2000 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Routine

Owners filed 78 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the seat belts. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
82,000 milesMedian miles at failure

62 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seat Belts14
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission5
000
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Rear Window4
000
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling4
010
Electrical System4
012
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly3
001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
000
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage3
101
Seat Belts › Front3
000

2 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags1 injured
Filed Jan 23, 201880,326 milesCA

AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON A QUITE NEIGHBORHOOD STREET BOTH AIR BAGS WENT OFF WITH NO ACCIDENT, BIG BUMPS OR DIPS OR ANY OTHER REASON. I HAVE PHOTOS BUT DO NOT KNOW HOW TO UP LOAD THEM. *DSY.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Feb 16, 201760,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT WERE IT WAS AWAITING INSPECTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 05/16/17*LJ *CN

Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 4, 201680,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RAIN EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Feb 22, 2016113,000 milesMN

DRIVERS INBOARD SEAT BELT BROKE OFF WHEN MY SON TRIED TO BUCKLE UP IN THE DRIVEWAY. POTENTIALLY A FATAL SITUATION IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONNECTING CABLE FRAYED. IT WOULD NOT HAVE HELD IN ANY TYPE OF FORWARD ACCIDENT.

Tires
Filed Dec 12, 2015105 milesWA

TOOK MY CAR IN 10/23/15 TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND WAS TOLD BY THE SHOP I NEEDED NEW TIRES THAT THEY WERE ALMOST BALD AND THE THREAD INDICATORS WERE SHOWING ON ALL 4. MY TIRES HAD ONLY 20K MILES ON THEM AND THE WARRANTY WAS FOR 60K MILES. SHOP SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT FALKEN TIRES AND CALL ME BACK. FALKEN JERKED THE SHOP AROUND FOR OVER A WEEK PASSING HIM FROM DEPT. TO DEPT. RED FLAG!!!! IN THE MEANTIME I CHECKED W/ SEVERAL OTHER SHOPS AND IN ONLINE FORUMS AND REVIEWS. ALL SAID THEY HAD THEY'RE TIRES WEAR OUT IN 6-8 MONTHS OR MORE. THE SHOPS SAID BECAUSE OF THE WEAR PROBLEMS THEY WOULDN'T SELL THEM AND FALKEN HAD SHORTENED THE WARRANTY TO 40K AND 5 YEARS. MANY SUBMITTED CLAIMS AND WERE DENIED 2 OR 3 TIMES. THE SHOP WAS TOLD BY FALKEN FOR ME TO BUY NEW TIRES AND THEY'D REIMBURSE ME IF THEY FOUND A PROBLEM W/ THE TIRES. AM DISABLED ON A FIXED INCOME AND CAN'T DO THIS. WHAT GOOD IS A WARRANTY IF THE COMPANY IS GOING TO IGNORE YOU? I DON'T TRUST FALKEN THE COMPANY OR THE BRAND BASED ON THEIR DECEPTION AND NOT RECALLING A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT BASED ON MANY MANY PROBLEMS. THESE ARE FALKEN ZIEX 912'S SIZE 205/65/R15. THINGS REMAIN RIGHT AT A STALEMATE, BUT I HAVE SENT A LETTER TO THE FALKEN CEO.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 8, 2015124,649 milesMA

ALARM SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE MULTIPLE TIMES AUTOMATICALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARK. WHEN DRIVING, THE DOORS WILL LUCK AND UNLUCK MULTIPLE TIMES AND ALL THE INTERIORS LIGHTS WILL TURN ON AND OFF AT THE SAME TIME THE DOORS WILL LUCK AND UNLUCK.

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 27, 2015100,000 milesNY

THE SEATS BELTS WILL LOCK AND YOU CANNOT LOOSEN THEM. IF YOU ARE JUST ENTEREING THE CAR YOU CANNOT PUT THEM ON.

Engine
Filed May 15, 2015105,000 milesGA

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, ENGINE STALLS. SOMETIMES ENGINE (CAR) STALLS WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN OR STOPPING BEFORE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET. NO CODES SHOW UP ON THE CAR COMPUTER. HAVE HAD CHECKED OUT TWICE.THIS IS ONGOING FOR TWO MONTHS AND HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR.

