Owners filed 62 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has been recalled 2 times.
When it fails
07200072,000 milesMedian miles at failure
55 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine and Engine Cooling
8
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
6
0
0
0
Suspension
4
0
0
0
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler
4
0
4
2
Seats
4
0
3
0
Engine
4
0
0
0
Suspension › Front
3
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
3
2
0
2
Air Bags
3
1
0
1
Fuel System, Gasoline
2
0
0
0
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder07E023000
Filed Mar 29, 200713,128 vehiclesCardone Industries, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy. CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jul 17, 201939,999 milesIL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS FLASHING, WHICH INDICATED A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN NEEDED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,999.
SeatsFire
Filed Dec 31, 2018120,000 milesND
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE VEHICLE TO WARM IT UP, SHE LEFT AND NOTICED SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE UPON HER RETURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS SMOKING AND CONTAINED A HOLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SEE ANY FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Air Bags
Filed Apr 25, 2018150,000 milesWI
"TAKATA RECALL" THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY. MY DAUGHTER ALSO HAS A SEBRING CONVERTIBLE AND HER DOES THE SAME THING ONLY IT IS A 2002. THIS SEEMS MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLES ARE IN MOTION. SOMETIMES A WARNING SOUND HAPPENS AND SOMETIMES NOT ON BOTH VEHICLES.
Engine
Filed Oct 4, 2017IN
HAD FUEL PUMP REPLACED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO. THEN AT GAS STATION WOULDNT START AT ALL, HAD A TOW TRUCK TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC AND THAT MECHANIC TAPPED ON GAS TANK AND IT STARTED AND SAID FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACE SO I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE THE NEW FUEL PUMP HAD A WARRANTY. THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH FUEL PUMP BUT FOUND PROBLEM WIRH #2 SELINOID AND THEY REPLACED IT. TWO WEEKS LATER THS CAR WAS DRIVING FINE BUT WHEN I GOT HOME AND TURNED OFF THE CAR FOR A COUPLE HOURS IT STARTED RIGHT UP. SO I TURNED IT OFF AND ON A COUPLE TIMES THEN THE ENGINE SURGED THEN HESTITATED THEN DIED. IT DID IT TWICE AFTER STARTING IT THEN TURNING ITVON ABOUT 5 TIMES TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT COULD BE WRONG WITH IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 2017. I HAD BOTH STRUT MOUNTS FIXED, FUEL PUMP, AN AIR VALVE FROM COOLANT DO NOT REMEMBER EXACT NAME, #2 SELINOID NOW THIS PROBLEM. I STILL OWE ON THIS CAR AND ITS NOT RELIABLE AND SCARED TO DRIVE IT AND WRECK.
Suspension
Filed Jul 18, 201767,000 milesMD
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, WITH BRAKE ASSEMBLY, AND HUB BROKE OFF CAR, LUCKILY ON A SUBURBAN STREET
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 9, 201760,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A RAINY DAY, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND FRACTURED THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED LEFT ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED THE CONTACT'S CLAIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Engine
Filed Nov 8, 201684,765 milesAZ
THE HEADGASKET HAS FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN FOUR YEARS.
Suspension
Filed May 3, 2016FL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E059000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 21, 2016130,000 milesSC
BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE ENGINE BUCKED TWICE AND STALLED. A FEW MINUTES LATER WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE ENGINE SURGED AND CAR LURCHED FORWARD.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 9, 201655,000 milesFL
WHEN CRUISE CONTROL ON, WHEN YOU STEP ON BRAKE AT STOPLIGHT, ACCELERATES UN- CONTROLLABLY. MUST SLAM ON BRAKES, SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, AND TURN IGNITION OFF. THEN WOULD ACCELERATE AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES WHEN TRYING TO RESTART CAR. I THINK CRUISE CONTROL FINALLY WENT OFF.
