ChryslerSebring2000Overview/chrysler/sebring/2000/base/
FJ platform

2000 Chrysler Sebring

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2000 Sebring.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2000 Chrysler Sebring is built on Chrysler’s FJ platform and paired with an automatic 4-speed transmission, with an engine oil capacity of 4.5 quarts including the filter. Service fill is specified as 5W-30 or 10W-30 API oil, and the EPA rates fuel economy at 17/25/20 mpg. Within the 1995–2013 complaint history, the 2000 model accumulated 102 owner complaints—well below the 1996 peak of 483 but far above the 2011 low of 3—with suspension standing out as the top complaint area and six recalls on record. That places it in the middle of the Sebring’s reliability arc: not the worst year, yet carrying enough documented issues, particularly in suspension, to warrant closer inspection than the later, cleaner model years.

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 torque65-80 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 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 sizeP205-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-J; Optional: 6.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filterMB906051 discontinued · alt 04882141AB
Fuel filter04764210 discontinued · alt MR188221
Spark plug68303953AA
BatteryBB75F101AA alt BB86F101AA
Front wiper bladesMR311074 discontinued · alt MR311076
Serpentine belt05096326AA discontinued · alt 04573737AC
ThermostatMD194988 discontinued

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 weight3331 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 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

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sebring of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.2–10.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 1995 LX Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998JXi Convertible 2.5L V610.20 sec17.60 sec163 hpFWD
1996JXi Convertible 2.5L V610.00 sec17.40 sec163 hpFWD
1995LX Coupe 2.0L I-48.20 sec16.40 sec140 hpFWD
1995LX Coupe 2.0L I-48.60 sec16.60 sec140 hpFWD

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 Bolts134 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts134 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsImports:;
Engine Flywheel Bolts69 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts18.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub146-188 coupe ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub185 convertible ft-lbs

Ignition

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
Spark Plug Gap0.038-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

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
Engine Compression139-185. Maximum variation 14 psi.
Engine Compression100 Minimum 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; spark plugs every 100,000 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 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 miBands (adjust) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing 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.

The 2000 Chrysler Sebring shows a marked drop in federal complaints to 102, the lowest figure in the 1995‑2013 span and well below the 1996 peak of 483 and the 1999 total of 186. Recalls also decline to 6 in 2000, down from the 15 issued in 1996 and the 14 in 1997, while investigations fall to a single event, the lowest since 1995. Technical service bulletins follow a similar downward trend, decreasing from 139 in 1997 to 41 in 2000. After 2000, complaints rise again to 277 in 2001 and remain volatile through the 2000s, indicating that 2000 sits at a trough in the generation’s complaint/recall arc. The data do not specify any underlying cause for these fluctuations. Taken together, the comparatively low complaint and recall numbers for the 2000 model year suggest it is a relatively favorable choice among used Sebrings from this generation.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
41
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
102
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 3 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 102 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension10
Wheels8
Structure8
Seat Belts7
Electrical System7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
Air Bags6
Tires4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 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 41 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. 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 2000 Sebring 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 2000 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 Sebring get?

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