Problems with 2001 Chrysler Sebring ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine failure in 2001 chrysler sebring with 2.7 l. engine at approx. 65,000 miles without any forewarning. no warning lights or overheating occurred. engine must now be replaced due to cracked block. chrysler will not pay for any of the repairs. *nm

I bought a 2001 chrysler sebring with a 2.7 l engine in november 2005. while driving on the interstate 59 from louisiana to alabama on jan. 2, 2006 my engine seized and stopped. i had to pull off of the interstate immediately to keep from getting hit. i had my car towed to a repair shop where they found it had sludge all over the engine. i have kept my car maintained and had an oil change the friday before the incident. there was no indication that something was wrong with the engine. this left me vulnerable to have injured myself or someone else. i was offered an extended warranty when i bought the car, but was told sludge was not covered. i was told i would be responsible for the repairs. *jb

2001 chrysler sebring with a 2.7 liter engine prematurely failed at 74,000 miles. started having problems at 64,000 miles with excessive engine noise and smoke from the tail pipe. this car was purchased new by myself and maintained per the service schedule in the chrysler manual. the engine gave out about 4 blocks from our home while my wife was driving it, fortunately no one was injured. we have since replaced the defective motor with a jasper remanufactured engine which has several design modifications and a better warranty than the factory engine. *nm

2001 chrysler sebring 2.7l motor. 69000 miles. motor quit. diagnosed as broken timing chain, new motor needed $6,900. failure occurred while driving, motor just stopped. i was fortunate to get to the side of the road without an accident. *jb

2001 chrysler sebring 2.7 liter dohc performed routine maintenance on 9-11-05, due to a long trip. everything was good as far as fluid levels, performed an oil change, vehicle ran fine oil was not burnt or low oil change interval was on schedule. on 9-12-05 at 9:30 a.m., at interstate speed vehicle shut down, as it shut down temp. gauge went to the max. my wife and seven month old child were stuck on highway off-ramp. very hot and humid day about one-hundred miles from home. towed vehicle back to home area. vehicle acted as if timing chain had broke. upon removal of intake and valve cover, twelve intake valves are bent and stuck open do to the timing chain jumping or water pump failure. have not inspected any lower in the engine yet. vehicle has 88,374 miles on it. after researching this problem, i found that this is a fairly common problem. made contact with chrysler to see if their was a possible recall. chrysler said they do not have any timing problems with this engine, but were very evasive when challenged with questions. old parts are available.*jb

2001 chrysler sebring 2.7l 24v dohc engine failure- completely dead and left me on highway. water pump failed, timing chain inside engine broke ruined engine. had to replace for $8000.00. *tr

Consumer had a leak in engine, due to sludge in chrysler sebring. *ts the consumer read an article which mentioned that there are at least 797,000 questionable chrysler engine that could experience sludge problems. the consumer contacted the manufacturer but they refused to provide the consumer with any financial assistance. the dealer claimed that the sludge was the result of oil maintenance neglect. *nm

Dt: while driving my chrysler sebring the engine just stopped. it starting making a loud noise and then the consumer heard a crunch. when the consumer opened the hood the timing chain had cut a slice out of the plastic value cover. the vehicle was towed to a mechanic where it was confirmed that the timing chain did break. he also told the consumer to search the internet to find out if there were any other complaints on this same motor. the consumer hasn't done any research to see if there has been any recalls on this vehicle yet. *nm

Dt: the contact stated there was an irregular engine snapping sound coming from underneath the hood. the contact first thought it was a nail in the tire, but upon inspection it was determined that there was no nail in the tire. the engine first started with the snapping sound, then vibrated when the vehicle was slowing down. the noise has been the same since it started. a certified mechanic inspected the vehicle, and found there was a service bulletin dealing with this problem. the consumer has contacted the manufacturer; they stated there was no recall. *ak

While driving 55 mph vehicle stalled. consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak

I have a sludge build up in my 2.7 chrysler seabring lxi 2001. i have faithfuly changed the oil every 3,000 miles. the chrysler factory warranty and most of the extended warranty plans will not cover engine repairs if they find sludge in the engine. my car failed with no warning while driving down the road which could have lead to a serious injuries.*ak

I have a 2001 chrysler sebring with the 2.7 liter v6 engine. it has recently experienced engine problems up to and will probably include complete engine failure from oil sludging in the engine. the oil was changed every 5000 miles and we have documentation of these oil changes. the car only has 29500 miles right now. i contacted chrysler and they said that they can not warrant the product because it is out of their warranty period. they even went as far as to say that even if it is a manufacturing defect they can't be held responsible because the car is out of warranty. so basically i am just reporting to you my complaint. i know you probably have received hundreds of other complaints regarding this same issue with this engine. please urge chrysler to extend their warranties or offer a recall. i have never heard of an engine failing because of oil sludge with only 29500 miles on it. thanks, joe raguse. *nm

