Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Sebring 2.0L.
The 1997 Chrysler Sebring is a passenger car built on Chrysler's FJ platform, powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and returning EPA fuel economy of 18 city and 27 highway mpg for a 21 mpg combined figure, with routine maintenance calling for 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil at filter changes. With 326 owner complaints logged and 14 recalls — the top complaint area being suspension — this model year sits just past the 1996 peak of 483 complaints in the Sebring's 1995–2013 complaint history, meaning it represents a modest improvement over the worst year but still falls squarely in the early, more problematic phase of the model's lifecycle before complaints tapered to a low of just 3 in 2011.
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 86 · 525 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 Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.
| Engine oil filter | 05281090AB alt 04105409AE |
| Engine air filter | 04882141AB discontinued · alt MB906051 |
| Fuel filter | 04897244AA discontinued · alt MR188221 |
| Spark plug | 68303953AA alt 68304272AA |
| Battery | BB75F101AA alt BB86F101AA |
| Front wiper blades | 04746318 discontinued · alt 04723444 |
| Serpentine belt | 04668223 alt 04573737AC |
| Thermostat | MD194988 discontinued · alt P5278144AA |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 190.9 in |
| Overall width | 69.7 in |
| Overall height | 53.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.9 in |
| Curb weight | 2959 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.1 / 58.7 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 64/36 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 27 / 21 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
No 1997 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | LX Coupe 2.0L I-4 | 8.20 sec | 16.40 sec | 140 hp | FWD |
| 1995 | LX Coupe 2.0L I-4 | 8.60 sec | 16.60 sec | 140 hp | FWD |
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. 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 | 4.5 qt w/ filter |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | M6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 20 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) | Turbo: 65.0, Non-Turbo: 75.0 ft-lbs |
| Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts | 68.0 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 100 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 105 ft-lbs |
| Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s) | 5.0 ft-lbs |
| Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s) | 22.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 55 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 85-115 ft-lbs |
| Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts | 18.0-25.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 146-188 coupe ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-2-4 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-2-3-4-5-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 950 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 350 rpm |
| Ignition Coil Primary Resistance | .51-.61 ohms |
| Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance | 11,500-13,500 ohms |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | Champion |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.033-0.038 in |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 86 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 525 cca |
| Pressure Test | 23 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 16 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 195 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 48.0-54.0 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum) | 48-54 psi |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 11-15 na ohms |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 13-16 na ohms |
| Torque to Knuckle | 36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs / 65-80 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 36-43 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.003 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.39 in / 0.79 in / 0.94 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.39 in / 0.79 in / 0.94 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.33 in / 0.72 in / 0.88 in |
| 1 | 20 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 20 ft. lbs |
Prep Imports:
| 1 | Long bolts | 24 ft. lbs |
| 2 | Long bolts | 48 ft. lbs |
| 3 | Long bolts | 48 ft. lbs |
| 4 | Long bolts | 90 degrees |
| 5 | Short bolts | 20 ft. lbs |
| 6 | Short bolts | 20 ft. lbs |
| 7 | Short bolts | 20 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 30,000 mi.
| Every 7,500 mi | Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) |
| Every 30,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect) |
| Every 60,000 mi | Drive Belt (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (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.
Across its initial generation arc from 1995 to 2000, federal records show the Chrysler Sebring experienced a sharp spike in issues peaking in 1996 with 483 complaints and 15 recalls, followed by a steady decline. The 1997 model year falls in the early phase of this decline, dropping to 326 complaints and 14 recalls from the 1996 peak, yet it remains the second-most problematic year of the early generation. For the 1997 model specifically, the primary trouble areas are suspension (33 complaints), seat belts (31), electrical systems (29), and power train (26), alongside 47 crash and 6 fire complaints reported to federal regulators. While the data does not specify the root causes for these failures, the persistently high recall volume and 139 technical service bulletins indicate widespread, unresolved manufacturing defects. Given that 1997 represents a high-risk plateau just after the generation's worst year and carries significant safety-related complaint volumes, this is a poor year to purchase.
All 326 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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…
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.
Showing 5 of 139 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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… |
| 3100619 | 2019-11-20 | Structure | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC… |
| 3100319 | 2019-11-20 | Structure | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with… |
| 31-006-19 | 2019-11-20 | Structure | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC… |
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.
4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined mpg.