33 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000–150,000 miles.
Most common 1998 Chrysler Sebring Convertible problems
8 of the 52 complaints (15%) are about the suspension.
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars · body and frame
4
0
0
0
Suspension
3
1
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift · transmission
3
0
0
0
Electrical System
3
0
0
0
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Interior
2
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
2
0
0
0
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
2
0
0
0
Suspension › Front
2
0
0
0
Air Bags · airbags
2
0
0
1
Wheels › Rim
1
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm10E059000
Filed Dec 27, 201022,689 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation
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.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint09E056000
Filed Oct 9, 20095,787 vehiclesQualis Automotive LLC
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.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift04V021000
Filed Jan 13, 20042,315,768 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation
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.
All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Feb 6, 2017MA
1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSAXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION/PARK INTERLOCK RECALL REPAIR HISTORY. *SMD THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW, IF THE VEHICLE WAS FIXED PROPERLY, DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED AND THE RECALL WAS ISSUED IN 2005. *JB
Suspension
Filed Sep 1, 2013120,000 milesIA
I WENT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION LOOKED AT AS IT'S UNDER WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 75,000 MILES ON IT 3 YEARS AGO. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. WHEN THE MECHANIC PUT ONE IN HE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS ALREADY A USED ONE IN THERE. TWO MONTHS LATER THAT TRANMISSION WENT OUT AND IT GOT REPLACED. WELL THIS BRINGS US TO PRESENT DAY WHERE I'M GETTING IT CHECKED OUT AND HAVE THEM CHECK EVERYTHING OUT. THEY TELL ME THAT THE REAR BALL JOINTS ARE OUT AND IT'LL COST $1200 TO FIX IT. I'M LIKE THAT'S NOT WORTH IT. I THEN FIND OUT THAT THIS IS RECALLED. *JS
Engine
Filed Aug 18, 2013222,000 milesCA
I HAVE THIS CAR FROM 2011, I WENT TO THE DEALER ON BAKERSFIELD CA, TO PROGRAM THE ALARM PAGER, THEY CHANGE THE SHIFT PART BECAUSE HAVE A RECALL, AFTER THAT DAY MY CAR START TO STOP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF, I CHANGE THE SPEED SENSOR ON THE TRANSMISSION, THE CRAMCHACK SENSOR, THE DISTRIBUTOR, THE MAP SENSOR, THE EGR VALVE, THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER, ALL THE RELAYS, THE CAR WORKS FOR A LITTLE AND START TO STOP SUDDENLY, ANYWHERE. SOME TIMES I GO TO THE STORE TO BUY GROCERIES, HE START TO SHAKE FROM THE SUSPENSION, AND THE CAR STOP 2 OR 3 TIMES, ON ONE TRIP. ON AUGUST 15 I WENT TO BAKERSFIELD TO SEE MY DOCTOR BECAUSE I'M PERMANENTLY DISABLE, AND THE CAR STOP ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEED OF 65 MILES, I LET THE CAR FOR A WILE RESTING AND AFTER THAT HE START AGAIN, WHEN I GO OUT ON UNION EXIT THE CAR STOP AGAIN, TODAY I WENT TO THE MARKET AND I HAVE TO PUSH THE CAR ALL THE WAY TO MY HOME. THIS CLASS OF CARS GAVE TROUBLE TO EVERY BODY WHO HAD ONE OF THIS MAKE. NEED HELP TO SEE IF YOU CAN DO SOMETHING WITH THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION. *TR
Air Bags
Filed May 6, 201359,337 milesIL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY. THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,337.
