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Chrysler Sebring Problems and Solutions
Please share your Sebring problems and any solutions!
KarenS
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KarenS
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Some low power component shorting out when it gets wet?
Either of you notice rain being an issue?
Gary
. Central command control module failed - interior lights wouldn't go off, etc. Replaced.
. Passenger window wouldn't operate - replaced window motor.
. Rear window defroster failed - replaced entire rear window.
. Front windows don't lower completely when lowering the top. Haven't taken it in yet.
because they cannot hear the noise. Also, the warmer the weather, the less sound is heard. Pulling out of my garage in the morning it sounds like an old rocking chair for several miles. I will be leaving my car for them to drive "cold" again. There is currently 8000 miles on it. In addition to the creaking noise in the front end, I notice a clicking noise from the steering column, and a shift in the seat on quick acceleration/stops which I am told is normal for these vehicles. The garage did replace what they said was a defective bolt in the seat, it is only a little better. This is my 4th new Chrsler product and I am greatly disappointed. I never returned to the garage with the others.
Anyone else having problems with their 2001 Sebring sedan?
what do you owners have to say?
thanks,
zack
Hope your car is still under warranty. Just had a similar humming in my 2002 at 6k miles. Damn noise was so loud that it was driving me crazy. Well, my dealer heard it, knew what it was immediately, and fixed it right away. It was a front wheel hub. Mine was a defective left front hub (drivers side), but I'd have them check both. Only took the dealer about 45 min. to fix. Unfortunately, this is starting to sound like an endemic problem in the 2001/2002, therefore, if you're just out of warranty, I'd have them contact Chrysler for a free fix. As for me, with the problems I've had lately, I'm buying an extended warranty in the next year.
The breaks on these cars (at least 1st generation)are very noisy when cold. They squeak alot when cold but once they warm up that goes away. Dealer says it's normal with the OEM pads - I'm still on the original set with 25K. Anyone using a pad they can recommend that doesn't make this noise?
Prior to purchasing the car I researched here and elsewhere and became aware of the TSB's that were out on my model. One in particular addressed the water in the cabin issue and offered a fix which the dealer did on my car. I'd never had this happen bc my car is mostly garaged but I asked for the fix to be done and they did it. Check out the TSB's on this site or at: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/service1.cfm?SearchTopic=Vehicle
My car's original 3/36 waranty just expired, now I have 7/75 extended warranty. During the last two years my car would go to the dealer for every little thing. They replaced: all weather stripping, passenger visor/mirror, couple of brake lights which kept going out at first, the transmission valve train and various other details which I can't even recall w/o getting out the file.
Bottom line is: Let others pay the depreciation of the new car, buy the last model year of any American car (never the first) used while still under factory warranty, then get an extended warranty (a must for Chryslers IMO) which will cover you for the time you will own the car. If the car has many problems during your time with it, unload it around 1 year before the extended warranty expires. I realize this formula doesn't work for everyone but I've grown to like it. I do like new cars too, just haven't bought one since 95.
On the wheels, my JX came with 15" steelies w/hubcaps and man those stock tires would squeel around the twisties - they didn't hold the road at all. I purchased aftermarket 17's and am running 215 50 series and the car handles much better. I've also installed an aftermarket rear sway bar which further improves cornering.
Safe motoring!
Good luck,
Lee B.
1.) 2-Months old - Rattle under middle of car. 5* Dealer tightened but every time there is a temperature change w/ weather (warm to cold) rattle comes back.
2.) 4-Months old - Whinning/Humming Noise coming from front end (transmission) dealer says not transmission. Replaced rt/frnt bearing hub assembly. (only after 4 trips to 5* dealer who couldn't duplicate noise) Happens usually between 30 & 45 mph & in cold weather only. Had tires rotated - noise coming back. (dealer deaf again)
3.) Crunching noise when turning and braking at the same time. Dealer can't figure it out.
4.) Rear brakes grind in reverse. Usually when wet & cold. Rear brakes replaced by warranty. Never stopped the problem.
5.) Interior light flickering. Switch replaced.
6.) January 2003 Heater went. Would only blow on level 4. Warranty - blower resistor faulted...resistor replaced.
7.) Driver's side passenger window switch faulted - warranty repair
So far no recalls - but Chrysler doesn't admit to anything being wrong w/ their vehicles.
Love my car but these minor noises that can't be fixed are irritating. Wondering when they will turn into major fixes. Putting on alot of miles. 27,185 in 18 months. Warranty will be up soon (before I pay off) Wondering whether or not to dump it off. Again - I love this car -- it's a head turner, but when it spends more time at the dealer than in my hands??? Any advice?
Now that being said my days with Chrysler are probably coming to an end. This car has not been a nightmare just lots of little things.
1) 4 sets of front brakes, front roters once.
2) Fuel gage replaced (not cheap)
3) Standing water in the back seat floor after the car was parked at the airport during a rain.
4) Door switch replaced (you know the thing that turns off the dome lights) That was fun driving down the road with the map lights going off and on and the car dinging.
5) Hydrolics went out top (that is really not cheap)
6) Back window defroster disconnected itself (never been fixed by dealership)
7) Hydrolics on trunk -dead
8) Trunk release button -dead
9) Black cover over transmission hole (broken twice once under warranty, second time was on my dime -was told it would be $250 -it stayed broken.
10)Heat sometimes switches to just blower and then back to heat.
11) Countless other things.
Again nothing huge, the car still starts and it still gets me to work and home.
Just thought I would add my 2 cents!
Thanks
JonT
My dealer is also stumped. Please post should you find anything out (and vice versa). thx
Definitely go to another dealer if there is one in your area and you're not getting satisfaction at yours. I've seen dealers that get hard-of-hearing if they think the noise might be of a serious nature. My father-in-law had that problem with a Mercury and even the Ford district rep "didn't hear the noise in the engine". All it took to clean their ears was a letter from the Mass. Attorney General's office. They found and fixed the problem.
Good luck,
Lee B.
Also, I'm looking at a 2002 LXi really loaded with only 30 miles (except for the 15 I put on it today!). The dealer has shown me an invoice of $27,507 but is giving me a $4,500 rebate so my final cost out the door (including tax and other charges) is $24,812. Is this a good price?
I wouldn't be concerned with the cloth top if you keep it garaged at work and home. I keep my '01 Limited (Blue cloth top) garaged and it looks like new. Soap and water should keep it clean. I generally use clear water often. New England summers aren't too hot, but we get plenty of snow. I must confess that usually in bad weather I'm able to leave the convertible in the garage and use my T&C.
I'm not much of an expert on price, but if my dealer came in with that deal, I'd take it.
Good luck,
Lee B.
I shipped my car to Scandinavia about a year ago and now live way up north. For weeks in a row we have -20F temperatures. No problems for Sebring. No rattles or anything. I could use heated front seats, though.
mine, a '99, also has this problem - ghas had it from the moment I drove it out of the showroom
you can even feel the "pull" when you are coming down a hill, breaking at the stop sign, and preparing to make a right turn - the sound SUCKS
a mechanic friend of mine came for a drive with me and heard it clear as day - but everyone at Chryusler service is deaf. Why do they hire deaf people? I know everyone deserves to work, but....
otherwise, I've had 45,000 error/pain-free miles with it
if they don't fix the problem (and cover it under warranty), then I'll be crossing the Pacifica off my list (along with the Town and Ciountry, PT Cruiser, and anything else with the Chrysler badge)
after I send my complaint to the local DA, AG and every message board I can find
Also, this discussion in Maintenance & Repair may be helpful. Long time member, 0patience, has the skinny on just about every TSB out there.
Technical Service Bulletin
Hadn't heard if you received it or not.
Additionally, I constantly have coolant and brake fluid "disappearing" from the car. There are no obvious signs of leakage. The car's been to the dealers for these problems too. Radiator hoses have been replaced and 100's of dollars spent to no avail.
I also have the problem listed with my aluminum wheels peeling. When I asked the dealer, they claimed it was due to a cleaning solution used. Since I purchased car with 12,000 miles on it, I don't know what previous owner might have used on it. I believe it is inferior workmanship.
Chrysler acts like I am crazy & intentionally damaging my car. I am upset because I owe money on this car and cannot afford to have the engine blow up while I still pay on it. I've consulted with independent mechanics that say fuel leaking could be due to faulty injectors, seals, etc. However, I cannot afford to pay a huge repair bill, that should be Chrysler's responsibility. I will never own another Chrysler product again in my life. Chrsler has the worst customer service in the world. They deserve to go bankrupt! Previously, I owned a Nissan & Toyota. I received superior customer service from both companies and their representatives.
jotek might have the same problem as mine. This could very well lead to the sludge in the engine.
