1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Defect. FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.

Risk. IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

Defect. 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 ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.

Risk. SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

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.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Risk. EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT "PULL OUT". AT FIRST IT ONLY HAPPENED SPORADICALLY AND FOR SHORT DURATION. PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE OFTEN UNTIL BELTS HAVE NOT WORKED AT ALL FOR PAST 2-3 WEEKS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT DETACHED FROM THE SOCKET WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09E056000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT), BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER PROPOSED THAT THE CONTACT PAY 50 PERCENT OF THE COST OF THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT REMAINED STUCK IN THE RETRACTED POSITION AND HE WAS UNABLE TO USE THE SEATBELT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,320 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,300.

I HAVE A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING JXI CONVERTIBLE, THAT THE SEATBELT ARE GENERALLY USELESS. BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEAT BELTS LOCK AND WILL NOT RETRACK, THEREFORE YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO USE THEM. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY IN A CONVERTIBLE. I LIVE IN A STATE WHERE SEATBELTS ARE REQUIRES, BUT WHEN THEY ARE LOCKED I CAN NOT USE THEM. I HAVE NOT FOUND WHERE THE SEATBELTS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, SHOULDN'T THERE BE A LIFETIME GUARANTEE ON SEATBELTS SINCE THEY ARE A SAFETY DEVICE? I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 YEARS NOW AND IT IS AN ONGOING SITUATION WITH THE MOST RECENT BEING YESTERDAY. *TR

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY IN MY 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND A GRINDING SOUND. WHEN I GOT OUT TO LOOK, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY BROKE IN HALF BY THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY. I THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED AND WHEN THE TOW COMPANY CAME THEY INFORMED ME THIS WAS THE 4TH CHRYSLER CONVERTIBLE IN TWO MONTHS THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO TOW WITH THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT BREAKING. I THEN DECIDED TO CHECK FOR RECALLS AND IT TURNS OUT THERE ARE 2 RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP THEY INFORM ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY CAR. HOW CAN THAT BE WHEN YOU LIST THE FOLLOWING RECALLS 04V021000, 09E056000 AND 10E059000 ON YOUR WEBSITE. I AM JUST VERY THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS, LIKE TWO OF THE OTHER ACCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHARED WITH ME. TWO OF THE OTHER VEHICLES HE TOWED, THE DRIVERS WERE INJURED WHEN THE BALL JOINT BROKE AND THEY CRASHED.

MY 1997 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN DURING RUSH HOUR. AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT AT A MAJOR HIGHWAY INTERSECTION, MY CAR DIED MIDWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. MY OIL PRESSURE SENSOR WIRING IS THE CAUSE FOR MY FUEL PUMP TO CUT OFF AS A SAFETY MEASURE FOR THE CARS PROTECTION BUT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE. AFTER SEEING THE DEALER AND LOOKING AT ONLINE FORUMS, I HAVE FOUND THIS IS COMMON FOR THE 2.7L ENGINE IN MY CAR AND MANY OTHER AUTOS MADE BY DAMLIER CHRYSLER. IF THE 18 WHEELER WOULD HAVE NOT CHANGED LANES I WOULD HAVE DIED. I AM WAITING TO REPLACE THE WIRING BECAUSE THIS IS SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OF WORK. *TR

WHILE DRIVING A1997 CHRYS. SEBRING CONVERTIBLE ACROSS A BRIDGE OVER A LAKE, THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. I ALMOST DIDN'T STOP BEFORE GOING IN THE WATER. CAR BLOCKED THE HIGHWAY AND A PATROLMAN STAYED WITH ME UNTIL WRECKER ARRIVED . IT DID MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT FENDER, PLASTIC BUMPER BRAKES AND WHEEL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING JXI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER AND GEAR LIGHTING INDICATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A LOOSE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION CAUSED THE ODOMETER AND GEAR LIGHT INDICATOR TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE ODOMETER WORKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. COMPUTER WILL NO LONGER "GO TO SLEEP" AND DRAINS THE BATTERY. THE CAR MUST NOW BE JUMP STARTED WITH A PORTABLE BOOSER PACK THAT I CARRY IN THE CAR. DEALER CLAIMS THE COMPUTER MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,000 PLUS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, A POLICE OFFICER INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE JUST AS IT BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT BOTH A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000.

