ChryslerSebring20022.0L L4/chrysler/sebring/2002/2-0l-l4/
JR platform

2002 Chrysler Sebring — 2.0L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Sebring 2.0L L4.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0L L4

The 2002 Chrysler Sebring is a passenger car built on Chrysler's JR platform and motivated by a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that requires 5.0 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API-spec oil. Across the Sebring's 1995–2013 complaint history, this model year's 234 owner complaints—dominated by engine and engine cooling issues, alongside six recalls—place it well below the 1996 peak of 483 but far above the 2011 low of just three. That mid-range positioning means the 2002 is neither the most nor least problematic Sebring, yet its engine-focused complaint pattern is consistent enough that researchers and owners should pay particular attention to cooling and engine integrity.

Model year2010200620052004200320022001

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

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses 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 Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

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.

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

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 firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

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

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsM6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 21 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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum 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
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.

Every 7,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)

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 federal record for this generation reveals a highly volatile trend, characterized by erratic spikes in complaints and recalls rather than steady, long-term improvement. The 2002 model year sits on the declining edge of a problematic peak, recording 234 complaints and 6 recalls directly after the troubled 2001 model year (277 complaints, 12 recalls) and just before a significant drop in 2003 (74 complaints). While better than 2001, the 2002 Sebring still carries elevated risk, with 18 crash complaints, 5 fire complaints, and major trouble areas concentrated in Engine & Engine Cooling (46 complaints) and Suspension (31 complaints); however, the data does not specify the exact root causes for these failures. Because 2002 remains a high-complaint outlier compared to the much calmer 2003 model year, it is not an ideal year to purchase if you are seeking a reliable used vehicle.

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 2.0L 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.