1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Problems

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

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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: 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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

1997 SEBRING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED. *TS *JB

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: 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

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

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

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

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

IN SHORT, MY '97 SEBRING CONVT. (86,000 MI) IS ON ITS 3RD STARTER, NEEDS A NEW FUEL GAUGE & SWITCH TO LIGHT FOG LAMPS (PROBLEM FOR VA. SAFETY INSP.). ALSO TACH, SPEEDOMETER, & OTHER GAUGES HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING TEMPORAILY WHILE CAR IS MOVING. *JB

THE HEADLIGHT PLASTIC LENSES DETERIORATED, WHICH CAUSED THE THEM TO EXCESSIVELY FOGGED. CONSUMER HAD TO UTILIZE THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD WAY AT NIGHT. *JB

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

IN SHORT, MY '97 SEBRING CONVT. (86,000 MI) IS ON ITS 3RD STARTER, NEEDS A NEW FUEL GAUGE & SWITCH TO LIGHT FOG LAMPS (PROBLEM FOR VA. SAFETY INSP.). ALSO TACH, SPEEDOMETER, & OTHER GAUGES HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING TEMPORAILY WHILE CAR IS MOVING. *JB

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