wrong. A few miles down the road my car's engine began to knock and smoke. When I opened the engine the car was completely out of oil. And there was no leak. When I got the car to a local dealership I was told that my engine was gone.
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While driving 50 mph the vehicle suddenly decelerated and shut off. The contact waited five minutes, and was able to restart the vehicle. Approximately ten minutes later the vehicle shut off again without warning. The contact opened the hood, and noticed oil and antifreeze leaking throughout the engine. The mechanic stated that fluids backed up into the engine. The roads were wet due to rain, however there was no water found in the engine. The mechanic stated that the engine needed to be replaced. No additional failures have occurred. The current and failure mileages were 95,000.
I purchased the 2002 Chrysler Sebring LX sedan in October 2003 used with 43,000 miles. I had received free oil changes from the dealership where I purchased the car for two years. I did not receive all of the oil changes for the two years, but oil was changed on a regular basis. In October 2005 I was on my way home for the weekend when I noticed a loud knocking noise coming from the engine. I pulled off the interstate, and as soon as I stopped, the engine died. I waited about ten minutes and restarted the engine. I drove to a gas station and checked the oil, no oil. I placed two quarts of oil in the engine and drove home. Over the last 1 1/2 years I had four mechanics, including Chrysler mechanics, tell me that it needed a new engine due to oil sludge in the engine. I have been paying on this vehicle for over three years, and only been able to drive it for about two years, I still owe $5500 on the vehicle, and am not able to drive. If this was to happen to a person in the right situations it could be devastating, and lives could be lost. Chrysler stated it was a problem with people not taking care of their vehicles, but they were aware that there was a problem with the oil return heating up the oil too fast and causing the oil to sludge. Toyota, Audi, Volkswagen have all had similar problems, but they H owned up to them. These complaints were becoming more numerous, and were starting to come in more dangerous situations, how long will this go on before somebody was actually injured? I am personally out of a lot of money, and will be out of this money for at least 2 more years, unless I run into a winning lottery ticket to purchase a new engine. Every body was making money off of these engines, except the consumer. I know it sounds bad, but I hope somebody somewhere will give their life to give you the hint that something needs to be done for these 2.7 liter V6 engines in the Sebrings.
The contact called regarding the 2002 Chrysler Sebring. While driving at 60 mph the driver heard a loud noise and the vehicle started to vibrate near her feet. The contact heard a loud pop and saw smoke coming from under the hood. The contact immediately stopped the vehicle and towed it to a repair shop. The failure mileage was 131,164. The mechanics diagnosis stated that the engine needed to be replaced. Chrysler refused to authorize the engine repairs.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Huntington, WV, USA