Chrysler›Sebring›2003›3.0L/chrysler/sebring/2003/3-0l/

ST platform

2003 Chrysler Sebring — 3.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Sebring 3.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.0LTransmission Automatic (S4)

The 2003 Chrysler Sebring is a passenger car riding on the ST platform and motivated by a 3.0L engine paired with an S4 automatic transmission, delivering an EPA fuel economy rating of 18/25/20 mpg. Routine servicing for the powertrain requires 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with a filter, but the vehicle's broader reliability profile is clouded by 74 owner complaints and six recalls, with airbags representing the top complaint area. When positioned within the Sebring's 1995–2013 complaint history, this model year sits well below the problematic 1996 peak of 483 complaints yet significantly above the 2011 low of just 3, meaning the 2003 iteration remains a moderately troubled chapter rather than a benchmark for long-term dependability.

Model year2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

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 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy18/25/20 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 - 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 Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 filter	04105409AE alt 05175567AB
Engine air filter	05011836AA discontinued · alt MB906051
Spark plug	68303953AA alt 68307021AA
Battery	BB75F101AA
Front wiper blades	05018262AA alt 05018263AA
Serpentine belt	04892580AA alt 04892444AA
Thermostat	P5278144AA alt MD194988

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S4)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	193.3 in
Overall width	69.3 in
Overall height	55.1 in
Wheelbase	106.3 in
Curb weight	3452 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.2 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 25 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

No 2003 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 2001 LXi Coupe

200 hpHorsepower (as tested)

205 lb-ftTorque (as tested)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2001	LXi Coupe 3.0L V6	8.50 sec	16.40 sec	200 hp	FWD

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 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-32.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	134 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0-32.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	M6 Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	65-80 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	110-110 sedan ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	185 sedan ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	9400-12,800 ohms
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	75 - CONVERTIBLE OR SEDAN
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	510 - CONVERTIBLE OR SEDAN cca
Optional BCI Group Number	86 - COUPE
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	525 - COUPE cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	190 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	47.0-50.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	38.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	83-119. Maximum variation 14 psi.
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	60 ft-lbs / 16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.9 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.911 in / 0.36 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.843 in / 0.285 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

20 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

20 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Imports:

1	80 ft. lbs.	80 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts.
3	80 ft. lbs.	80 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Inner main bearing cap bolts

15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the 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 30,000 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 mi	Engine 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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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 stands out as a low point in complaints within the generation, with only 74 complaints—far fewer than the 234 in 2002 and the 291 in 2004. This sharp drop suggests a temporary improvement in reported issues, though the data does not specify a root cause. Recalls remained steady at six, matching 2002 and 2005, while the single investigation is consistent with the prior three years. The top complaint areas—air bags (12), engine/cooling (10), and suspension (8)—are typical for the model but notably lower in volume than in adjacent years. Crash complaints are minimal (5) and no fires were reported. Given the complaint trough and moderate recall count, the 2003 is a relatively better year to buy than the 2001–2002 or 2004 models, but prospective owners should still budget for potential air bag and engine-related repairs.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

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.

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…
23-015-20	2020-04-30	Equipment	Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
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…

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 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt w/ filter ST-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04105409AE Engine air filter 05011836AA Spark plug 68303953AA Battery BB75F101AA

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Sebring 3.0L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of 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 3.0L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.