2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible engine problems

ENGINE

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN 2010 WITH 69,000. IT WAS GREAT FOR A MINUTE AND THEN...HOSES, WATER PUMP, TENSIONERS, A LOT OF TENSIONERS, DRIVE CHAIN, SENSOR FOR SOME TIMING ISSUE, THERMOSTAT, FUEL PUMP, A BOLT THAT SHEARED OFF THE OIL PAN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, WITH THE CODED FOR GAS CAP. NO MATTER HOW MANY GAS CAPS (5). IT LEAKED OIL FROM DIFFERENT PLACES. GET ONE SEAL REPLACED , IT WOULD LEAK FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE. TOWED AT LEAST 6 TIMES. LAST TIME IT WAS 100 DEGREES, IT STARTED MISSING, SMOKING. IT ENDED UP BEING THE BATTERY, BUT I WAS WAY TOO PARANOID TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANY MORE. TOO MUCH MONEY AND STRESS. NOT SURE I EVER WANT TO OWN ANOTHER CHRYSLER. I TRADED IT IN AND I AM SORRY FOR THE NEXT PERSON THAT OWNS IT. THESE ISSUES STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 75,000. TRADED IN AT 132,000.

NHTSA complaint #10903051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

OIL LIGHT COMES ON A LOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN STOPPED, CAR SMELLS BADLY OF OIL BURNING AND SMOKES A LOT, SCARY WHEN DRIVING, ALSO AIR AND HEAT ONLY WORK ON HIGH VERY ANNOYING I WOULD NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10651042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE HORN DOESN'T WORK , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON, AIRBAGS LIGHT ON CLOCK SPRING NEEDS TO BE REPLACE, AND IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ... MY CAR WONT BE ABLE TO PASS THE EMISSION TEST... AC COMPRESSOR DOESN'T WORK .

NHTSA complaint #10522173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

IN APRIL 2011, WE PURCHASED A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE LIMITED EDITION (WITH 2.7 ENGINE) FROM A PRIVITE OWNER. IN JANUARY 2013 IT WAS TOWED TO NAPLETON CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN KISSIMMEE. THEY STILL HAVE OUR VEHICLE. WE HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM GOLD KEY FOR $2695.00 WHICH IS STILL IN EFFECT, BUT THEY WILL NOT COVER THE ENGINE DUE TO THE SLUDGE BUILD UP. THIS CAR WAS ONLY USED FOR LEISURE AND WE PUT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT. ALSO, WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED USING SYNTHETIC. MY HUSBAND IS ON DISABILITY AND WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK WE WILL HAVE TO JUNK THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10501062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND ENGINE GAVE OUT AND I GOT STUCK ON SHOULDER, HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND MY MECHANIC SAID MY ENGINE SEIZED. I HAVE MY CARE SERVICED REGULARLY AND DID NOT KNOW OF THIS ENGINE/OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW ENGINE OR TO BUY A NEW CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10455025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THIS COMPLAINT FOLLOWS OTHERS THAT OWN THE SEBRING CONV. AND THE SLUDGE BUILDUP,.I ALSO DO REG. MAINT. ON THE VEHICLE AND NOW HAVE AN ENGINE THAT HAS SEIZED & FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING A PILEUP. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM, NOT ONLY ON THIS SITE BUT SEVERAL OTHERS, I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS BEING BROUGHT AGAINST CHRYSLER ON THE 2.7LTR ENGINE FOR THIS FACT. THE OIL LIGHT KEPT FLICKERING TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, LEVELS CORRECT, IT WOULD GO OUT FOR A WHILE AND THEN BOOM. THIS WOULD GO ON LIKE EVERY 3 MONTHS OR SO SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR .NEVER AGAIN CHRYSLER. WILL IT TAKE A DEATH FOR YOU TO ORDER A RECALL ON THESE ENGINES???

NHTSA complaint #10437993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE DIED DUE TO OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, WE KEPT THE CAR IN GOOD CONDITION AND PERFORMED MAINTENANCE REGULARLY.

