Bought this car new in August 2003, it was my retirement (USAF) car. Not sure how this happened, but in Fall of 2006 I noticed when stopped that the engine fan seemed to come on sporadically. Took it in to a Chrysler dealer here in Germany, who hooked it up to the computer and told me "I see nothing wrong". Well, I said, I drive the car and I am telling you something is wrong. Ok, he says, bring it back in when it happens again.
Summer 2007, mileage barely over 8,000, engine begins knocking at low idle, at stop lights, or just backed up in traffic. Fan is coming on and off, I can hear it surging even when the engine is not very hot (like at the one-quarter point on the temp indicator).
What the hell? Ok, so I take the car to a non-Chrysler mechanic (since the other dealership closed) and they changed out the plugs and the electrical distribution box. Car seems to run smoother. A month later, though, same thing is happening. They tell me the electrical distribution box failed again, but its a manufacturer problem, so they replaced that again for free.
Car continues to run roughly at low idle. The only time it runs smooth is on initial start-up, but the first time I stop at a light, knock-rumble-knock.
Had the plugs changed two more times, I'm now only at 29,000 miles (I'm in Germany and live close to work, so I don't really drive much here anyway). I've changed the oil every 3,000 miles (which really pisses me off that I have these problems and took fairly good care of the car). They can't seem to fix whatever is wrong with it. I'm thinking of just getting rid of it and getting something else, but why? I figure I'm "owed" at least 2 more years out of it.
And by the way, Chrysler hasn't been much help to me either. So this is the one and only Chrysler that I will ever own.
Any similar complaints or suggestions/ideas from similar owners? Thanks.
When I Accelerate it starts to sputter or skip a little than after I get it going it does not do it any more. (Only when I take off).
Also my lights on the dash board flicker a little to.
I treat my cars very well and do not speed or hit brakes quickly. I just bought the car and it did have 111,000 miles on the car. I changed the oil and filter too.
My car has begun to shake and near stall when I am at a stop light. After reading others posts, I agree that it is after having driven first on the freeway for at least 10 miles. Once, the oil light flickered on and off, the day after I had the oil changed. I will research more on the person who wrote about a transmission upgrade for 2004 Sebrings.
every since the second day i owned this car i took it back to have it checked out because it shudders at any speed mostly at highway speeds over 45mph. I have to either give it more gas to gear up the tranny or i have to slow it down to make it stop. i can never get a diag. So I am stuck with an unfixed car. A few people said to change the coil every 30,000 mi(ridiculous to have to spend any money every 30k other than oil changes). others said it is the o2 sensor. already?????? I waited a long time to have a sebring and i feel gypt its a total pos and i will NEVER buy CHRYSLER again!!! So not im syuck for the next 4 years with this jalopy and im not sure it will survive.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Bought this car new in August 2003, it was my retirement (USAF) car. Not sure how this happened, but in Fall of 2006 I noticed when stopped that the engine fan seemed to come on sporadically. Took it in to a Chrysler dealer here in Germany, who hooked it up to the computer and told me "I see nothing wrong". Well, I said, I drive the car and I am telling you something is wrong. Ok, he says, bring it back in when it happens again.
Summer 2007, mileage barely over 8,000, engine begins knocking at low idle, at stop lights, or just backed up in traffic. Fan is coming on and off, I can hear it surging even when the engine is not very hot (like at the one-quarter point on the temp indicator).
What the hell? Ok, so I take the car to a non-Chrysler mechanic (since the other dealership closed) and they changed out the plugs and the electrical distribution box. Car seems to run smoother. A month later, though, same thing is happening. They tell me the electrical distribution box failed again, but its a manufacturer problem, so they replaced that again for free.
Car continues to run roughly at low idle. The only time it runs smooth is on initial start-up, but the first time I stop at a light, knock-rumble-knock.
Had the plugs changed two more times, I'm now only at 29,000 miles (I'm in Germany and live close to work, so I don't really drive much here anyway). I've changed the oil every 3,000 miles (which really pisses me off that I have these problems and took fairly good care of the car). They can't seem to fix whatever is wrong with it. I'm thinking of just getting rid of it and getting something else, but why? I figure I'm "owed" at least 2 more years out of it.
And by the way, Chrysler hasn't been much help to me either. So this is the one and only Chrysler that I will ever own.
Any similar complaints or suggestions/ideas from similar owners? Thanks.
- Joseph A., Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany