Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 277 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Chrysler Sebring, and it carries 12 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 81 | 29% |
| Air bags | 22 | 8% |
| Suspension | 18 | 6% |
| Power train | 15 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 15 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 5% |
| Wheels | 12 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 4% |
| Structure | 11 | 4% |
| Steering | 9 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I WAS TAKING MY SON TO SCHOOL AND AS I TURNED THE CORNER THE BALL JOINT COMPLETLY POPPED REAL LOUD AND MY LEFT REAR TIRE CAVES IN COMPLETELY. THEN A WEEK LATER THE RIGHT SIDE REAR DID THE SAME THING EXCEPT I WAS ON A LON
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V401000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V401000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACTED CALLED THE DEALER MONTHS AGO AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE PART HAD NOT BEEN AVA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE BUILDUP DESPITE BETTER THAN RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WE WE ON INTERSTATE 55 IN MEMPHIS TN, HEADED SOUTH, TRAVELING AT 55 WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATOR BEGAN TO STICK AND THE CAR INCREASED IN SPEED, SO I STAYED ON THE BRAKES UNTIL I COULD SMELL THE BRAKES, SO AT THE SOUTHHAVEN E
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ISSUE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAG
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN ANIMAL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2001 Chrysler Sebring. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 passe
Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
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 secon
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, 200
Risk: If the passenger side sun visor detaches and is propelled rearward, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
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
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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 S
Risk: 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.
Fix: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
| Reliability raw | 53 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 63 | average |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 277 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 81 of them (29%). There are 12 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 53/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 63/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 61/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.