Research · Compact Cars

2001 Chrysler SebringRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 269 owner complaints for the 2001 Chrysler Sebring. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (95) and air bags (31). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
12campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
269
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

12 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a recall issue using an incorrect part. The incorrect part may not prevent the passenger side sun visor from detaching if the passenger frontal air bag deploys and the passenger side sun visor is folded down in a certain position.

Air bagsReported Jun 3, 2016NHTSA 16V401000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2000-2005 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 5, 1999, to December 17, 2004, 2001-2005 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured January 19, 2000, to March 18, 2005, 2001-2005 Chrysler Sebring vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 21, 2005, and 2001-2005 Dodge Stratus vehicles manufactured April 17, 2000, to February 22, 2005. In the affected vehicles, the passenger side sun visor may be folded down in such a position that, if the passenger frontal air bag deploys, the passenger side sun visor may detach.

Air bagsReported Jun 2, 2015NHTSA 15V338000

Suspension: lower ball joint

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Oct 9, 2009NHTSA 09E056000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

269 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2001 – Aug 2017
  1. Engine and engine cooling95
  2. Air bags31
  3. Suspension29
  4. Electrical system24
  5. Power train24
  6. Structure19
  7. Vehicle speed control18
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic18
  9. Steering16

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sebring model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996433
1997294
1998319
1999263
2000172
2001269
2002234
200374
2004291
200582
2006138
2007339
2008352
200945
2010104
Crashes reported
22
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
23
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

95 reports2 crashes2 fires
“2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING - THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CHRYSLERS RECALLED LAST YEAR. EVERYONE WANTS TO TRY A BODY CONTROL MODULE, FUEL PUMP, NEW CRANK SHAFT BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING - PERHAPS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS RECALL/PROBLEM AS NOT EVEN MY LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP KNEW. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME FREQUENTLY OVER THE PAST 1.5-2 YEARS OR SO, IT COMES AND GOES. I WAS REAR ENDED ONCE BUT IT WAS LIGHT ENOUGH (THANK GOD) THAT IT DID NOT CAUSE ANY DAMAGE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. ALMOST A QUARTER OF A MILLION CHRYSLER VEHICLES WERE RECALLED LAST YEAR FOR THIS PROBLEM. AS OF RIGHT NOW, I BELIEVE JUST VAN/CROSSOVER MODELS - WHY NOT ALL MODELS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM? PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMPLAINTS ON THE MESSAGE BOARDS ALONE AND BRING THEM TO NHTSA SO THAT CHRYSLER CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE ISSUES. *KB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2012Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemCrash reportedODI 10446387

Air bags

31 reports12 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V401000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/17/17*LJ UPDATED 09/07/2017*JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2017Air bagsODI 10943910

Suspension

29 reports
“I WAS TAKING MY SON TO SCHOOL AND AS I TURNED THE CORNER THE BALL JOINT COMPLETLY POPPED REAL LOUD AND MY LEFT REAR TIRE CAVES IN COMPLETELY. THEN A WEEK LATER THE RIGHT SIDE REAR DID THE SAME THING EXCEPT I WAS ON A LONG STRETCH ROAD AND A LOUD POP, TIRE CAVES IN AND I STARTED SWIRLING UNCONTROLABLY. UNKNOWN AS TO WHY OR HOW IT JUST ALL A SUDDEN POPPED. I DID FIX BOTH REAR BALL JOINTS MY RECEIPTS ARE WITH ORIELLYS AUTO. AND ALSO STEERING SUSPENSION IS SOUNDING FUNNY AND NO MECHANIC CAN FIND THE PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2017SuspensionODI 11012463
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

10 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Automatic (S4)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sebring
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800386
Sebring
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050423
Sebring
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
Sebring 4 Door
Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
Sebring 4 Door
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182821$3,050423
Sebring Convertible
Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
Sebring
Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200444
Sebring
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200444
Sebring 4 Door
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200444
Sebring Convertible
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200444
  • Sebring
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring 4 Door
    Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring 4 Door
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring Convertible
    Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring
    Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring 4 Door
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Sebring Convertible
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Chrysler Sebring as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 4272Vehicle 4237Vehicle 4236
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Sebring questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Chrysler Sebring have?

12 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Chrysler Sebring problems?

Owners filed 269 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (95), air bags (31), suspension (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Chrysler Sebring get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Chrysler Sebring at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026