Is the 2001 Chrysler Sebring a bad year?
242 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 90, 9× a quiet Sebring year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 53k–98k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 Sebring owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 77,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 86 (36%) | 54k–97k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 29 (12%) | 34k–92k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 29 (12%) | 60k–110k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Electrical system | 23 (10%) | 43k–95k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 20 (8%) | 32k–89k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 15 (6%) | 32k–107k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 18 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 18 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 13 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 13 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 77,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 242 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 16 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2017.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
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.
We own a 2001 Chrysler Sebring that had been well maintained by us for the two years that we owned it. While my daughter was driving back to school the engine seized in the middle lane of a very busy highway, leaving her stranded.
On or about march 30, 2004 my car developed a ticking noise. I discovered the noise when ordering food at a drive through window.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 77,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Chrysler Sebring: 12
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. If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
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. If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
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. 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.
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. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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. Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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. Fluid leakage from the cooler hoses can cause transaxle driveability problems and smoke if the oil contacts the front exhaust pipe.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A number of incorrect driver side seat mounting bolts were installed into vehicles. 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.
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." In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
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. This hose is considered to be inadequate.
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. A separated air bag door could injure a vehicle occupant.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The harness for the crankshaft position sensor could come in contact with a new protective shield causing a grounded circuit. 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.
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). Smoke inhalation could be harmful to vehicle occupants.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chrysler: 18
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Chrysler Sebring. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Safety belt cinching latch plate
Neighbouring years
2000 Sebring: 93 complaints, keep it · 2002 Sebring: 210 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Chrysler Sebring year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All Sebring years side by side
Other Chrysler models: Chrysler 200 · Chrysler 300 · Chrysler 300C · Chrysler 300M · Chrysler Aspen · Chrysler Concorde · Chrysler Crossfire · Chrysler Crossfire Roadster · Chrysler PT Cruiser · Chrysler Pacifica · Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid · Chrysler Sebring Conv · Chrysler Sebring Convertible · Chrysler Town and Country · Chrysler Voyager. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Chrysler Sebring a bad year?
242 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 90, 9× a quiet Sebring year. At 77,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 53k–98k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chrysler Sebring?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (86), air bags (29), suspension (29), electrical system (23), transmission and drivetrain (20). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 53k–98k miles.
How many recalls does the 2001 Chrysler Sebring have?
12 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 16V-401), Air bags (NHTSA 15V-338), Suspension (NHTSA 09E056000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E012000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.