MotorDeets

2002 Chrysler Sebring: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2002 Chrysler Sebring: 2 recalls, 210 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.

2vehicle recalls
210owner complaints
17mention a crash
22best combined mpg
2002 Chrysler Sebring
Photo: MercurySable99 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Airbags Vehicle recall #15V338000 · 2015 · 443,442 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

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

The 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.

Airbags Vehicle recall #16V401000 · 2016 · 16,315 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

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

The 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.

3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #07E023000 · 2007 · 13,128 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

The fix: Cardone will notify owners and offer to repurchase any defective master cylinders. The recall began during April 2007. Owners can contact cardone at 1-800-777-4780.

Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.

The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.

Suspension Equipment recall #09E056000 · 2009 · 5,787 vehicles

What's wrong: 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,…

Why it matters: Separation of the ball stud from the socket of the ball joint housing would allow the control arm to collapse and the wheel to fold in causing loss of steering control, possibly resulting in a crash.

The fix: Qualis automotive will replace the ball joints free of charge. The safety recall began on November 9, 2009.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 15 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.

Engine & cooling48
Suspension37
Transmission & drivetrain28
Steering22
Airbags16
Electrical15
Wheels13
Brakes (hydraulic)12

What owners describe

The 2002 Chrysler Sebring has 210 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 19 Sebring model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 149). Complaints peaked in 2006 (32 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 64,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (242 complaints, 9 recalls), 2003 (42 complaints, 2 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.4 L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive192722Regular
2.4 L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive192621Regular
3.0 L 6-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive182621Regular
3.0 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive182620Regular
3.0 L 6-cylAutomatic (S4)Front-Wheel Drive172620Regular
3.0 L 6-cylAutomatic (S4)Front-Wheel Drive182520Regular
3.0 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive182520Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Chrysler Sebring.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2002 Chrysler Sebring manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2002 Chrysler Sebring manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2002 Chrysler Sebring manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2002 Chrysler Sebring manual

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FAQ

Does the 2002 Chrysler Sebring have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Chrysler Sebring, plus 3 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2002 Chrysler Sebring problems?

Owners have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (48), suspension (37), transmission & drivetrain (28).

What gas mileage does the 2002 Chrysler Sebring get?

EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 7 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2002 Chrysler Sebring repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Sebring years

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