NHTSA complaint #10427682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE, WITH 56K MILES, WITH A BLOWN ENGINE, ROD THRU IT DUE TO OIL SLUDGE. OIL WAS CHANGED ON THE CAR EVERY 4 MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10386705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I BOUGHT THE CAR 2 WEEKS AGO. EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I CHANGE THE OIL, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS LIKE I DO TO ALL CARS I BUY. ABOUT 2 DAYS AGO THE OIL LIGHT STARTED TO TURN ON. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME IT MIGHT BE A SENSOR. CHANGED THE SENSOR BUT THE LIGHT STILL TURNED ON. TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP & AFTER A BETTER INSPECTION HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE OIL PUMP. TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL I GET IT FIXED AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME $1000 TO REPLACE IT. I'M WRITING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE AFTER A SEARCH ONLINE I CAN SEE I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10384229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10369270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I JUST BOUGHT A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH, I BOUGHT IT FROM MY MOTHER. THE OIL WAS CHANGED RIGHT BEFORE I BOUGHT IT AND I HAVEN'T DRIVING MORE THAN 3000 MILES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 22ND, 2010 MY ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING WHEN I STARTED IT UP AND WHEN I STARTED DRIVING IT, THE OIL LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING AND THE ENGINE STALLED OUT AT EVERY STOP LIGHT. THE CAR STARTED JERKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND I HAD AAA COME TOW IT TO THEIR AUTO SHOP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT I WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE FOR THE CAR. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000 MILES ON IT AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THE 2.7 LITER ENGINES IN CHRYSLERS AND DODGES. I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE ESPECIALLY SINCE I JUST PAID MONEY FOR THIS CAR ABOUT A MONTH AGO! I AM SO UPSET!

NHTSA complaint #10362103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE FROM A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL AND AFTER A FEW WEEKS HAD THE CAR IN THE GARAGE FOR A QUICK CHECKUP. MY MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE WITH ONLY 50,000 ORIGINAL MILES LOOKS LIKE IT IS FROM A VEHICLE WITH 150,000 MILES BECAUSE OF THE SLUDGE BUILDUP. I AM AFRAID TO PURCHASE A USED ENGINE (WHICH IS HARD TO FIND TO BEGIN WITH) BECAUSE IT MAY FAIL BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES FROM SLUDGE AND ALSO THE TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM I HAVE DISCOVERED AFTER MUCH RESEARCH OF THE 2.7L ENGINE ON THE INTERNET. INSTEAD I HAVE TO PAY OVER $5000.00 TO HAVE A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE INSTALLED IN MY USED VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10314562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CAR TAKES FOREVER FOR THE ENGINE TO WARM UP, SOMETIMES STALLING & HARD TO START. THE HEATER MOST OF THE TIME DOES NOT WORK IN MY 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI, IT ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. THE SEAT HEATER WORKS, HOWEVER IT HAS A LOUD NOISE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEN OPERATING.

NHTSA complaint #10261087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THIS WAS A PROPERLY MAINTAINED VEHICLE WHICH HAD SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE AT JUST OVER 55,000 MILES. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. LIKE MANY OTHER REGISTERED COMPLAINTS (ON THIS SITE AND OTHER SITES), INVESTIGATION REVEALED OIL SLUDGE AND EXCESS OIL BURNOFF WHICH LED TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. I WAS QUOTED A MINIMUM OF $3500 FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT, THOUGH RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THE ENGINE FOR THE VEHICLE IS FLAWED (THOUGH CHRYSLER HAS APPARENTLY REFUSED TO ADDRESS ONGOING ISSUES WITH OIL SLUDGE AND ENGINE FAILURE).