SuspensionCrash
Filed Mar 14, 2013140,000 milesMS
I WAS DRIVING HOME AND TURNED DOWN MY STREET GOING ONLY 5 MPH AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF. *TR
Air Bags1 injured
Filed Sep 6, 2012169,000 milesCT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE JX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CAUSED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
Suspension
Filed Mar 18, 2012WI
I MADE A COMPLETE STOP AND TURNED ONTO ANOTHER ROAD AND HEARD A LOUD METAL ON CEMENT NOISE PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AS GOOD AS POSSIBLE AND GOT OUT OF CAR AND SEEN BALL JOINT CRACKED AND TIRE OFF CAR. MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY ON GROUND IN FRONT RIGHT OF VEHICLE. HAD NO REASON TO BELIEVE THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE FIXED. CAR DROVE SMOOTH OTHERWISE. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BUT TO JUST SNAP. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T GOING FASTER OR NOTHING WAS IN MY WAY AND DIDN'T CRASH! IT WAS THE SCARIEST CAR "ACCIDENT" I EVER HAD. NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I HAD SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN TO ME IN A CAR THAT HAD NO SIGNS OF NEEDING TO BE FIXED. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Dec 2, 2011130,000 milesOH
MY ALARM KEEPS GOING OFF!!! A FEW MONTHS AGO, MY CAR ALARM STARTED GOING OFF RANDOMLY AND WILL NOT STOP. IT STARTED BY HONKING REPEATEDLY THEN A VERY LONG ANNOYING HONK. IN ORDER TO MAKE IT STOP, THE ONLY THING THAT I COULD DO WAS DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. I AM NOW DESPERATE TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED; I WAS AT A GAS STATION THE OTHER DAY, AND IT DID IT AGAIN. I ENDED UP HAVING TO DRIVE AWAY WITH THE ALARM STILL SOUNDING BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE A WAY OF DISCONNECTING MY BATTERY TO MAKE IT STOP. THIS SHOULD REALLY BE A RECALL! I RECENTLY BEGAN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND REALIZED THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN DO FOR ME REGARDING THIS ISSUE? THIS WEBSITE DISPLAYS MANY PEOPLES CONCERNS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHRYSLER/SEBRING/2006/ELECTRICAL/HORN_GOES_OFF_BY_ITSELF.SHTML. *TR
Seat Belts
Filed Apr 25, 201045,000 milesCA
I HAVE A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING, I BOUGHT IT AT 45,000 MILES AND THE SEATBELTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE WILL LOCK TO WHERE I CANT BUCKLE MY SEAT BELT AND ITS THE SAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IT WILL ALSO LOCK WHEN IT IS BUCKLED. LIKE IT WOULD WHEN IM SLAMMING ON MY BRAKES. *TR
Suspension › Front
Filed Mar 16, 2010117,000 milesFL
1998 SEBRING CONV. LEFT BALL JOINT CAME APART CAUSING FRONT END DAMAGE. CHRYSLER DENIES PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL . I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS MYSELF AND STILL DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE FRONT END DAMAGE. *TR
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed May 21, 2009120,000 milesCA
MY VEHICLE SUFFERED THE EXACT FAILURE OF SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V421002 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ00015. THIS BASICALLY CAUSES A DRIVE WHEEL TO ALL BUT FALL OFF, RENDERING THE CAR IMMEDIATELY INOPERABLE, REGARDLESS OF HOW DANGEROUS THE CIRCUMSTANCES. I WAS VERY LUCKY IN THAT I WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED, OTHERWISE I COULD WELL BE DEAD. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO SOUTH BAY CHRYSLER IN TORRANCE CALIFORNIA, AND DESPITE THE VERY CLEAR NATURE OF THE RECALL, SOUTH BAY CHRYSLER IN TORRANCE, CLAIMS (AS THEY HAVE APPARENTLY DONE WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS) THAT MY CAR IS NOT SUBJECT TO THAT RECALL AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. PER THE CLEAR LANGUAGE OF THE RECALL, AND THE EXACT NATURE OF THE FAILURE COINCIDING PERFECTLY WITH THE REASON FOR THE RECALL, THEIR DENIAL IS DISINGENUOUS, CYNICAL, DISGUSTING, REPREHENSIBLE, DISHONEST. IN FACT, IT'S THE BEHAVIOR OF A COMPANY THAT HAS EARNED IT'S BANKRUPTCY. *TR
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Mar 20, 200887,000 milesMI
LOWER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY CAME APART FROM THE HOUSING RESULTING IN THE CAR FALLING ON THE GROUND. *TR
Steering › Column Locking › Anti-theft Device
Filed Dec 7, 2007120,000 milesCA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS OFF FOR TEN MINUTES, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENTIRE IGNITION SYSTEM WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. SHE IS STILL UNABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
Power Train › Axle AssemblyCrashFire1 injured
Filed Sep 4, 2007133,480 milesRI
