Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 30,000 mi | Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Sebring 2.0L L4.
The 2003 Chrysler Sebring is a passenger car built on the JR platform and powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine, with a maintenance capacity of 5.0 quarts of oil specifying 10W-30 or 5W-30 viscosity per API standards. This model year arrived mid-production run for a vehicle line that spanned 1995 through 2013, a period that saw significant variation in owner satisfaction. With 74 total owner complaints logged against the 2003 model—contrasting sharply with the 483 recorded for the 1996 launch year—this generation represents a notably more refined product, though six recalls during this period indicate continued hardware and safety concerns that researchers should weigh, particularly given that the top complaint area centered on air bags.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 04105409AE. Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.
| Engine oil filter | 04105409AE alt 05175567AB |
| Engine air filter | 05011836AA discontinued · alt MB906051 |
| Spark plug | 68304168AA alt 68307021AA |
| Battery | BB75F101AA |
| Front wiper blades | 05018262AA alt 05018263AA |
| Serpentine belt | 04892580AA alt 04892444AA |
| Thermostat | P5278144AA alt MD194988 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 193.3 in |
| Overall width | 69.3 in |
| Overall height | 55.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3452 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 60.2 / 61 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 63/37 |
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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 10W-30 · API · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.0 qt |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 70 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | M6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 21 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 65-80 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 85-115 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 110-110 sedan ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 185 sedan ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-2-4 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms |
| Engine Compression | 100 Minimum psi |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 60 ft-lbs / 16 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 100 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0005 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.003 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.9 in / 0.35 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.911 in / 0.36 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.843 in / 0.285 in |
| 1 | 20 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 20 ft. lbs |
| 1 | Inner main bearing cap bolts | 15 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 30,000 mi | Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) |
Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith) |
| Why | Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module |
| When needed | After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement |
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool |
| Also required | The vehicle's four-digit PIN code |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2003 Chrysler Sebring sits at a distinct low point in the generation's federal complaint arc, recording just 74 complaints — a sharp drop from 234 in 2002 and less than one-quarter of the 291 logged in 2004 — while recalls held steady at six and investigations remained at one. TSB volume (77) tracks closely with the 2004 level (78) and exceeds the 2002 count (89), suggesting ongoing dealer-level service activity despite the complaint decline. The leading complaint categories for 2003 are Air Bags (12), Engine & Engine Cooling (10), Suspension (8), and Service Brakes, Hydraulic (4), with five crash-related complaints and no fire reports recorded. Compared with the volatile spikes in 2001–2002 and again in 2004–2008, the 2003 model year represents a comparatively quiet window in the federal record. The data doesn't specify root causes for the complaint drop, but the pattern implies fewer owner-reported problems reaching NHTSA. For a used buyer, 2003 appears to be one of the stronger years in this generation, provided the air bag, cooling, suspension, and brake systems are verified as addressed.
All 74 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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…
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… 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.
Showing 5 of 77 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9004275 | 2020-07-22 | Electrical System | KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC… |
| 9004275 | 2020-07-22 | Electrical System | KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC… |
| 23-015-20 | 2020-04-30 | Equipment | Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19 |
| 08-049-20 | 2020-04-22 | Electrical System | Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin… |
| 3100519 | 2019-11-20 | Structure | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.0 qt of Above -10F: 10W-30 API, Below 100F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.