2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Conv, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical3320.4%
- Engine3018.5%
- Driver assistance169.9%
- Body & structure159.3%
- Interior & seats106.2%
- Powertrain (other)95.6%
- Brakes95.6%
- Transmission84.9%
- Steering74.3%
- Airbags74.3%
- Seat belts42.5%
- Fuel system42.5%
- Visibility31.9%
- Suspension31.9%
- Exterior lighting21.2%
- Tires & wheels10.6%
- Other / unspecified10.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED THEN WENT OUT, MY CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS A MALFUNCTION AND WILL NOT OPEN AND THE DOOR LOCKS UNLOCK AND LOCK ON THEIR OWN.
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND THE HORN BEGAN CHIRPING RANDOMLY OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT 30 MINUTES. AFTER 30 MINUTES OF RANDOM "CHIRPS" THE HORN ENGAGED AND DID NOT STOP. THIS WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE HORN STILL BLEW. I OPENED UP THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND TAPPED THE FUSE BOX/RELAYS AND THE HORN STOPPED. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT MULTIPLE OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AND I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE. THIS POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK FOR MYSELF AND THOSE AROUND ME. ALSO, THE HORN NO LONGER WORKS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DEPRESSED.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer and was referred to another dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated the failure was related to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V473000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.
MY CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AS I WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING WASN'T WORKING, I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEELS AT ALL. THE BREAKS WOULD NOT WORK EITHER, NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE BREAKS THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. LUCKILY I WASN'T GOING FAST OR DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE KILLED ME.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL, THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR SOME TIME NOW AND AS RECENTLY AS LAST MONTH MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON REQUIRING ME TO CHANGE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. LAST WEEK MY STEREO WAS SHORTED OUT AND MY CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKS AND ONLY MY HIGH BEAMS ARE WORKING. TODAY MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE DASH FLASHED AS IF IT SHORTED OUT AND COME TO FIND OUT MY BATTERY WAS DEAD DRAINED FOR SOME REASON. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A COUPLE OCCASIONS WHEN MY CONVERTIBLE TOP GOT STUCK IN OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT GO DOWN. I HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING CAR TO GET TOP TO CLOSE ALL THE WAY DOWN. THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING TOP. THE TIRE PRESSURE ICON IS STILL SHOWING ON DASH BOARD.
ON MAY 20, 2017 DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70-80 MPH; RED LIGHTNING BOLT DASH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR SEEMED TO PULL BACK AND HESITATE. IT WAS DRIVING AS IF IT MAY CUT OFF. I DROVE INTO RIGHT LANE AND DROPPED SPEED TO ABOUT 55 MPH. I DID NOT STOP BECAUSE IT WAS NIGHT AND I AM A SENIOR WOMAN DRIVING ALONE ON A ROUTE I'D NEVER DRIVEN. THE CAR WOULD PULSATE AND RUN UNSTEADY WHEN IDLING A STOPS. I MADE IT HOME, TURNED CAR BACK ON AND LIGHT WENT OFF. I WENT ONLINE AND LOOKED UP THE RED LIGHT ICON AND IT SAID "ETC ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR; ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES. ON PREVIOUS OCCASION ON A HIGHWAY DOING 60 MPH OR SO; CAR ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT SLOW UP UNTIL IT DECIDED TO. I HAD NO CONTROL ABOUT 30- 40 SECONDS. THANK GOD I DID NOT PANIC AND DID NOT CRASH. I REPORTED TO MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED CAR. THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED UNLESS I HAPPENED AGAIN. ALSO, IN MARCH I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START. THEY HAD TO CORRECT WIRING PROBLEM. ANOTHER PROBLEM, THEIR IS A TICKING SOUND. MECHANIC SAYS ITS SOME KIND OF FAN THAT COOLS THE AIR COMING INTO THE CAR. IT MAKES THAT TICKING SOUND EVEN IF MY CAR IS PARKED AND ENGINE TURNED OFF.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ENTERING A HIGHWAY FROM A DRIVEWAY. I HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR TOOK OFF UNCONTROLLABLY ACROSS THE HIGHWAY, ACROSS LANES OF TRAFFIC, WENT UP AN EMBANKMENT AND THEN BACK DOWN WHERE THE CAR SHUT OFF. I HAD NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE THE ACCIDENT, BUT WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF HAD BEEN WORKED ON, I NOTICED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS "ON". THIS MAY THE REASON IT ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. *TR