PURCHASED 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. IN 1998 THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE TACHOMETER, AND ODOMETER FADE IN AND OUT, OUT MOSTLY. CANT SEE MILEAGE, SO CANT SELL CAR. DEALER SAYS COST IS ABOUT $600 TO FIX. AND IS COMMON PROBLEM. IF ITS SO COMMON, IT SHOULD BE A RECALL!!! *TR

ELECTRONIC ODOMETER AND TACHOMETER DISPLAY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER EXPLAINS THAT IT IS COMMON WITH THIS CAR MODEL. DIFFICULT TO TRACK SERVICE ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO WILL BE DIFFICULT TO SELL WITH OUT FIX WHICH WILL BE OVER $500 FOR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND COULD INVOLVE INDIVIDUAL GAUGES WHICH WILL COST AROUND $380. CHRYSLER SHOULD RECALL AND PAY FOR THIS. *TR

SEBRING CONVERTIBLE INTERIOR FLOODS EVERY TIME IT RAINS THE CARPET BECOMES COMPLETELY SOAKED AND TAKES DAYS TO DRY OUT IN THE MEAN TIME CAUSING A CONCERN ABOUT ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS UNDER THE SEATS. *TR

PROBLEM WITH DASH CLUSTER SPEEDO AND TACH QUIT WORKING DEALER SAID THEY SEE IT ALL THE TIME ON THIS CAR. *TR

OCCASIONALLY, THE SEATBELT ON ON MY 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING LOCKS UP. WHEN IT DOES, IT CANNOT BE EXTENDED/PULLED OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. WHEN IT HAPPENS, BOTH SEATBELTS FREEZE, LEADING TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. SOMETIMES, AFTER WAITING A HALF HOUR OR SO, THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF. IN THE MEANTIME, UNLESS I HAVE TIME TO WAIT, I MUST DRIVE WITHOUT THE SAFETY OF MY SEATBELT, WHICH NOT ONLY PUTS MY LIFE AT RISK, BUT MAKES ME A LAWBREAKER AND POTENTIALLY LIABLE FOR A TICKET. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL CHRYLER DEALERS, NONE OF WHOM ADMITS TO HAVING HEARD OF THE PROBLEM AND ALL OF WHOM WANT TO RUN EXPENSIVE TESTS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THAT MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION, AND WE NEED THE GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN AN HELP US PLEASE! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. HE NOTICED A CONSTANT LEAK ON THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOLD. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. ON JULY 9, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTROL ARM DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE AXLE TO FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTROL ARM AND AXLE WERE REPLACED ON JULY 11, 2007 FOR $1,080. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 00V421002 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

1997 SEBRING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED. *TS *JB

ODOMETER FUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A KNOWN, COMMON PROBLEM, BUT CHRYSLER HAS NOT RECALLED. IT CAUSES PROBLEMS WHENEVER YOU NEED TO PURCHASE ANYTHING FOR YOUR VEHICLE (TIRES, OIL CHANGE, PARTS ETC). PLEASE RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE! *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE FUEL PIPE WAS CORRODED AND DRIPPED GASOLINE, AND WAS LESS THAT ONE FOOT FROM THE MUFFLER. WHEN THE CONTACT WENT TO PURCHASE THE PART FOR CAR THE SALESMAN SAID HE WAS ABOUT THE 15 PERSON TO BUY THE PART. THE CONSUMER CALLED CHRYSLER, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM. HE WAS GOING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS THE CONTACT DAUGHTER'S CAR, AND HE WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS DAUGHTER'S SAFETY AND THOSE OF OTHERS. *AK

