Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Sebring 2.7L V6. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.7L V6.
The 2003 Chrysler Sebring, a mid-size passenger car built on the JR platform, pairs its sleek coupe or sedan bodywork with a 2.7L V6 engine requiring 5 quarts of 5W-30 API-spec oil—a straightforward powertrain that defined much of the nameplate’s appeal. While its engineering was unremarkable on paper, this model year stands out for its relatively modest 74 owner complaints, a sharp contrast to the 483 logged in 1996, though airbag issues remained a persistent concern amid six recalls. Nestled between the Sebring’s early reliability struggles and the gradual improvements seen in later years, the 2003 edition reflects a transitional phase where build quality had stabilized but hadn’t yet reached the low complaint counts of its final 2011 iteration. For researchers, it serves as a useful benchmark: neither the worst nor the most refined, but a telling snapshot of Chrysler’s efforts to address long-standing flaws.
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 a BCI 75 - CONVERTIBLE OR SEDAN · 510 - CONVERTIBLE OR SEDAN CCA battery, 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 Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 | 68303953AA alt 68304015AA |
| 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 |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
No 2003 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Touring Convertible 2.7L V6 | 9.10 sec | 16.70 sec | 200 hp | FWD |
| 2001 | Limited Convertible 2.7L V6 | 8.40 sec | 16.30 sec | 200 hp | FWD |
| 2001 | Limited Convertible 2.7L V6 | 8.80 sec | 16.60 sec | 200 hp | FWD |
| 2001 | Limited Convertible 2.7L V6 | 8.90 sec | 16.90 sec | 200 hp | FWD |
| 2001 | LXi Sedan 2.7L V6 | 9.10 sec | 16.90 sec | 200 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 5W-30 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5 qt w/ filter |
| Engine Oil | 10W-30 · API · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.0 qt |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 8.4 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 125 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 70 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 8.8 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 16.7 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 20.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 18.0-21.0 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 | 1-2-3-4-5-6 |
| Ignition Coil Primary Resistance | .4-.6 ohms |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.048-0.053 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 75 - CONVERTIBLE OR SEDAN |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 510 - CONVERTIBLE OR SEDAN cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 86 - COUPE |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 525 - COUPE cca |
| Pressure Test | psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 58 + or - 5 psi |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 10-16 na ohms |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms |
| Engine Compression | 100 |
| 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 | Bolts 1-8 | 35 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Bolts 1-8 | 55 ft. lbs |
| 3 | Bolts 1-8 | 55 ft. lbs |
| 4 | Bolts 1-8 | 90 degrees |
| 5 | 21 | |
| 1 | Bolts 1-8 | 35 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Bolts 1-8 | 55 ft. lbs |
| 3 | Bolts 1-8 | 55 ft. lbs |
| 4 | Bolts 1-8 | 90 degrees |
| 5 | 21 | |
| 1 | Inner main bearing cap bolts | 15 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs at 102,000 mi.
| Every 6,000 mi | Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) |
| Every 18,000 mi | Brake System (inspect) |
| Every 30,000 mi | Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) |
| At 102,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| At 105,000 mi | Accessory Drive Belt (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 posts 74 federal complaints—the lowest of any model year in the active portion of this record (and well below the 234 logged for 2002 and the 291 that follows in 2004), suggesting a relatively quiet complaint profile for this specific year. That said, the broader generation shows a classic launch-and-settle arc: the redesigned 2001–2002 models carry elevated complaint totals of 277 and 234, 2003 dips to a low, and 2004 surges again to 291, indicating that 2003 is the calm point between two higher-complaint neighbors rather than evidence of a fundamentally improved vehicle. Recalls (6) and TSBs (77) for 2003 sit in the middle of the generational pack, with the top complaint clusters concentrated in air bags (12), engine and engine cooling (10), and suspension (8)—areas consistent with the wear patterns seen across the surrounding years, though the data does not specify a unifying root cause. With 5 crash-related complaints and zero fire complaints, the safety-incident footprint for 2003 is mild. On balance, 2003 is one of the more defensible model years to consider in this generation, but the sharp 2004 spike on the very next model year is a clear signal to have any candidate inspected for the same air bag, cooling, and suspension items that dominate the 2003 file.
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 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.