Chrysler›Sebring›2004›2.4L L4/chrysler/sebring/2004/2-4l-l4/

JR platform

2004 Chrysler Sebring — 2.4L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Sebring 2.4L L4. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.4L L4.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.4L L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Chrysler Sebring is a passenger car built on the JR platform and powered by a 2.4L L4 engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA-rated fuel economy of 19 city, 26 highway, and 21 combined mpg while requiring 4.5 quarts of oil with 10W-30 or 5W-30 viscosity for service intervals. This model year accumulated 291 total owner complaints across the Sebring's extended 1995–2013 production run, with the engine and engine cooling system emerging as the primary concern areas, alongside 8 recalls affecting this vehicle. Compared to the model's complaint history—where 1996 recorded the highest tally at 483 complaints while 2011 hit the lowest at just 3—the 2004 occupies a middle position, reflecting neither the peak reliability struggles of earlier Sebring generations nor the markedly improved performance of later model years.

Model year2010 2009 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy19/26/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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 Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Battery groupBCI 75 - CONVERTIBLE OR SEDAN · 510 - CONVERTIBLE OR SEDAN CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP205-65TR15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04105409AE alt 05281090AB
Engine air filter	05011836AA discontinued · alt MB906051
Fuel filter	MR993092 discontinued
Spark plug	68304168AA alt 68307021AA
Battery	BB75F101AA
Front wiper blades	05101870AB discontinued · alt 05101871AB
Serpentine belt	04892580AA alt 04892444AA
Thermostat	P5278144AA alt 04792237AE

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	193.3 in
Overall width	69.3 in
Overall height	55.1 in
Wheelbase	106.3 in
Curb weight	3355 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.2 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	19 / 26 / 21 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 / 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 1-3-2-4. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	75W-90 · GL-4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	M6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 21 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	100 Turbo ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	M8 nuts: 22 ft-lbs, M10 nuts: 36 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	20.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	16.7 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0-21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	110-110 sedan ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	185 sedan ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	8500-11,500 ohms
Spark Plug Gap	0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

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

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	47.0-50.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	139-185. Maximum variation 14 psi.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	16 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	80 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	0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.9 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.911 in / 0.36 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	25 ft. lbs.	25 ft. lbs
2	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
3	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	25 ft. lbs.	25 ft. lbs
2	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
3	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Import:

1	58 ft. lbs.	58 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts.
3	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees
5	90 degrees.	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 6,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect)
Every 18,000 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Fuel Line (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
At 102,000 mi	Drive 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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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 2004 Sebring marks a sharp complaint spike within the second-generation arc: at 291 complaints it nearly quadruples the 2003 total of 74 and far exceeds the 2005 drop to 82, while recalls rise modestly to eight and investigations fall to zero. Engine & Engine Cooling leads the 2004 complaint categories with 51 reports, followed by Suspension (29), Air Bags (22), and Seats (19), and the year also records 27 crash-related and 21 fire-related complaints — both elevated relative to adjacent years. Across the 1995–2013 federal record, the generation shows high early volatility (peaking at 483 complaints in 1996), a mid-run improvement through 2003, this isolated 2004 surge, then a return to lower levels until a later 2007–2008 uptick. The 2004 spike appears concentrated in engine cooling, suspension, and restraint systems, though the data does not specify root causes. TSB volume holds steady at 78, suggesting dealer-level attention but not a broad technical campaign. Given the pronounced one-year complaint surge and notable crash and fire reports, the 2004 model carries higher documented risk than its immediate neighbors and warrants thorough pre-purchase inspection of cooling, suspension, and air-bag systems before purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

291

Owner complaints

27 involved a crash · 21 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03’04’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 291 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling51

Suspension29

Air Bags22

Seats19

Electrical System15

Vehicle Speed Control14

Engine12

Power Train12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 78 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
S2208000136	2022-07-09	Electrical System	Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
S2208000136	2022-07-09	Electrical System	Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
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

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.

Group 75 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt w/ filter JR-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04105409AE Engine air filter 05011836AA Fuel filter MR993092 Spark plug 68304168AA

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Sebring 2.4L L4 take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of ABOVE -10F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 100F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Sebring have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L L4 get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.