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 234 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chrysler Sebring, and it carries 5 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 | 46 | 20% |
| Suspension | 31 | 13% |
| Power train | 18 | 8% |
| Air bags | 12 | 5% |
| Steering | 12 | 5% |
| Wheels | 11 | 5% |
| Structure | 9 | 4% |
| Engine | 8 | 3% |
| Steering | 8 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Rear Disc Brakes.I had a repair shop and a dealership assess what they both found to be what's called a Backplate.It mounts onto both Left and Right Spindles.The Backplate on Left and Right hold or guide the Pads in plac
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
ONCE I TURN ON THE CAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 . I JUST BOUGHT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I HAVE ATTACHED THE PAPERWORK 4 MY 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING. AS YOU CAN SEE MY FIRST PAYMENT WAS APRIL 13TH 2018 THIS WAS MY DEPOSIT $700. AGAIN ON APRIL 24TH I PAID ANOTHER $600. MAY 20TH I PAID ANOTHER $700. JUNE 5TH I PA
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FOLLOW UP ON MULTIPLE MECHANICAL ISSUES CASE . *AS *TR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEP
NHTSA complaint: Steering
VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WELL AND WELL MAINTAINED. THEN HAD ISSUES STARTING AND SUDDENLY DIED WITHOUT WARNING. SEEMS TO BE A SIMILAR ENGINE FAILURE OF THESE MODELS.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CAR IT'S MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION TO TAKE MY NEW BORN BACK AND FORTH TO OUR APPOINTMENTS I BRING MY CAR IN EVERY 4 MOTHS TO MAKE SURE MY CAR IS STILL SAFE FOR MY CHILD. MY ENGINE KNOCKS IT'S REALLY
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2002 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 | 55 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 64 | average |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 234 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 46 of them (20%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 55/100 (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 64/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 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.