KNOWN ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH CHRYSLERS 2.4L - 4 CYLINDER ENGINES - DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. WE PURCHASED A NEW 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING JX W/ 2.4L DOHC 4 CYLINDER ENGINE IN MARCH OF 1998. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND MAINTAINED BY NALLEY CHRYSLER IN ROSWELL. VEHICLE HAS A LITTLE OVER 19,000 ACTUAL MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE OR USE. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR LEAKING COOLANT/OIL MIXTURE COMPLAINED OF LEAKS TO SERVICE REPS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, NOTHING FOUND. AT LAST RECALL - SHIFTER LINKAGE, ASKED SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO CHECK FOR COOLANT LEAKS WAS INFORMED THAT 2.4L ENGINE WILL NEED A NEW HEAD GASKET. INTERNET SEARCHES SHOW MANY OCCURRENCES OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS 2.4L ENGINE AS HEADS ARE MADE OF DIFFERENT MATERIAL THAN BLOCK AND THEY COOL AND HEAT AT DIFFERING RATES CAUSING EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT AND FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKET. CHRYSLER HAS SILENTLY WARRANTED MANY OF THESE ENGINES BECAUSE OF HEAD GASKET FAILURES AND KNOWN PROBLEMS AND DEFECTS. WOULD REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT OR REPAIR. CHRYSLER REP HAD DENIED REPAIR. CLASS ACTION STATUS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR THESE KNOWN ENGINE PROBLEMS. *JB

1) THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE SECURELY (DOORS AND WINDOWS CLOSED PROPERLY, TOP CLOSED PROPERLY, IGNITION LOCKED AND NO KEYS IN THE CAR). 2) AFTER A RAIN, I HAPPENED TO WALK BY THE CAR AND HEARD IT MAKING LOUD STRANGE NOISES THAT SOUNDED LIKE SPEAKER AMPLIFIED ELECTRICAL ARCING. THE NOISE SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM EVERYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE (NO APPARENT POINT SOURCE). SUSPECTING SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM I BEGAN PULLING FUSES WITH NO EFFECT ON STOPPING THE NOISE. I BEGAN SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING AND DISCONNECTED THE CAR BATTERY. THE NOISES STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND THE BURNING SMELL DISSAPATED. 3) THE DEALER ADVISES THAT THERE IS A DRAIN IN THE RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL OF THE CAR THAT IS NOT WORKING AND CAUSES WATER TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THERE IS AN AMPLFIER UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FOR THE INFINITY SOUND SYSTEM THAT WATER HAD ENTERED INTO. DEALER ADVISES THAT THE FAILED PART MUST BE RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER TO GET A REPLACEMENT AND THAT FURTHER DAMAGE CANNOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL THE REPLACEMENT PART IS INSTALLED. THERE ARE TWO DESIGN DEFECTS IN THIS CAR, ONE OF WHICH IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE FIRST DEFECT IS THE REAR QUARTER PANEL DRAINS THAT CAN STOP WORKING AND FLOOD THE CAR RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.THE OWNER IS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT OR HOW TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND DESIGN DEFECT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. AN AMPLIFIER UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS NO FUSE PROTECTION WHATSOEVER. IF I HAD NOT HAPPENED BY THE CAR WHEN I D

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON 3-15-05 CONCERNING THE TRANS AXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION/PARK INTERLOCK SHE CALLED AT THE END OF MARCH OR THE BEGINNING OF APRIL AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED. ON 5-7-05, BEFORE THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND HIT A POLE. AND THE ESTIMATED DAMAGE WAS $8,700. ON 5-12-05 CHRYSLER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO CHECK THE VEHICLE . THE CONSUMER WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE INSPECTION, BUT SOMEONE ELSE WHO WAS AT THE INSPECTION CLAIMED THAT THE INVESTIGATOR TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. HE DID NOT THINK THE TRANS AXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION/PARK INTERLOCK HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CRASH. THE CONSUMER DID NOT AGREE, STATING THAT THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER WERE INJURED IN THE CRASH. NEITHER THE SEAT BELTS NOR THE AIR BAGS WORKED IN THE CRASH.*AK

DT: THE SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT RETRACTED AND WILL NOT COME OUT, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE PASSENGER TO BUCKLE THE BELT. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER, AND THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER FOR THIS REPAIR. *AK *JB