AFTER EXPLAINING TO MY MECHANIC THAT MY FRONT END WAS RUBBING AND GRINDING AT A SPEED OF 40 AND ABOVE, AND THAT IT WAS WORSE WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT OR BEARING LEFT, WHILE BEARING RIGHT THE RUBBING AND GRINDING LESSENED A LOT. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT HE REPLACED FRONT BRAKES & BALANCED WHEELS. THE SAME SITUATION STILL EXISTED. HE STATED THAT MY FRONT AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, & HE WOULD REPLACE IT WHEN HE CAME BACK FROM VACATION. I EXPLAINED TO THE MECHANIC THAT IT WAS GETTING WORSE AND IF MY CHILDREN AND I WOULD BE SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL HE RETURNED, HE SAID IT WOULD BE FINE TO DRIVE. ON JUNE 30TH 2007 ,THE CHILDREN AND I NOTICED IT WAS GETTING WORSE. I DROVE THE CAR HOME. I THEN DECIDED TO GO FOR A RIDE WITH IT, ALONE. I STARTED DRIVING ON ROUTE 195 EAST IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE WITH MY CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 MPH. SHORTLY AFTER CROSSING THE RI/MA LINE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG. MY CAR THEN STARTED TO LIFT OFF THE GROUND. LIFTING THE RIGHT SIDE & THEN THE RIGHT. I TRIED TO APPLY MY BRAKES BUT WITH TWO TIRES OFF THE GROUND THEY WERE NOT WORKING. I TRIED STEERING THE CAR IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION THAT WAS BEING LIFTED OFF THE ROAD. I HAD NO STEERING AT ALL. THE CAR ROCKED SIDE TO SIDE WHILE HEADING INTO THE NEXT LANE OF TRAVEL AND AS IT DID THE ROCKING TURNED THE CAR OVER AND OVER AND OVER SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER THE FIRST ROLL OVER I DO NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING. I BECAME UNCONSCIOUS. THE STATE POLICE WHO INVESTIGATED THE ACCIDENT STATE
Structure › Body
Filed Oct 24, 2006GA
(1) RAINED (2) CARS PANELS AND INTERIOR RETAINING AND FILLING UP WITH WATER (3) CANNOT FIND LEAK, ANOTHER OWNER OF SAME MODEL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM DRILLED HOLES IN THE ROCKER PANEL TO RELEASE WATER - DID NOT RELEASE OR RESOLVE. HAVING TO SCOOP OUT WATER AND WET-VAC DAILY. CAUSING MILDEW, STANDING WATER, SOUND OF WATER IN THE PANELS. *NM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Nov 29, 200573,672 milesNJ
CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING INTERLOCK SHIFTER. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES TO GET THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED, BUT HE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. *JB
Structure › Body › Hood
Filed Nov 4, 2005125,000 milesMA
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE HOOD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FELL OFF. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED WITH THE INCIDENT. CHRYSLER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. HE HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE HOOD.*AK
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Interior
Filed Jul 15, 2005SC
1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS DELAMINATED.*MR DEALERSHIP NOT WILLING TO REPLACE. *TT
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Jun 10, 200557,160 milesMD
DT: WITHOUT WARNING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE UNRAVELED AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. THE CALLER HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, THEN TURN OFF THE CAR, AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER, WHO WAS EVALUATING THE PROBLEM TODAY. MANUFACTURER SAID TO CALL NHTSA. *AK
Steering › Column
Filed Feb 1, 200588,900 milesAK
OWNER SAYS THAT THE FLOOR MATS BIND UP, CAUSING THE MATS TO TANGLE UP WITH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT COUPLER, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL. CURRENTLY THE MANUFACTURER RECALLED THE 1998-99 SEBRING JXI CONVERTIBLE LIMITED EDITION. THE OWNER HAS A JX CONVERTIBLE WHICH WAS NOT BEING RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Jan 6, 200547,000 milesMI
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK NOR WILL IT RETRACT. *AK...NEITHER REAR BELT LOCKS WHEN GIVEN AHAND PULL.*AK
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jan 5, 200528,000 milesCT
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AN IGNITION PROBLEM. IN THE LAST 4 YEARS CONSUMER REPLACED THE KEY CYLINDER 4 TIMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ON SEVEN DIFFERENT TIMES, AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS CUSTOMER CARE COMPLAINT FILE WAS CLOSED. THEY WILL NOT HELP CONSUMER. *AK
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Interior
Filed Dec 10, 200428,000 milesNY
THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AUTOMATIC DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR BECAME FOGGY AND LEAKED A SOLVENT THAT DISSOLVED THE PLASTIC ON THE CONSOLE MOUNTED SHIFT COVER, THE MIRROR WAS REPLACED AND NOW AFTER 2 YEARS IN SERVICE THE REPLACEMENT MIRROR IS FOGGING. CHRYSLER CORPORATION CUSTOMERSERVICE RESPONDS THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THEY HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO REPLACE IT. I VIEW THIS ITEM AS A SAFETY CONCERN. HE ONLY ITEM AVAILABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE COSTS $300.00 FOR THE PART AND INSTALLATION. S A SAFETY ITEM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR SHOULD BE FUNCTIONAL THROUGHOUT THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Nov 26, 2004NC
RECALL 04V021000/FLOOR SHIFT IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SHIFTING PROBLEM SINCE RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL REPAIRS DONE. *AK
