ChryslerSebring20012.0L L4/chrysler/sebring/2001/2-0l-l4/
JR platform

2001 Chrysler Sebring — 2.0L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Sebring 2.0L L4.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0L L4

The 2001 Chrysler Sebring is a passenger car built on the JR platform and powered by a 2.0‑liter inline‑four engine that calls for five quarts of 10W‑30 / 5W‑30 API oil. It recorded 277 total owner complaints, with engine and cooling issues topping the complaint list, and it was recalled twelve times. In the model’s complaint history spanning 1995 to 2013, the 2001 year’s 277 complaints fall between the peak of 483 complaints in 1996 and the low of three complaints in 2011, indicating a mid‑range reliability position for that model year.

Model year2010200620052004200320022001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP205-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB alt 05175567AB
Engine air filter05011836AA discontinued · alt MB906051
Fuel filterMR431089 discontinued · alt 04897866AA
Spark plug68304168AA alt 68307021AA
BatteryBB75F101AA
Front wiper blades05018262AA alt 05018263AA
Serpentine belt04892711AA discontinued · alt MN187017
Thermostat04792237AE alt MD194988

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.7 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3490 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.2 in

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub110-110 sedan ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub185 sedan ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket60 ft-lbs / 16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.9 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.911 in / 0.36 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.843 in / 0.285 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inner main bearing cap bolts15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Every 7,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 105,000 miDrive Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2001 model year interrupts a five-year downward trend in owner complaints that had fallen from a 1996 high of 483 to just 102 in 2000, with filings rebounding to 277—nearly triple the prior year's volume—while recalls doubled from 6 to 12 and technical service bulletins more than doubled from 41 to 111. This spike proved temporary, as 2002 saw complaints retreat to 234 and recalls return to 6, positioning 2001 as a distinct mid-generation peak with the highest recall volume since 1997. Engine and engine cooling issues led the 2001 complaint data with 81 filings, though the federal records do not specify root causes, alongside 22 crash-related and 5 fire-related complaints. Given the dramatic increase in reported problems and manufacturer service actions compared to the flanking model years, prospective buyers should prioritize 2000 or 2003 examples over the 2001 Sebring.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
111
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
277
Owner complaints
22 involved a crash · 5 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 277 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling81
Air Bags22
Suspension18
Power Train15
Service Brakes, Hydraulic15
Vehicle Speed Control13
Wheels12
Electrical System11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V401000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 03/06/2016

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… Remedy: 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…

15V338000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/06/2015

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 111 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sebring. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2001 Sebring 2.0L L4 take?

5.0 qt of Above -10F: 10W-30 API, Below 100F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Sebring have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.