IllustrationI PURCHASED A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING 5 YEARS AGO. NICE LOOKING CAR, BUT THE ENGINE IS TOTAL JUNK. TRANSMISSION LEAKS, LEAKS OIL, POWER STEERING, MASSIVE VIBRATION WHEN AT A STOP, MASSIVE ENGINE NOISE. ENGINE IS JUNK. HAD TO TRADE IN FOR A MUCH BETTER AND RELIABLE CAR. I WILL NOT PURCHASE CHRYSLER AGAIN. *TR
2001 Chrysler Sebring
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Chrysler Sebring do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 132.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sebring years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
3025–50K
4850–75K
3275–100K
28100–150K
4150K+
153 reports with mileage · 89 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
21 crash reports5 fire reports16 injury reports
What owners actually said
242 reportsWHEN IT RAINS THE BACK FLOOR BOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE WILL BE FILLED UP WITH WATER I MEAN A PUDDLE OF WATER CANT SEEM TO FIND A LEAK ANYWHERE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHENEVER THE CONTACT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WHILE ACCELERATING PAST 60 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS STOP …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHENEVER THE CONTACT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WHILE ACCELERATING PAST 60 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS STOP WORKING WHENEVER THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,000. UPDATED 11/28/08 *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR WAS RUBBING THE WIRING CAUSING IT TO HEAT THE WIRING UNDER THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD AND SLOWLY GROUNDING OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. UPDATED 12/02/08.*JB
ENGINE FAILURE ONLY 67,000 MI. CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ENGINE 2.7L. *TR
ENGINE FAILURE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC- JUST LUCK I WAS NOT HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE... WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO CURBSIDE WITH FORWARD MOMENTUM AND THEN GET VEHICLE TOWED. COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC ON A BUSY DAY OR ON A MORE CROWDED HIGHWAY. *TR
REAR MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE STRUT BROKE, CAR WAS MAKING A BANGING NOISE IN THE REAR. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME FROM WORK AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD THE CAR NOT BEEN TOWED. PART HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE FROM CHRYSLER SINCE 6/26 AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AT LEAST THE FIRST O…
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REAR MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE STRUT BROKE, CAR WAS MAKING A BANGING NOISE IN THE REAR. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME FROM WORK AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD THE CAR NOT BEEN TOWED. PART HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE FROM CHRYSLER SINCE 6/26 AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AT LEAST THE FIRST OF AUGUST. I AM TOLD THERE ARE 8000 OF THESE PARTS ON BACK ORDER NATIONALLY, AND THE WAY THE PART OXIDIZED, I'M CURIOUS WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS IS NOT A COMMON PART TO HAVE TO REPLACE. ALSO CHRYSLER REFUSES TO OFFER ME A LOANER CAR UNTIL THE PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. SHE HAD A MECHANIC PERFORM AN OIL CHANGE AND REMOVE ALL OF THE SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. TWO DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS RELATIVELY CLOSE TO HER HOME AT THE TIME OF …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. SHE HAD A MECHANIC PERFORM AN OIL CHANGE AND REMOVE ALL OF THE SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. TWO DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS RELATIVELY CLOSE TO HER HOME AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, SOME OF HER PEERS PUSHED THE VEHICLE BACK TO HER HOUSE. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS ISSUE WITH SLUDGE BUILD UP AND THEY ALSO NOTED THAT THE TIMING CHAINS WERE FAILING. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V299002 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE). THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.