THE CONVERTIBLE TOP GET STUCK MAKES THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE BECAUSE THE TRUNK GETS STUCK OPEN. *TR
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
ELECTRIC SEAT POSITIONING GUIDE BAR SLIPS FORWARD WHEN BRAKING. THIS OCCURS FOR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
JUN'17 INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING QUIT OPERATION OR INTERMITTENT. VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. NEED FLASHLIGHT TO SEE DASH. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND HE IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ON INSTRUMENT PANEL PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD ON SAME VEHICLES.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR. SUPPOSELY DEALERSHIP DROVE IT OVER 25 MILES NEVER HAD THE PROBLEM. I PICK IT UP AND DROVE IT LESS THEN 5 MILES AND IT DOES NOT SHIFT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MONTHLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AS I WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING WASN'T WORKING, I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEELS AT ALL. THE BREAKS WOULD NOT WORK EITHER, NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE BREAKS THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. LUCKILY I WASN'T GOING FAST OR DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE KILLED ME.
BRAKE FAILURE. FIRST TIME IT WAS RAINING DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY PUT ON BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE IT BEGAN RAINING VERY HARD BRAKE LOCKED UP PEDAL WAS HARD TO PUSH CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND ALMOST SENT ME OVER THE GAURD RAIL. LUCKILY GAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME. ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS ESPECIALLY WHEN WET I HAVE NO BRAKES, LIKE IT LOCKS UP OR SOMETHING . ABS LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. REPLACED THE BRAKES WITH LIFE TIME WARRANTY BRAKES. ABS SENSORS WERE CHECKED AND IN PLACE WHEN BRAKES REPAIRED. HAD IT CHECKED AT TIRES PLUS AND JUST BRAKES BOTH SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THIS CAR SCARS ME BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW IF I AM GOING TO HAVE BRAKES OR NOT OR HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM OR WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE DROVE HER 2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING TO WORK YESTERDAY, EVERYTHING SEEMED TO WORK FINE. WHEN SHE TRIED TO DRIVE HOME THE CAR WAS STUCK IN PARK. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE I TOOK THE TRIM RING OFF OF THE SHIFTER AREA AND FOUND THE PINK PIECE OF PLASTIC ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SHIFTER. WITH A LONG SCREW DRIVER I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE PINK PIECE OF PLASTIC BACKWARD AND COULD THEN MOVE THE SHIFTER OUT OF PARK. *TR
SHIFTER IN MY 2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING TOURING SEDAN CONVERTIBLE FROZEN. ONLY GOES INTO REVERSE AND PARK. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AS I WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING WASN'T WORKING, I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEELS AT ALL. THE BREAKS WOULD NOT WORK EITHER, NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE BREAKS THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. LUCKILY I WASN'T GOING FAST OR DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE KILLED ME.
FRONT END KNOCK FELT THROUGH STEERING WHEEL AFTER CAR WARMS UP FOR 15 MINUTES. CAR IN MOTION OR IF YOU ROCK STEERING BACK AND FORTH.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
--- CHRYSLER SEBRING LIMITED 2008 CONVERTIBLE --- AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON AND OFF, AND IT SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE PASSENGER SEAT TRACKING SENSOR. THERE IS A RECALL ON CHRYSLER SEBRING 2008, BUT IT DOESN'T COME UP FOR MY VIN NUMBER.
