Chrysler Sebring 2000-2007 (2000–2007)
Generation-specific owner insights from 87+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?
1,616
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2000–2007
52
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment toward the 2000-2007 Sebring is overwhelmingly negative, with the 2.7L V6 drawing the harshest criticism for oil sludge, internal water pump failures, and head gasket risk.
14 problems reported (3 very frequent, 7 recurrent, 4 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentOil sludge in the 2.7L V6, potentially leading to engine failure
- Very frequentInternal water pump failure requiring expensive timing and water pump service
- Very frequentFront-end suspension wear, including ball joints and control arms needing replacement
+ 11 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentTransmission problems, including shifting issues, fluid leaks, and complete failures
- RecurrentElectrical issues
Including failed grounds, wiring harness damage, and instrument cluster backlighting failure.
- RecurrentHeater core clogging and failure, often linked to coolant mixing
- RecurrentHead gasket failure
- RecurrentCooling system problems, including cracked reservoirs and overheating
- RecurrentBrake issues, including contaminated hoses and calipers hanging up
- RecurrentCamshaft and crankshaft position sensor failures causing stalling
- IsolatedShift interlock or shifter solenoid failure preventing shifting out of park
- IsolatedIgnition switch faults causing no-start or limp mode
- IsolatedInterior quality problems such as sagging headliners and peeling paint or clearcoat
- IsolatedAir conditioning refrigerant leaks and condenser failure
The version owners recommend
Owners show the most positive signal for the 2.4L four-cylinder, described as having no power but being "a tank," and for the 3.5L V6, called "awesome" and a possible sleeper. The 2.7L V6 is the most criticized engine, though one owner notes it stopped being a sludge motor after 2002 in the Sebring. Later 2004+ 2.7L models are described as improved over early-run versions. No single trim or model year reaches clear consensus.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Toyota Corolla, Buick Century, Buick LeSabre, Pontiac Aztek and Pontiac G6.
Is a 2000–2007 Sebring right for you?
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Full owner reportHide full owner report
Overall sentiment
Owner sentiment toward the 2000-2007 Sebring is overwhelmingly negative, with the 2.7L V6 drawing the harshest criticism for oil sludge, internal water pump failures, and head gasket risk. Owners who defend the car typically own the 2.4L four-cylinder, describing it as slow but durable, or note that later 2004+ 2.7L engines improved somewhat. Recurring praise is limited to the convertible body style and low purchase prices, while the sedan and the car's general build quality, electrical systems, and front-end suspension are widely criticized. Several owners describe the Sebring as a "mechanical mess" and advise against buying one unless it is very cheap and maintenance is kept up.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners consistently position the Sebring below nearly every cross-shopped alternative, especially the Toyota Corolla and Buick Century, which are described as far more reliable and cheaper to maintain long term. The Buick 3800 V6 is repeatedly called bulletproof in contrast to the Sebring's 2.7L. Against the Pontiac G6 convertible and Toyota Solara, owners treat the Sebring as the weaker choice, with one calling it good only for rental fleets. The Altima is preferred over the Sebring largely because Sebrings are seen as disappearing from the road. Only against the Aztek and Yaris do owners offer mixed or mildly favorable comparisons, and even then mostly on price or convertible appeal rather than reliability.
Recommended configurations
Owners recommend the 2.4L four-cylinder for durability and the 3.5L V6 for performance, while advising caution or avoidance with the 2.7L V6, particularly early 2000-2002 examples. For convertibles, owners prefer the simpler first and second generation top mechanisms over the later, more complicated setup. One owner advises committing to full-synthetic oil and an oil system flush if buying a 2.7L.
General recommendations
This generation suits buyers who want a cheap convertible and can afford ongoing maintenance, not buyers seeking low-cost, trouble-free transportation. Owners repeatedly warn against expecting any cost-free ownership period and advise a pre-purchase inspection covering fluids, coolant, rust, brake and steering noise, transmission shifting, and the condition of rubber hoses and seals on low-mileage cars that have sat unused. Early 2.7L cars should be approached with the most caution; the 2.4L and 3.5L are the safer picks. Several owners suggest walking away entirely unless the price is very low.
Remarks
A notable split exists between owners who consider the Sebring a disposable, unreliable car and a minority who report high-mileage success with the 2.4L or later 2.7L engines when maintenance is kept up. The convertible top is the most frequently cited reason to consider the car at all, though owners warn the later top mechanism is overcomplicated and costly to repair. Several owners note that low-mileage examples may have dried-out seals, degraded fluids, and original tires that need replacing. Analysis based on approximately 87 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 339 | 7 | electrical system |
| 2006 | 138 | 2 | electrical system |
| 2005 | 82 | 6 | air bags |
| 2004 | 291 | 7 | engine and engine cooling |
| 2003 | 74 | 5 | air bags |
| 2002 | 234 | 5 | engine and engine cooling |
| 2001 | 277 | 12 | engine and engine cooling |
| 2000 | 181 | 8 | seat belts |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2007 · electrical system:wiringcampaign 08V152000
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 180,963 MY 2007-2008 SEBRING AND DODGE AVENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A STANDARD TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS). UNUSED ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR THE TPMS MAY BECOME CORRODED AND COULD SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN CAUSE A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS INCLUDING ENGINE NO-START, DEAD BATTERY, AN INOPERATIVE CRUISE CONTROL OR REMOTE START SYSTEM, AND/OR ENGINE STALLING.
2007 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assemblycampaign 07V473000
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE ENGINE COOLANT MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE LEFT RADIATOR COOLING FAN MOTOR CONNECTOR.
2007 · latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchcampaign 07V414000
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE FRONT DOOR LATCH CABLE MAY BECOME PARTIALLY UNSEATED FROM THE INTERIOR RELEASE HANDLE HOUSING POSSIBLY CAUSING THE LATCH TO STICK IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION OR THE LOCK FUNCTION TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
2007 · structure:body:hoodcampaign 06V431000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER MAY BREAK AND ALLOW THE HOOD TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING.
2007 · visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac systemcampaign 06V494000
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL (ATC) ONLY, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) MODULE MAY CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING FUNCTIONS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
2007 · service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulecampaign 06V493000
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP DURING CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS.
2007 · air bags:frontalcampaign 07V240000
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSORS UTILIZED FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
2006 · suspension:front:control arm:lower ball jointcampaign 09E056000
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.
2006 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylindercampaign 07E023000
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.
2005 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 15V338000
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.
2005 · exterior lightingcampaign 09E012000
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
2005 · seat belts:rear/othercampaign 04V532000
ON CERTAIN SEDANS, THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR OUTBOARD RETRACTOR AND TURNING LOOP BOLTS ON THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
18 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.