2001 Chrysler Sebring complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHEN THE LUBE SPECIALISTS HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND AND SUGGESTED THAT VEHICLE BE INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WAS FAILING AND THAT IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALERS FOR THE PARTS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT VIEWED ONLINE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR SYMPTOMS OF RECALL.

I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK END OF MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. I NEEDED TO PICK UP CHILDREN AND INTENDED TO LOOK INTO NOISE WHEN I GOT HOME. ABOUT A MILE FROM HOME ON A BUMPY COUNTRY ROAD, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE STRUT SUPPORT HAD CORRODED AND BROKEN, THROWING THE SHOCK INTO MY TIRE. TIRE IS DESTROYED AND STRUT/SHOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC LOOKS AT THE OTHER SIDE AND FINDS THAT IT TOO IS CORRODED AND READY TO BREAK. A FRIEND IS A MECHANIC FOR A CHRYSLER DEALER AND SAYS HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE AND CHRYSLER KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS MALFUNCTION SENT MY CAR INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE, AND I WAS JUST LUCKY THAT I WAS IN THE COUNTRY AND NO ONE WAS COMING THE OTHER WAY! THE WARRANTY ON MY CAR EXPIRED 2 MONTHS AGO. IS CHRYSLER IN ANY WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS? *JB

I HAVE A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING 4 DOOR SEDAN. SINCE THE PURCHASING THE NEW CAR DIRECTLY FROM THE DEALER THE CAR HAS FREQUENTLY EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. I FORTUNATELY HAVE NOT BE INJURED AS A RESULT HOWEVER, THIS IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM AS MY PREVIOUS CHRYSLER DID THIS AS WELL. IT WILL HAPPEN WHILE SITTING AT A STAND STILL THE CAR WILL PROPEL ITSELF FORWARD AND IF YOUR FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE IT WILL TAKE OFF. *NM

I BOUGHT A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH A 2.7 L ENGINE IN NOVEMBER 2005. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 59 FROM LOUISIANA TO ALABAMA ON JAN. 2, 2006 MY ENGINE SEIZED AND STOPPED. I HAD TO PULL OFF OF THE INTERSTATE IMMEDIATELY TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIT. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY FOUND IT HAD SLUDGE ALL OVER THE ENGINE. I HAVE KEPT MY CAR MAINTAINED AND HAD AN OIL CHANGE THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. THIS LEFT ME VULNERABLE TO HAVE INJURED MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. I WAS OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, BUT WAS TOLD SLUDGE WAS NOT COVERED. I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. *JB

ON TURNING INTO A MAIN STREET IN OUR TOWN FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD ENDS ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ON MY CAR PULLED APART, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. DUE TO THE LOW SPEED INVOLVED, I WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE CAR TO THE CURB WITH NO FURTHER DAMAGE. I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I-89 EARLIER, AND HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED THEN, COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL, AND THE POSSIBLE DEATH OR INJURY TO MY WIFE AND I WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO VERMONT TIRE, HERE IN SOUTH BURLINGTON, WHERE THE TIE ROD ENDS (401-1704 & 401-1737) WERE REPLACED AND THE FRONT END WAS RE-ALIGNED. I HAVE THE OLD PARTS FOR INSPECTION, IF DESIRED. TOTAL MILEAGE ON THE CAR WAS 62285. NOTE, THE TIE ROD ENDS NORMALLY THREAD TOGETHER. IN THIS CASE CORROSION ALLOWED THESE PARTS TO PULL APART COMPLETELY. EXCEPT FOR ABOUT A HALF INCH AT THE VERY TOP OF THE THREADED END OF THE ROD, THE ROD COULD BE INSERTED AND WITHDRAWN WITH LITTLE OR NO RESISTANCE, AND THIS IS HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO WARNING IN THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE CAR TO INDICATE THE FAILURE WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. *JB

PURCHASED A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING NEW WITH 101 MILES IN AUG 2001. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 42,000 MILES AND THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE CHRYSLER'S 2.7L ENGINE HAS MANY INTERNET DOCUMENTS SHOWING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. NOT COVERED BY CHRYSLER OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. WAS DRIVING VEHICLE 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AT 8:00 AM WHEN THE CAR JUST DIED. FORTUNATELY (ALTHOUGH RUSH HOUR) NO ONE WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND THE VEHICLE. CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS CHRYSLER WANTS $6,000 TO FIX THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE IS ONLY WORTH $8,800. CAR IS STILL SITTING AT DEALERSHIP. CHRYSLER HAS NOT MADE ANY CHANGES TO THIS ENGINE SO EVEN IF REPAIRS ARE MADE THIS PROBLEM WILL KEEP OCCURRING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PUDDLE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE COOLER HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V011002, REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 8/14/2006 - THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE WORN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO SMOKE. THE TRANSMISSION HOSE AND THE SOLENOID PACK WERE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V011002, REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION LINES. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - *NM