DT: CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V021000, ON MARCH 15, 2005. SHE HAD CALLED DEALER TO ARRANGE FOR REPAIRS, BUT THEY TOLD HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AT HER CONVENIENCE. THE RECALL WORK WAS NEVER PERFORMED. ON MAY 7, 2005 SHE WAS PICKING HER DAUGHTER AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK IT WENT DOWN A SMALL HILL IN A PARKING LOT AND TRAVELED AT LEAST 200-300 FEET. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENED SO FAST SHE COULD NOT REMEMBER WHETHER THE BRAKES WORKED AT THAT TIME. THERE WAS A TELEPHONE POLE THAT STOPPED THE VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE PASSENGERS. THE PASSENGERS HEAD WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND HER KNEES HIT THE DASH BOARD. THE DRIVER'S RIGHT ROTOR CUFF AND NECK WERE INJURED. THERE WAS $8700 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. A INSPECTOR FROM DAIMLER CHRYSLER INSPECTED VEHICLE ON MAY 12, 2005 AT 2 PM. HE NEVER SPOKE TO THE CONSUMER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER SENT A REPORT.*AK

DT: WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND PULLED IN FRONT OF A BOWLING ALLEY TO PICK UP ANOTHER PASSENGER. TURNED THE ENGINE OFF WITH KEY IN IGNITION, WITHIN A MATTER OF SECONDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD. THE CAR GAINED SPEED AND WAS TOO QUICK BEFORE THE CONSUMER COULD GAIN CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WENT DOWN AN INCLINE AND CRASHED INTO A PARKING LOT POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH PASSENGER HAD SEAT BELTS ON BUT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT REMAIN LOCKED AND PASSENGER STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD, THIS DID NOT UNLATCH BUT A GREAT DEAL SLACK CAME FROM THAT SEAT BELT. HAD RECEIVED A RECALL ON THE TRANSAXLES FLOOR SHIFT(NO NHTSA RECALL CAMP ID# AVAILABLE) THIS RECALL HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED. A INSPECTOR FROM CHRYSLER CAME OUT TO IMPASSES VEHICLE WHO LATER NOTED THIS INCIDENT WAS NOT DUE THE RECALL BUT CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW HOW HE MADE THIS ASSUMPTION BECAUSE HE JUST LOOKED AT VEHICLE-THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED UP AT THE TIME. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. DEALER DID MAKE AWARE THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL ON THROTTLE AS WELL(NO NHTSA RECALL ID AT THIS TIME.) DEALER AND CHRYSLER ARE UNWILLING TO COVER DAMAGES AS WELL THE RECALL REPAIR.*AK

DT: WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CONSEQUENTLY, THE CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER MOTORIST. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO JUMPING OUT OF GEAR DUE TO THE RECALL ON THE TRANS AXLE FLOOR SHIFTER/IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK. *JB

RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED AND RIPPED OUT THE DRIVE SHAFT FROM THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. A NEW LOWER CONTROL ARM AND DRIVE SHAFT WAS INSTALLED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

IT'S A CONSTANT RATTLE NOISY AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR, WHEN WE BOUGTH THE CAR AND START DRIVING IT WE NOTICE THE NOISY WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T FOUND ANYTHING, DIDN'T DROVE THE CAR FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, MOVE TO DC, START DRIVING THE CAR AGAIN AND THE RATTLE GETTING WORST I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THEY FIX THE CAR I PAID ALMOST $900.00 AND THE PROBLEM STILL THERE, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC 1 MONTH AFTER THEY FIXED, THE INVOICE SAID 90 DAYS WARRANTY, NOW THEY SAID IT'S PROBABLY ANOTHER PROBLEM, IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM SAME NOISY. I JUST WANT MY CAR FIXED, FOR WHAT I PAID.

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF A VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM. BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK, VEHICLE REVVED, AND DID NOT STOP, VEHICLE OVER ACCELERATED, CAUSING IT TO RAM INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. AK

DT: CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH FOR THE TRANSAXLES FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK. CONSUMER TRIED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE DEALERSHIP. THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY THE CAR POPPED OUT OF GEAR AND HIT A POLE. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, AND THE BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CHRYSLER SENT SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THE CAR, THE CHRYSLER INVESTIGATOR SAID THAT EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. CONSUMER HAD TO CALL HIM BACK FROM CHRYSLER AFTER HE CAME AND LOOKED AT THE CAR. CHRYSLER INVESTIGATOR SENT A LETTER TO THE CONSUMER STATING THAT THE INCIDENT DID NOT LOOK LIKE IT WAS A RESULT OF THE RECALL.*AK

ODOMETER AND TACHOMETER STOP AND START FUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A KNOWN AND COMMON PROBELM WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL.

