Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Sebring Sedans
The next generation Stratus (Avenger) and Sebring are discussed in detail on our 2007 Stratus/Avenger/Sebring page.
Second generation Dodge Stratus / Chrysler Sebring sedans
Click here for our hands-on review!
The first generation of the Stratus / Sebring Sedan, the Chrysler Cirrus/Dodge Stratus/Plymouth Breeze, was introduced in 1995. It quickly garnered a number of awards thanks to its comfort, interior space, and driveability. However, competitors quickly adapted, while Chrysler waited for the second generation. By 2000, the Stratus, Cirrus, and Breeze were still competitive, but no longer clearly in the forefront. Given Chrysler's disadvantage in perceived reliability, this became a serious problem.
The most confusing change for 2001 is the name game. The Cirrus is now called the Sebring Sedan, as it takes on the name of the Mitsubishi-made Sebring Coupe. (The Sebring Convertible, by the way, is based on the sedan). The Dodge Stratus keeps the same name, but the Dodge Avenger is now called the Stratus Coupe. In essence, Chrysler kept the names of the better sellers to save marketing money. You know things are bad when, in the middle of a boom time, a company actually gives different products the same name so they can run a single ad.
A more welcome change is headlights with 25 percent brighter light and an improved beam pattern. A new instrument panel on the Sebring has beautiful white on black gauges reminiscient of the 300M. A trip computer features a compass and other useful information.
Common repairs
A/C problems - sometimes, the air conditioner on 2004-05 models may not work after a half hour to an hour city-traffic drive. There is a computer modification to prevent this; but even before applying that, simply shutting off the car and restarting it twice should work. (TSB 24-011-05)
Alfredo M. Claussen (of Mexico) warned about a plastic stabilizer bar which can crack, possibly leading to an accident; this was installed in some 2001-2002 Stratus R/T and Cirrus (Sebring LXi) sedans. He also noted that the 2.4-turbo versions of these cars appear to have the standard, base suspension; and that some Corvettes used similar plastic parts which are also prone to cracking. We do not know if this was a Mexico-only issue or if the part was installed in other countries as well.
Auto tech Joe strongly recommended that owners both change the timing belt as directed by the manual, and be sure to use the correct ATF+3 or newer transmission fluid. He has seen cases where just a little maintenance could have saved thousands of dollars on transmissions and engines.
Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Sebring Power
The Mitsubish-made V6 engine of the last generation has finally been replaced by a Chrysler 2.7 liter V6. This was done as part of a de-Mitsubishi process undertaken when Chrysler was not owned by Daimler-Benz, and when Daimler-Benz did not own control of Mitsubishi. In any case, the Chrysler 2.7 has 32 more horsepower and 23 more lb-ft of torque, and is nearly ten percent more efficient. The 200 hp engine has 193 lb-ft of torque at 4300 rpm. A new active intake manifold tuning valve increases usable torque and mid-range performance, while the AutoStick allows manual control of the automatic transmission. The 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine is now the standard powerplant, with 150 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 167 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm. Engine refinements focus on quieter operation.
A true manual was introduced on the 2002 Stratus R/T, with the 2.7 liter engine. The same powertrain (and instrument panel!) is used on the Sebring GTC.
The V-6 now features a dual-resonance intake manifold, like the one on the Intrepid ES. The engine is transverse mounted. Output is slightly less than in the Intrepid ES, but the Stratus/Sebring is lighter. A four-speed automatic (with AutoStick on ES/LXi) is standard.
Don't confuse these engines with the Coupe counterparts. The 2.4 in the Sedan is made by Chrysler, while the 2.4 in the Coupe is a Mitsubishi. Likewise, the 200 hp V6 in the Sedan is made by Chrysler (2.7), while the Coupe has a torquier 200hp 3.0 V6 (with 205 lb-ft of torque).
Driving experience and noise reduction
A cross-platform team balanced ride, handling, engine performance and quietness. Engineers and designers worked together to change the shape of the A-pillar, windshield molding and mirrors to minimize air turbulence. The hood, cowl screen and windshield wipers were redesigned to minimize wind noise by forcing the wind over the wiper arm and blade. The front door glass was even made thicker.
Other refinements include foam injected into the body, redesigned doors with minimum openings for wiring, and full wheelhouse shields.
Engineers used finite element analysis to optimize the rigidity of the Stratus and Sebring sedans for a greatly improved body structure that yields a 13 percent reduction in twist and a 33 percent reduction in bending.
A retuned steering system with a new front suspension crossmember, rebound springs added to shocks for improved control without sacrificing comfort, and revised sway bar isolators make the cars more fun to drive.
The Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus sedans feature a short long-arm (SLA) front suspension system that provides superior balance between handling stability and ride comfort. The rear multi-link suspension contributes to refined ride and handling by reducing friction and bending.
Larger tires and wheels help maintain the fun-to-drive characteristics of the Sebring sedan. Standard are 15-inch P205/65R15 tires compared to the previous 14-inch tires. New optional 16-inch wheels and P205/60R16 tires are available. Larger four-wheel disc brakes are standard equipment. Available ÒABS PlusÓ is a new, sophisticated software extension that senses braking in turns and controls yaw in full and partial braking situations, as well as with split surfaces.
Other brake improvements include optimizing front/rear brake balance with electronic brake distribution and increased brake durability with larger front rotors, thicker brake linings and corrosion-resistant rotors and brake lines.
Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Sebring Safety
For the first time, an available side air bag curtain, which provides protection to both the front and rear outboard occupants, is offered. Other new safety features include a rear center lap/shoulder belt, multi-stage front air bags to reduce occupant air bag exposure in lower speed crashes, front seat belt pretensioners and load-limiters for improved occupant safety, as well as an improved body structure.
To improve side impact performance, additional front door beams were added, while the B-pillar, sill and roof bow were reinforced.
Additional safety features are lower and upper anchors for improved child safety seat installation (LATCH), larger front head restraints, internal emergency trunk release and structural and trim changes for improved head impact protection.
Branding
The Dodge=sporty and Chrysler=luxury differentiation was clearly made through tire, shock, and spring tuning. Both, though, benefit from many innovations to reduce noise, including revised spring isolators, bushings, and antiroll bar mounts.
The Chrysler Sebring, as an "affordable luxury" car, has a lengthy list of standard equipment. Though the base engine is the 2.4-liter four-cylinder, it comes with a four-speed automatic transaxle, four-wheel disc brakes, and 15-inch wheels with chrome wheel covers and all-season tires. Other standard features include air conditioning, AM/FM stereo cassette, tilt steering, power windows, customer programmable locks, power mirrors and trunk release, seats including driver lumbar adjustment, woodgrain switch bezels, speed control, rear window defroster, variable intermittent windshield wipers, and headlamp off delay.
The Chrysler Sebring LXi comes with the 2.7-liter DOHC V-6 engine, 16-inch aluminum wheels, fog lamps, power driver seat, leather-trimmed seats with center rear folding armrest, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, remote illuminated keyless entry, a traveler trip computer including compass and outside temperature readings, CD player, front reading lights, rear assist handles, and chrome inside door handles.
Other options include cassette with four-disc in-dash CD changer, theft-deterrent system, side air bag curtains, power sun roof, 120-watt sound system, full-size spare tire with matching wheel, chrome plated aluminum wheels, AutoStick, electroluminescent gauge cluster, three-channel remote system, and cargo net.
The sedans are built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights (Michigan) as part of a $985 million program.
Preliminary Specifications
All dimensions are in inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted.
| Wheelbase | 108.0 (2743) |
| Track, Front | 60.2 (1529) |
| Track, Rear | 60.2 (1529) |
| Overall Length | 190.7 (4844) |
| Overall Width | 70.6 (1793) |
| Overall Height | 54.9 (1394) |
| Curb Weight - Est. | 3250 lbs. (1474kg) |
| Interior Volume | 94.0 cu. ft. (2.66 cu m) |
| Cargo Volume | 16.0 cu. ft. (453 L) |
| Assembly Plant | Sterling Heights, Michigan, Assembly Plant |
| EPA Vehicle Class | Mid-size car |
Engine
| Type and Displacement | 2.7-Liter, DOHC, 24-Valve, SMPI V-6 |
| Construction | Aluminum block w/cast in iron liners, cast aluminum heads |
| Power (SAE net) | 200 bhp (149 kW) @ 5900 rpm (74.1 bhp/liter) |
| Torque (SAE net) | 192 lb.-ft. (260 N-m) @ 4300 rpm |
| Max Engine Speed | 6464 rpm |
| Fuel Requirement | Unleaded regular, 87 octane(R+M)/2 |
Engine
| Type and Displacement | 2.4-Liter, DOHC, 16-Valve, SMPI I-4 |
| Construction | Cast iron block and bedplate, aluminum head and balance shafts |
| Power (SAE net) | 150 bhp (112 kW) @ 5200 rpm (62.5 bhp/liter) |
| Torque (SAE net) | 167 lb.-ft. (226 N-m) @ 4000 rpm |
| Max Engine Speed | 6240 rpm |
| Fuel Requirement | Unleaded regular, 87 octane(R+M)/2 |