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE ON MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING MY ONLY SOLUTION IS TO LET THE CAR SIT FOR THE TWO YEARS I OWE ON IT BECAUSE THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT IS APPARENTLY A DESIGN FLAW. *NM

MY WIFE WAS IN A FRONTAL CRASH WITH ENOUGH IMPACT TO NEARLY PUSH THE ENGINE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I BELIEVE THIS WAS DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT OR DESIGN. I DO HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES THAT SHOW THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE. *JB

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. MY CAR STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND DRIVE HOME. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROD BEARING HAD GONE OUT AND THE MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF TALKING TO CHRYSLER THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ONE OF THEIR DEALERSHIPS SO THEY CAN LOOK AT IT AT MY COST. THE CAR HAD 82,121 MILES ON IT SO THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. CHRYSLER GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 200 TO 400 $ JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY THING BECAUSE OF EXCESS SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR. NEED LESS TO SAY I WENT TO A DIFFERENT COMPANY TO PUT IN A REMANUFACTURE MOTOR. THESE 2.7 LITER APPARENTLY HAS A LOT A DEFECTS. *AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. MY CAR STALED, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND DRIVE HOME. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROD BEARING HAD GONE OUT AND THE MOTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF TALKING TO CHRYSLER THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ONE OF THEIR DEALERSHIPS SO THEY CAN LOOK AT IT AT MY COST. THE CAR HAD 82,121 MILES ON IT SO THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. CHRYSLER GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 200 TO 400 $ JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I WAS TOLD THAT CHRYSLER WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY THING BECAUSE OF EXCESS SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR. NEED LESS TO SAY I WENT TO A DIFFERENT COMPANY TO PUT IN A REMANUFACTURE MOTOR. THESE 2.7 LITER APPARENTLY HAS A LOT A DEFECTS. *AK

ENGINE FAILURE IN 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH 2.7 L. ENGINE AT APPROX. 65,000 MILES WITHOUT ANY FOREWARNING. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR OVERHEATING OCCURRED. ENGINE MUST NOW BE REPLACED DUE TO CRACKED BLOCK. CHRYSLER WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS. *NM

WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AND THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP QUICKLY AND PULL INTO THE MEDIAN. I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP ONLY 2 MONTHS PRIOR WITH "POPPING" NOISES IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERFORMED AN INSPECTION AND SAID "ALL FRONT END COMPONENTS TIGHT AND SOUND /NO FAILURES DETECTED". LESS THAN 2,000 MILES LATER, THE BALL JOINT FAILED! WHAT IS EVEN MORE CONCERNING IS THAT THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS WERE EXPERIENCED 2 YEARS AGO AND MANY COMPONENTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION (INCLUDING BOTH BALL JOINTS) WERE REPLACED. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS AT 37,000 MILES AND COST ME $598.66 (SINCE THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERED TO 36,000 MILES - IRONIC, HUH?). THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED AT 63,000 MILES AND COST ME $693.06. UPON DRIVING THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE AFTER BEING TOWED, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE BALL JOINT POPPED COMPLETELY OUT OF IT'S JOINT AND SHOWED ME THAT THE TIRE WAS ONLY BARELY HANGING ON. HE ALSO SAID I WAS "LUCKY" THAT I HADN'T WENT 20 MORE FEET ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE THE TIRE WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLY INJURY. THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE REPAIRS BUT WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE EXPENSES. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY OR REFUND THE COST FOR THE FAULTY INSPECTION THAT WAS PERFORMED 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 35 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE CUSHION SPRING. THE STOCK REPLACEMENT PART PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER WAS AT LEAST FIVE TIMES HEAVIER THAN THE ORIGINAL PART. THE GAUGE OF THE ORIGINAL CUSHION SPRING WAS MUCH LESS THAN THE STOCK REPLACEMENT PART. AS THE CUSHION SPRING BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE THE PARTS LODGED IN THE PUMP GEARS, RESULTING IN HAVING TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. KNOCKING STARTED TO OCCUR. AS I WAS DRIVING TO GET IT LOOKED AT, MOTOR JUST STOPPED. 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING 2.7L MOTOR. 69000 MILES. DIAGNOSED AS BROKEN TIMING CHAIN, NEW MOTOR NEEDED $6,000-$7,000. GARAGE HAD SEEN QUITE A FEW RECENTLY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE OPTION WAS TO BUY A NEW ENGINE THAT HAD BEEN MODIFIED TO CORRECT ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, OR TO PURCHASE A NEW OR REBUILT ENGINE. SINCE REBUILT ENGINE WAS $1000 LESS THAN OTHER OPTIONS WENT WITH THAT OPTION. *JB