PURCHASED CAR ON EBAY THREE YEARS AGO. NO RECORD OF ACCIDENT BUT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. PROBLEM BEGAN AFTER A HEAVY RAIN WHEN CAR PARKED OUTSIDE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, CAR STARTS AND DIES SEVERAL TIMES, THEN WONT'T START FOR ANYWHERE FROM AN HOUR TO A DAY OR TWO. NO DEALER ABLE TO FIND PROB. OR GET IT TO THROW A CODE. PROBLEM SEEMED TO DISAPPEAR LAST YEAR WHEN WE MOVED TO CA AND PARKED CAR IN GARAGE. THEN IT RETURNED ONCE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER AND HE WAS UNABLE TO FIND SOURCE OF PROB. OR GET IT TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM. FINALLY GOT ONE COMPUTER REPLACED. BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND IT HAS REPEATED THE PROBLEM A FEW TIMES. NOW IT IS TURNING ON THE SECURITY LIGHT AS WELL AS THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, THEN, SUDDENLY, WHILE I AM DRIVING, THE GUAGES QUIT WORKING. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST OR HOW FAR I AM GOING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE THIS MONTH, BOTH TIMES WHEN WE WERE ON A LONG TRIP. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REAL CORRELATION OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM THAT WE CAN FIND OTHER THAN POSSIBLE MOISTURE RELATIONSHIP. HAD TO DRIVE FROM LAKE TAHOE TO ORANGE COUNTY WITH NO SPEEDOMETER TWO WEEKS AGO. IT HAD RAINED HEAVILY AND THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE. THEN IT MAGICALLY "MENDED ITSELF" DURING THE WEEK AND WE TOOK IT FROM ORANGE COUNTY TO PALM SPRINGS ON MAY 21ST. THE GUAGES WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER WE LEFT HOME AND CAME ON "MAGICALLY" AFTER WE PURCHASED GAS IN PALM SPRINGS. DATE LISTED BELOW IS MOST RECENT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR THREE YE

STRONG GASOLINE ODORS CAME INTO VEHICLE FROM THE OUTSIDE WHEN DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS DOWN. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK.....PAINT ON VEHICLE WAS FADING-TURNING BLACK TO WHITE. FROM INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE BACK OF VEHICLE. SEAT BELT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE HAD A BROKEN SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. IN ADDITION, PASSENGER'S LEATHER SEAT WAS CRACKING, AND STITCHING ON CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS COMING OUT. *AK

ODOMETER AND TACHOMETER STOP AND START FUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A KNOWN AND COMMON PROBELM WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL. WHY WON'T CHRYSLER RECALL AND REPAIR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE CAR?

DRIVER & VEHICLE LEAVING TOLL PLAZA ON THE DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY, HEADED SOUTH TOWARDS I-635, ABOUT 6 PM ON INCIDENT DATE. DRIVER ACCELERATED OUT OF THE TOLL BOOTH, UP TO ABOUT 40-45 MPH, AND FELT A SURGE IN ACCELERATION. ATTEMPTED TO REDUCE SPEED BY TAKING FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THERE WAS NO REDUCTION IN SPEED. APPLIED BRAKE, BUT STILL NO REDUCTION IN SPEED. PULLED HAND BRAKE, NO REDUCTION. THE ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO BE STUCK OR HUNG UP. FINALLY THOUGHT TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AND AT SOME POINT THE ACCELERATOR FINALLY "LET GO." WAS ABLE TO EXIT FROM THE TOLLWAY. ON 635 ACCESS ROAD, ATTEMPTED ACCELERATION AGAIN, AND AGAIN THE ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO "STICK" AT ABOUT 15 MPH. BACKED OFF, AND MADE WAY SLOWLY TO A NISSAN AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIP OFF 635 IN NORTH DALLAS. THERE, A SERVICE REP LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND OBSERVED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS BADLY FRAYED. AS THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE FURTHER, CALLED FOR A TOW AND HAD CAR TOWED TO CHRYSLER DEALER IN GRAPEVINE, TX. THE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE TO DECELLERATE ON A BUSY AND FAST-MOVING TOLLWAY AT RUSH HOUR COULD HAVE BEEN CATATROPHIC, BUT DUE TO LUCK OR GRACE, THERE WAS NO COLLISION. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER SUFFERED MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ANGUISH, STRESS, AND FRANK TERROR DURING THE EVENT. THIS CAR HAD BEEN SUBJECT TO A RECALL ISSUED IN AUGUST 2002, AND HAD BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE DEFECT AT THE DEALER IN GRAPEVINE. HOWEVER, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE FAILED ANYWAY. THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION IS THAT THE DEFECT REPAIR WAS ALSO FAULTY, OR THE DEF