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Sep 28, 200478,000 milesNC
ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT BECAUSE OF THE SENSOR IN THE COMPUTER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *AK THE BCM SHORTED. *SC *JB
Wheels › Rim
Filed Sep 9, 200412,000 milesNY
ALL FOUR RIMS ARE CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOSE AIR PRESSURE. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE AIR IN RIGHT FRONT TIRE EVERY MORNING, LEFT FRONT TIRE ONCE A WEEK, AND BOTH REAR TIRES EVERY 3-4 WEEKS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
Structure › Body › Trunk Lid2 injured
Filed Sep 8, 200425,155 milesFL
WHILE UNLOADING THE VEHICLE TRUNK LID FELL DOWN . *AK THE COMPONENT HIT THE CONSUMER SHARPLY ON THE WRIST AND HIS WIFE ON THE HEAD. *SC
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Aug 30, 200458,000 milesIL
RIGHT TIE ROD END BROKE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING, WITH RIGHT FRONT WHEEL NOT STEERING WHEN STEERING WHEEL TURNED. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED JUST AFTER EXITING A HIGH SPEED EXPRESSWAY. CAR IS WELL CARED FOR, NOT ABUSED, AND HAS ONLY 58000 MILES ON IT.*AK
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift
Filed Jul 28, 2004CA
SAFETY RECALL NOTICE RELATED TO A FLOOR MOUNTED SHIFTER AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES ON 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. *MR RECALL# 04V021000. *SC *JB
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Jul 14, 2004FL
THE CLOTH TOPS ON THE SEBRING CONVERTIBLE IS IN MY OPINION DEFECTIVE AND A HAZARD. THE THREAD HOLDING THE TOP TOGETHER, AND THE GLUE HOLDING THE BACK, GLASS WINDOW, DISINTEGRATE AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ALTHOUGH MY WINDOW IS STILL O.K., THE THREADS ON MY CLOTH TOP HAVE ALMOST ALL DISINTEGRATED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS. *AKORIGINALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY CAR, BUT ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO I WATCHED A REPORT ON A LOCAL TV STATION ABOUT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME COMPLAINTS. THIS IS NOT ONLY A COSMETIC PROBLEM, BUT COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD IF THE CLOTH TOP OR THE BACK WINDOW BECOME DISLODGED WHILE DRIVING.
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Jun 16, 200468,000 milesFL
CONVERTIBLE ROOF FABRIC STITCHING WAS COMING APART, CAUSING THE REAR WINDOW TO FALL. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER STAPLED THE FABRIC TOGETHER EVERY THREE MONTHS IN ORDER TO KEEP THE WINDOW FROM FALLING OUT. *AK
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column ShiftCrash
Filed Jun 11, 2004NJ
MY WIFE'S 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WAS PARKED IN A WAL-MART PARKING LOT ON U.S. ROUTE 130N, HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ. SHE GOT INTO THE CAR, STARTED IT UP AND MOVED THE CONSOLE SHIFT LEVER TOWARD "D". SHE HAD PARKED FACING THE LANE BETWEEN THE PARKING SPACES SO SHE COULD DRIVE FORWARD AND NOT HAVE TO BACK OUT OF THE SPOT. WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER GOT TO "R" THE CAR LURCHED REARWARD AND THEN AS THE GEAR SHIFT WENT TO "D" THE CAR SHOT FORWARD EVEN THOUGH HER FOOT WAS PLANTED FIRMLY ON THE BREAK (YOU CAN'T SHIFT THIS CAR WITHOUT HAVING THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED). THE WAL-MART SECURITY FILM SHOWS WHITE SMOKE ISSUING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS AS THE CAR ROCKETS OUT OF SIGHT. THE CAR SPED ABOUT 250-300 FEET BEFORE MY WIFE STEERED INTO THE WAL-MART PLANT DISPLAY AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. NO INJURIES TO ANYONE AND NO DAMAGE TO ANY OTHER CARS. CHRYSLER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO EXAMINE THE CAR; HE FOUND NOTHING AMISS- NO PROBLEM AND THEREFORE NO EXPLANATION. MY WIFE TAKES NO MEDICATION(S) SHE WASN'T DRUNK OR IMPAIRED IN ANY WAY AND HAS A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD. SO WHAT HAPPENED? THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE CAR AND SENT US A CHECK. END OF STORY?, NOT QUITE. MY QUESTION TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE ON THE ETHER IS: HAS ANYONE OUT THERE GONE THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE? EVEN FOR A SHORT DISTANCE? SOMETHING CAUSED THAT CAR TO GO HAYWIRE AND IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED JUST ONCE. LET ME KNOW, PLEASE. MY E-MAIL IS: [email protected]. *AK
Unknown or Other
Filed May 25, 200491,324 milesVA
COOLANT USED IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT CONTAIN ENOUGH CORROSION INHIBITORS, AS A RESULT THE ENGINE BLOCK AND CYLINDER HEAD CORE PLUGS CORRODED WHICH CAUSED THE COOLANT TO LEAK. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED AND ALL CORE PLUGS REPLACED. THE MFR. HAD A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THE VIN# WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. *NM
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed May 6, 2004FL
1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVETIIBLE TOP IS FRAYING AROUND ALL THE EDGES. AROUND THE BACK WINDOW THE TOP HAS COME AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM AND THE SIDES OF THE WINDOW.