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH A 2.7 LITER ENGINE PREMATURELY FAILED AT 74,000 MILES. STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AT 64,000 MILES WITH EXCESSIVE ENGINE NOISE AND SMOKE FROM THE TAIL PIPE. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW BY MYSELF AND MAINTAINED PER THE SERVICE SCHEDULE IN THE CHRYSLER MANUAL. THE ENGINE GAVE OUT ABOUT 4 BLOCKS FROM OUR HOME WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT, FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED. WE HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE MOTOR WITH A JASPER REMANUFACTURED ENGINE WHICH HAS SEVERAL DESIGN MODIFICATIONS AND A BETTER WARRANTY THAN THE FACTORY ENGINE. *NM

CONSUMER REPLACED REAR DEFROST ON CHRYSLER SEBRING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. *TS THE REAR DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK. THE REAR VISION GLASS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHRYSLER OFFERED THE CONSUMER A 50/50 SPLIT. ALSO THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW RATTLED, RED FLUID WAS FOUND IN THE CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY DUE TO TRANSMISSION PAN AND COOLER LINE LEAKAGE, THE CONVERTIBLE WAS LEAKING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AREA DUE TO WEATHER STRIP AND THERE WAS A SLOW LEAK IN THE R/R TIRE DUE TO A HOLE. *SC

CONSUMER HAD A LEAK IN ENGINE, DUE TO SLUDGE IN CHRYSLER SEBRING. *TS THE CONSUMER READ AN ARTICLE WHICH MENTIONED THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST 797,000 QUESTIONABLE CHRYSLER ENGINE THAT COULD EXPERIENCE SLUDGE PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE SLUDGE WAS THE RESULT OF OIL MAINTENANCE NEGLECT. *NM

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING 2.7L MOTOR. 69000 MILES. MOTOR QUIT. DIAGNOSED AS BROKEN TIMING CHAIN, NEW MOTOR NEEDED $6,900. FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, MOTOR JUST STOPPED. I WAS FORTUNATE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. *JB

THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING HAS FAILED TWICE IN ITS LIFETIME (CURRENTLY ~65,000 MILES) - LUCKILY BOTH TIMES WERE DURING PARTS OF THE YEAR WHERE I DID NOT NEED HEADLIGHTS, BUT THIS TIME AROUND I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE SWITCH REPLACED. THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK. *NM

I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES AND HAD A PASSENGER IN THE CAR WITH ME. NOTHING DEPLOYED...BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THE NEXT DAY...WELL I TOOK IT TO DINOVOS AND THEY SAID THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT PRE TENSIONER WAS OPEN...CLEANED IT AND GREASED IT AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF...IF I WAS IN AN ACTUAL WRECK..WOULD I HAVE HAD AN AIRBAG..THAT IS THE QUESTION OF THE DAY.*JB

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING 2.7 LITER DOHC PERFORMED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON 9-11-05, DUE TO A LONG TRIP. EVERYTHING WAS GOOD AS FAR AS FLUID LEVELS, PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE, VEHICLE RAN FINE OIL WAS NOT BURNT OR LOW OIL CHANGE INTERVAL WAS ON SCHEDULE. ON 9-12-05 AT 9:30 A.M., AT INTERSTATE SPEED VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, AS IT SHUT DOWN TEMP. GAUGE WENT TO THE MAX. MY WIFE AND SEVEN MONTH OLD CHILD WERE STUCK ON HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP. VERY HOT AND HUMID DAY ABOUT ONE-HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME. TOWED VEHICLE BACK TO HOME AREA. VEHICLE ACTED AS IF TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE. UPON REMOVAL OF INTAKE AND VALVE COVER, TWELVE INTAKE VALVES ARE BENT AND STUCK OPEN DO TO THE TIMING CHAIN JUMPING OR WATER PUMP FAILURE. HAVE NOT INSPECTED ANY LOWER IN THE ENGINE YET. VEHICLE HAS 88,374 MILES ON IT. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM. MADE CONTACT WITH CHRYSLER TO SEE IF THEIR WAS A POSSIBLE RECALL. CHRYSLER SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY TIMING PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE, BUT WERE VERY EVASIVE WHEN CHALLENGED WITH QUESTIONS. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.*JB