Suspension
Filed Aug 4, 2014154,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BALL JOINTS IN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM BECAME DETACHED FROM THE HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E059000 (SUSPENSION), HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. UPDATED 12/19/14*CN UPDATED 05/27/2015 *JS

Air Bags
Filed Dec 7, 2013102,489 milesTX

THIS MORNING AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 A.M. CENTRAL, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE AWAKEN TO OUR CAR HORN BLARING. I AM QUITE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE NOW AWAKE AS WELL. WE TRIED TO TURN IT OFF THINKING IT WAS THE PANIC BUTTON, BUT TURN OUT THAT IT WAS THE HORN. MY HUSBAND HAD TO PRESS ON IT REPEATEDLY TO MAKE IT STOP. HE GETS OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND AS SOON AS HE SHUTS THE DOOR, IT START BLARING AGAIN!!! HE THEN LEAVES THE CAR DOOR OPEN AND STARTS THE VEHICLE TO HEAT UP THE ENGINE, SINCE WE HAD FREEZING TEMPERATURES THE LAST COUPLE OF NIGHTS. IT WASN'T UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS WARM THAT HE WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE DOOR WITHOUT IT GOING OFF AGAIN. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND SOME HAVE EXPERIENCED THE HORN GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING!!!! I ALSO HAVE READ WHERE THE DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM, AS IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE AND COVERED 100%!! IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND EMBARRASSING, BUT ALSO A DANGER IF IT OCCURS WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING!!!!!! *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 24, 201388,000 milesCA

ALL SEATBELTS IN THE CAR HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. IT STARTED WITH THE BELTS RANDOMLY LOCKING, WHETHER DRIVING OR NOT. NOW, I HAVE TO KEEP CLIPS ON THE BELTS TO PREVENT THEM FROM FULLY RETRACTING. *JS

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 18, 201395,000 milesIL

ON 6/18/13, I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT LATCH (THE RECEPTACLE PORTION) WAS BEING PUSHED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE CENTER CONSOLE WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE. THE FOURTH OR FIFTH TIME IT DID THIS, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE BROKE OFF. UPON INSPECTION, THE WIRE CABLE CONNECTING THE SEAT BELT LATCH AND THE ANCHOR HAD BROKEN. THE ANCHOR WAS STILL SECURELY BOLTED TO THE SEAT. I HAVE CONTACTED A DEALER AND CHRYSLER, TO NO AVAIL. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 15, 201250,000 milesKS

THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM CONCERNS THE SEATBELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM ".THE SEATBELT CONTROL MODULE" HAS FAILED ON OUR 2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING 1. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS AND AFTER SETTING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THE BATTERY WAS LOW REQUIRING JUMP STARTING. 2. TWO DEALERSHIPS CHECKED OUT WHAT WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. 3. WITH THE BATTERY GROUND DISCONNECTED AND AN AMMETER BETWEEN BATTERY GROUND AND CHASIS GROUND MY INITIAL READING WAS .06 AMPS,. 4. WITH THIS SAME TEST SETUP IN PLACE THE DOORS WERE OPENED AND THEN CLOSED THE AMMETER READ .5 AMPS DRAW ON THE BATTERY AFTER THE CONTROL FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTS TIMED OUT. NOTE:THE INITIAL BREAKING OF THE GROUND DISGUISED THE PROBLEM. (MAYBE WHY DEALERSHIPS DID NOT DETECT THE PROBLEM) . I PROCEEDED TO PULL FUSES UNTIL I DISCOVERED THE .5 AMP DRAIN WENT AWAY WHEN THE FUSE FEEDING THE SEAT BELT CONTROL MODULE WAS PULLED. I HAVE NOT YET HAD OUR CAR REPAIRED HOWEVER APPEARANCES ARE THAT THE MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. THIS PROBLEM MAY NEVER HAVE SHOWED UP HAD THE CAR BEEN DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS KEEPING THE BATTERY FROM GETTING TOO LOW TO START THE CAR. EVEN WITH THE FUSE PULLED THE SEATBELTS COULD BE USED AS NORMAL WHICH WE DID SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY LOCKED TO WHERE THEY COULD NOT BE RETRACTED. WHAT LITTLE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE TELLS ME THIS MODULE HAS MANY SAFETY FUNCTIONS BESIDES JUST REMINDING US TO FASTEN THE SEAT BELTS. THE IMPACT SENSOR IS A COMPONENT OF THE SEATBELT CONTROL TIM

Seat Belts
Filed Feb 8, 2012154,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WERE LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 17, 2011119,000 milesMO

MY WIFE OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING JXI CONVERTIBLE. ON SEPTEMBER 6., 2011 MY WIFE WAS LEAVING FOR WORK AND WHEN SHE WENT TO BUCKLE HER SEAT BELT THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT'S FEMALE RECEPTICLE (DRIVER'S SIDE) BROKE OFF IN HER HAND (THE ENTIRE CABLE SNAPPED). UPON INSPECTION WE DISCOVERED THE CABLE THAT BOLTS THE RECEPTICLE TO THE SEAT FRAME HAD BROKEN IN THE MIDDLE WHERE THERE IS VERY LITTLE BINDING OR BENDING. WE CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY STATED IT "WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY...." MY WIFE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HER IT WOULD COST $300 TO REPLACE IT. AS A TEMPORARY FIX I MOVED THE SEAT BELT RECEPTICLE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT TO THE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SINCE IT'S ILLEGAL IN MISSOURI TO DRIVE WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. WE FEEL THERE SHOULDN'T BE A WARRANTY PERIOD FOR SAFETY EQUIPMENT ON A VEHICLE - IF A PART FAILS THROUGH NO FAULT OF THE OWNER THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THEIR SUBSTANDARD PARTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S A DEFECTIVE PART THAT COULD COST THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE THEIR LIFE. AFTER DOING AN ONLINE SEARCH WE FOUND WE WEREN'T ALONE IN SEAT BELT RECEPTICLES BREAKING ON CHRYSLER SEBRINGS. WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF MY SEARCH I FOUND 5 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING THE SAME MALFUNCTION OR DEFECT - ONE MENTIONED THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AFTER AN ACCIDENT WHERE "SEVERE HEAD INJURIES" RESULTED. THE COMPLAINTS I READ ONLINE STARTED WITH THE MODEL YEAR 2000 AND GO THROUGH 2005. MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR OF

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 2, 2011160,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT TIMES, THE SEAT BELT CONNECTORS WOULD FAIL TO ALIGN PROPERLY, RENDERING THEM INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,000. UPDATED 8/29/11 *CN THE SEAT BELT RELEASE MODULE DOES NOT RANDOMLY BELTS. UPDATED 09/21/11

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Oct 5, 201040,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHENEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT ALLOWED THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT WAS USING HOME REMEDIES TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, IT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT STATED THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COULD LEAVE HIM STRANDED ON THE ROAD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Jul 2, 201034,000 milesNV

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BUTTON TO THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NOT WORK UNLESS IT WERE PRESSED REPEATEDLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPRESSOR TO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED; YET, THEY WERE NOT SURE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 15, 2010120,000 milesCA

2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE JXI - SEATBELTS MALFUNCTION SEATBELT RETRACTOR LOCKS UP (BOTH SEATS AT THE SAME TIME) SO THE SEAT BELTS CANNOT BE USED. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT VERY PROBLEMATIC. I HAVE REPLACED THE SEATBELT FUSE. I HAVE CONSULTED WITH A CHRYSLER SERVICE DEPT. TECHNICIAN WHO STATED THAT REPLACING THE RETRACTOR WOULD BE $508 PER SEAT BUT COULDN'T GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD BE THE SOLUTION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET; HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F11C283 WHICH HAS NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND WWW.ALLEXPERTS.COM. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 6, 2010PA

I OWN A 2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE JXI. THE SEAT BELTS OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT RETRACT FROM BOTH FRONT SEAT. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS FOR ANYWHERE BETWEEN AN HOUR AND SEVERAL DAYS. BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCK AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

20 of 78 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200539210Routine
200462290Routine
200324300Routine
2002121310Routine
2001120320Routine
2000 — this page78220Routine
199992331Fatalities reported
199852310Routine
199777320Routine
199668331Fatalities reported

Compare every Sebring Convertible year →

Reading this record

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.