2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE Recalls, Complaints & Safety

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS LIT, HORN FAILED, SPEED CONTROL FAILED IN UNISON.

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON

I WAS DRIVING ON SAVANNAH SPRINGS DRIVE (A PATIO HOME COMMUNITY) AND I HEARD A HORRIBLE NOISE AND STOPPED. I THOUGH I HAD A FLAT TIRE BUT WHEN I GOT OUT AND LOOKED, MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL HAD OFF. (THE BALLJOINT CAME LOOSE FROM THE CONTROL ARM) THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. WE JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 4/23/2015 FROM NEW LIFE AUTO IN NOBLESVILLE, IN AND DROVE IT HOME TO LOUISVILLE, KY ON I65. THE CAR DROVE GREAT AND I TOOK IT OUT FOR A DRIVE AND TURNED INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD LESS THAN 1/2 MILE FROM MY HOUSE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS ON A VERY BUSY ROAD PRIOR TO THIS AND THANK THE LORD THAT I WAS NOT ON THAT ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE TOW DRIVER SAID I WOULD HAVE TOTALED THE CAR AND HIT SOMEONE ELSE. NO INJURIES OCCURRED AND NOT OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. WE SEE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CONTROL ARM AND WONDER IF WE ARE COVERED. *TR

JUST TURNING OFF THE MAIN BUSY ROAD FROM DRIVING 40-45MPH AND ONTO A SMALL RESIDENTIAL NARROW STREET DOING 25MPH I SUDDENLY HEARD VERY LOUD CLUNKING NOISES SI I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND GOT OUT AND NOTICED THAT MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS SLANTING INWARD. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THAT MY REAR UPPER BALL JOINT HAD BUSTED . WAS TOLD BY THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER THAT IF IT WOULD OF HAPPENED A FEW SECONDS EARLIER WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON THE MAIN ROAD, THAT I WOULD OF HAD A SERIOUS CRASH. DUE TO MY TIRE BUCKLING IN FROM THE BALL JOINT BREAKING IN HALF. THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION ON THE CAR NEEDS REPAIRED. FRONT AND BACK. ALL BUSHINGS, BALL JOINTS ARE TOTALLY WORN DOWN TO ALMOST NOTHING. SHOCKS/STRUTS ALL NO GOOD. *JS

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING WHILE OUT OF STATE ON A SUMMER TRIP IN JULY 2010 WHEN THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. IT HAS STAYED THAT WAY FOR ALMOST FOUR YEARS. SHORTLY AFTER I RETURNED FROM THIS TRIP I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP (07-29-2010) WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001. I WAS TOLD (1) THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND (2) TO FIX IT WOULD REQUIRE THE REPLACEMENT OF TWO SELDOM USED PARTS THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED AND WHICH TOGETHER WOULD COST ME AROUND $800. I DECLINED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AS (1) IT IS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND (2) I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT I CERTAINLY DID NOT CAUSE, THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS, AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY CHRYSLER AT NO CHARGE TO ME. I CHECKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN THIS WEEK AND WAS TOLD THERE STILL IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE CAR HAD JUST UNDER 70,000 MILES WHEN THE PROBLEM APPEARED AND IT CURRENTLY HAS JUST UNDER 97,000 MILES. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR NEARLY 30,000 MILES WITHOUT AIR BAG PROTECTION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD BEEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES WHEN SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. A FIRE DID NOT ERUPT. ONE WEEK LATER THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V011002 (POWER TRAIN) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. *TR

Fire

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE GOING TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE. ON THE WAY THE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING LOUDLY. HE PULLED OVER TO CHECK ALL OF THE FLUIDS AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE FINE. WHEN I GOT HOME I RESEARCHED THE ISSUES AND ABOUT 99% OF 2001 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME ENGINE PROBLEMS AND IT STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO OIL SLUDGE. I CALLED CHRYSLER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR THE A DEALERSHIP NEAR ME. I WAS ABLE TO ENJOY MY CAR FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS. THEY WILL CONTINUE HEARING FROM ME FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE I AM A PERSON THAT NEVER GIVES UP. I WILL PESTER THEM EVERYDAY UNTIL MY DEMANDS ARE MET WITH FIXING OR REPLACING MY ENGINE. IT IS NOT ANYONE'S FAULT THAT THEY MADE A CRAPPY ENGINE FOR THIS MODEL. LET THE GAMES BEGIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND HEARD A LOUD METAL TO METAL DRAGGING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS PARTIALLY DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

