2004 Chrysler Sebring Sedan Touring 2.7 V6 from North America

Summary:

Great car, bad transmission

Faults:

28,000 miles- The engine would stall at stoplights after interstate travel. It would restart right away and run normal after that. Dealer "reset computer".

30,000 miles- Tranmission shifted very hard when turning corners or going down a hill. The dealer could not replicate problem and "reset computer"

35,000 miles- Transmission still shifting hard. Brought to different dealer and they found a leaky transmission cooler line and replaced. Shifted good.

36,000-present- Started shifting hard again. I guess we'll live with it. Kind of embarrassing when you have passengers.

General Comments:

This car has been good to us only needing a couple times in the shop. However, the transmission problem makes me wonder whether the car will give it's final "clunk" during a road trip and leave us stranded on the road.

The dealerships have been fair to poor in their service. They had the car from 8am to 1pm on a Saturday (that we made an appointment for) and said they didn't have time to get to it and needed it till the next Monday. It was a little upsetting when they didn't really fix anything.

The car is great in general. We've gotten 26-27 mpg on several road trips. The factory stereo is more than adequate. The seats are very comfortable. Interior room is amazing. The engine has plenty of power, I just wish the trasnmission could keep up!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th April, 2006

6th May 2012, 21:27

Transmission flush and filter, and it will shift fine.

2004 Chrysler Sebring Sedan LX 2.7 V6 from North America

Summary:

Excellent value

Faults:

No problems yet.

The air conditioning could be colder and the heating could be warmer.

General Comments:

The 2.7 v6 is very powerful, smooth and quiet. It is also very good on fuel.

The headroom isn't sufficient for a taller person, but there is ample room in the cabin.

The car handles quite well and the interior noise level is minimal.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd August, 2005

18th Aug 2005, 21:26

Very sharp looking car, handles well, but I find there is quite a few squeaks in the front end of the vehicle.

5th Sep 2005, 07:28

To quiet the squeaks and noises coming from front end or rear suspension try "spraying all of the rubber bushings and mounts found on the suspension with DOT 3 brake fluid". There is an additive in the brake fluid that keeps rubber soft and flexible, this is needed to keep the seals on the brake calipers from drying up and cracking resulting in brake failure. Put brake fluid in a plastic spray bottle and don't spray any fluid in your eyes or on any painted surfaces.

29th Jan 2006, 09:18

Original post update:

Six months later we now have 74,000kms. The only problem so far was the replacement of the fan blower resistor ($40.00CAN.no big deal and this is a very common problem). Since replacing the resistor and burping the coolant system every now and then, the air conditioning and the heater have been performing much better. The ABS brakes and traction control work excellent in our snowy winter environment. The gas mileage is the same with the V6 2.7 as it was with our I4 97 stratus. We are both very satisfied.

28th Jan 2008, 07:30

Original Poster.

Car is now 2 years older and has 127,000 klms. on it. Just changed the coolant and the heater seems to be working better. Coolant and the blower resistor are the only things replaced so far other than tires. Everything is original including battery, exhaust, brakes, spark plugs etc. It has been a very low maintenance vehicle. Wife just loves the car and the mileage is now a little better than the old 4-cyl. stratus (33 to 34mpg. Can. gallon combined summer driving, 29 to 31 winter). 37mpg. on a 200 mile highway run this past summer. Rides very smooth and quiet. We put 34psi. in the front tires (to compensate for the engine weight) and 32psi. in the back, resulting in the original tires lasting to 95,000 klms. and getting that good gas mileage.

14th Jun 2010, 15:53

Original poster update.

Car now has 185,000klms, and have replaced the upper rear strut mounts and the coolant outlet manifold (both common problems for this year and model). Have also replaced the tie rod ends. The car drives like new. Has been reasonably cheap to maintain. Wife still loves driving it. The only things to replace are the two belts.

In reply to 14th Jun 2010, 15:53

17th Jun 2011, 13:52

Thank you for keeping this updated.