I have a 2006 sebring with a 2.4l engine that has had the seals replaced twice and it still kept pouring oil. My original mechanic said there was nothing more he could do and the engine should be replaced. I was referred to anther mechanic by a friend who did a lot more work in trying to fnd out why they could not fix the oil leak. He found out that the 2005 and 2006 engines were missing a…
2006 Chrysler Sebring engine problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Avoid early 2006 Chrysler Sebrings with 2.4L engines due to widespread crankshaft design defects causing catastrophic oil leaks, engine seizure, and costly repairs not covered under warranty. Multiple owners report severe issues within the first few years of ownership, with dealerships either refusing warranty coverage or unable to diagnose recurring problems.
The 2006 Chrysler Sebring's 2.4L engine shows a pattern of serious failures starting early in ownership. The most critical issue is crankshaft front seal failure caused by excessive crankshaft end play. Mechanics found that 2005–2006 engines lack a thrust bearing, allowing the crankshaft to shift and damage the seal, causing severe oil leaks. One owner's engine seized after oil loss; the dealership refused warranty coverage despite the car being barely a year old. A Technical Service Bulletin later confirmed Chrysler's design flaw and specified adding a second thrust bearing to the short block, but no recall was issued.
Motor mount and bushing failures also occur suddenly without warning, leaving owners stranded and facing $600/month rental costs while parts remain on nationwide waiting lists.
Rough idle, persistent check engine lights, and engine shutdown while driving plague multiple owners despite component replacement. One water pump failure left no temperature gauge warning before the engine overheated and shut off mid-trip. Cooling system leaks requiring $400+ repairs show up within the first 2–3 years.
Dealerships consistently fail to diagnose or resolve these issues, and owners report warranty denial even for manufacturing defects.
Same Chrysler Sebring engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Crankshaft Oil Seal Failure / Excessive Crankshaft End Play
Multiple owners report severe oil leaks traced to the crankshaft front seal being pushed out by excessive crankshaft end play (excessive clearance allowing the crankshaft to move axially). One mechanic identified that 2005–2006 2.4L engines were missing a thrust bearing, forcing the crankshaft against the timing belt and damaging the front seal. A Technical Service Bulletin later confirmed this design flaw and specified installing a second thrust bearing as the fix.
When: Occurred within first 1–5 years of ownership; one case at 46,150 miles; another at approximately 50,000+ miles after timing belt/water pump service
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy oil leakage from front of engine/underneath vehicle; Knocking noise from engine compartment; Engine stalls due to oil loss and seizure; Oil leak returns immediately after topping off oil
Repairs/costs cited: Crankshaft oil seal replacement (performed twice in some cases, unsuccessful); ultimately required new short block or full engine replacement. One owner paid $5,500 in repair and rental costs; dealership quoted up to $600/month rental with no engine availability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially refused warranty coverage. Chrysler later issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for 2005–2006 2.4L engines specifying installation of second thrust bearing to eliminate crankshaft end play. No recall issued despite design defect.
Engine Seizure
One owner's engine seized completely after oil pan failure and oil loss. No warning lights or gauges alerted the driver before stall.
When: Within first year of ownership (vehicle purchased May 2006 with 5 miles; stalled after less than 1 year)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalled without warning lights or gauge indication; Large hole in oil pan with complete oil loss
Repairs/costs cited: Required full engine replacement; dealership refused warranty coverage and offered expensive replacement engines. Owner had engine replaced at independent shop, which voided most remaining warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership refused to cover repair under warranty despite vehicle being barely one year old.
Motor Mount and Bushing Failure
Owner reported sudden catastrophic failure of motor mount, motor mount bushing, and motor mount bracket, creating unsafe vibration and noise.
When: Occurred during normal highway driving without prior warning
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loud noise while turning onto highway ramp; Severe vibration from engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Full motor mount, bushing, and bracket replacement required; owner states parts were on nationwide waiting list, adding significant downtime and $600/month rental costs during repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite owner's contacts with Chrysler corporate, CEO, Governor, Congressman, and Attorney General. Owner advocates for recall.
Rough Idle and Check Engine Light (Multiple Cases)
Multiple owners report persistent rough idle at startup and illuminated check engine light, with causes varying by case. One owner's issue improved after decarbonization; others remain unresolved despite sensor and plug replacement.
When: Ongoing; one case reports check engine light on continuously for approximately 6 months
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle at startup; Check engine light illumination; Engine shaking while idling; Engine shutting off while driving or stopped at lights; Humming/vibration noise resembling diesel engine
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacing ignition wires, spark plugs, and all sensors without resolving issue. One owner's decarbonization service showed temporary improvement (2 months). Motor fan replaced twice in one case without correcting the noise.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to diagnose or resolve issues in multiple cases; continued replacement of components without identifying root cause.
Coolant Inlet Tube Leak
Owner reports coolant leak from coolant inlet tube requiring replacement at approximately $400+, occurring within 2–3 years of ownership.
When: 2008–2009, at approximately 2–3 years old
Symptoms owners cite: Engine running hot on interstate; Coolant evaporating or leaking; Visible leakage from coolant inlet tube
Repairs/costs cited: Coolant inlet tube replacement; estimated cost over $400.
Water Pump Failure / Cooling System Leak
Owner's engine overheated due to water pump leak with no temperature gauge indication of the problem until the vehicle shut off.
When: Unknown mileage; approximately 30-mile highway trip
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; Water pump leakage; Temperature gauge remained in normal range despite leak; Vehicle shutdown at stop light
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump repair required.
Steering Wheel Vibration at Idle
Owner reports visible vibration in steering wheel while vehicle is in gear at idle, with no check engine light illumination. Dealer could not identify cause.
When: Unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration visible in steering wheel while in gear at idle; No check engine light
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to diagnose.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2006 Chrysler Sebring?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 73,564 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chrysler/Sebring.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.