NHTSA complaint #10259114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE EXITING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW ENGINE WOULD BE NEEDED AT THE COST OF $3,000. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT TO RESTART THE ENGINE BECAUSE THERE WAS TOO MUCH OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE CAUSED BY A JUMP TIMING AND FAULTY PARTS. THERE WERE NO CRASHES, INJURIES, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE REPAIR SHOP, BUT NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA complaint #10252852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

SLUDGE IN ENGINE MAKES LOUD NOISE NEES NEW ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10251503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN SPECULATED THAT THE OIL PUMP LOCKED UP, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THE COST OF $4,700. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #10249414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE, 2.7 LITER CHRYSLER NO WARNING LIGHTS LEADING UP TO INEVITABLE ENGINE FAILURE. 10/27/08, 6:30 P.M. HEATER ABRUPTLY STOPPED WORKING. 10/28, 2 MILES INTO A.M. COMMUTE; STOPPED AT RED LIGHT, TURNED RIGHT ONCE TRAFFIC CLEAR. UPON ACCELERATION ENGINE HESITATES, NEARLY CAUSING DRIVER BEHIND TO REAR END ME. PULLED OFF STREET TO CHECK THAT CAR WAS RUNNING OK, SEEMED FINE. 9 MILES INTO COMMUTE. OIL LIGHT FLICKERS, PULLED INTO GAS STATION WITHIN 4 BLOCKS, SCARED ENGINE WOULD LOCK UP OR BLOW. CHECKED OIL, DRY DIPSTICK! PURCHASED 2 QUARTS, ADDED 1 & BARELY REGISTERED ON DIPSTICK. ADDED 2ND, NOW REGISTERED OVER FILLED (OIL IN ENGINE WAS HELD BACK DUE TO SLUDGE, & RELEASED WHILE ADDING NEW OIL?). OIL LIGHT STOPS FLICKERING & IS OFF. 1 MORE MILE TO WORK. ENGINE HESITATED A COUPLE OF TIMES DURING A.M. & P.M. COMMUTES. 9:58 P.M., 11 MILES INTO P.M. COMMUTE STOP AT GAS STATION, CHECK OIL. BEFORE OPENING HOOD, NOTICED ANTIFREEZE ODOR, COULDN'T TELL IF COMING FROM MY CAR OR OTHERS NEARBY. OIL STILL REGISTERED ON DIPSTICK AS OVERFILLED. NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM ENGINE NEAR MID FRONT OF CAR, PASSENGER SIDE, COULD NOT FIND EXACT LOCATION. PURCHASED COOLANT JUST IN CASE. FINAL 2 MILES OF COMMUTE, TEMP GAUGE REGISTERED HIGHER THAN NORMAL. 10/29, 8:00 A.M. TAKE CAR TO DEALERSHIP. DRIP MARKS ON DRIVEWAY FROM EVENING BEFORE. ARRIVED AT DEALERSHIP SERVICE, INFORMED ME THEY WERE NO LONGER CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP/SERVICE AS OF OCT. 1, (SIGN OUTSIDE & CARS IN THE LOT HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN AWAY). DIAGNOSIS: REPLACE WATER PUMP, OIL, AC & POWER STEERING BELTS, OIL SENDING UNIT, TIMING CHAIN & GEARS, TENSIONERS & UPPER CONNECTORS. ESTIMATE: $1,548. 2ND OPINION: REPLACE WATER PUMP, VALVE COVER GASKET, THERMOSTAT, BELTS, & OIL FOR $1,371. ALSO SUGGESTED REPLACING TIMING CHAIN, TOTAL $2,500. HOWEVER, THE SHOP HAD 15-YEAR FORMER CHRYSLER SERVICE VETERAN ON STAFF WHO SUGGESTED I NOT MAKE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL SEIZE SOON, AND I'D BE WASTING MONEY. STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10247193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

A FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED IN THE CAR. AFTER THE REPAIR THE CAR RAN BAD AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. DEALER ADVISED IT WAS ONLY OIL SLUDGE AND IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE. THE CAR EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE.

NHTSA complaint #10246943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE 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. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,500. UPDATED 10/30/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT VARIOUS TIMES. UPDATED 10/30/08.

NHTSA complaint #10243212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

THE ENGINE DIED. TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP, NO COMPRESSION, ENGINE SHOT. 63,000.

NHTSA complaint #10242508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2.7 LITER ENGINES MY MECHANIC SAID THEY ARE BAD DESIGNS HE HAS HAD ALOT OFCOME IN HIS SHOP WITH RODS KNOCKING.

