Is the 2002 Chrysler Sebring a bad year?
210 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 59, 5.9× a quiet Sebring year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 64k–99k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 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 82,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 55 (26%) | 64k–100k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Suspension | 37 (18%) | 54k–106k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bags | 16 (8%) | 30k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 15 (7%) | 44k–95k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 28 (13%) | 34k–66k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 22 (10%) | 28k–81k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 13 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 13 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 12 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 5 (2%) | 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 82,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 210 complaints: 17 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jul 2021.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The 2.7 liter engine in my Sebring acquired a load knocking noise. I took the vehicle to a repair shop and found out that this engine has a chronic sludge problem that caused this failure.
When ur driving down the road the engine just shuts down like u turned off the key. It isn't over heating and no check engine light so I cannot figure out why it keeps doing this and it has a new battery .
Chrysler Sebring 2002 failed engine twice - one was the result that not enough oil change and it blew the engine.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 82,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Chrysler Sebring: 5
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.
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 2002 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
2001 Sebring: 242 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2003 Sebring: 42 complaints, keep it.
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 2002 Chrysler Sebring a bad year?
210 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 59, 5.9× a quiet Sebring year. At 82,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 64k–99k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chrysler Sebring?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (55), suspension (37), air bags (16), electrical system (15), transmission and drivetrain (28). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 64k–99k miles.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chrysler Sebring have?
5 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.