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. OWNER WAS DRIVING TO AN INTERSECTION. UPON APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION, DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. ALTHOUGH, THE DRIVER HAD THERE FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *AK

MAKING LEFT HAND TURN DRIVER SIDE WHEEL COLLAPSED. *AK

FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING HORN FAILED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON JUNE 2004. DEALERSHIP FIXED IT, BUT THREE DAYS LATER HORN FAILED AGAIN. TECHNICIAN DISCONNECTED THE HORN, AND STATED THERE WAS SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE FRONT AIR BAGS. TO FIX THE HORN DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG MECHANISM AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $1,700. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE'S FLOOR MAT GOT TANGLED INTO THE STEERING MECHANISM BECAUSE THERE IS NO COVER FOR THAT PART. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING MECHANISM FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *LA

ELECTRONIC GEAR SELECTION INDICATOR, ELECTRONIC ODOMETER, AND TACH. GUAGE DO NOT WORK. HAVE TO GUESS WHAT GEAR VEHILE IS IN. NEVER WORKS WHEN CAR IS STARTED, BUT ABOUT 50% OF TIME IT WILL START WORKING AFTER DRIVING FOR 10-15 MINUTES. *AK

SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE THE STITCHING AROUND THE CONVERTABLE WINDOW HAS COME UNDONE. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND GOT NO RESPONSE. *NM *NM

I HAVE A 97 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE JX. RECENTLY THE THREADING HAD BEEN PEELING AWAY AROUND THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. I SUBMITTED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE NET, LOCAL NEWS STATION, AND WITH DAIMLERCHRYSLER. IN THOSE COMPLAINTS I HAD MENTIONED CONCERN OF MY BACK WINDOW POSSIBLY FLYING OUT THE BACK OR WORSE YET, FALLING IN ON MY 2 YEAR OLD SON IN HIS CAR SEAT!!!! ABOUT 3 OR 4 WEEKS LATER, MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING IN THE CAR AFTER WORK AND IN A PARKED POSITION DECIDED TO PUT THE TOP DOWN (SINCE THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR PRIOR) TO THE CONVERTIBLE, HE THEN HEARD A CRACK AND AS SOON AS LOOKING BACK THE WHOLE WINDOW SHATTERED IN OVER 1000 PIECES ALL IN THE BACKSEAT AND THE HUB TRUCK AREA AND MY SON'S CARSEAT!!!! MY WORST NIGHTMARE HAD COME TRUE. I HAD NEARLY BRAINSTORMED THAT THE WINDOW WOULD FLY OUT THE BACK OR THAT IT COULD FALL IN! THANK YOU JESUS, MY SON WAS NOT IN THE CAR!!!! I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER WICH DID NOTHING BUT CHARTED MY COMPLAINT AND IS PROBABLY SETTING IN THE DATABASE WITH NO ACTION... THIS REALLY CONCERNS ME... I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN. MY INSURANCE SAID THAT I NEEDED TO MEET MY 500 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THE REST OF THE BILL, WHICH WILL ONLY APPLY TO A BACK WINDOW... NOT A CONVERTIBLE TOP... HELLO, SINCE THE TOP IS STILL UNRAVELING THIS NEW BACK WINDOW THAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT ONLY HAS A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE THE SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN! MY GUESS, SINCE THE THREADING WAS ALREADY COMING LOOSE IT CAUSED