WHEN CAR BOUGHT SHARED DRIVER INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LOOSE. TOOK BACK IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. MONTHS LATER POWER WINDOW BUTTONS ARE FALLING THROUGH SAME DOOR HANDLE, RENDERING WINDOW INOPERABLE. UPON ME TAKING IT APART TO SEE IF I COULD FIX, FOUND THE PLASTIC STEMS THAT INTERLOCK POWER WINDOW BUTTONS TO THE HANDLE, ARE DISENTAGRATING.THAT WHEN I TOOK IN FOR ABOVE MENTIONED WARRANTY WORK, ALL THAT WAS DONE, THEY GLUED HANDLED TO UPOLSTRY. THE REAR WINDOW DRIVER SIDE HAS NOW ALSO BEDOME INOPERABLE DUE TO SAME DISENTEGARATION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND/OR FIRE AND UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR TO ESCAPE ONE WOULD BECOME TRAPPED UNABLE TO LOWER A WINDOW TO GET OUT.

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN IRREGULAR ENGINE SNAPPING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS A NAIL IN THE TIRE, BUT UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO NAIL IN THE TIRE. THE ENGINE FIRST STARTED WITH THE SNAPPING SOUND, THEN VIBRATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN. THE NOISE HAS BEEN THE SAME SINCE IT STARTED. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK

(1) THE COURSE OF ACTION WHEN LEAVING MY EMPLOYMENT WORKPLACE ON THURSDAY, JULY 21, APPROXIMATELY 6:00 P.M. CST: I STARTED MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH MY REMOTE START (WHICH I HAVE DONE DAILY SINCE 2002), GOT INTO THE CAR TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT, SECURED MY SEAT BELT, AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE (NO CARS WERE PARKED IN FRONT OF MINE). (2) THE MOMENT I PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR (DRIVE) IT TOOK OFF LIKE A BULLET WITHOUT ANY ACCELERATION. THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING INDEPENDENTLY (RUNAWAY) AND HEADED TOWARD A 4-LANE, BUSY STREET. BRAKING HAD NO EFFECT ON SLOWING THE CAR BUT I COULD STEER. I TURNED TO AVOID ENTERING THE BUSY STREET BUT CRASHED INTO THE CORNER OF A BRICK BUILDING. ELAPSED TIME FROM THE POINT OF FAILURE TO THE CRASH WAS VERY SHORT; I ESTIMATE IT TO BE 5 SECONDS. I WAS INJURED AND HOSPITALIZED WITH A FRACTURED HEEL BONE, ANKLE BONES, AND RIBS. (3) THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS SO THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. *NM

AFTER I RECEIVED A TUNE UP OF MY VEHICLE, IT STARTED A PROBLEM. AFTER MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 20 MIN, THE ENGINE STARTS TO ALMOST DIE OUT, THEN COME BACK TO LIFE. THIS IS W/O USING AC OR HEAT. HOWEVER, IF I USE MY A/C OR HEAT, IT BECOMES MUCH WORSE. IN BOTH SITUATIONS, W/OR W/O AC & HEAT, THE PROBLEM BECAME SO BAD MY CAR DIED OUT. THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY CAR, AND CLAIMED IT DID NOT DO THIS TO THEM WHEN THEY HAD IT IN THEIR POSSESSION. I MYSELF, HAVE CHANGED THE AIR FILTER, GOT AN OIL CHANGE, CHANGED MY TRANS FLUID, PCV VALVE, & PUT IN FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT STOPPED. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO MURRAYS AUTO PARTS, THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, GIVING IT THE CODE P1391 MISFIRE CODE. I CALLED THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THIS CODE, NOBODY HAD ANY IDEA WHAT IT MEANT. EVERY TIME I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER, THEY DENY THEY HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT, AND PUT ME OFF LIKE I DON'T KNOW WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT. I JUST WANT MY CAR FIXED. *NM

DT: WHILE DRIVING MY CHRYSLER SEBRING THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. IT STARTING MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND THEN THE CONSUMER HEARD A CRUNCH. WHEN THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD THE TIMING CHAIN HAD CUT A SLICE OUT OF THE PLASTIC VALUE COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN DID BREAK. HE ALSO TOLD THE CONSUMER TO SEARCH THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME MOTOR. THE CONSUMER HASN'T DONE ANY RESEARCH TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE YET. *NM

FRONT TOP BALL JOINT SNAPPED WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. NO WARNING, HAD TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIR. FOUND DAMAGED CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES WHEN REPLACING BOTH FRONT TOP AND BOTTOM BALL JOINTS. ONLY 53,000 MILES ON THE CAR! INTEND TO WRITE TO CHRYSLER.