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed May 3, 200425,000 milesFL
REAR WINDOW OF MY SEVERING IS COMING OUT BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE TOP THAT THEY PUT ON THE CAR,THE TOP IS LITERALLY COMING APART. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CHRYSLER, THEY WON'T COVER THIS AND I'M AFRAID THE WINDOW IS GOING TO FALL OUT GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHICH I'M SURE WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I'M AFRAID TO HAVE MY GRANDCHILDREN RIDING IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE IT PRESENTS. CALLS TO CHRYSLER GO UNRESOLVED. CAN YOU HELP??? *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Feb 21, 200473,200 milesOH
THIS COMPLAINT IS THE SAME AS THE ONE FILED ON MARCH 12TH OF 01. PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. ON MY MAKE AND MODEL CHRYSLER SEBRING CONV. THERE ARE NO WEAR SENSORS ON THE INSIDE BRAKE PADS. ONLY ON THE OUTSIDE DO THEY HAVE THE REQUIRED HARDWARE TO DETECT BRAKE WEAR. ON MY CAR THE RIGHT INSIDE BRAKE PAD ALWAYS WEARS OUT FIRST. I HAVE HAD TO COMPLETELY REPLACE MY BRAKES AT ALMOST THE EXACT SAME MILEAGE AS THE FIRST TIME. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION IF REQUIRED TO VERIFY COMPLAINT IF NECESSARY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS COMPLAINT. *JB
Steering › Linkages
Filed Feb 12, 200472,000 milesMA
CONTINUAL FRONT END PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE COLLAPSING OF THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A "FATAL" DEFECT IF THE CAR WERE TRAVELLING AT A FASTER RATE OF SPEED. EXPENSIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER REPAIR.. WHEELS JUST DO NOT COLLAPSE FOR NO REASON.
Suspension › Front
Filed Aug 3, 2003MO
I OWN A 1998 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WHICH I HAVE MAJOR FRONT END PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD BY FIRESTONE THAT IT NEEDS A NEW RACK AND PINION. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE IS A SILENT RECALL ON THE RACK AND PINION OF THESE VEHICLES.*AK
Electrical System
Filed Jun 20, 200353,000 milesPA
THE IGNITION FUSE ON MY CAR KEEPS BLOWING. I HAVE HAD WIRING REPLACED AS WELL AS THE NEUTRAL CONTROL SWITCH, BUT NEITHER HAVE HELPED THE SITUATION. THE FUSES SEEM TO BLOW MOSTLY IN DAMP OR RAINY WEATHER. *NLM
Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Control Unit/Module
Filed Jun 11, 200335,000 milesGA
1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE: BRAKE WORK. AFTER HAVING MY BRAKES REPAIRED THREE TIMES I NOW HEAR THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER. I JUST REPLACED IT AS WELL AS THE ROTARS A SECOND TIME.*AK REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER HAS SEPARATED FROM THE GLASS JUST AS LISTED ON YOUR PROBLEMS.