CAR STARTED MAKING ENGINE NOISE SO IT WAS PULLED OVER AND THEN WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. *TR

THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND AFTER INSPECTING THE FAILURE, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE OIL HAD BECOME SLUDGE AS A RESULT OF OIL BUILD-UP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED.THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT CONTINUED TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF AT THE TIME SO THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY.THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V299002 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,400.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE HORN DID NOT FUNCTION AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,600.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THREE YEARS LATER, THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE OIL SLUDGE ISSUE WITH THE CHRYSLER 2.7 L ENGINE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH LOW MILES, AND HAD MY TENSION ARM GO OUT A FEW MONTHS LATER DUE TO SLUDGE BUILDUP. THIS SECOND INSTANCE CAME UP PRETTY QUICKLY. THE STARTED KNOCKING ON HARD ACCELERATION, THEN 2 DAYS LATER STARTED MISSING BADLY GOING UPHILL ON MY WAY HOME FORM WORK. THE ENGINE DIES ON THE DOWNHILL SIDE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS ROAD IN PORTLAND (GERMANTOWN RD.). THIS IS A VERY STEEP EXTREMELY CURVY ROAD AND I CAME ALL TOO CLOSE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE THE FIRST TURN WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. MAKING MY WAY DOWN THE REMAINDER OF THE HILL WAS A BIT FRIGHTENING, TO SAY THE LEAST. AFTER GETTING TOWED AND FINDING OUT THE DAMAGE WAS BLOWN BEARINGS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE, IT WAS SUGGESTED I LOOK ONLINE FOR CHRYSLER 2.7 L ENGINE TO FIND THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED A DEFECT AND THE ENGINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR REPAIRED BY CHRYSLER, BUT CHRYSLER CLAIMS THE ENGINE IS FINE, IT'S THE OWNER'S FAULT.

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING, CONVERTIBLE 2.7, VIN [XXX] ENGINE FAILURE, NO WARNING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/L.PHP?U=HTTP%3A%2F%2FWWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM%2FCHRYSLER%2FSEBRING%2F2001%2FENGINE%2FOIL_SLUDGE_RESULTING_IN_ENGINE_FAILURE.SHTML&H=08196 THIS HAPPENED TO MY SEBRING TWICE! IT FAILED THE FIRST TIME, AND WE PUT A NEW ENGINE IN IT, THEN THIS ENGINE FAILED. CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE DEFECT IS THEIR ENGINE! I SPENT $8000 ON THE NEW ENGINE, NOW I AM IN DEBT FOR A NEW CAR BECAUSE IT FAILED AGAIN! PLEASE HELP! THERE ARE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS BUT NOT IN MY STATE - VA. THANKS YOU! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH. THE POLICE APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE UPPER BALL JOINT FRACTURED FROM THE CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 240,000.

Crash 1 injured

I WENT TO THE LOCAL 7-11 LESS THEN 1 MIN. BY CAR TO GET SOMETHING. CAR WAS QUIET & SMOOTH RUNNING LIKE IT SHOULD BE - SINCE I MAINTAINED MY CAR & TOOK EXTRA SPECIAL CARE OF IT SINCE IT IS MY CAR & HAS MY HANDICAP PLATES ON IT. I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT OF THE 7-11 - CAME TO A RED LIGHT, WAS 1ST CAR AT RED LIGHT- LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN, WENT TO APPLY GAS, CAR STALLED - WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED- WHEN IT DID RESTART, THE CAR WAS NOW MAKING A FUNNY NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. WENT TO APPLY GAS, COULD FEEL THAT THE CAR WANTED TO STALL AGAIN - WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY APPLY GAS, AND THEN BE ABLE TO COAST DOWN THE LITTLE HILL TO MY SIDE STREET & ABLE TO GET THE CAR SAFELY INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS VERY LUCKY I WASN'T REAR ENDED AT THE LIGHT- THE ROAD ON WHICH IT STALLED THEY HAVE A 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT- I WAS ALSO VERY LUCKY MY CHILD WASN'T IN THE CAR WITH ME. THE FAILURE OF THIS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE- BECAUSE THE CAR WAS TOWED FROM MY HOME TO THE DEALERSHIP - WHERE IT STILL SITS ALMOST 1 YEAR LATER - THIS ENGINE FAILURE IS A CHRYSLER ISSUE - THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE CAR REPAIRS & REPLACE THE ENGINE - CONSIDERING THE FACT THEY HAVE KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR ENGINES FOR MANY MANY YEARS & STILL CONTINUE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ BY DOING GOOGLE SEARCHES ON THIS 2.7L V6 ENGINE. YOU ARE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC & SAFETY COMMISSION AND HAVE THE PWER TO RECALL THESE ENGINES BEFORE SOMEONE DIES FROM DRIVING THESE CARS WITH THESE ENGINES OR BEFORE A CHILD IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE-. *TR

