Model year record

2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible recalls & problems

The 2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible has 3 safety recalls and 121 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (42 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints121filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths12 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionDec 27, 2010

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 10E05900022,689 vehicles

Problem: FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
Risk: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

SuspensionOct 9, 2009

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 09E0560005,787 vehicles

Problem: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Fix: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.

Service brakes, hydraulicMar 29, 2007

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 07E02300013,128 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Sebring Convertible

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Sebring Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Sebring Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Sebring Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	42	0	0	74,492 mi
Air bagsFrontal › Sensor/control module; Frontal	23	3	3	60,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Rear	17	0	0	96,500 mi
Electrical systemWiring; Ignition	11	1	0	72,927 mi
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Rear window wiper/washer	10	0	0	30,800 mi
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front	8	0	0	26,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	7	0	0	73,097 mi
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly	7	1	2	78,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Trunk lid	6	0	0	41,000 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights	6	0	0	75,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	5	3	7	41,500 mi
WheelsRim	5	0	0	50,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Body
I WAS PARALLEL PARKING AND MY TIRE CAME OFF ?!? I ONLY HAVE 110000 MILES ON IT ! THATS UNEXPECTABLE . I'M COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I COULD HAVE. HAVE BEEN KILLED
Apr 24, 2019
Engine
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN 2010 WITH 69,000. IT WAS GREAT FOR A MINUTE AND THEN...HOSES, WATER PUMP, TENSIONERS, A LOT OF TENSIONERS, DRIVE CHAIN, SENSOR FOR SOME TIMING ISSUE, THERMOSTAT, FUEL PUMP, A BOLT THAT SHEARED OFF THE OIL PAN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, WITH THE CODED FOR GAS CAP. NO MATTER HOW MANY GAS CAPS (5). IT LEAKED OIL FROM DIFFERENT PLACES. GET ONE SEAL REPLACED , IT WOULD LEAK FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE. TOWED AT LEAST 6 TIMES. LAST TIME IT WAS 100 DEGREES, IT STARTED MISSING, SMOKING. IT ENDED UP BEING THE BATTERY, BUT I WAS WAY TOO PARANOID TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANY MORE. TOO MUCH MONEY AND STRESS. NOT SURE I EVER WANT TO OWN ANOTHER CHRYSLER. I TRADED IT IN AND I AM SORRY FOR…
Aug 17, 2016
Suspension
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE LAST DEC,2014.. IT IS A USED VEHICLE THOUGH, ITS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY APPROX. 2 WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT IT & THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER SIDE THE SUSPENSION, ARM & BALL JOINT JUST FELL OUT.. THE DAY PRIOR TO THIS I HEARD A DEFINITE KNOCK FROM THAT WHEEL BASE. IN FACT WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE, I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE MECHANIC. WELL, BEING STRANDED, I HAD TO CALL A TOW SERVICE TO HAUL IT IN FOR REPAIR.. THEY SAID THEY COULD REPLACE IT,& THE CHARGE FOR THE ASSEMBLY WOULD COST $112.00 PLUS.. HAVING IT REPLACED & REPAIRED. IT IS NOW 10 MONTHS LATER & THE KNOCKING IS BACK & MY CONCERN IS THAT IT WILL FALL OUT WHEN I'M DRIVING…
Jan 19, 2015
Air bags
MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER 3 MONTHS. I SAW TODAY ON WINK NEWS THAT 2002 CHRYSLERS WERE BEING RECALLED DUE TO AIR BAGS. I LOOKED UP MY VEHICLE BY VIN NUMBER AND IT SAYS 0 RECALLS. COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF AUTO IS SAFE TO DRIVE.
Mar 9, 2015 · 51,000 miles
Unknown or other
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, ON THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2015, AT APPROX. 2:00 P.M., I WAS BREAKING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO ANOTHER ROAD WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR KEPT ACCELERATING WHEN MY FOOT WASN'T ON THE GAS PEDAL. (THERE ARE NO FLOOR MATS IN THE CAR). MY BOYFRIEND WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS IN MY LIFE! I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND EACH TIME I LET OFF THE BRAKE, THE SPEED ACCELERATED W/O MY DOING IT. MY BOYFRIEND PUT THE CAR IN (N) & TOLD ME TO PULL OVER IN THE GRASS OFF THE SHOULDER. HE THEN TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. (IT WAS A MIX OF GRASS & MUD). I NEEDED ASSISTANCE TO GET UNSTUCK. THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP BEFORE GOING INTO AN INTERSECTION…
May 14, 2015 · 129,112 miles
Air bags
THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ALSO DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE REGARDING THE LIGHT ONLY TO FIND THAT THIS IS A MORE THAN COMMON, IRREPARABLE ISSUE. ON 2/10/2015, WHILE DRIVING- SPECIFICALLY COMING TO A STOP, I SAW A SWIRL OF WHAT APPEARED TO BE SMOKE, COMING OUT AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. A WOMAN, WITH ONLY MY SON IN THE CAR, I WAS FEARFUL, PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE AND HAD IT TOWED. I HAVE SINCE BEEN ADVISED THAT WHAT I SAW WAS NOT SMOKE, RATHER, POWDER FROM THE AIRBAG WHICH IS APPARENTLY LEAKING. THAT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. I RESUMED DRIVING AND AFTER ABOUT A DAY AND A HALF, THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS BACK ON. *TR
Feb 10, 2015 · 118,204 miles
Engine
OIL LIGHT COMES ON A LOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN STOPPED, CAR SMELLS BADLY OF OIL BURNING AND SMOKES A LOT, SCARY WHEN DRIVING, ALSO AIR AND HEAT ONLY WORK ON HIGH VERY ANNOYING I WOULD NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER AGAIN. *TR
Oct 29, 2014 · 90,000 miles
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BECAME FRACTURED AND FOLDED UNDER THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Jul 3, 2014 · 107,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.