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 2002 Chrysler Sebring owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that while driving, the rear driver side wheel slightly separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent where it was diagnosed the all four ball joints and struts needed to be replaced. In addition, the vehicle was also diagnosed that there was a water pump malfunction and the fuel tank filler neck had corroded with the vehicle. The vehicles driver side rear ball joint and the filler neck were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 09e056000 (suspension) however the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring. For more than three weeks, the contact has been waiting on a part to repair her vehicle. The dealer has over five hundred orders waiting for the mapping sensor, which is the mass air flow pressure sensor, that allows the engine to start. Without this part, the contact's vehicle stalls constantly. She was involved in three crashes due to the failure. There were no injuries. After it stalls, the vehicle restarts within a minute. The dealer cannot provide a specific time of when the part will be available. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 53,000.
I take good care of my car it's my only transportation to take my new born back and forth to our appointments I bring my car in every 4 moths to make sure my car is still safe for my child. My engine knocks it's really loud 3 different people told me 3 different things so I brought it into a Chrysler shop and they told me that I should just buy a new car that this happens to a lot of the 2002 Chrysler sebrings. So I asked them what's wrong and they told me I would need a new engine
When ur driving down the road the engine just shuts down like u turned off the key. It isn't over heating and no check engine light so I cannot figure out why it keeps doing this and it has a new battery . I just bought the car.
I purchased a 2002 Sebring convertible limited edition one year ago. I maintained the car, changed the oil regularly, and put 20,000 miles on the car before it threw a rod. I had changed the oil 2 days prior to this event. The car has under 100,000 miles total. The dealership quoted me $8000 to repair the engine. They will only give me $1000 on a trade, leaving me in too much negative equity (-$6400) to afford another vehicle. They are unyielding in every aspect and refuse to help me get into another vehicle or to repair what is clearly a common problem with these engines. It didn't take much research to learn these engines are junk. Now I am renting a vehicle and still do not know what I am going to do. They are forcing me into a repo situation, which will absolutely ruin my credit. Not to mention, I cannot get into another car with that one still in financing. …
My wonderful father brought me this convertible Sebring lxi on 04/17/2014. After my Chevy impala/2002 stalled due to transmission/ignition switch the total cost is $3100.00. So my dad pays cash for the convertible Sebring lxi. On 05/03/2014, I was driving on the interstate attempting to attend a barbecue. It was a very nice day out. The car starts to overheat and the car stalls and slows down. I pulled over to the side of the road. The very next day, sun May 4,2014. I had the car taken to a mechanic and the engine had jump time and the engine had sludge build up. I was advised that it would cost me $3000-5000 for a new engine. I have lost my job in hr due to not being able to go work. I now own to vehicles that I can not drive and cant even afford to fix the car since I have lost my job. It really upsets me about the condition of the vehicle. There should be a recall on these engines. …
I bought the car brand new, added the extended warranty and had several things go wrong. Just to name a few: engine shut down without warning and had to be replaced when it was just over the 100,000 mile warranty even though oil changes and regular maintenance was done 3-4000 miles, transmission pan had metal shavings in it which resulted in poor performance, control arm had to be replaced after Chrysler dealership told me the problem was the motor mounts(I did not need the mounts replaced and the repair was not done under warranty), water pump & thermostat housing(was told both weren't covered and should have been), rear window defroster replaced and/or fixed three times, driver power window regulator replaced(glass had to be replaced because of damage from the regulator, which I paid), visor vanity light-part ordered but "too late" when tried to have it replaced(was not notified that …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the contact heard a knocking sound while braking and accelerating. The noise persisted for three days. On the fourth day, while braking to stop the vehicle, the engine shut off. In order to restart the vehicle, she had to shift the gear into park. Later the same day, the vehicle lost power while driving approximately 55 MPH. The contact was able to drive to a local repair facility and a diagnostic indicated that the map sensor was defective, and the oxygen in the fuel injection was not operating properly. The mechanic advised her that the part would be available the following day; however, she was later informed that there was a national back order. This meant that they had no idea when the part would be available. The contact is unable to reach the manufacturer. …
We were the original owners of this Chrysler Sebring limited 2.7l. Took the car in for regular service. Oi changes, air filter, tune-ups, you name it. We made sure to keep this car up and the engine running. At 100752 the engine blew. Since the car was out of town we had it towed to a local Chrysler dealership for repairs. They informed us that the engine had sludge build up and the engine would not move. At the recommendation of the dealership we had the engine replaced with a used 2.7l Chrysler engine. Less than a year later the water pump went so we replace that. We were told that the that second engine also had sludge build up. They replaced the oil and filter. 2 months later that engine blew up as well from the sludge build up. At that point we decided not to throw good money after bad and dumped the 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. …
Engine complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 108 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Chrysler Sebring, 30% of the model year's 358 complaints. The component named most often is engine (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chrysler Sebring engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Chrysler Sebring, though it has 2 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 2002 Chrysler Sebring engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 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.