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Jun 6, 200357,000 milesFL
AFTER HAVING TWO HYDRAULIC PISTONS FOR THE CONVERTIBLE TOP REPLACED BY THE DEALER=COURTESY CHRYSLER,JEEP OF CASSELBERRY,FLORIDA=AND PAYING $518 ,I PROCEEDED TO LOWER THE TOP TO CHECK IT OUT,I HEARD A SNAP OR CRACKING NOISE AND THE TOP LOWERED INTO POSITION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE STAYING ABOUT SIX INCHES ABOVE PROPER SEATING. THIS HAPPENED IN FRONT OF THE REPAIR MGR'S OFFICE . THE MGR AND REPAIR MAN CLAIMED IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND THEY WOULD FIX IT BY BUYING ANOTHER ROOF SIDERAIL AND INSTALL IT FOR ANOTHER $1200. *AK
Electrical System
Filed Apr 8, 200357,000 milesCO
FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS OCT - 2001, BLEW IGNITION FUSE , THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. REPLACED STARTER AND FUSES PER DIAGNOSES FROM DEALER(STARTER DRAWING EXCESS AMPS CAUSING IGNITION FUSES TO BLOW). MARCH 2003 , IGNITION FUSE STARTED TO BLOW AGAIN. REPLACED FUSES ABOUT SIX TIMES IN ABOUT A MONTH. APRIL 7, 2003 BLEW IGNITION FUSE AGAIN, FUSE WOULD NOT HOLD ,CAR TOWED TO DEALER. *NLM
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Mar 30, 200380,200 milesFL
THE SAFETY BELT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT COME OUT, AGAIN! THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN FIVE YEARS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND EACH TIME I'VE HAD TO FIGHT W/CHRYSLER TO FIX THEIR FAULTY SAFETY ISSUE. SO ONCE AGAIN THE BATTLE HAS BEGUN! *NLM
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Mar 5, 2003IL
MY CAR KEEPS BLOWING THE IGNITION FUSE. IT WILL BE FINE FOR A WHILE THEN IT BLOWS TWO IN A ROW AND ON THE THIRD IT WILL START. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE. THOUGH THEY DO SAY IF I WANT TO PAY THEIR HOURLY WAGE THEY WILL TROUBLE SHOOT IT. *JB
Suspension › Multiple Axle
Filed Aug 19, 2002IN
ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES OF EACH OTHER I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. EACH TIME THEY WERE REPLACED WITH THE IDENTICAL WRONG PART WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF THE ABS AND TRACK SYSTEM. CHRYSLER PROVIDED BOTH THE WRONG PART AND INCORRECT PART INFO. CHRYSLER IS USING 50+ OF THESE 1998 PARTS PER WEEK . THEY HAVE SINCE IDENTIFIED THERE ERROR AND HAVE WARNED THERE PARTS MGRS. AND CORRECTED THE INFO PROVIDED TO BCA FOR THEIR OEM PARTS CATALOGUE. I MET BY COINCIDENCE ANOTHER 1998 SEBRING OWNER THAT LOST THEIR ABS SYSTEM AFTER A REAR WHEEL BEARING REPAIR. MY CONCERN IS THAT CHRYSLER KNOWS THAT THERE WERE REPAIRS MADE WITH THE WRONG PART. THERE CUSTOMERS LOST A VALUABLE SAFETY SYSTEM. CHRYSLER HAS NOT NOTIFIED THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THE ERROR. IT TOOK A GREAT DEAL OF INVESTIGATION ON MY PART TO FIND AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. STILL AT THIS TIME THEIR IS STILL INCORRECT INFO IN THE HANDS OF MANY AUTO REPAIR SHOPS.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Filed Jul 19, 2002NJ
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO REVERSE WITHOUT KEY IN ON POSTION. CONSUMER REACHED ACROSS GEAR SHIFT,AND KNOCKED SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL. EXISTING PROBLEM. CHRYSLER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Jan 3, 2002IL
PROBLEM FIRST DETECTED AS A MOANING/SLIPPING SOUND. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Dec 8, 2001MO
BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED, PREMATURE FAILURE OF ROTORS. PADS NOT FAILED. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 17, 2001GA
PULLEY OF COMPRESSEOR FAILED IN 5/99, CAUSING BELT TO BREAK AND MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. PULLY FAILED AGAIN SEPTEMBER 01. NO RESPONSE FROM CHRYSLER. I CAUGHT BEFORE ANY OTHER DAMAGE, BUT CANNOT BE A COINCIDENCE.*AK
Parking Brake › Conventional › Mechanical
Filed Aug 31, 2001CA
BUTTON ON END OF EMERGENCY BRAKE BROKE RENDERING EMERGENCY BRAKE INOPERABLE. DEALER REPLACED COMPLETE EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE.
Complaints 1-50 of 52, newest first, reproduced as filed.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Dec 27, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.