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONV - LXI , 2.7 LITER 83,000 MILES , WATER PUMP QUIT AS WORKING ON IT REALIZED THE PUMP BLEW MOST OF THE WATER IN TO THE ENGINE , REPLACED THE TIMING IDLER , FLUSHED THE ENGINE OUT , REPLACED THE OIL , RAN THE ENGINE , THEN REPLACED TO FRESH OIL , FEW DAY LATER NOTICED THE CAR WAS SHOWING LOW OIL CAUSING THE LIGHT TO TURN ON , CHECKED THE OIL CAME OUT BEING FINE 5 QUARTS AS ITS SUPPOSED TO HAVE , REPLACED OIL AND FILTER TO BE SURE ALL WAS 100% FINE OIL LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AT IDLE MOMENTS AFTER THE ENGINE BE GONE TO MAKE A VERY LOUD RATTLING SOUND ,CALLED CHRYSLER THEY SAID THIS IS A TYPICAL ISSUE WITH THE MODEL ENGINE AND SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WERE NOT OBLIGATED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE ENGINE AS I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET I NOTICE I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE THERE IS A VERY HIGH AMOUNT OF OWNERS OF THE 2.7 LITER ENGINE WITH THE SAME ISSUE OF THE LOUD RATTLING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE , CHRYSLER CLAIMS IT'S DUE TO IMPROPER OIL CHANGES AND THE ENGINE BREAKS DOWN DUE TO SLUDGE , I WOULD LIKE TO LET MY CAR BE USED AS AN EXAMPLE FOR A FARE RECALL AS I HAVE NO ENGINE SLUDGE AND HAVE A VALID TRACK RECORD OF OIL CHANGES AT 3,000 OR BEFORE 3,000 MILES WITH WAL-MART HERE IN MY TOWN MY CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS BEEN ALL OVER THE USA AND NEVER ONCE HAD A MAJOR ISSUE OF ANY SORT TILL THE PUMP MALFUNCTIONED AS IT DOES IN MANY OTHER CARS OUT THERE BUT SINCE THIS ISSUE HAS COME TO THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED. *TR

ON 7/27 BEFORE LEAVING HOME, CAR WAS SERVICED BY PALMER DODGE (ROSWELL, GA ). EXPLAINED THAT I WAS GOING ON TRIP FROM ALPHARETTA, GA-OSSINING, NY (2000 MILES ROUNDTRIP). TOLD DEALER CAR HAD APPROX. 85,000 & WAS WILLING TO RENT A CAR. "PLEASE GO OVER CAR & TELL ME IF I WAS YOUR WIFE...WOULD YOU HAVE ME RENT A CAR OR TAKE MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE LTD. TO NY & BACK."LEFT THE DEALERSHIP WITH AN OIL CHANGE & A 24 POINT SAFETY CHECK W/NO CONCERNS ABOUT CAR. WE ARRIVED IN NY ON 7/29 SAFELY (9 YR. OLD TWINS & MALTESE ARRIVED IN NY). ON JULY 31 WE DROVE FROM THE HOTEL IN TARRYTOWN TO OSSINING VISITED MY MOTHER, FATHER GRAVES. WHILE AT THE LAST GRAVE THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERED WHILE THE CAR SAT RUNNING. I PRESSED GAS PEDAL IT WENT OUT. WE STARTED BACK TO HOTEL VIA ROUTE 9., A NARROW, 2 LANE HIGHWAY. GOT ABOUT 3 MILES TO BRIARCLIFF MANOR WHEN I HEARD THE CAR MAKE A TAPPING SOUND. DESPITE TRAFFIC AND NO WARNING...NO OIL LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT ETC. I MAKE A SHARP TURN TO SIDE STREET & TURNED OFF CAR. MY CHILDREN ARE CRYING, MY SISTER & DOG ARE FREAKED OUT & THERE WE ARE STRANDED WITH 1.5 HRS BEFORE MY NEPHEWS BABY DEDICATION. I START THE CAR BACK UP & PUT THE FLASHERS ON /DRIVE THE CAR MOSTLY IN NEUTRAL PRAYING ALL THE WAY TO THE ENTRANCE TO SLEEPY HOLLOW AUTOMOTIVE WHO QUICKLY TOLD ME THE ENGINE IS SHOT & THE CAR WHICH I THOUGHT WAS WORTH AT LEAST $5000 WAS NOT WORTH FIXING. I CALLED JENKIN ENGINES & WAS TOLD ME THERE ARE 3 MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS CHRYSLER 2.7 ENGINE AND IT WOULD COST $3600 FOR A REMAN. ENGINE & $1800 FOR LABOR (MINIMUM)- 3 WEEKS TO FIX... I WAS NOW STRANDED IN NY, VACATION RUINED, CHILDREN FREAKED OUT. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. HOW IN 2010 CAN AN ENGINE "DIE" WITH NO WARNING? THIS IS RECALL CAND. & NHTSA SHOULD MAKE CHRYSLER REPAIR OR REIMBURSE CAR OWNERS. MY CAR IS STILL IN NY...GA DEALER NOT RETURNING CALLS. RECOM OIL TOO THIN? OIL SLUDGE? EASY TO BLAME OWNERS FOR OIL CHANGES WHEN CHRYSLER THIS IS YOUR FAULT. BE RESPONSIBLE. *TR

4 injured

ENGINE FAILURE- I HAVE A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING LIMITED WITH THE 2.7 LTR ENGINE OF WHICH I HAVE FAITHFULLY HAD SERVICED. THE ENGINE, WITH NO WARNING, WENT OUT JUST AS I AM SEEING WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB. *TR

CLOCKSPRING ON MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WENT OUT. WHEN I CHECKED THE INTERNET I FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAD THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE EXACT SAME MODEL AND YEAR AS MINE. THIS PROBLEM DISABLES THE AIR BAG. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2001 SEBRING LXI CONVERTIBLE IN DEC 2003, WITH JUST OVER 500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IT HAD SUFFERED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT THE ORIGINAL DEALER, HAD NEVER BEEN SOLD TO A CUSTOMER, WAS RETURNED TO CHRYSLER FOR A REPLACEMENT, THEN SAT ON A BACK LOT FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS BEFORE BEING RESOLD TO ANOTHER DEALER. I BOUGHT IT WITH A NEW CAR WARRANTY AND BOUGHT THE EXTENDED (7 YEAR/70,000 MILE) WARRANTY. AFTER INITIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, HEATER AND WARPED BRAKE ROTORS (ALL FIXED BY THE DEALER), THE CAR SERVED ME VERY WELL FOR 50,000 MILES--NO SERIOUS ISSUES AT ALL. AT EACH SERVICE AFTER ROUGHLY 20,000 MILES, I WOULD TELL THE CHRYSLER SERVICE DEPT THAT THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WAS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. THEY WOULD DULY CHECK THE OIL LEVEL AND TELL ME NOT TO WORRY. THEN I TOOK IT TO A CHRYSLER DEALER (ROSENTHAL, ARLINGTON, VA) FOR THE 50K SERVICE AND TOLD THEM THAT THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON FREQUENTLY AT IDLE OR VERY LOW RPMS FOR THE PAST 10,000 MILES OR SO, BUT THE OIL LEVEL WAS FINE, AND ALSO THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEGUN TO USE OIL AT ABOUT 1 QUART EVERY COUPLE OF THOUSAND MILES. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY, THAT THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE (2.7L) WITH THAT MUCH MILEAGE TENDED TO USE OIL. HE SAID JUST TO KEEP IT TOPPED UP. I KEPT CHECKING AND ADDING OIL FOR THE NEXT 5,000 MILES. JUST BEFORE I INTENDED TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR ANOTHER OIL CHANGE, THE ENGINE BLEW WITHOUT WARNING ON AN INTER-STATE HIGHWAY. I HAD IT HAULED TO THE NEAREST CHRYSLER DEALER AND PAID TO HAVE THE OIL PAN PULLED AND ASSESSED. THE MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND THE CAUSE WAS SLUDGE BUILD-UP, AND THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THAT CAUSE FOR ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING WEST ON JEFFERSON AVE IN DETROIT. THERE ARE TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT BOTH ENDS OF A SHORT BRIDGE WHERE IT PASSES OVER I-375. I STOPPED AT THE FIRST AND, WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, STARTED FORWARD, THE SECOND TRAFFIC SIGNAL TURNED RED. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED, BUT, WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR AND PUT IT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR CONTINUED ACCELERATING AND, ALTHOUGH I WAS LITERALLY STANDING UP ON THE BRAKE, IT HAD NO EFFECT AND I HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME GOING ABOUT 25 OR 30 MILES AN HOUR. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SIMILAR EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED A HALF DOZEN OR MORE TIMES BEFORE, BUT NEVER WITH THE SAME CONSEQUENCES. ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, THE CONTINUING ACCELERATION STOPPED AFTER A DELAY AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP, ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, THERE WAS ANOTHER AUTO A CAR LENGTH OR MORE IN FRONT OF ME, AND THE DELAY BEFORE THE BRAKE TOOK OVER CAUSED ME TO BUMP INTO IT. IN NEITHER CASE WAS THERE ANY BODILY OR SERIOUS VEHICLE DAMAGE. IN OTHER INSTANCES, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID COLLISION, AFTER SUFFERING A SCARE. AFTER EACH EPISODE, I REPORTED THE PROBLEM WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT THE CAR SEVERAL DAYS TRYING TO REPLICATE THE OCCURRENCE. THEY WERE NEVER SUCCESSFUL. (IF THEY RETAIN COPIES OF THEIR SERVICE ORDERS, THEY WILL REFLECT THAT I REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OR TO FIX IT.) MY VEHICLE IS SERIOUSLY DAMAGED AND, ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE PARKING LOT AT MY NEARBY OFFICE, I DO NOT EXPECT TO REPAIR IT OR, OF COURSE, TO EVER DRIVE IT AGAIN. WHEN CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS CALLED BY MY WIFE AFTER ONE OF THE EARLIER ACCELERATION EVENTS, THEY TOLD HER THERE WAS NO RECALL OR RECORD OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER. *TR

Crash

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE 2.7 L, 89500 MILES, ENGINE LOOSES OF POWER AT 70 MPH ON I95 WITHOUT WARNING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, FORCING DRIVER TO MAKE A UNSAFE LANE CHANGES TO COAST OFF OF THE ROADWAY. INVESTIGATION ON INTERNET HAS RESULTED IN FIND OUT THAT CHRYSLER CORP HAS HAD A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE FAILING BUT TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE AND CONTINUES TO BLAME IT ALL ON THE CONSUMER FOR IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, OIL CHANGES. THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED ONCE THE EXACT COMPONENT FAILURE MOST LIKELY A ROD BEARING IS FOUND, THIS WILL RESULT IN TOTAL REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $6,000 - $8,000 OR MORE AT MY EXPENSE WHEN IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE VEHICLE WARRANTY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE TO COME OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE SO THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH OUTER TIE-RODS, LEFT DRIVE AXLE, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, AND THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT ALSO WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION FRONT, CONTROL ARM LOWER BALL JOINT BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,039 UPDATED 4/19/10 *CN CHRYSLER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE MATTER WOULD NOT BE INVESTIGATED DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. UPDATED 06/18/10.*JB

THE ENGINE FAILED ON MY 2001 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF AND THEN THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO KEPT THE CAR FOR 2 WEEKS IN DEC , BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY THING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THREE WEEKS LATER THE MOTOR HAS MAJOR DAMAGE FROM A OIL PUMP FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE TO COME OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE SO THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH OUTER TIE-RODS, LEFT DRIVE AXLE, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, AND THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT ALSO WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION FRONT, CONTROL ARM LOWER BALL JOINT BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,039 UPDATED 4/19/10 *CN CHRYSLER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE MATTER WOULD NOT BE INVESTIGATED DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. UPDATED 06/18/10.*JB

WAS DRIVING MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE THAT I HAD ONLY OWNED FOR 2 MOS. FOR MY DELIVERY JOB. WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS SMOKING BAD AND ALSO STARTED RUNNING REALLY ROUGH WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. ADDED QUART OF OIL AFTER LETTING THE ENGINE COOL AND IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE. TRIED TO USE FOR WORK THE NEXT DAY AND IT DID THE SAME THING + DIED 2X. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN AND WAS ALSO LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE AND A LOT OF SLUDGE. AFTER GETTING A QUOTE OF $850 I LEFT IT AT HIS SHOP HE DID FURTHER RESEARCH & CALLED TO INFORM ME THAT THE 2.7 DOHC V6 IN THE SEBRING CONVERTIBLE HAS A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS LIKE THIS AND THE ONLY SURE SORT OF LONG TERM SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. ALSO HAVE FOUND OUT AFTER MY OWN RESEARCH THAT CHRYSLER IS DOING NOTHING TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT. I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE CHRYSLER RECALL THESE PIECE OF JUNK ENGINES AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS DEFECT. *TR

MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE CRUISE CONTROL COMES ON UNCOMMANDED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL COME ON AT A STOP, WHILE AT IDLE, AND AT ALL SPEEDS. *TR

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A LOCAL STORE. WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I APPLIED GAS, CAR STALLED ( WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED). WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED, BUT NOW A LOUD NOISE IS COMING FROM THE FRONT END, AND WHEN I GO TO APPLY GAS, THE CAR WANTS TO STALL OUT. WAS ABLE TO COAST DOWNHILL AND PULL ONTO A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND DRIVE AT 5 MPH AND GET CAR INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THAT WEEK, WHILE WAITING FOR MY NEW EXTENDED WARRANTY PAPERS TO COME IN, LEFT CAR IN DRIVEWAY, TRIED STARTING IT BUT NOISE STILL THERE, SO LET THE CAR SIT. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, OPENED ENGINE, WAS TOLD CAR NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, BECAUSE WARRANTY COMPANY WILL NOT REPLACE ENGINE. HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW BATTERY TO BE INSTALLED SINCE WHEN I LEFT CAR SITTING IN DRIVEWAY, THE BATTERY DIED. TO OPEN THE ENGINE UP FOR THE WARRANTY COMPANY TO SHOW THAT I MAINTAINED ENGINE ALSO COST AROUND 400.00. SINCE NOVEMBER, MY CAR WITH MY HANDICAP PLATES ON IT SITS AT THE DEALERSHIP. I SEE THAT THEIR IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT GOING ON FOR THE 2.75 LITER V6 ENGINE PUT IN THESE CARS BY CHRYSLER, BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS CONDITION, I WAS JUST LUCKY I WASN'T REAR-ENDED AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR. *TR

I OWN CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE, 2001. THE ENGINE GOT BROKEN ON THE HIGHWAY AS A RESULT OF OIL SLUDGE. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 CHRY SEBRING CONVT LIMITED WITH A 2.7 ENGINE. IT WAS PURCHASED FROM A DEALER WITH 38,000 MILES AND NOW HAS 72,000 MILES AND I HAD NO IDEAL THAT WHEN GETTING IN MY CAR TO GO TO WORK ONE MORNING THAT IT WOULD NOT START. THE MOTOR WOULD ONLY LIGHTLY TURN BUT NOT FULLY TURN OVER. I MADE SURE OF THE REGULAR OIL CHANGES AS WITH ANY OTHER CAR I'VE HAD IN THE PAST. THE MOTOR IS SLUDGE LIKE I'VE NEVER CHANGED THE OIL SINCE I'VE HAD IT. I PAID 11,000 CASH AND VERY DISAPPOINTED ! I TOO AM DISAPPOINTED AND UPSET THAT CHRYSLER ISN'T STANDING UP TO THIS PROBLEM. IT'S A VERY PRETTY CAR BUT THAT DOESN'T GET ME TO WORK BEING PRETTY.SO I'M GOING TO TRY TO REPAIR IT. FOR AROUND 3,000. I BELIEVE IF WE STAND TOGETHER THOSE WHO BELIEVE WILL PRAY JESUS WILL CHANGE CHRYSLER TO DO A RECALL. WE'LL ALL FEEL BETTER. OH, THIS WAS MY THIRD CHRYSLER VEHICLE A 1997TOWN & COUNTRY AND A 1999 SEBRING CONVT. I'M AT THIS POINT AFRAID TO GET ANY OTHER. EVEN TO REPAIR IT MAY LOCK UP IT SEEMS IN TWO YEARS READING OTHERS COMPLAINTS. I REALLY HATE THAT I'VE LOST ALOT OF HARD WORKING CASH ONLY TO PUT OUT MORE. I DON'T WANT ANOTHER USE MOTOR DUE TO MY FINDINGS WITH THE 2.7. I COULDN'T EVEN DO THE CLUNKER DEAL. I'M GLAD NO ONE AT THIS TIME HAS GOTTEN KILLED OR HURT. *TR

2001 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE NEEDS TO HAVE ENGINE REPLACED. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A SOUND LIKE A SODA CAN INSIDE THE ENGINE STARTED. MECHANIC SAYS ROD BARON GONE BAD. SEARCHED AND SAID THIS 2.7L ENGINE IS GARBAGE AND SAYS THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WITH A REPLACEMENT ENGINE. THE ENGINE IS GARBAGE. CAR HAS SAT IN MY GARAGE WHILE I DECIDE WHAT TO DO...4K TO REPAIR AND BEING TOLD IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN...'!@#$% CHRYSLER HOW DO YOU STAY IN BUSINESS!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT CLOCK SPRING MALFUNCTIONED AND ALSO CAUSED THE HORN TO FAIL. THE CLOCK SPRING HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR OVER SIX MONTHS. THE DEALER WAS UNSURE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE COVER LEFT LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE AIR BAG AND HORN SINCE THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

THE TIMING CHAIN/GUIDES/TENSIONER HAS FAILED IN THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY 91000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE OIL LIGHT COMING ON AT IDLE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ISSUE IS THE SENSOR. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WITH A 2.7LITER ENGINE THREE MONTHS AGO FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. CAR SEEMED IN GOOD CONDITION, OIL CHANGES RUNS GOOD... ON 8/18/09 MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE ENGINE SEIZED. WE PAID $100 FOR A TOW TO PEP BOYS. AT PEP BOYS WE PAID $100 PLUS TO HAVE THEM TELL US THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WE CAN DO WE NEED A NEW ENGINE. WE HAVEN'T REPLACED IT YET AS THIS JUST HAPPENED TWO DAYS AGO BUT WE ESTIMATE $2000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I ONLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR $4800. *TR

CLOCK SPRING ON 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE DEFECTIVE. BEGAN FLASHING AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AROUND 42,000 MILES. DURING THE NEXT YEAR THE HORN QUIT WORKING, THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL QUIT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT NOW STAYS ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. MILEAGE ONLY 56,000. *TR

I WENT TO MY REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN MY STEERING WHEEL WAS MAKING SOUNDS WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A CLOCKSPRING THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, IT DISABLES YOUR AIRBAG, HORN, AND CRUISE CONTROL WHEN IT IS BROKEN. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FEDERALLY MANDATED PART THEREFORE WAS NOT COVERED. SO, THEN I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND CHRYSLER TOLD ME THAT SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH THEM THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO ABOUT IT. AIRBAGS ARE INSTALLED FOR A PERSONS SAFETY AND A PART THAT CAN DISABLE IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT THE MANUFACTURERS COST AND NOT THE CONSUMERS. WHY DOES IT MATTER WHAT TYPE OF WARRANTY I HAVE WHEN IT CONCERNS A SAFETY ISSUE? *TR

DRIVING VEHICLE, NO SIGN OF PROBLEMS NO LIGHTS ON OR CHECK ENGINE DISPLAY, VEHICLE STARTED TAPPING NOISE. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, SAID NEED NEW ENGINE. HAD MAINTENANCE RECORDS OF OIL CHANGE EVERY 4000 MILES WHILE OWNERS MANUAL STATES DO EVERY 7500 UNDER NORMAL COND. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT USED IN JUNE 2009 WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT, 9 MONTHS LATER WITH 65,000 MILES THIS HAPPENED. HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BOUGHT AT DEALERSHIP GOT THE BEST COVERAGE CALLED TOTAL CARE AND THEY WILL ONLY COVER A PARTIAL PART OF THE REPAIRS. VEHICLE HAS THE 2.7 ENGINE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME NATURE AND CHRYSLER AND THE WARRANTY COMPANIES BLAME THE CONSUMER AND WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS. *TR

LIGHT TAPPING FROM ENGINE TURNED INTO VERY LOUD KNOCKING. VEHICLE IS STILL RUNNING, BUT ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL COME APART EVEN AT IDLE SPEED. OIL AND FILTER CHANGED AT A SERVICE CENTER THE WEEK PRIOR. *TR

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. I HAD AN ENGINE BLOW AT 71,850 MILES. CHANGED OIL EVERY 3,00 MILES AND HAVE SERVICE RECORDS TO PROVE IT. *TR