After i received a tune up of my vehicle, it started a problem. after my car has been running for about 20 min, the engine starts to almost die out, then come back to life. this is w/o using ac or heat. however, if i use my a/c or heat, it becomes much worse. in both situations, w/or w/o ac & heat, the problem became so bad my car died out. the dealer doesn't know what's wrong with my car, and claimed it did not do this to them when they had it in their possession. i myself, have changed the air filter, got an oil change, changed my trans fluid, pcv valve, & put in fuel injector cleaner. the problem has not stopped. when i took my car to murrays auto parts, they did a diagnostic test, giving it the code p1391 misfire code. i called the dealer to find out this code, nobody had any idea what it meant. every time i have spoken with the dealer, they deny they had anything to do with it, and put me off like i don't know what im talking about. i just want my car fixed. *nm

While the vehicle was on and parked, the driver heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic informed the driver that the engine needed to be replaced. please provide further details. *nm

Vehilce is a chyrsler seabring convertible (2001). car has been maintained according to schedule. while driving, car died without warning. clanking noise happened under hood and car stalled approximately 30 seconds later.*ak two mechanics have diagnosed the need to replace the motor. quotes to repair range from $3,700 to $8,700. called chysler customer service. was told they will not do anything because vehicle is out of warranty. sent letter to ceo of chrysler usa and have not rec'd response to date.

Two weeks after a regular oil change, the 2.7l engine on my '01 sebring made a large clunk. the dealership mechanic said it had blown a rod (ruined). cause of the failure according to dealership was "oil sludge." not covered in warranty. price quoted for replacement was $7-8000. mileage at the time was 47443. *ak

When driving any speed, the consumer heard a tapping noise coming from under the hood. the mechanic informed the consumer that the problem was pertaining to engine sludge. *jb

Engine on my 2001 sebring sedan is idling roughly from loss of compression in one or two cylinders. car had just over 60,000 mile when it started and dealer took car for two days, charged me hundreds of dollars to clean injectors and replace the injector in the low compression cylinder, and couldn't fix the problem. then stated it's probably the engine but i just went over the 60,000 coverage and a repair wouldn't be covered. i maintained the vehicle and have records for all work done on it since i bought it new. chrysler should make good to repair or replace the problem whatever it is since i'm now becoming aware of many other sludge problems in the same 2.7 6 cyl engine which apparently has defects in its manufacturing. *ak

Heard knocking coming from the engine at around 59,000 miles. said to be the result of oil sludge. was told that i need a new engine at a cost of $6000.00. haven't replaced engine. still have to make the car payments on a car that does not work. *ak

While driving consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. consumer was able to drive the vehicle home. consumer has contacted the dealer for an appointment to bring it in. mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. *ak the consumer would like chrysler to recall this vehicle due to the all the other consumer complaints about this vehicle. *tc

Oil changed every 3,000 miles. knocking started to occur. as i was driving to get it looked at, motor just stopped. 2001 chrysler sebring 2.7l motor. 69000 miles. diagnosed as broken timing chain, new motor needed $6,000-$7,000. garage had seen quite a few recently with the same problem. one option was to buy a new engine that had been modified to correct original manufacturing problem, or to purchase a new or rebuilt engine. since rebuilt engine was $1000 less than other options went with that option. *jb

While driving the engine seized up. there was no warning. the blocked had to be replaced. please provide any further information. *nm

2001 chrysler sebring lxi 2.7l v6. vehicle purchased april 2002 as certified 8/80. loud knocking from engine. engine siezed up on freeway and died. dealer found timing chains broken, thew a rod, engine failure due to oil sludge build up. chrysler refused to cover under warranty claiming lack of owner maint. records. had engine replaced for $7500.00.

Premature engine failure due to sludge.*mr while driving, the vehicle just all of a sudden stop running, there were no warning lights. *jb

Oil was changed every 3000 miles. no warning lights or any type of warning when my engine failed after only 43,000 miles. it is a 2001 chrysler sebring sedan. after researching i found that these engines 2.7 liter found in the sebring and intrepid are prone to sludge and premature failure. my warranty was up at 36,000 miles and i am going back and forth trying to get some help with these repairs consisting of $4988.45. a new engine should not be needed in a vehicle with 43,000 miles. (and i am not the only one) i have spoken to 5 different mechanics and they are all aware of these engine problems. i was stranded 150 miles from home, it was graduation wk-end so no hotel rooms and no rental cars available. i was outside of kirksville mo. and had to ride with a stranger to get to somewhere that i could phone since my cell phone was out of raduis. *ak