DECEMBER OF 2002 - REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER QUIT. WIRE CONNECTOR CAME LOOSE FROM REAR WINDOW. COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. WINDOW HAD TO BE REPLACED TO FIX PROBLEM. MAY OF 2004 - AIR BAG INDICATOR CAME ON AND CHIME SOUNDED. SENSOR OR SOME SORT REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF OVER $300.00 JUNE OF 2005 - REPEAT OR ABOVE PROBLEM. APPOINTMENT TO BRING CAR IN FOR SERVICING ON JUNE 28TH. JUNE OF 2005 - REPEAT OF REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER. ITEM HAS NOT WORKED FOR MONTHS. I HAVE RUN A REPORT ON MYCARSTATS.COM AND HAVE FOUND BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL. APPEARS WE HAVE A PROBLEM HERE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE AIR BAG PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME AND I CERTAINLY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY NEXT WEEK WHEN I BRING IT IN FOR SERVICING.

DT: CALLER SAID THE WHEEL FELL OFF IN DRIVEWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE TOP UPPER BALL JOINT GAVE WAY, LEAVING THE BOTTOM BALL JOINT TO HOLD THE TIRE. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER HAS NOT HAD IT FIXED. *AK

UPPER BALL JOINT IN PASSENGER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FOLD INWARD WITH AN ASSOCIATED TEMPORARY LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. NEW PART WAS INSTALLED AND UPON INSPECTION, THE OLD BALL JOINT APPEARED RUSTY AND CORRODED.

DT CONSUMER STATES THE WHEELS ON HIS VEHICLE HAVE CORRODED AND CAUSED AIR TO LEAK OUT. WHEN THE WHEELS WERE REPLACED BY THE SERVICE DEALER THEY STATED IT WAS FROM THE ROAD SALT DURING THE WINTER. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY *TT

ENGINE ON MY 2001 SEBRING SEDAN IS IDLING ROUGHLY FROM LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN ONE OR TWO CYLINDERS. CAR HAD JUST OVER 60,000 MILE WHEN IT STARTED AND DEALER TOOK CAR FOR TWO DAYS, CHARGED ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO CLEAN INJECTORS AND REPLACE THE INJECTOR IN THE LOW COMPRESSION CYLINDER, AND COULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN STATED IT'S PROBABLY THE ENGINE BUT I JUST WENT OVER THE 60,000 COVERAGE AND A REPAIR WOULDN'T BE COVERED. I MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE AND HAVE RECORDS FOR ALL WORK DONE ON IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW. CHRYSLER SHOULD MAKE GOOD TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE PROBLEM WHATEVER IT IS SINCE I'M NOW BECOMING AWARE OF MANY OTHER SLUDGE PROBLEMS IN THE SAME 2.7 6 CYL ENGINE WHICH APPARENTLY HAS DEFECTS IN ITS MANUFACTURING. *AK

HEARD KNOCKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE AT AROUND 59,000 MILES. SAID TO BE THE RESULT OF OIL SLUDGE. WAS TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF $6000.00. HAVEN'T REPLACED ENGINE. STILL HAVE TO MAKE THE CAR PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT DOES NOT WORK. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SEIZED UP. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE BLOCKED HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AND PARKED, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

DRIVER NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE LOSING AIR PRESSURE FROM THE WHEELS. THE WHEELS CONTAINED ALUMINA CHROME ALLOY PLATED, AND THE SEAL DETERIORATED. THIS CAUSED LOW TIRE PRESSURE. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WHEELS WOULD BE CHANGED AT DRIVER'S EXPENSE. *AK

I HAVE A SLUDGE BUILD UP IN MY 2.7 CHRYSLER SEABRING LXI 2001. I HAVE FAITHFULY CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE CHRYSLER FACTORY WARRANTY AND MOST OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PLANS WILL NOT COVER ENGINE REPAIRS IF THEY FIND SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. MY CAR FAILED WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHICH COULD HAVE LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURIES.*AK

