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Engine & cooling

1997 Chrysler Sebring Engine problems

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 1997 Chrysler Sebring's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 8% of all its complaints, most recently on September 29, 2005. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

Known engine problems with chryslers 2.4L - 4 cylinder engines - defective head gaskets. We purchased a new 1997 chrysler sebring jx w/ 2.4L dohc 4 cylinder engine in march of 1998. Vehicle was purchased new and maintained by nalley chrysler in roswell. Vehicle has a little over 19,000 actual miles and should not have any engine problems with this low mileage or use. Vehicle was inspected on several occasions for leaking coolant/oil mixture complained of leaks to service reps on several occasions, nothing...

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found. At last recall - shifter linkage, asked service technician to check for coolant leaks was informed that 2.4L engine will need a new head gasket. Internet searches show many occurrences of problems with this 2.4L engine as heads are made of different material than block and they cool and heat at differing rates causing excessive movement and failure of the head gasket. Chrysler has silently warranted many of these engines because of head gasket failures and known problems and defects. Would request reimbursement or repair. Chrysler rep had denied repair. Class action status should be investigated for these known engine problems. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10138181
Engine & coolingVisibility & wipersSeats & seat beltsBody, doors & structure

Strong gasoline odors came into vehicle from the outside when driver's side window was down. Vehicle had been to the dealer on two separate occasions, and they were unable to locate the cause of the problem.*Ak.....Paint on vehicle was fading-turning black to white. From inside rearview mirror consumer was not able to see back of vehicle. Seat belt on passenger's side had a broken seat belt retractor. In addition, passenger's leather seat was cracking, and stitching on convertible top was coming out. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Visibility · Seat belts · Structure · SeatsNHTSA 10117277
Engine & cooling

Engine check light illuminated, indicating a malfunction within system, cause unknown.Dealer replaced the oxygen sensor which did not correct the problem. I had the oxygen sensor replaced again along with a exhaust manifold- still did not correct the problem. Check engine light on again! Driving at about 65mph on busy highways the car just shuts down. Any information would be helpful. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10104859
Engine & cooling

While driving consumer made a turn and the vehicle stopped. After being towed dealer stated the engine was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacture wanted the consumer to provide oil change records.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10099505
Engine & coolingFire

While driving at approximately 45 mph, noticed smoke coming from the rear of vehicle. Pulled vehicle over to side of road and checked under the hood. Head gaskets were leaking oil from the engine. Drove vehicle to dealership, and mechanic confirmed what problem was. Had not had head gaskets repaired. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10041846
Engine & cooling

While driving 60 mph the vehicle suddenly lost power without warning and stalled out. The vehicle was pushed out of traffic. The vehicle was then towed to dealership. The dealer has not found the cause of the problem. Please provide information. *Nlm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10040584
Engine & cooling

While traveling on the highway and without prior warning engine check light appeared on the dashboard, and vehicle overheated. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10033646
Engine & coolingElectrical systemSeats & seat beltsBody, doors & structure

This car is garbage! I have had water leaks, had to replace complete fabric interior! The battery light now refuses to go off along with the engine light. I have gone through 4 batteries in a year, have replace the alternator and I still have problems. Not one shop, along with a dealer, can understand why this car will not run properly. The dealer who sold me the car told me it was too late for him to do anything about it. I also have the same problem as everyone else with the seat belt, drivers side. It no longer connects together. Dealer who sold me car stated the car was a 6 cylinder as does my title, found out recently that car is only 4 cylinder. *Nlm

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · Seat belts · StructureNHTSA 10018708
Engine & cooling

While traveling on the highway the vehicle shut down without prior warning. The dealership is aware of the problem. Ts

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8021872
Engine & cooling

Consumer just had the center motor mount replaced. Consumer believes this is too early for the motor mount to be replaced. There was an unfamiliar rattle, which alerted consumer. *Jg

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 567474
Engine & cooling

Engine would stall when making a turn and going onto an incline. Vehicle been to a dealer on two occasions, and the problem is stilloccurring. Feel free to provide any further information. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8017395
Engine & cooling

HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *AK

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 763599
Engine & cooling

Consumer states that there is an oil leak on the vehicle when the consumer is driving and when the consumer is at a complete stop. Contacted dealer and the dealer told the consumer that it is a possible head gasket leak. Nlm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8007966
Engine & cooling

While driving 70 mph, lost power to accelerator and engine died. Had no prior warning. Also, owner's manual states if engine fails there is supposed to be a chime, however there was no chime. Consumer contacted dealer. *Ak *tt

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8001447
Engine & cooling

Timing belt tensioner failed @ 54,000 miles. Failure caused timing belt to jump which bent valves. Internet investigation shows sebring has history of this failure. Manufacturer should cover repairs but won't. Don't buy cars or extended warranties from chrysler.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 738492
SuspensionBrakesEngine & coolingBody, doors & structure

Recall 97v201000; lower ball joint with control on both sides, dealer stated that this vehicle's vin number was not included in recall. Rotors, brake pads and calipers needed replaced. Vehicle experienced an oil leak. Locks do not work. *Slc

Filed Incident Suspension · Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · StructureNHTSA 877077
Engine & cooling

Engine cooling system failed , leading to complete engine failure (engine siezure). This vehicle has had all required schedualed maint and dealer states that every thing always checked out. On 04/01/98 the core plugs were checked per rec. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 732727
Engine & cooling

Engine check light illuminated, indicating a malfunction within system, cause unknown. Dealer replaced the oxgen sensor which did not correct the problem. Please give any further details. *Ak

Filed Engine and engine cooling · Unknown or otherNHTSA 871621
Engine & coolingElectrical system

Dealer work on all problems/i believe pohanka sold me a lemon car and dealer wants brake engine down and don't want to fix they original start working on my car. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 715741
Engine & cooling

Engine will turn off by itself, completely stalls, causing loss of electrical system and engine . Dealer cannot determine cause of defect. *Ak

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 845094
Engine & cooling

Oil is leaking into the cooling system. The dealer is flushing the cooling system.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 841121
Engine & cooling

Vehicle has excessive oil loss. Oil is spraying onto catalytic converter. Could not determine where oil was going. Dealer contacted and stated oil was coming from the head gaskets. Manufacturer reference no. 5380798. Problem still exists. Provide further information. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 833265
Engine & cooling

Engine light consistently and arbitrarily came on. This time check engine light is on and vehicle cannot be driven. Vehicle is 1 year old and cannot be driven.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 541738

Chrysler Sebring engine complaints by year

Sebring engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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