Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I own a 2001 Chrysler Sebring convertible that I bought new for my wife. She drives it daily and I have it serviced regularly. The car has 63,000 miles on it. This past week I took it to my mechanic to have new front brakes replaced. After he road tested it, he told me that I needed two new outside tie rods. He explained that because there is no way to lubricate them, they will wear out and could cause an accident. My concern is that I have owned many vehicles over my life (55 years old) and this is one area that I have never had to deal with. I find it disturbing that manufacturers can build a car with sol little regard to the potential that you could not be able to control a car due to faulty design. How difficult would it have been for tie rods to have grease fittings to keep them from premature wear out. …
On turning into a main street in our town from a driveway, the inner and outer tie rod ends on the right front wheel on my car pulled apart, resulting in a complete loss of steering control. Due to the low speed involved, I was able to force the car to the curb with no further damage. I had been driving on interstate highway I-89 earlier, and had this failure occurred then, complete loss of control, and the possible death or injury to my wife and I would have occurred. The car was towed to vermont tire, here in south burlington, where the tie rod ends (401-1704 & 401-1737) were replaced and the front end was re-aligned. I have the old parts for inspection, if desired. Total mileage on the car was 62285. Note, the tie rod ends normally thread together. In this case corrosion allowed these parts to pull apart completely. …
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. …
At about 51,000 miles my car began making loud squeaking noises from the front end every time you pass over a small bump in the road. It also developed major vibrations in the steering wheel and the brake pedal when the car was slowing up to stop. When I took the car to the chrylser dealer I was told that the inner tie rods were metal to metal and it also needed new rack and pinion steering. This amounts to nearly $1,000 expense on a car just a little more than one year from the time the warranty expired. The car is dangerous to drive since the steering can go out. I had very little advance warning of this problem and am not prepared to invest this kind of money in order to have a safe car for me and my family. We had planned to drive this car on vacation in three weeks. …
Tl 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 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.
I have read about sludge build up in the engine of the Chrysler Sebring 2.7 engines. I am experiancing a knocking noise in the engine or suspension that is intermettent. I experiance this problem when my engine is hot and also when the weather is hot (as I live in florida). I do not notice this when the weather is cooler and the engine is cool. Could this be the starting of engine build up too. Suncoast Chrysler cannot seem to find anything wrong. Would a diagnosis test on the engine reveal signs of build up? How can I have this checked out and fixed? I have also experianced a clicking noise in my sterring column which suncoast claims to have a TSB on this problem and needs to replace a some parts. Your input is greatly appreciated.
After it rained, water collected in a puddle on the back interior floorboard. The dealer previously suspected the water came from the door seals and replaced them, however the leak resurfaced and it did not come from door seals. Consumer believed the leak came from the chassis. Other problems are as followed: cd player malfunctioned, A/C unit failed and was repaired two times, the door panel was replaced, the steering column was replaced/squealed when turned/repair kit was installed/clockspring was replaced, the vehicle wouldn't start, there were electrical problems, a loud sound had come from the brakes, the window buttons were loose at the switch, and the engine cranked but did not start and was found to be flooded. Scc
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chrysler Sebring. While driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel locked and the driver side front wheel assembly detached when making a left turn. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure; however, he replaced the driver side front axle and both front ball joints. Approximately two months later, while driving 5 MPH, the steering wheel locked. The contact stated that he had to turn the vehicle off and restart it for it to perform normally. As of December 17, 2007, the mechanic had not inspected the vehicle. The failure mileage was 136,000 and current mileage was 138,888.
I am fed up with this Chrysler Sebring I bought 2 years ago. Its had so many problems and now a major one and a popular one I see is happening and before an accident happens lord willing I will make it to the dealer tomorrow. My steering in my 2001 Sebring started up last week when I went to turn the wheel it was super tight and I knew instantly something was wrong. Now it is making cracking sounds and is still hard to turn. I called the dealer and they said it sounded like its my rack and pinion. I had taken it to my own mechanic who couldn't find anything visibly wrong with it and said it might be the rack and pinion. After reading all the problems this car has had with the steering I am not surprised mine is right there with them all. I have only 51,000 miles on the car. I am furious. I don't want to pay to get this fixed. I shouldn't have to. Its chryslers fault. …
Front end suspension, wheel bearing & steering - grinding noise when going over small holes or hills such as speed bumps & pot holes. Almost never when driving directly forward, but often when turning. Dealer made 4 (four) repair attempts and still has not gotten it right. Not 2 months after last repair, which took six weeks to get all the parts together (during which the lemon law coverage for my car expired - go wonder about that..) the noises have returned again. Other issues, I have seen 6 total issues mentioned in this site that I can identify with. As for those sudden accelerations some have mentioned, yes I agree the pedals are too close which makes it easy to mash both brake & gas pedals.
Steering complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Chrysler Sebring, 6% of the model year's 387 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chrysler Sebring steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2001 Chrysler Sebring, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Chrysler Sebring steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
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.