While driving 30 mph engine seized. as result, vehicle stalled in traffic, and had to have it towed. dealer stated that sludge built up in the engine. *ak

On or about march 30, 2004 my car developed a ticking noise. i discovered the noise when ordering food at a drive through window. the noise was only evident when i had my window down. my car also had no heat by this time. over the last two winters i would not have heat when the car was idle, but this year it had gradually deteriorated to no heat when idle or upon accelaration. according to the ower's manual no antifreeze would cause this problem. the car was low on oil and had no antifreeze. i took the car to an independent mechanic for an oil change and to check the antifreeze. the owner's manual stated you needed to do something special to add antifreeze, but the manual fail to tell you what that something special was. the oil was changed and the antifreeze was filled. the ticking noise persisted and then the red oil lamp came on one week after having this service performed. i made another appointment with the independent mechanic to see what was causing the ticking noise. after checking my car over i received a call saying that it appeared i needed a new engine, the anitfreeze that had been put in two weeks prior was completely gone. my car had no visible signs of leakage. where did the antifreeze go? why is my low oil light coming on as well? it appears that the 2.7l engine fails regardless of maintenance due to design of the engine (limiting passage of oil) and this failure is also linked to the antifreeze leakage over time, causing the engine to over heat and build up sludge. the dealer then tells you that engine problem is due to sludge build-up or rather poor maintenance on your part and voids the warranty or refuses any assistance in the repair expense. my engine failed at approximately 52,000 miles. this problem is costing consumers thousands of dollars.*ak

The engine on my chrysler sebring (2.7) quit due to excess sludge from a defective design. i called chrysler and was told that my vehicle was out of warranty and that they would not reimburse me any costs. i had regular oil changes and maintenance on my vehicle. the service manager at the dealership stated that they have to repair 6 or 7 cars a year due to engine failure. i had the engine rebuilt at a cost of nearly $2,500. if the dealership had performed the work it would have cost nearly $7,000 and they would have put a new, but the same defective engine in my car. a jasper engine employee documented that chrysler has never done the updates that would have prevented the problem. *ak

Engine surges and dies out. standed on interstate, no accident. after replacement of camshaft and crankshaft sensors, determined that problem was with wiring harness. identified recall notice from nhtsa, 00v29902. after contacting chrysler several times, they do not have any information on the recall nor acknoledge any recalls for my vehicle.*ak

Engine quit at 34,000 mi , took to dealer they stated there was sludge in the engine and that the car was neglected do to lack of oil changes "voiding warranty". there appers to be a problem with the 2.7 liter engine. *ak oil changes were performed at regular intervals between 3k-5k miles.

Car enginge shows normal running temperature but when its at idle blows cold heat. with rpms up it blows hotter air. been in shop several times with no cases filed in dodge's database that shows reason for suspision. even swithced dealerships to no avail. all test ran shows normal but car is about to hit its 75000 mile warrenty so im not sure if they are trying to limp me along for future gains. it started in the fall of 2002 and continues to this day had replaced thermostat flushed cooling system tested pressure but nothing.. ive been told it could be the heater core but thye wont go there unless they have reason to but thats the only thing that hasnt been checked it never overheats etc..great car but just has to keep rpms up for heat. *ak

After it rained, water collected in a puddle on the back interior floorboard. the dealer previously suspected the water came from the door seals and replaced them, however the leak resurfaced and it did not come from door seals. consumer believed the leak came from the chassis. *jb other problems are as followed: cd player malfunctioned, a/c unit failed and was repaired two times, the door panel was replaced, the steering column was replaced/squealed when turned/repair kit was installed/clockspring was replaced, the vehicle wouldn't start, there were electrical problems, a loud sound had come from the brakes, the window buttons were loose at the switch, and the engine cranked but did not start and was found to be flooded. scc

Consumer replaced rear defrost on chrysler sebring on numerous occasions. *ts the rear defroster does not work. the rear vision glass needed to be replaced. chrysler offered the consumer a 50/50 split. also the drivers side window rattled, red fluid was found in the consumer's driveway due to transmission pan and cooler line leakage, the convertible was leaking on the drivers side window area due to weather strip and there was a slow leak in the r/r tire due to a hole. *sc

Leased new car for 6 months, had oil ahcnge at 3,000 miles, have 5,000 miles now. entire oil leaked out of the engine and engine stopped. chrysler's waranty will not cover the damage since the plastic guard under the car was litttle broken maybe by hitting a pothall and therefore is my negligence. cost $2,500 to fix engine.*ak

Have a brand new car and engine oil now leaking. dealer said it is oil galley plug and cylinder head must be removed to fix. *ak