NHTSA complaint #10236404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 PART WAS IN), DASH LIGHTS-ON & OFF, HEADLIGHTS REPLACE SEVERAL TIMES, HUB SEAL REPLACED, PASSENGER SEAT ADJUST ARM BROKEN, LIGHTER INOPERATIVE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FIRST MONTH I HAD THE CAR!

NHTSA complaint #10230570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MOTOR FAILED AT 75,600 MILES WHEN THE OIL HAD BEEN CHANGED EVERY 3-4,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10226609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AREA THAT SOUNDED LIKE A LOUD MUFFLER. WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC NEAR OUR HOME WHO DIAGNOSED IT WITH A FAILED TENSIONER SPRING ON THE TIMING BELT WHICH CAUSED ENGINE SLUDGE.

NHTSA complaint #10222535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

I AM YET ANOTHER OWNER OF A CHYRSLER SEBRING WITH THE 2.7L MOTOR GOING BAD DO TO ENGINE OIL SLUDGING THAT CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ADDRESS WITH A RECALL. IT IS IN A 2002 ITH 72,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE. BRIAN KLESHINSKIO OD

NHTSA complaint #10222114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81,000. UPDATED 03/18/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 03/18/08

NHTSA complaint #10217096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

MAJOR HEADACHE HAS BEEN THE RECENT ENGINE DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF WHAT MAY BE OIL SLUDGE GATHERED IN THE MOTOR. ENGINE SEIZED BRIEFLY UPON SWITCHING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, THEN BEGAN "CLICKING" UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION TO/FROM HIGH RPMS (UPSHIFTING AND DOWNSHIFTING). CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THE PROBLEM IS BROKEN CONNECTOR ROD AND BEARING IN #2 CYLINDER, WHICH NECESSITATES A NEW ENGINE. ESTIMATED PRICE TAG: $10,000 (MORE THAN VEHICLE'S WORTH). OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE HAVE INCLUDED FAULTY PASSENGER AIRBAG PART THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT; PERSISTENT DIMMING/FLICKERING OF INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS; MULTIPLE BATTERY AND HEADLIGHT BURNOUTS; EMISSION LEAKS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS REQUIRING TWO SEPARATE REPAIRS; AND CD PLAYER SKIPPING, REQUIRING (ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER) A COMPLETELY NEW STEREO SYSTEM. SPEAKERS ARE SOMEWHAT SHOT AND THE DRIVER-SIDE SUNVISOR CLIP BROKE UNDER SLIGHT PRESSURE.

NHTSA complaint #10214108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

MAJOR HEADACHE HAS BEEN THE RECENT ENGINE DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF WHAT MAY BE OIL SLUDGE GATHERED IN THE MOTOR. ENGINE SEIZED BRIEFLY UPON SWITCHING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, THEN BEGAN "CLICKING" UPON ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION TO/FROM HIGH RPMS (UPSHIFTING AND DOWNSHIFTING). CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THE PROBLEM IS BROKEN CONNECTOR ROD AND BEARING IN #2 CYLINDER, WHICH NECESSITATES A NEW ENGINE. ESTIMATED PRICE TAG: $10,000 (MORE THAN VEHICLE'S WORTH). OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE HAVE INCLUDED FAULTY PASSENGER AIRBAG PART THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT; PERSISTENT DIMMING/FLICKERING OF INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS; MULTIPLE BATTERY AND HEADLIGHT BURNOUTS; EMISSION LEAKS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS REQUIRING TWO SEPARATE REPAIRS; AND CD PLAYER SKIPPING, REQUIRING (ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER) A COMPLETELY NEW STEREO SYSTEM. SPEAKERS ARE SOMEWHAT SHOT AND THE DRIVER-SIDE SUNVISOR CLIP BROKE UNDER SLIGHT PRESSURE.

NHTSA complaint #10214108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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. SINCE I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT ANOTHER SHOP, THEY BLAMED THE SHOP AND SAID THEY DID SOMETHING WRONG. FUNNY, THE SAME SHOP AND SAME GUY HAS BEEN CHANGING MY OIL FOR 20 YEARS AND I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE. I WAS ALMOST HIT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AS I COULD NOT SAFELY GET OFF THE FREEWAY. THIS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE! AND STILL, I HAVE NO VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10198690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.