ChryslerSebring JX, JXI19982.5L/chrysler/sebring-jx-jxi/1998/2-5l/
JX platform

1998 Chrysler Sebring JX, JXI — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Sebring JX, JXI 2.5L.

Engine 2.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Chrysler Sebring JX and JXI convertibles share the JX platform, pairing a 2.5-liter engine with a four-speed automatic in a configuration rated by the EPA at 17 city, 25 highway, and 20 combined mpg. Service specifications call for 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 or 10W-30 API oil with a filter change, reflecting the straightforward fluid requirements of this model. Within the Sebring's reliability arc, this model year registers 277 owner complaints led by structural issues and carries 10 recalls — a cluster that places it among the more recall-burdened entries in the nameplate's history. For researchers weighing the car against its peers, that pattern signals a year that warrants close scrutiny despite the drivetrain's otherwise accessible maintenance profile.

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 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/20 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 04105409AE. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 filter04105409AE alt 05281090AB
Engine air filter04882141AB discontinued · alt MB906051
Fuel filter04897244AA discontinued · alt MR188221
Spark plug68304272AA alt 68303953AA
BatteryBB75F101AA alt BB86F101AA
Front wiper blades04723444 alt 04746318
Serpentine belt04668223 alt 04663182AC
ThermostatMD194988 discontinued · alt P5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.9 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3351 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 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 / 10W-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 · 10W-30
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
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-15 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 na ohms
Engine Compression139-185. Maximum variation 14 psi.

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)
At 30,000 miBands (adjust)
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)
Every 100,000 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 1998 Chrysler Sebring JX, JXI lead in one area — the structure, 50 of 277 reports (18%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 10 recall campaigns target the structure, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 33 of the reports describe a crash and 5 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the structure 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.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
112
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
277
Owner complaints
33 involved a crash · 5 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 277 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure50
Suspension22
Service Brakes, Hydraulic21
Power Train16
Vehicle Speed Control15
Wheels15
Air Bags13
Tires12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 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 112 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…
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…

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 1998 Sebring JX, JXI 2.5L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of BELOW 32 F: 5W-30 API, BELOW 100 F: 5W-30 API, ABOVE 0 F: 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Sebring JX, JXI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.