Can anyone help?
Are there any differences to be considered for 2004 models?
Regards
Charley
Why is it that service techs at dealers can not hear anything? I am going to take it to another service shop that I trust.
I can't thank you enough for taking the time to think about my problem.
Have had my Sterling Blue Limited with cream interior and navy top for 2 months now. What a beautiful car! However, I do have one nagging problem. There is a rattle in the driver's door. The dealer thinks it's the door striker and that there is insufficient clearance so that on bumps and rough roads, of which we have plenty in New Orleans, it rattles. After 4 attempts to fix, including adjusting the drivers door which was not hung properly, the rattle continues. It seems to me that the rattle is somewhere inside and perhaps associated with the window mechanism, as having the window up or down can change it. Dealer claims it's a defective design and is a "characteristic" of the car. Chrysler has not returned e-mails or calls to their customer service. I only have 535 miles on the car. anybody have any similar problems? How do you get a manufacturer's rep to look at it? Thanks for any help you can give.
jg
Before we bought the car, I spoke with a Chrysler service advisor about potential Sebring rag top problems (we have an almost trouble-free '99 Concorde and I actually trusted his 5-star judgment). He indicated we could eventually expect a problem with the rear window defroster - it quit working two weeks ago.
Other problems have been with the horns, transmission speed sensors, and a slight miss in the engine. The first year we had the horns replaced three times under warranty.
We also had problems with transmission speed sensors that failed twice - that puts the car in the "limp" mode to get it to the repair shop. The first time under warranty and the second only $75.00 out-of-pocket. The transmission repair shop indicated these sensors were subject to fail in 1998 thru 2000 model year Sebrings (also the same year Concordes).
We also developed a slight miss in the engine at idle with less than 10K miles. The dealer checked with Chrysler and discovered the Sebring Mitsubishi V6 was prone to fuel deposits on the cylinder heads. The dealer was able to remove the deposits chemically without removing the heads and we have been miss-free ever since. We were lucky - our 5-Star Chrysler dealer actually deserved the rating. Unfortunately, they dropped the Chrysler dealership for a Honda/Hundai lineup. Go figure....
We just replaced the original Michlein tires - still plenty of tread, but New England pot holes bubbled sidewalls on two tires. Tire dealer was amazed we had 59K miles on the OEM speed-rated tires. I decided to replace all four tires since the OEM tires were discontinued and installed Goodyear Double Eagles, same speed rating. Definately a much better ride and better traction than the OEMs. If it hadn't been for the pot hole damage, I probably would have gotten another year on the original tires.
Would we buy another Sebring? You bet, but the '04 PT Cruiser rag top might change our minds? After all, we're almost 60 years old and still look good, especially in a Chrysler convertible!
Did you get your door rattle problem resolved? We just bought a 2003 LXI convertible and my husband noticed the same problem today. We've only had the car for a little over a week. We have to take the car back for a tire exchange next week and will be bringing this to the dealer's attention.
I sympathise with your leak problem. We pursued arbitration TWICE on my daughter's leaking Neon (wanted to give Chrysler a chance). When the Chrylsler rep told us he didn't consider a leaking trunk a serious problem, I decided to get tough (the trunk was not useable). Be persistant and DO NOT listen to the arbitrators - they have nothing to loose turning you down. They will find ANYTHING to say you goofed on the arbitration rules.
We went to an excellent lemon law lawyer (my last alternative, I hate lawyers). E mail NoLemons.com, I can't remember her name right now (Lieblang?), but she works near Ann Arbor, Michigan(down the road from where your Siebring was built). She helped develop the Lemon Law in MI and she is feared by the big three (my opinion). She will evaluate your case for free, I believe (put some time into organizing your records and your case). If she believes she can help, she charges a very modest fee to pursue it (under $200, I believe). She seems to be honest about not pursuing cases she has little chance of winning. We got all of our money back on the Neon (plus some) and it was hassle free. This woman/organization is awesome. Chrysler was no match for her.
Regarding your bad Chrysler experience, I am on my second Chrysler mini van and they have been the best vehicles I have ever owned. My other daughter is fighting Pontiac for the very common Grand Am head gasket problem (everyone gets it). I know people who own nearly every brand that have had nightmare new car problems - even Honda's. It happens to all brands, and all arbitrators are ruthless regardless of brand. Just my two cents. It's often just what luck you have regarding which car you get off the line.