I HAVE A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH THE 2.7 LITER V6 ENGINE. IT HAS RECENTLY EXPERIENCED ENGINE PROBLEMS UP TO AND WILL PROBABLY INCLUDE COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE FROM OIL SLUDGING IN THE ENGINE. THE OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 5000 MILES AND WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF THESE OIL CHANGES. THE CAR ONLY HAS 29500 MILES RIGHT NOW. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY CAN NOT WARRANT THE PRODUCT BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF THEIR WARRANTY PERIOD. THEY EVEN WENT AS FAR AS TO SAY THAT EVEN IF IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THEY CAN'T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SO BASICALLY I AM JUST REPORTING TO YOU MY COMPLAINT. I KNOW YOU PROBABLY HAVE RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS ENGINE. PLEASE URGE CHRYSLER TO EXTEND THEIR WARRANTIES OR OFFER A RECALL. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AN ENGINE FAILING BECAUSE OF OIL SLUDGE WITH ONLY 29500 MILES ON IT. THANKS, JOE RAGUSE. *NM

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES LOOSING AIR ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE TIRES SEAL. *JB.......*AK

2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING COUPE LXI NEEDS REBUILT TRANSMISSION AT 63,000. THE COST $2000.*AK

CAR ENGINGE SHOWS NORMAL RUNNING TEMPERATURE BUT WHEN ITS AT IDLE BLOWS COLD HEAT. WITH RPMS UP IT BLOWS HOTTER AIR. BEEN IN SHOP SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO CASES FILED IN DODGE'S DATABASE THAT SHOWS REASON FOR SUSPISION. EVEN SWITHCED DEALERSHIPS TO NO AVAIL. ALL TEST RAN SHOWS NORMAL BUT CAR IS ABOUT TO HIT ITS 75000 MILE WARRENTY SO IM NOT SURE IF THEY ARE TRYING TO LIMP ME ALONG FOR FUTURE GAINS. IT STARTED IN THE FALL OF 2002 AND CONTINUES TO THIS DAY HAD REPLACED THERMOSTAT FLUSHED COOLING SYSTEM TESTED PRESSURE BUT NOTHING.. IVE BEEN TOLD IT COULD BE THE HEATER CORE BUT THYE WONT GO THERE UNLESS THEY HAVE REASON TO BUT THATS THE ONLY THING THAT HASNT BEEN CHECKED IT NEVER OVERHEATS ETC..GREAT CAR BUT JUST HAS TO KEEP RPMS UP FOR HEAT. *AK

VEHILCE IS A CHYRSLER SEABRING CONVERTIBLE (2001). CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE. WHILE DRIVING, CAR DIED WITHOUT WARNING. CLANKING NOISE HAPPENED UNDER HOOD AND CAR STALLED APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS LATER.*AK TWO MECHANICS HAVE DIAGNOSED THE NEED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. QUOTES TO REPAIR RANGE FROM $3,700 TO $8,700. CALLED CHYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE. WAS TOLD THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. SENT LETTER TO CEO OF CHRYSLER USA AND HAVE NOT REC'D RESPONSE TO DATE.

ON DECEMBER 13, 2003 I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE DAMAGE WAS SUSTANINED TO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE ACCCIDENT THE RADIO HAS NOT WORKED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT FIND THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO WAS AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CAR DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A DEFECT WITH THE RADIO. THE RADIO HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED OR FIXED.*AK

SPORADICALLY THE FUSE THAT CONTROLS THE STARTER AND FUEL PUMP BLEW UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE FUSE IS REPLACED EVERYTHING IS FINE. ON 1 OCCASION WHEN THIS OCCURRED 12 FUSES WHERE REPLACED, AND THEY ALL BLEW OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE STARTER WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALERSHIP KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK, AND INDICATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THE PROBLEM TO CONSTANTLY RECUR IN ORDER TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD A TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PERTAINING TO ENGINE SLUDGE. *JB

WALMART BRAND - GOODYEAR VIVA TOURING TIRES - DUAL TIRE FAILURE - HIGH SPEED. *JB

TWO WEEKS AFTER A REGULAR OIL CHANGE, THE 2.7L ENGINE ON MY '01 SEBRING MADE A LARGE CLUNK. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SAID IT HAD BLOWN A ROD (RUINED). CAUSE OF THE FAILURE ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP WAS "OIL SLUDGE." NOT COVERED IN WARRANTY. PRICE QUOTED FOR REPLACEMENT WAS $7-8000. MILEAGE AT THE TIME WAS 47443. *AK