SMOKING (OIL BURNING EVERYWHERE) OIL PRESSURE SWITCH FAILED APR. 07. HAD MAJOR TUNE UP DONE IN AUG. 07. THEN HAD BATTERY TROUBLE CAR DIED HAD TOWED TO SHOP, MEC. CHECKED BATTERY AND RECHARGED IT SAID TO REPLACE IT SOON, THEN THE NEXT DAY HEARD A TICKING NOISE AND A BIG CLUNK ON MY WAY TO WORK BUT WENT TO THE SHOP INSTEAD THEY …
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SMOKING (OIL BURNING EVERYWHERE) OIL PRESSURE SWITCH FAILED APR. 07. HAD MAJOR TUNE UP DONE IN AUG. 07. THEN HAD BATTERY TROUBLE CAR DIED HAD TOWED TO SHOP, MEC. CHECKED BATTERY AND RECHARGED IT SAID TO REPLACE IT SOON, THEN THE NEXT DAY HEARD A TICKING NOISE AND A BIG CLUNK ON MY WAY TO WORK BUT WENT TO THE SHOP INSTEAD THEY FOUND INTERMIX THROUGH-OUT, HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *TR
ON MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING ONE OF THE BALL JOINTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED IN A PARKING LOT, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BECOME DETACHED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED IT WAS RUSTED OUT WHICH WAS SURPRISING SINCE THE CAR ONLY HAD 37K MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MICHIGAN AND OHIO FOR 5 YEARS AND CALIFORNIA FOR 2 YEARS. TH…
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ON MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING ONE OF THE BALL JOINTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED IN A PARKING LOT, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BECOME DETACHED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED IT WAS RUSTED OUT WHICH WAS SURPRISING SINCE THE CAR ONLY HAD 37K MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MICHIGAN AND OHIO FOR 5 YEARS AND CALIFORNIA FOR 2 YEARS. THE MECHANIC WAS SURPRISED AND HE SAID IT NORMALLY TAKES OVER 100K MILES FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE CAR WAS REPAIRED (WITH REPLACEMENT OF ALL BALL JOINTS AND THE CONTROL ARMS) AND I HAVE THE PARTS. *TR
MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING JUST STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MOTOR HAD SEIZED UP AND WAS JUNK. *TR
Official recalls
916V401000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 3, 2016
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
15V338000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 2, 2015
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.
01V011002 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
Jan 16, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A HOSE MANUFACTURING PROCESS ALLOWED THE REINFORCEMENT YARD TO BREACH THE INNER LAYER OF SOME AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HOSES WEAKENING THE INNER WALL WHICH COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE COOLER HOSES CAN CAUSE TRANSAXLE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND SMOKE IF THE OIL CONTACTS THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE OIL COOLER HOSES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
01V005002 · Seats
Jan 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A NUMBER OF INCORRECT DRIVER SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS WERE INSTALLED INTO VEHICLES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE BOLTS MAY NOT PROPERLY SECURE THE SEAT AND COULD CAUSE INCREASED INJURY TO THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT MOUNTING BOLTS AND THEN REPLACE THE BOLTS IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 5, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
00V366000 · Child Seat
Nov 9, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
00V320002 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Oct 27, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OUTER LAYER ONLY OF THIS 3-LAYER FUEL RETURN HOSE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE DESIRED OZONE PROTECTION DUE TO A PROCESSING ERROR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS HOSE IS CONSIDERED TO BE INADEQUATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
00V306000 · Air Bags:frontal
Oct 12, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. PASSENGER AIR BAGS WERE BUILT WITH SUSPECT ALUMINUM EXTRUSION SECTIONS WHICH MAY NOT RETAIN THE AIR BAG DOOR DURING AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT EVENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A SEPARATED AIR BAG DOOR COULD INJURE A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.
00V299002 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Oct 2, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HARNESS FOR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH A NEW PROTECTIVE SHIELD CAUSING A GROUNDED CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PROLONGED WIRING HARNESS CONTACT WITH THE HEAT SHIELD WILL CAUSE THE WIRING INSULATION TO WEAR AND EVENTUALLY TO GROUND OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DIE-OUT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HARNESS.
00V278000 · Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields
Sep 18, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THROUGH DEGRADATION OF THE BOND BETWEEN THE SILENCER PAD AND A SHEET METAL PANEL (QUARTER INNER UPPER), THE PAD MAY FALL ONTO THE MAP LIGHT LOCATED IN THE REAR SEATING AREA NEAR THE C-PILLAR TRIM PANEL (LH AND RH). THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE THE PAD TO MELT, CREATING A HOT SMELL AND/OR SMOKE DURING LONG PERIODS OF ILLUMINATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SMOKE INHALATION COULD BE HARMFUL TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSULATION PAD FROM BEHIND BOTH REAR MAP LIGHTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate
Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.