Photo: Cutlass / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons
2003 Chrysler Sebring: common problems and reliability
· 2000-2007One of the better Sebring years.
74 owner complaints, most about air bags. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 Sebring?The 2003 Chrysler Sebring has 74 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and suspension. Owners most often flag oil sludge in the 2.7l v6, potentially leading to engine failure.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Chrysler Sebring vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Sebring years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the Sebring?
Across the 15 Sebring model years we track, complaint volume runs from 45 (2009) to 483 (1996). With 74 complaints, the 2003 Sebring sits below the model's median of 277.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2003 Sebring
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 15V338000Mitsubishi 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.
suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Campaign 09E056000QUALIS 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.
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Campaign 07E023000CERTAIN 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.
Show 1 more recall
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 03V443000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL RETURN LINE HOSE FITTING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP MAY BE RESTRICTED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN A LEAK IN THE FUEL RETURN HOSE.
What owners report on the 2000-2007 Sebring
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.
- 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
- RecurrentTransmission problems, including shifting issues, fluid leaks, and complete failures
- RecurrentElectrical issues
Including failed grounds, wiring harness damage, and instrument cluster backlighting failure.
Owner insights for the 2000-2007 Sebring. Read the full 2000-2007 owner report.
Typical used price
Used Sebring listings typically run $4,542–$7,345 across 1997 to 2010 model years.
Other Sebring model years
Compare every Sebring year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Sebring against its rivals
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