Chrysler›Sebring›2003›2.4L L4/chrysler/sebring/2003/2-4l-l4/
JR platform

2003 Chrysler Sebring — 2.4L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Sebring 2.4L L4. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.4L L4.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.4L L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Chrysler Sebring is a JR‑platform passenger car powered by a 2.4‑liter inline‑four that pairs with a four‑speed automatic transmission and calls for 5.0 qt of 10W‑30/5W‑30 API oil, delivering EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and a combined 21 mpg. Its modest fuel economy and straightforward mechanical layout reflect the model’s design focus on everyday practicality rather than performance excess. In the broader reliability record spanning 1995‑2013, the 2003 year logged 74 owner complaints—well below the 1996 peak of 483 but above the 2011 low of three—signaling a generally average reliability standing within the generation.

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 04105409AE. Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 sizeP205-65TR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04105409AE alt 05175567AB
Engine air filter05011836AA discontinued · alt MB906051
Spark plug68304168AA alt 68307021AA
BatteryBB75F101AA
Front wiper blades05018262AA alt 05018263AA
Serpentine belt04892580AA alt 04892444AA
ThermostatP5278144AA 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 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 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 4 stages
125 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
250 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
350 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
490 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 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 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 6,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 2003 Chrysler Sebring sits at a notable low point in the generation's complaint trend, with just 74 complaints—a sharp drop from 234 in 2002 and 277 in 2001, and far below the subsequent spike to 291 in 2004. Recalls held steady at 6, matching the relatively moderate levels of 2000 and 2002, while investigations remained at 1, consistent with the preceding three years. This trough in reported issues suggests the 2003 model year avoided the early second-generation teething problems seen in 2001 and the later resurgence of complaints in 2004. Although air bag and engine cooling concerns top the list, the overall low volume and absence of fire complaints make the 2003 Sebring a comparatively solid choice within this generation.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
77
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
74
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 74 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags12
Engine & Engine Cooling10
Suspension8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Structure3
Wheels3
Electrical System3
Visibility3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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…

09E056000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball JointReported 09/10/2009

QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE… Remedy: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 77 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.

Group 75 batteryVehicles taking 5.0 qtJR-platform vehiclesEngine oil filter 04105409AEEngine air filter 05011836AASpark plug 68304168AABattery BB75F101AA

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 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 2003 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.