IllustrationPOWER STEERING RACK AND RUST ISSUE. *JB
2002 Chrysler Sebring
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 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
200–25K
3825–50K
2650–75K
3075–100K
19100–150K
6150K+
139 reports with mileage · 71 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 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports4 fire reports11 injury reports
Steering complaints
22 reportsTHESE ARE SAFETY/DEFECT ISSUES REGARDING MY 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING ENGINE: I HAVE A 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINE AND I HAVE RECENTLY READ ABOUT COMMON PROBLEMS AFTER EXPERIENCING A KNOCK IN THE ENGINE. JUST TODAY, I HAD A MECHANIC LISTEN TO THE ENGINE NOISE AND HE SPECULATES THAT IT IS A ROD OR ROD BEARING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SYMPT…
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THESE ARE SAFETY/DEFECT ISSUES REGARDING MY 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING ENGINE: I HAVE A 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINE AND I HAVE RECENTLY READ ABOUT COMMON PROBLEMS AFTER EXPERIENCING A KNOCK IN THE ENGINE. JUST TODAY, I HAD A MECHANIC LISTEN TO THE ENGINE NOISE AND HE SPECULATES THAT IT IS A ROD OR ROD BEARING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SYMPTOM OF THE SLUDGE PROBLEM THAT YOUR WEB SITE HAS DOCUMENTED. I HAVE NOT YET CONFRONTED A CHRYSLER MAINTENANCE REP AND WOULD BE INTERESTED IN TACTICS THAT HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED AS SUCCESSFUL. I HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT REGULAR ABOUT OIL CHANGES, BUT I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, SO WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM PROVING THE MAINTENANCE INTERVALS. STEERING: LAST SUMMER I FIRST EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING TIGHTENING. BASICALLY THE GENERAL FEEL OF THE STEERING WAS TIGHT AND IT WOULD NOT RETURN TO A 'HOME' POSITION AFTER TURNING. A MECHANIC ESTIMATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE $1500 TO REPLACE THE RACK ASSEMBLY AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. ON A HUNCH, I HAD THE POWER STEERING FLUID REPLACED AND WITHIN A WEEK THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. AROUND OCT/NOV, THE SYMPTOMS RETURNED AND I HAD ANOTHER POWER STEERING FLUID REPLACEMENT. THIS TIME THE SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT AND HAVE NOT COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED. I HAVE READ A FEW COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF OTHER SEBRING OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *JB
SERIOUS CLUNKING NOISE UPON ACCELERATION / BRAKING. DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS LOOSE AND REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT LOWER ARM CONTROL. GLAD I MADE IT HOME ON MY 250 MILE DRIVE WITHOUT KILLING MYSELF OR OTHERS! *JB
"POPPING" FELT IN STEERING. TIRES STARTING TO WEAR ON OUTSIDE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY (WARRANTY) BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE ALIGNMENT NEEDED AFTER THE REPLACED. *JB
THE PROBLEM TO MY CAR HAPPENED WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE. MY 2002 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE HAS HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE STEERING RACK AND TIE RODS AT 28,000+ MILES. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS $1800. REPAIR. A CALL TO CHRYSLER SERVICE RESULTED IN AM OFFER TO PAY FOR THE PARTS NOT THE $1000. L…
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THE PROBLEM TO MY CAR HAPPENED WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE. MY 2002 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE HAS HAD A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE STEERING RACK AND TIE RODS AT 28,000+ MILES. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS $1800. REPAIR. A CALL TO CHRYSLER SERVICE RESULTED IN AM OFFER TO PAY FOR THE PARTS NOT THE $1000. LABOR CHARGE. I CALLED BACK TO NEGOTIATE THIS OFFER. I WAS PROMISED A CALL BACK WHICH I RECEIVED BY VOICE MAIL ASKING ME TO RETURN THE CALL AND STATING THAT WAS THERE BEST OFFER. . WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RETURN THE CALL TO THE PERSON WHO LEFT THE MESSAGE I WAS HUNG UP ON TWICE. I AM STILL TRYING TO COMMUNICATE WITH CHRYSLER BY PHONE SO FAR AFTER SEVERAL HOURS I AM STILL UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER CHECKING ON THE WEB I FOUND MANY INCIDENTS OF THIS KIND REPORTED BY OTHER SEBRING OWNERS. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT THAT COULD BE LIFE THREATING? THIS IS A LIGHTLY DRIVEN CAR AND SHOULD NOT HAVE SUFFERED THIS TYPE OF DANGEROUS FAILURE. *JB
HOSE TO POWER STEERING IS CRIMPED BY A.C. UNIT PIPE ,CAUSING POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK AND POWER STEERING TO FAIL. *AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A RACK AND PINION STEERING PROBLEM. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WAS BINDING. DRIVER WOULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WOULD STICK, MAKING TURNS VERY DIFFICULT. *AK
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING IS BINDING. THE DRIVER WOULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WOULD STICK MAKING TURNING VERY DIFFICULT. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
STEERING COLUMN MAKES A CREAKING SOUND LIKE A DOOR HINGE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL, EVEN IF MOVED WHILE AUTO IS PARKED AND MAKES THIS NOISE ALSO WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED DURING A RECENT OIL CHANGED ON 1/13/05 AND ONLY CHECKED BRAKES AND DID NOT LISTEN TO ME AND CHECK THE TIE ROD OR STEE…
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STEERING COLUMN MAKES A CREAKING SOUND LIKE A DOOR HINGE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL, EVEN IF MOVED WHILE AUTO IS PARKED AND MAKES THIS NOISE ALSO WHEN BRAKING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED DURING A RECENT OIL CHANGED ON 1/13/05 AND ONLY CHECKED BRAKES AND DID NOT LISTEN TO ME AND CHECK THE TIE ROD OR STEERING COLUMN FOR NOISE. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. *JB
A KNOCKING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER NOTICED, WHILE STEERING,THAT STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURNED ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SOLENOID SWITC…
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A KNOCKING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER NOTICED, WHILE STEERING,THAT STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURNED ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SOLENOID SWITCH. *AK
Official recalls
216V401000 · 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.
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.