VehicleVerdict

2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 175 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Sebring Convertible year — the 2002 model ranks #1 of 10 Sebring Convertible years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 19 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 45 reports (26% of the total).

175

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

19

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Sebring Convertible years?

Sebring Convertible NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted175 complaints1996: 99 complaints1997: 98 complaints1998: 61 complaints1999: 136 complaints2000: 97 complaints2001: 145 complaints2002: 175 complaints2003: 41 complaints2004: 73 complaints2005: 62 complaints
Sebring Convertible NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sebring Convertible years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4526%
Airbags2313%
Suspension1710%
Electrical System127%
Visibility & Wipers116%
Tires & Wheels95%
Seat Belts85%
Steering74%
Transmission74%
Lighting74%
Body & Structure63%
Brakes53%
Other53%
Speed Control53%
Seats42%
Fuel System32%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E059000SuspensionDecember 27, 2010 · 22,689 units

Defect

FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.

Consequence

IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

09E056000SuspensionOctober 9, 2009 · 5,787 units

Defect

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 SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

07E023000BrakesMarch 29, 2007 · 13,128 units

Defect

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. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“AUTOMOBILE WAS RUNNING NORMALLY, SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD "CLACKING SOUND" FROM THE ENGINE, OIL LIGHT WENT ON, CAR SHUT OFF AS I SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OFF OF THE TURNPIKE. CHRYSLER IS REFUSING TO HONOR WARRANTY, DESPITE FACT THAT CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY. A NEW ENGINE IS REQUIRED (THIS IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 27, 2004

“SECOND FAILURE OF 2002 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT . MY WIFE HAD A HEAD -ON COLLISION OF LEFT FENDER WHILE TURNING. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS A THE SECOND TIME OF AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY WIFE SUFFERED A SEVERE CONCUSSION AGAIN FROM THE STEERING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 9, 2003 · crash

“THERE WAS A CREAKING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FRONT OF THE CAR DROPPED DOWN AND I HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE CAR. THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT HAD BROKEN. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT I HAD BEEN DRIVING 55MPH WITH 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THANKFULLY, I HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 18, 2008

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE WORD "DECK" APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. THEN A SERIES OF NUMBERS APPEARED, ALONG WITH A BEEPING SOUND. BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER, THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I WENT INTO A 360 DEGREE SPIN. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE CHRYSLER FINAL CAME TO A STOP ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 7, 2009 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DURING ICY CONDITIONS, THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRRORS, DUE TO ICING. THE CONSUMER WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE MIRRORS WERE HEATED . THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THE MIRRORS WERE NOT HEATED. THE CONSUMER HAS SALES PAPERS CLAIMING THAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 20, 2004

2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible — common questions

Is the 2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 175 complaints put the 2002 model at #1 of 10 Sebring Convertible years. It is one of the Sebring Convertible years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Sebring Convertible problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (45 complaints), airbags (23 complaints), suspension (17 complaints).

Does the 2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chrysler Sebring Convertible years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sebring Convertible years to avoid are 2002. The cleanest record among Sebring Convertible years belongs to 2003.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.