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!
2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible engine complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 44, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Sludge in engine makes loud noise nees new engine.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The engine died. Taken to repair shop, no compression, engine shot. 63,000.
2.7 liter engines my mechanic said they are bad designs he has had alot ofcome in his shop with rods knocking.
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!
Motor failed at 75,600 miles when the oil had been changed every 3-4,000 miles.
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.
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
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
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.
Driving on the morning of august 6, 2007 and my car's oil came on, which it has in the past and nothing could be found wrong. A few miles down the road my car's engine began to knock and smoke. When I opened the engine the car was completely out of oil. And there was no leak. When I got the car to a local dealership I was told that my engine was gone.
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.
Engine started to knock , shut off towed home parked ever since . 4000.00 to replace engine unable to afford.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chrysler sebring convertible. While driving 50 MPH the vehicle suddenly decelerated and shut off. The contact waited five minutes, and was able to restart the vehicle. Approximately ten minutes later the vehicle shut off again without warning. The contact opened the hood, and noticed oil and antifreeze leaking throughout the engine. The mechanic stated that fluids backed up into the engine. The roads were wet due to rain, however there was no water found in the engine. The mechanic stated that the engine needed to be replaced. No additional failures have occurred. The current and failure mileages were 95,000.
I was on my way to work on june 28th the car began to knock and shake wildly. My engine just blew, I had oil changes regularly. After doing some research and working to find me a new engine, my mechanic said that this engine is notorious for blowing and they usually go at 50,000 miles. At least I got 70,000. It is sitting in his shop right now, I can't pay for it. This car cost $30,000. New. I leased it now it will cost $36,000. And I will have nothing to show for it come december!
Driving on I-295 in the evening when engine suddenly, dramatically and without warning lost power and started stalling. My wife was very nearly struck by traffic from behind due to the sudden loss of power while on a major highway. We were informed by a local mechanic that the engine is blown and needs to be replaced.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 20 MPH on a dry smooth highway, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The vehicle started back, but there was a very loud noise coming from the engine. There were no problems prior to this incident. The contact maintained oil changes every 3,000 miles. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact this was an ongoing problem with this motor.
I was on my way to work on june 28th the car began to knock and shake wildly. My engine just blew, I had oil changes regularly. After doing some research and working to find me a new engine, my mechanic said that that this engine is notorious for blowing and they usually go at 50,000 miles. At least I got 70,000. It is sitting in his shop right now, I can't pay for it. This car cost $30,000. New. I leased it now it will cost $36,000. And I will have nothing to show for it come december!
My car quit in the middle of the street because the engine failed. Cost of repair is $3,600.
Dt: the contact stated the engine started to knock, it was taken to a chrysler dealership, and they stated the crankshaft needed to be replaced. The dealership then called and said it needed a new engine, and chrysler would provide a rebuilt engine. According to the dealership, the problem was due to the contact's negligence. He changed the oil himself, and had no proof to show it was maintained properly. Therefore, chrysler was not going to fix the vehicle under warranty.
While driving 20 MPH driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. Suddenly, the vehicle jerked and vibrated. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced.
I followed the maintenence schedule on my 2002 chrysler sebring with regular scheduled oil changes, yet I am now faced with replacing the engine because of oil sludge build up in my 2.7 engine. I understand that this is a well known and common problem. The quote from the chrysler service dept is 10k for replacement.
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