Two problems related to funny engine noise have been reported for the 2001 Chrysler Sebring. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I went to the local 7-11 less then 1 min. By car to get something. Car was quiet & smooth running like it should be - since I maintained my car & took extra special care of it since it is my car & has my handicap plates on it. I pulled out of the parking lot of the 7-11 - came to a red light, was 1st car at red light- light changed to green, went to apply gas, car stalled - was able to get the car restarted- when it did restart, the car was now making a funny noise coming from the front end. Went to apply gas, could feel that the car wanted to stall again - was able to slowly apply gas, and then be able to coast down the little hill to my side street & able to get the car safely into my driveway. I was very lucky I wasn't rear ended at the light- the road on which it stalled they have a 40 mph speed limit- I was also very lucky my child wasn't in the car with me. The failure of this only happened once- because the car was towed from my home to the dealership - where it still sits almost 1 year later - this engine failure is a Chrysler issue - they are the ones that are responsible to pay for the car repairs & replace the engine - considering the fact they have known of this problem with their engines for many many years & still continue from what I have read by doing google searches on this 2. 7l v6 engine. You are the national highway traffic & safety commission and have the pwer to recall these engines before someone dies from driving these cars with these engines or before a child is seriously injured or worse-.
Complete engine failure at 78, 895 miles due to oil sludge build up (December 2004). Had a remanufactured engine put in 2/21/2006 when I could finally afford it and Chrysler would do nothing about it. I used only synthetic oil in the replacement engine and had it changed every 3000 miles and yesterday (9-1-2008), it started making a funny noise. I had it towed to a repair shop today to be safe, and the verdict is I need a new engine - again due to oil sludge.