Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
On May 17,2010 while driving to college, I noticed a loud whining rough sound, and every time I hit a bump it would sound like something was loose coming from my tires. Before, I could stop to see what the problem was, my steering wheel locked and my car ran off the road when I attempted to regain control my Sebring over corrected and entered a counterclockwise spin. I crossed 5 busy lanes before striking a ditch. My car stopped opposite direction of oncoming traffic!!! July of 2013 I had my lower control arms, and ball joints replaced. And again in February 14,2014 I had to take my car to the shop again for lower ball joint disconnect and replace lower control arms. And again this year February 24, 2015 for the exact same thing; replacement of lower control arms and lower ball joint. This car is very hazard I was blessed there were no injuries in 2010 when I had my accident! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring. The contact was driving approximately 65 MPH when there was a loud, abnormal pop from the vehicle. The front end of the vehicle then collapsed as the vehicle abnormally accelerated, independently steering right. The vehicle skidded and crashed into a pole. There were three persons reported injured. A police report was filed and the vehicle was destroyed. A field inspector was sent from the manufacturer to inspect the vehicle and found that the rear driver side ball joint had separated from the upper control arm and caused the contact to crash. The manufacturer offered no assistance as they did not claim responsibility for the failure or the crash. The current and failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Updated 05/16/11 updated 2/8/12
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.
My front end control arm and ball joint collapsed, causing other parts to be damaged. Ever since this has happen my Chrysler has never been the same. My insurance company did try and fix the problem, but to my dismay nothing has been corrected. I am now being told that my car the Chrysler Sebring always have major front end suspension issues. Since this is the case, I believe Chrysler should correct the problems on these makes and model. I would like to feel safe in my car, however I do not. I have been spending money frivolous to figure out the problem. I hope that Chrysler can correct this issue immediately on my car. Please help.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring convertible. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning . In addition, the contact mentioned that smoke fumes appeared under the hood. The contact pulled the vehicle over and had it towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front ball joint on the control arm assembly fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10e059000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Sebring. While driving 40 MPH, the driver side tie rod fractured and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The tie rod was replaced. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the screen on the transmission was replaced. The failure recurred, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000. Updated 09/25/15 updated 12/12/2017
In May, while driving my passenger side rear strut mount on my 2002 Chrysler Sebring broke. I took my car in and had it fixed and had to leave it as the dealership (golling Chrysler) advised me that it was a safety hazard to drive with the broken strut mount. On 06/29/08, my driver side rear strut mount broke. This time, the dealership (clarkston Chrysler) stated that there are no replacement parts as there is a design flaw with the part and they had to be reengineered. So, I have been unable to drive my car since 06/29/08. My car only had 65,000 miles but it is parked and unusable. I have been told that this is a common problem and there is a backlog of 10,000 parts on order. Chrysler called to state that they estimate that the parts would be in on August 11th. …
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 …
This is what is happening to the 2002 Sebring there should be a recall on these parts! Rear upper shock mounts broke. Made of alum.. Why? Corrosion will happen if you install alum. Next to sheet metal, also they were not painted. The new ones are at least painted. It does not seem to me to be very Smart to have alum.. Mounts and unprotected." "the contact stated at various speeds, a noise was heard coming from the rear section of the vehicle. An independent repair shop determined the driver side rear strut mount was corroded and fell apart. The part was replaced. The vehicle was located in a salt belt state." "the rear mount that holds the rear mcpherson strut in place, disintegrated. The consumer stated it was made of aluminum. It fell apart and the part made a rattle sound, which was the strut moving around. The consumer was going 20 MPH. …
Coming to a stop and turning right. Noise and wheel just fell flat on roadway. Lower ball joint disconnedted and made steering impossible and car uncontrollable. After repair about 6 months later the sam wheel top ball joint disconnected and nearly resulted in a accident on a busy street. The mechanic who repaired also checked the driver side ball joints and I was told they were within specs. In May of 2014 while driving around 50 miles an hour the bottom balljoint on the driver side disengaged and the steering was lost and the tire fell flat and nearly cause a head on crash. I have had many cars and diven for years and this has nevr happened in my life. There should be a recall on these vehicles asap. …
Suspension complaints in other Sebring years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2002 Chrysler Sebring?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Chrysler Sebring, 17% of the model year's 358 complaints. The component named most often is rear (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chrysler Sebring suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to suspension 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.