Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Sebring 2.0L.
The 1998 Chrysler Sebring 2.0L is a mid-size coupe built on Chrysler's FJ platform, powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission and returning EPA figures of 19 city, 27 highway, and 22 combined mpg — with maintenance centered on 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 or 10W-30 API-spec oil at each filter change. It lands in the earlier, rougher stretch of the Sebring's 1995–2013 complaint history, where owner grievances peaked at 483 in 1996 before tapering toward a low of just 3 by 2011; at 277 total complaints and 10 recalls, the 1998 model still carries a meaningful share of that early-generation baggage, with structure issues leading the charge. For a researcher, that places this year firmly in the "declining but not yet resolved" phase of the model's reliability arc — better than the worst years, yet far from the calm that arrived much later in the run.
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 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 Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.
| Engine oil filter | 04105409AE alt 05281090AB |
| Engine air filter | 04882141AB discontinued · alt MB906051 |
| Fuel filter | 04897244AA discontinued · alt MR188221 |
| Spark plug | 68304272AA alt 68303953AA |
| Battery | BB75F101AA alt BB86F101AA |
| Front wiper blades | 04723444 alt 04746318 |
| Serpentine belt | 04668223 alt 04663182AC |
| Thermostat | MD194988 discontinued · alt P5278144AA |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 192.9 in |
| Overall width | 69.3 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in |
| Curb weight | 3351 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.8 / 60.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 62/38 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 19 / 27 / 22 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
No 1998 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 / 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. 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 · 10W-30 |
| 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 | 75 - CONV. |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 510 - CONV. cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 86 - EX. CONV. |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 525 - EX. CONV. cca |
| Pressure Test | 23 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 16 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 195 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 46.0-50.0 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum) | 47.0-50.0 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.
The 1998 Chrysler Sebring sits in the downward arc of the generation's initial reliability trend, following the peak of federal scrutiny in 1996 (483 complaints, 15 recalls) and a slight decline in 1997. For the 1998 target year, federal records document 277 complaints, 10 recalls, 4 investigations, and 112 TSBs, marking a continued reduction from the prior two years but still reflecting elevated manufacturer attention compared to the much-improved 1999 and 2000 models. The most prevalent complaint categories for 1998 are Structure (50), Suspension (22), Service Brakes Hydraulic (21), and Power Train (16), though the data does not specify the root causes for these failures; the year also logged 33 crash and 5 fire complaints. Because the 1998 model retains a relatively high number of recalls and technical service bulletins inherited from the generation's problematic early era, it represents a transitional rather than fully refined option. Given the significantly lower complaint and recall figures in the subsequent 1999 and 2000 model years, skipping the 1998 Sebring in favor of those later years is the wiser purchasing decision.
All 277 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 10 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 112 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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… |
| 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… |
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 BELOW 32 F: 5W-30 API, BELOW 100 F: 5W-30 API, ABOVE 0 F: 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined mpg.