Nine problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 2002 Chrysler Sebring. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While shifting from reverse to drive, car feels like it is in neutral. I must shift back and forth to get vehicle moving again. This usually is not a problem because it usually happens in a parking stall, where not a lot of moving cars are around to hit me. Almost always after the neutral/drive problem, the transmission will shift down hard when going from second down to first gear, causing a jerking motion. This has caused me to take it into the shop twice now, and it was different problems each time. The first was a sensor, the second, a "TSB" needed updating. Each time I take it in, I am guaranteed about a $200 charge.
Recently while driving my 2002 Chrysler Sebring lx I was slowing down off an exit ramp and the car suddenly grabbed at around 32 mph. I found out by monitoring my speeds that you have to go over 36 mph and slow down to 32 mph for it to grab and it does it every time. The check engine light has never came on and has been checked for working operation. I recently had the car taken to a dealer to be put on a diagnostics machine where there they said they can't even say what is wrong, they said something is wrong but for the machine to not even pick it up something isn't right. All fluids have been checked by myself and the mechanic and they have maintained proper level. We have reason to believe maybe a sensor or just to reset the whole car all I know is this is costing me lot of money. I wanted to report this case. This may be a start to a recall on the car. If the dealer and the computer can't find it maybe you can help?.
While driving my transmission suddenly stopped working. When I slowed down, first gear catch and I could drive until the speed got over 15 mph and then stopped again. I managed to get the vehicle to the dealer, who took 13 days to work on it. The internal transmission (motor) failed and had to be replace. The car only had 39,127 miles on it. The customer service was very poor. Even with a 7 year/100k powertrain warranty, they would not reimbuse for the rental car.
Vehicle sometimes won't accelerate when needed. Sometimes it shakes/shimmies while driving. Supposedly been repaired but still does it. Last time I took it to dealer, they could find nothing wrong. Am afraid sometimes to drive my car. This has happened several times.
While the vehicle was in the park position on a slight grade , the vehicle rolled backwards, resulting in a collision. There were no fatalities, but there was extensive damage in the amount of $3,000.
When shifting from park into reverse vehicle wont move, but from park to neutral vehicle would go forward. Dealer inspected vehicle several times and replaced some sensors. But problem recurred.
When slowing down, transmission jumps very hard when going into 1st gear. When driving 45 to 55 mph, when hitting a bump in the road, there is a thump in the passenger side front. Not consistlently, but enough to cause concern.
Since I bought my car 4/13/03 I have had brake system problems on 6/2002,9/23,11/27-3/2003,5/03,9/03,9/18,10/01/03,10/07/03 each time adjustments, repairs, replacement have been done. Now since 9/23/03 along with the brake problem that still existing I am experiencing very a heavy,vibration this is felt when the car is at a standstill car can either be in neutral or park and it feels as though there is a vibrating mechanism attached to your car. The service department says they couldn't detect anything on their scanning device.
Was driving vehicle between 50-60mph and transmission downshifted on its own. Took vehicle to dealer and was informed "Smart car" has to learn driving habits of owner.