2001 Chrysler Sebring Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 3, 2017 · 242 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Sebring years
More complaints than other years 4th of 19 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 242 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Chrysler Sebring. That ranks 4th out of 19 Sebring model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (89 complaints, 37%), typically at around 71,000 miles. Complaints mention 21 crashes, 5 fires, 22 injuries. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2001 Chrysler Sebring problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine and Engine Cooling89 · ~71,000 mi
Air Bags29 · ~64,000 mi
Suspension29 · ~82,598 mi
Electrical System23 · ~80,000 mi
Power Train20 · ~59,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic18 · ~30,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control18 · ~68,000 mi
Steering15 · ~56,643 mi
Visibility14 · ~21,000 mi
Structure13 · ~10,066 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine and Engine Cooling problems8937%71,000“liter engine” (9%)$9,900
Air Bags2912%64,000——
Suspension2912%82,598——
Electrical System2310%80,000——
Power Train208%59,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic187%30,000——
Vehicle Speed Control187%68,000——
Steering156%56,643——
Visibility146%21,000——
Structure135%10,066——
Wheels135%50,000——
Tires73%37,653——
Equipment52%4,040——
Exterior Lighting42%54,844——
Seat Belts42%45,348——
Engine21%109,000——
Interior Lighting21%67,500——
Child Seat10%46,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline10%100,584——
Latches/locks/linkages10%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2006, with 32 complaints
2001: 242001242002: 22222003: 252003252004: 30302005: 262005262006: 32322007: 152007152008: 18182009: 102009102010: 10102011: 8201182012: 442013: 5201352014: 332015: 5201552016: 332017: 220172

n = 242 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2001 Chrysler Sebring recalls (9)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJun 3, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V401000 · 16,315 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners will be sent a second email when parts are available. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJun 2, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V338000 · 443,442 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Fix: MMNA will notify their owners, and Chrysler will notify the Chrysler and Dodge owners. Dealers will install a tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-15-005. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R30.

Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and linesJan 16, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V011002 · 28,439 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A hose manufacturing process allowed the reinforcement yard to breach the inner layer of some automatic transmission hoses weakening the inner wall which could result in leakage of the automatic transmission fluid.

Risk: Fluid leakage from the cooler hoses can cause transaxle driveability problems and smoke if the oil contacts the front exhaust pipe.

Fix: Dealers will replace the transaxle oil cooler hoses. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

SeatsJan 8, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V005002 · 20 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A number of incorrect driver side seat mounting bolts were installed into vehicles.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the bolts may not properly secure the seat and could cause increased injury to the driver of the vehicle.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the seat mounting bolts and then replace the bolts if necessary. Owner notification began february 5, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Child seatNov 9, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V366000 · 1,211,756 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." some of the owner's manuals for these vehicles are missing instructions that provide a step-by-step procedure, including diagrams, for properly attaching a child restraint system's tether strap to the tether anchorage.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.

Fix: Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owner's manuals.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsOct 27, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V320002 · 3,480 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The outer layer only of this 3-layer fuel return hose does not contain the desired ozone protection due to a processing error.

Risk: This hose is considered to be inadequate.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel return hose.

Air bags:frontalOct 12, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V306000 · 419 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Passenger air bags were built with suspect aluminum extrusion sections which may not retain the air bag door during an air bag deployment event.

Risk: A separated air bag door could injure a vehicle occupant.

Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bag.

Engine and engine cooling:engineOct 2, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V299002 · 554 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The harness for the crankshaft position sensor could come in contact with a new protective shield causing a grounded circuit.

Risk: Prolonged wiring harness contact with the heat shield will cause the wiring insulation to wear and eventually to ground out. This could cause the engine to die-out, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will re-route the crankshaft position sensor harness.

Structure:frame and members:underbody shieldsSep 18, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V278000 · 4,504 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Through degradation of the bond between the silencer pad and a sheet metal panel (quarter inner upper), the pad may fall onto the map light located in the rear seating area near the c-pillar trim panel (lh and rh). This contact could cause the pad to melt, creating a hot smell and/or smoke during long periods of illumination.

Risk: Smoke inhalation could be harmful to vehicle occupants.

Fix: Dealers will remove the insulation pad from behind both rear map lights.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Safety belt cinching latch plate (PE02082) — opened Nov 6, 2002, closed Apr 23, 2003.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Suspension · received Aug 3, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11012463

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…

Air Bags · received Jan 9, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 10943910

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chrysler sebring. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v401000 (air bags). The contacted called the dealer months ago and they indicated that the part had not been available to schedule the recall repair. The contact was unable to verify when the…

Air Bags · received Sep 21, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10908464

Engine failure due to sludge buildup despite better than recommended maintenance.

Engine · received Aug 2, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10892678

Tl* the contact owned a 2001 chrysler sebring. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, she attempted to avoid another vehicle from crashing into the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a concrete wall and the air bags deployed. The front passenger sustained face injuries from…

Air Bags · received Apr 27, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10861702

Other Chrysler Sebring years

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See all Chrysler Sebring problems by year, every Chrysler model, or the Chrysler VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chrysler Sebring?

Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, air bags, suspension problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 89 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Chrysler Sebring?

Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2001 Chrysler Sebring a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sebring model years, the 2001 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.