THE THREDDING AROUND MY 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE TOP IS SLOWLY COMING LOOSE WICH WILL THEN RELEASE MY BACK WINDOW WHICH COULD CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE ROAD INVOLVING INNOCENT DRIVERS. THE POTENTIAL LOOSE BACK WINDOW COULD NOT ONLY FLY OUT AT ANY GIVIN MOMENT IT ALSO COULD FALL IN TO THE BACKSEAT OF MY CONVERTIBLE WHICH RAISES AND BIGGER CONCERN FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE MY 2 YEAR OLD SON IN HIS CAR SEAT. MY WISH IS THAT CHRYSLER CORP. WOULD RECALL THESE DEFECTIVE TOPS BEFORE THEY HAVE TO SPEND MILLIONS ON LAW SUITS INVOLVING ACCIDENTS WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL OWNER OF THE SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WELL, I THOUGHT I WAS ALONE ON THIS ISSUE UNTIL LAST WEEK WHEN MY LOCAL NEWS STATION AIRED A SHORT NEWS CLIP ON CHRYSLER OWNERS. THEY PUT OUT A CALL TO ALL CHRYSLER SEBRING OWNERS IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA (FLORIDA) THAT WAS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM ... THEY RECEIVED OVER 100 COMPLAINTS... THATS JUST IN 1 CITY!!! GO TO WWW.TBO.COM TYPE KEYWORD (IN TOP RIGHT CORNER) : PROBLEM SOLVER THEN CLICK CHRYSLER SEBRING LINK. I HAVE LOTS OF PICS OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP UPON REQUEST.*AK

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE RETRACTING POSITION, SO THE BUCKLE COULD NOT BE FASTENED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE RETRACTOR. DEALERSHIP HAD TO TAKE APART THE ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE SEAT TO INSPECT THE RETRACTOR.*AK

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 30 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. TOWED VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THE NEED FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION OR REBUILT THE OLD TRANSMISSION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 30 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. TOWED VEHICLE TO THE INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. *AK

DESIGN DEFECT - REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER - THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER ON MY 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING STOPPED WORKING. THE WIRE ATTACHING THE DEFOGGER TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BECOME DETACHED. IT HAD BEEN REATTACHED BY THE DEALER TWICE, BUT ON THE THIRD OCCASION THE DEALER ADVISED THAT IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. IT IS APPARENTLY REATTACHED WITH SOME KIND OF GLUE. I WAS ADVISED THAT IF I WANTED TO GET THE DEFOGGER TO WORK I WOULD NEED TO INSTALL A NEW REAR WINDOW AT A COST OF OVER $800. THE NEW SEBRING CONVERTIBLE;E USES A WIRE WITH A PLUG TO ATTACH THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER TO THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. CHRYSLER APPEARS TO HAVE RECOGNIZED THE DESIGN DEFECT AND PROVIDED A FIX, ALTHOUGH NOT TO OWNERS OF 1997 SEBRING CONVERTIBLES. NOTE: THIS DESIGN DEFECT APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY DEFECT THAT CAUSES A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN THE DEFOGGER FAILS, I.E., IN RAINY OR SNOWY CONDITIONS THE VISIBILITY OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW IS DANGEROUSLY REDUCED. *NM

THE CONVERIBLE ROOF IS UNRAVELLING AT THE SEAMS, MAKING IT UNSIGHTLY AND DANGEROUS. I HAD WATER IN MY FOOR IN THE BACK SEATS AND AN UPHOLSTERY SHOP DISCOVER A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE BODY CAUSING THE LEAK. IT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY FIXED. BUT THE SOFT TOP ROOF TO BE REPLACED WOULD COST $1250-. IT IS MY OBSERVATION THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF CONVERTIBLES DURING THE MODEL YEARS OF 1997 (MINE) AND OTHER YEARS (1998- ?). I CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY NOTED MY COMPLAINT BUT HAVEN'T ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM TO MY KNOWLEDGE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS I SEE IT ON MANY CONVERIBLES. WHAT IF ONE OF THESE TOPS WERE TO TEAR LOOSE? THAT'S MY CONCERN!!