2001 Chrysler Sebring Convertible: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Jun 16, 2013 · Engine · 139,765 miles · GA

My husband and I were going to a friend's house. On the way the all of a sudden the engine started knocking loudly. He pulled over to check all of the fluids and everything seemed to be fine. When I got home I researched the issues and about 99% of 2001 sebring convertible owners experienced the same engine problems and it stated that it was due to oil sludge. I called chrysler and informed them of the issue and was told to take the car the a dealership near me. I was able to enjoy my car for about 2 days. They will continue hearing from me for a long time because I am a person that never gives up. I will pester them everyday until my demands are met with fixing or replacing my engine. It is not anyone's fault that they made a crappy engine for this model. Let the games begin.

Filed May 26, 2011 · Brakes, Engine · 74,000 miles · OR

This is another example of the oil sludge issue with the chrysler 2.7 l engine. I bought the car used with low miles, and had my tension arm go out a few months later due to sludge buildup. This second instance came up pretty quickly. The started knocking on hard acceleration, then 2 days later started missing badly going uphill on my way home form work. The engine dies on the downhill side of the most dangerous road in portland (germantown rd.). This is a very steep extremely curvy road and I came all too close to not being able to make the first turn with no power steering or brakes. Making my way down the remainder of the hill was a bit frightening, to say the least. After getting towed and finding out the damage was blown bearings and replace the engine, it was suggested I look online for chrysler 2.7 l engine to find that this should have been considered a defect and the engine should have been replaced or repaired by chrysler, but chrysler claims the engine is fine, it's the owner's fault.

Filed Apr 6, 2010 · Engine · 89,500 miles · FL

2001 chrysler sebring convertible 2.7 l, 89500 miles, engine looses of power at 70 MPH on i95 without warning in heavy traffic, forcing driver to make a unsafe lane changes to coast off of the roadway. Investigation on internet has resulted in find out that chrysler corp has had a big problem with this engine failing but takes no responsibility for the failure and continues to blame it all on the consumer for improper maintenance, oil changes. The engine will need to be rebuilt or replaced once the exact component failure most likely a rod bearing is found, this will result in total replacement at a cost of $6,000 - $8,000 or more at my expense when it should be covered by the vehicle warranty

Filed Mar 7, 2009 · Engine · 45,000 miles · FL

Light tapping from engine turned into very loud knocking. Vehicle is still running, but engine sounds like it will come apart even at idle speed. Oil and filter changed at a service center the week prior.

Filed Feb 3, 2009 · Engine · 103,679 miles · VA

While driving to on the interstate I hear a loud knocking sound also it sounds as if something had popped a lose the engine suddenly shut off. My car was towed to pomoco chrysler. I was told the engine needed to be replaced. Cost: $4,500.

Filed Apr 23, 2008 · Engine · 60 miles · FL

I have a 2001 chrysler sebring convertible which was previously owned by the dealer and maintained on a routine schedule as you could imagine (being that the dealers wife drove it) and then I purchased it in 2006 and kept all scheduled maintenance as well, doing oil changes as suggested. Well, I was recently driving down the street and all of a sudden, without any prior warning or anything, I just started hearing this loud knocking noise and the vehicle started shaking and then it just died....right in the middle of the freeway...I thought I was going to be hit. I had to be towed and took it to the closest service shop and the mechanic told me that he had just replaced an engine like mine in another customers car two weeks before that had the same thing happen. He said that the engine failed due to low oil pressure from clogged oil passages, which in turn caused the engine to be starved of oil, causing the failure of the engine parts. I called the chrysler dealership where I had my car maintenance the service manager told me "well those weren't the best engines that chrylser ever built" but he then proceeded to tell me that there was nothing they could do, I would need a new engine, to the tune of about $7,000. I regularly did everything I could to keep this vehicle in tip top condition and had no warning there was any issue with the engine and feel this should be covered by chrysler.

Filed Apr 23, 2008 · Engine · 76,000 miles · SC

I was driving home from work and the car started making loud knocking noises. When I got home I had the car towed to a mechanic where I was informed that the engine would have to be replaced as this particular engine, 2.7l v6 dohc, is know to have design problems that lead to failure. I had it towed to another mechanic for a second opinion and was told the same thing almost verbatim. There were 76,000 miles on the car when it failed and because of the expense of the engine replacement, $5,800, and the amount I still owe on this car which I have only had for 2 years, $8,000, I am at a financial loss having to continue to make payments on a car that will not run.

Filed Feb 17, 2008 · Engine · 100,200 miles · NC

My car had just reached 100,000 miles when the engine started to make a knock sound. I had it towed to my mechanic and was informed I would need a new engine . Seems there is a plastic cover that is a known issue with these cars. Once this happens requires a new engine and facts show that a replacement engine will do the same thing within the 70,000-100,000 mile range. I have had the car less then 2yrs. I can't trade it due to owing too much. Why is chrylser nor being held accountable for this known defect. Look at the history.

Filed Aug 29, 2007 · Engine · 113,400 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chrysler sebring convertible. The contact stated that her vehicle is experiencing engine bearing failure. She stated that there is a knocking noise in the engine and the bearings rub against each other. The mechanic stated that the failure was common in all the vehicles of that same model. The VIN and speed were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 113,400.

Filed Dec 6, 2004 · Engine · 62,500 miles · OH

Engine started knocking, and the vehicle turned off and would not start. Consumer stated that the vehicle was still not running, and had not been towed.

Filed Nov 5, 2003 · Steering · 40,426 miles · FL

I have read about sludge build up in the engine of the chrysler sebring 2.7 engines. I am experiancing a knocking noise in the engine or suspension that is intermettent. I experiance this problem when my engine is hot and also when the weather is hot (as I live in florida). I do not notice this when the weather is cooler and the engine is cool. Could this be the starting of engine build up too. Suncoast chrysler cannot seem to find anything wrong. Would a diagnosis test on the engine reveal signs of build up? How can I have this checked out and fixed? I have also experianced a clicking noise in my sterring column which suncoast claims to have a tsb on this problem and needs to replace a some parts. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Filed Oct 4, 2003 · Body, Electrical · PA

I purchase my car in 2001 brand new. Shortly after I started to notice that when I get in my car in the morning time or at night ( whenever I use the lights) it would flash from bright to dim I took it to stockburger so they could look at it but it wasn't flickering then so they couldn't do anything. And it's still doing the same thing there is this noise in the engine like a ticking sound when I start the car I took to midas for them to check it out but they said the noise was normal it doesn't sound normal. The window on the driver side doesn't always go up when its let down it stays stuck for a while then it goes up. I did have a radio problem stockburger couldn't really find the problem so they just replace the whole thing. When I drive the car the driver door constantly comes open.