TAKATA RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE AIR BAG RECALL INFO. THIS AUTO IS AMONG THE LISTED BUT THE DEALERSHIP AND YOU PEOPLE WON'T DO ANYTHING. OUR AIR BAG RED LIGHT ON THE DASH HAS BEEN ON NOW 2YRS. THE SEAT BELT RED LIGHT AND WARNING NOISE GOES ON FREQUENTLY EVEN THO IT IS SECURE. QUITE ANNOYING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVERS TENSIONER DOESNT LATCH, WARNING SIGNAL WONT STOP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHEN THE SEAT BELT WAS BUCKLED, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO DRAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP IS BELOW 40 DEGREES AND I FILL MY 2008 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE WITH GAS, GASOLINE GUSHES AND BLOWS OUT OF MY CAR FILLER TUBE ALL OVER THE PLACE. I HAVE TALKED TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. HOWEVER MY 2008 DODGE NITRO HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A RECALL TO FIX IT. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS HAPPENING. *TR
WHENEVER I SELF FILL OR AN ATTENDANT FILLS MY VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE IT SPITS BACK +/- 2 CUPS OF GAS AFTER THE PUMP SHUTS OFF EVEN ON THE SLOWEST FILL SPEED. GASOLINE SPILLS ALL OVER THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, GROUND AND ANYONE STANDING NEXT TO THE VEHICLE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A TRUE SAFETY HAZARD TO OWNER AND OR GAS STATION ATTENDANTS HAVING GASOLINE ON THEIR HANDS AND CLOTHES, AND THE ENVIRONMENT FROM THE ESCAPED FUMES, AND DEFINITELY A POTENTIAL FOR FIRE FROM POOLED SPILLED GASOLINE ON THE GROUND. I HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WITH A 2008 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AS IS IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP GETS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AND DOESN'T GO BACK DOWN. I CANNOT SEE OTU OF THE REAR VIEW AND OBVIOUSLY CANNOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE SAFELY. I CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER AND BOTH TOLD ME THE RECALL HAD BEEN ADDRESSED IN 2008 (THEY LLOOKED IT UP BY VIN). HOWEVER, IT OBVIOUSLY WASN'T SINCE THE TOP IS STILL STICKING. THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME TOO BAD. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO TELL ME WHICH DEALERSHIP HAD MARKED IT AS A COMPLETED AND REPAIRED RECALL WHICH IS STRANGE. I WOULD LIKE IT FIXED ASAP SINCE I CANNOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE OUT THE REAR WINDSHIELD! IT WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST DECIDE WHEN THEY WANT TO STOP LEAVING ME WITH ZERO VISIBILITY DURING A RAINY COMMUTE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT END KNOCK FELT THROUGH STEERING WHEEL AFTER CAR WARMS UP FOR 15 MINUTES. CAR IN MOTION OR IF YOU ROCK STEERING BACK AND FORTH.
NOTICED AROUND THIS DATE WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS GOING DOWN HILL IN THE PARKING GARAGE THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS MAKING A GROANING SOUND. TOOK VEHICLE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT FOUND NOTHING WRONG UNDER INSPECTION. FINALLY TOOK TO NEW MECHANIC AND FOUND RACK AND PINION WITH FRONT LEFT SIDE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED THEN WENT OUT, MY CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS A MALFUNCTION AND WILL NOT OPEN AND THE DOOR LOCKS UNLOCK AND LOCK ON THEIR OWN.
WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE PUT ON THE DASH BOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (THE THREE CIRCLES) DOES NOT ILLUMINATE. NO VISIBILITY OF INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS HAPPENS ALL TIMES WHEN PUTTING HEADLIGHTS ON, NO MATTER IF STATIONARY OR MOVING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING VALVE BROKE OFF WHILE TRYING TO REMOVE VALVE CAP TO ADD AIR. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AS I BARELY TOUCHED THE VALVE CAP. THIS IS THE FOURTH ONE THAT HAS FAILED IN THIS MANNER. THE ALUMINUM VALVE STEMS BECOME BRITTLE AND FAIL EASILY. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART WAS ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING VALVE BROKE OFF WHILE TRYING TO REMOVE VALVE CAP TO ADD AIR. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AS I BARELY TOUCHED THE VALVE CAP. THIS IS THE FOURTH ONE THAT HAS FAILED IN THIS MANNER. THE ALUMINUM VALVE STEMS BECOME BRITTLE AND FAIL EASILY. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART WAS ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .