Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chrysler Sebring owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2001 Chrysler Sebring turns off while driving - the exact same problem as the hundreds of thousands of chryslers recalled last year. Everyone wants to try a body control module, fuel pump, new crank shaft but the problem keeps occurring - perhaps because they were not aware of this recall/problem as not even my local Chrysler dealership knew. This has happened to me frequently over the past 1.5-2 years or so, it comes and goes. I was rear ended once but it was light enough (thank god) that it did not cause any damage. Extremely dangerous. Almost a quarter of a million Chrysler vehicles were recalled last year for this problem. As of right now, I believe just van/crossover models - why not all models with this same problem? Please leave your complaints on the message boards alone and bring them to NHTSA so that Chrysler can be held accountable for these issues.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The dealer advised the contact that the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 00V299002 (engine and engine cooling: engine) was not associated with the contact's VIN. A local mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that antifreeze leaked into the engine, causing the vehicle to stall. The failure and the current mileage was 138,000.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler Sebring. While driving 65 MPH, the engine seized without warning. The contact noticed smoke rising from underneath the hood. A local mechanic stated that the head gasket appeared to have failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that there was a crack on the cylinder wall and the engine needed to be replaced. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 103,000.
I have a 2001 Chrysler Sebring convertible which was previously owned by the dealer and maintained on a routine schedule as you could imagine (being that the dealers wife drove it) and then I purchased it in 2006 and kept all scheduled maintenance as well, doing oil changes as suggested. Well, I was recently driving down the street and all of a sudden, without any prior warning or anything, I just started hearing this loud knocking noise and the vehicle started shaking and then it just died....right in the middle of the freeway...I thought I was going to be hit. I had to be towed and took it to the closest service shop and the mechanic told me that he had just replaced an engine like mine in another customers car two weeks before that had the same thing happen. …
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. …
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. …
On Friday June 11, 2010, I was involved in an automobile accident. My car, a Chrysler 2001 Sebring lxi failed to stop when the brakes were applied. I steered the car away from rear-ending the vehicle in front of me avoiding a crash. However, I steered my car between two lanes of stationary traffic.while going into traffic exiting off highway 270. I tried to apply the brakes but the car wouldn't stop. The engine revved up and the car wouldn't stop. My car made contact with a Mini van. My passenger side view mirror struck the Mini van causing damage to both the Mini van and my car. I contacted my insurance company immediately. The driver of the Mini van and I exchanged information and I called a tow truck to tow my car to my home. The following Wednesday June 16, 2010.. Farmers insurance adjuster paul gallagher contacted me. I received a rent-a-car from enterprise leasing. …
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 …
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. …
2001 Chrysler Sebring 2.7 liter dohc performed routine maintenance on 9-11-05, due to a long trip. Everything was good as far as fluid levels, performed an oil change, vehicle ran fine oil was not burnt or low oil change interval was on schedule. On 9-12-05 at 9:30 a.m., at interstate speed vehicle shut down, as it shut down temp. Gauge went to the max. My wife and seven month old child were stuck on highway off-ramp. Very hot and humid day about one-hundred miles from home. Towed vehicle back to home area. Vehicle acted as if timing chain had broke. Upon removal of intake and valve cover, twelve intake valves are bent and stuck open do to the timing chain jumping or water pump failure. Have not inspected any lower in the engine yet. Vehicle has 88,374 miles on it. After researching this problem, I found that this is a fairly common problem. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The harness for the crankshaft position sensor could come in contact with a new protective shield causing a grounded circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will re-route the crankshaft position sensor harness.
Engine complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 163 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Chrysler Sebring, 42% of the model year's 387 complaints. The component named most often is engine (81 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chrysler Sebring engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V299002 (engine, Oct 2, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Chrysler Sebring engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 6 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.