ChryslerSebring JX, JXI19972.5L/chrysler/sebring-jx-jxi/1997/2-5l/
JX platform

1997 Chrysler Sebring JX, JXI — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Sebring JX, JXI 2.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Chrysler Sebring JX and JXI arrive as passenger cars riding the JX platform, powered by a 2.5-liter engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and EPA-rated at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. Routine service calls for 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with filter changes, establishing the maintenance baseline for this configuration. With 326 owner complaints logged and 14 recalls issued, this model year occupies a precarious position in the Sebring's reliability history, registering suspension failures as the dominant source of owner grievances.

Model year1999199819971996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/25/20 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 - CONV. · 510 - CONV. CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 - CONV. · 510 - CONV. CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-70HR14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ, Optional: 5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB alt 04105409AE
Engine air filter04882141AB discontinued · alt MB906051
Fuel filter04897244AA discontinued · alt MR188221
Spark plug68303953AA alt 68304272AA
BatteryBB75F101AA alt BB86F101AA
Front wiper blades04746318 discontinued · alt 04723444
Serpentine belt04668223 alt 04573737AC
ThermostatMD194988 discontinued · alt P5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.9 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height53.1 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight2959 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 58.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)64/36

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)65.0 ft-lbs
Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts68.0 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings38 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts100 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts134 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts134 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsImports:;
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)5.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts18.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub146-188 coupe ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)300 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.6-0.8 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance12,000-18,000 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.6-0.8 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance12,000-18,000 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number75 - CONV.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance510 - CONV. cca
Optional BCI Group Number86 - EX. CONV.
Optional BCI Cranking Performance525 - EX. CONV. cca

Service checks

Pressure Testpsi
Radiator Cap Pressure Reliefpsi
Thermostat Opening Temperature°F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)47.0-51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)38.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-15 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 na ohms

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs / 65-80 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.39 in / 0.79 in / 0.94 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.39 in / 0.79 in / 0.94 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.33 in / 0.72 in / 0.88 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
180 ft. lbs.80 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts
380 ft. lbs.80 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
At 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
At 105,000 miTiming 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.

Owner complaints about the 1997 Chrysler Sebring JX, JXI top in one area — the suspension, 33 of 326 reports (10%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 11 recall campaigns target the suspension, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 47 of the reports describe a crash and 6 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the suspension pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
139
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
6
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
326
Owner complaints
47 involved a crash · 6 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 326 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension33
Seat Belts31
Electrical System29
Power Train26
Service Brakes, Hydraulic24
Air Bags22
Engine & Engine Cooling22
Vehicle Speed Control20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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…

06E064000Exterior LightingReported 17/07/2006

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL… Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 139 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
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…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…
31003192019-11-20StructureUse of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31-006-192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

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 JX, JXI. 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 1997 Sebring JX, JXI 2.5L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 Sebring JX, JXI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.