ChryslerSebring20022.4L L4/chrysler/sebring/2002/2-4l-l4/
JR platform

2002 Chrysler Sebring — 2.4L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Sebring 2.4L L4. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.4L L4.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.4L L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Chrysler Sebring is a passenger car built on the JR platform, pairing a 2.4-liter inline-four with a four-speed automatic transmission and carrying an EPA rating of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Equipped with a 5.0-quart oil system and subject to six factory recalls, this model year accumulated 234 owner complaints—predominantly regarding engine and engine cooling issues—which positions it roughly midway through the model’s 1995–2013 reliability arc, falling well short of the 1996 high of 483 grievances while remaining far above the 2011 low of three.

Model year20102009200620052004200320022001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 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 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 sizeP205-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB alt 05175567AB
Engine air filter05011836AA discontinued · alt MB906051
Fuel filterMR431089 discontinued · alt 04897866AA
Spark plug68304168AA alt 68307021AA
BatteryBB75F101AA
Front wiper blades05018262AA alt 05018263AA
Serpentine belt04892711AA discontinued · alt MN187016
Thermostat04792237AE alt MD194988

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length193.3 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3452 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 26 / 21 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 5.0 qt 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

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 21 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts100 Turbo ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsM8 nuts: 22 ft-lbs, M10 nuts: 36 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts20.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub110-110 sedan ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub185 sedan ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.51-.61 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance8500-11,500 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number75 - CONVERTIBLE OR SEDAN
Standard BCI Cranking Performance510 - CONVERTIBLE OR SEDAN cca
Optional BCI Group Number86 - COUPE
Optional BCI Cranking Performance525 - COUPE cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °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 Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression139-185. Maximum variation 14 psi.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket60 ft-lbs / 16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.9 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.911 in / 0.36 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.843 in / 0.285 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
125 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
250 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
350 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
490 degrees.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Import:

158 ft. lbs.58 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts.
315 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
490 degrees.90 degrees
590 degrees.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inner main bearing cap bolts15 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; spark plugs every 60,000 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 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering Line (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 100,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (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.

The 2002 Chrysler Sebring sits in the second year of what appears to be a redesigned generation, as 2001 marked a sharp spike from 102 to 277 complaints and from 6 to 12 recalls — a classic first-year-build pattern. By 2002, complaints eased modestly to 234 and recalls dropped back to 6, suggesting Chrysler was working through early-production issues, though the count remained well above the prior generation's late-cycle low of 102 complaints in 2000. The dramatic decline to just 74 complaints in 2003 indicates the generation was stabilizing, placing 2002 in a transitional position — improved over 2001 but not yet reflecting the maturity of 2003. The target year's top complaint areas — Engine & Engine Cooling (46), Suspension (31), Power Train (18), and Air Bags (12) — along with 18 crash complaints and 5 fire complaints, signal meaningful mechanical and safety exposure, though the data does not specify root causes. If you have the option, a 2003 model year Sebring is the stronger buy from this generation's arc; the 2002 is acceptable only at a compelling price and with thorough pre-purchase inspection of the engine, cooling system, and suspension.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
89
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
234
Owner complaints
18 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 234 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling46
Suspension31
Power Train18
Air Bags12
Steering12
Wheels11
Structure9
Engine8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V401000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 03/06/2016

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus vehicles, equipped with beige interiors. The affected vehicles were previously repaired for a… Remedy: Chrysler will notify the affected owners. Dealers will install the correct tether strap to retain the passenger sun visor, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2016, owners…

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 89 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…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
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…

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Sebring 2.4L L4 take?

5.0 qt of Above -10F: 10W-30 API, Below 100F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Sebring have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 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.