NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 234 owner complaints for the 2002 Chrysler Sebring. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (51) and suspension (45). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Sebring model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 433 |
| 1997 | 294 |
| 1998 | 319 |
| 1999 | 263 |
| 2000 | 172 |
| 2001 | 269 |
| 2002 | 234 |
| 2003 | 74 |
| 2004 | 291 |
| 2005 | 82 |
| 2006 | 138 |
| 2007 | 339 |
| 2008 | 352 |
| 2009 | 45 |
| 2010 | 104 |
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SLIGHTLY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS AND STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A WATER PUMP MALFUNCTION AND THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK HAD CORRODED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLES DRIVER SIDE REAR BALL JOINT AND THE FILLER NECK WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E056000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000. *TT *AS”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING . IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE FUMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E059000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD FRACTURED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE SCREEN ON THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. UPDATED 09/25/15*LJ UPDATED 12/12/2017*CN”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebring Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Sebring 4 Door Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Sebring Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Sebring Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Sebring Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC FFS · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Sebring 4 Door Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Sebring 4 Door Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Sebring Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Sebring Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC FFS · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Sebring Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Sebring Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC FFS · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Sebring Convertible Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 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.
Owners filed 234 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (51), suspension (45), power train (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Chrysler Sebring at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).