Service Brakes
Filed Feb 22, 201676,000 milesNJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE SHIFTER IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE ENGINE REVVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Suspension
Filed Dec 22, 2015112,635 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E059000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,635. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ *TR
Suspension
Filed Mar 16, 201597,000 milesFL
THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BECOME DISJOINTED. *TR
SeatsFire
Filed Sep 6, 2014106,000 milesMA
THE CAR HAS HEATED FRONT SEATS. THE PASSENGER SEAT BEGAN SMOKING. IT WAS NOT ON. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. *TR
Engine
Filed May 3, 2014108,000 milesME
I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE FOUND A LOT OF STRESS CRACKS IN THE OIL PAN WHICH IS ALUMINUM TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY THE ENGINE DIDN'T SEIZE OR CATCH ON FIRE THE EXHAUST PIE IS UNDER ONE OF THE CRACKS AND AS THE CAR GOT HOT THAT CRACK EXPANDED. THERE ARE SEVERAL MORE IN THE PAN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 12, 2013132,511 milesNY
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I LOOKED TO MY RIGHT AND I SAW SMOKE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I THEN TURNED OFF MY VEHICLE. THE SMOKE STOPPED. I HAD MY DOGS BED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN I MOVED IT, I SAW THE BURN WHOLE IN THE SEAT AND THE DOG BED. IT WAS 85 DEGREES. I DID NOT HAVE THE HEATED SEATS ON. IF I DID NOT HAVE THE TOP DOWN THE CAR WOULD HAVE FILLED WITH SMOKE CAUSING MAJOR VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE DOG BED THAT SMOTHERED THE FIRE, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN FLAMES. MY DOG AND I MIGHT NOT BE HERE TO REPORT THIS FIRE. AFTER CHRYSLER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS NO DEFECT. CHRYSLER WILL NOT TELL ME WHAT CAUSED IT OTHER THAN IT WAS NOT A DEFECT AND THEREFORE NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THE DEALER I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO SAID THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE RELAY. THERE IS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT THIS.THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT COULD HAPPEN TO OTHERS. *TR
Steering
Filed Jun 2, 2013100,200 milesMA
THIS WAS A MATER OF SEVERE INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE AND COULD HAVE BEEN DEATH OR MAIMING. TRAVELING TO A NORMAL STOP AT AN INTERSECTION TRAFFIC LIGHT, BEING THE FIRST CAR TO THE LIGHT ON FLAT PAVEMENT, THE CAR'S FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT CAME OUT OF ITS SOCKET AND THE CAR SKIDDED TO A HALT ON THE PAVEMENT RIDING ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE FRAME WITH THE WHOLE TIRE AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY DANGLING BY THE BRAKE LINE HOSE OUTSIDE THE WHEEL WELL. HOW COULD CHRYSLER BE ALLOWED TO SEND A FAULTY LIFE SAFETY DEVICE SUCH AS A THIS CRITICAL STEERING, SUSPENSION BALL JOINT THAT HUMAN LIFE DEPENDS ON INTO THE PUBLIC FOR SALE? I AM OUTRAGED THAT MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BY CHRYSLER'S SLIPSHOD ENGINEERING AND PRODUCT PLACEMENT. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT IF SHE HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED I WOULD BE CALLING A FUNERAL PARLOR TODAY TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TODAY FOR HER BURIAL. SHE WAS MINUTES AWAY FROM TRAVELING TO A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED WHEN SHE LEFT THE SHOPPING CENTER. THANK GOD THE LIGHT TURNED RED. I HOPE SOMEONE AT NHTSA CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS TERRIBLE AND DANGEROUS LIFE THREATENING VEHICLE ON THE ROADWAYS FOR THE SAKE OF SEBRING OCCUPANTS AND OTHER VEHICLE OCCUPANT'S WHO ARE AT RISK OF DEATH IF NOTHING IS DONE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE OR BANISH THE VEHICLES ALTOGETHER FROM ROADWAYS. THREE SEBRINGS PASSED US WHILE WE WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE AT THE SAME RISK OF DEATH BY DRIVING THOSE CARS. CHRYSLER SHOULD B
Engine
Filed Feb 16, 2013107,000 milesMA
2004 2.7L CHRYSLER SEBRING GTC CONVERTIBLE V-6 ENGINE SUFFERED COMPLETE FAILURE AT 107,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE STARTED TO BUCK, SURGE, AND MAKE A SERIOUS KNOCKING SOUND, WHITE SMOKE POURED OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR STALLED IN IT'S TRACKS, UNABLE TO RUN AGAIN. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AWAY. MECHANIC STATED ENGINE WAS RUINED DUE TO COOLANT ENTERING THE INTERNALS. *TR
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 29, 201280,500 milesDE
AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR ACCELERATOR OR THROTTLE BEGAN TO STICK AND ACCELERATE INTENSELY, GOING UP TO 80MPH WITH THE BRAKE ENGAGED. I PULLED OFF THE MAIN ROAD, CONTINUING TO BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY SHUT DOWN THE CAR. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND NARROWLY AVOIDED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, MY CAR HAS HAD EVERY SERVICE RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER MANUAL. *TR
PLASTIC COVERING OVER FRONT HEADLAMP HOUSING HAS GOTTEN FOGGED OVER ENTIRE OUTSIDE. THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT THROWN BY THE HEADLAMPS IS REDUCED. I NOTICE THIS ON MOST CARS AS THEY GET OLDER. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. CLEANING PRODUCTS SOLD BY AUTO PARTS STORES TO CLEAR THIS SITUATION ARE WORTHLESS. *JS
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.