RoadVitals

1999 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
92
Latest Mar 5, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Dec 27, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
12
13 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 92 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Chrysler Sebring Convertible, most frequently naming the seat belts, transmission and body & structure categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 52 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
10E059000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Dec 27, 2010
22,689 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
09E056000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Oct 9, 2009
5,787 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE LLCView on NHTSA.gov
04V021000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

Jan 13, 2004
2,315,768 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
The 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.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATIONManufacturer number C45View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA03011ClosedEngineering Analysis

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK

Opened Jul 17, 2003
Closed Jan 30, 2004

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONLed to recall 04V021000
RQ03005ClosedRecall Query

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK

Opened Apr 8, 2003
Closed Jul 16, 2003

THREE OF THE MANFACTURER COMPLAINTS AND TWO OF THE MANUFACTURER CRASHES REPORTED ABOVE WERE DUPLICATES OF ODI REPORTS.THE MAJORITY OF CRASHES OCCURRED AFTER OPERATORS PARKED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING PARK GEAR POSITION; A NON-FUNCTIONAL IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED TO PREVENT KEY REMOVAL BEFORE THE OPERATORS EXITED THE VEHICLE.MOST OF THE CRASHES WERE MINOR AND INVOLVED MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE.FOUR OF THE INJURY INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHEN UNATTENDED CHILDREN MOVED THE GEARSHIFT FROM THE PARK POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY, ONE INJURY OCCURRED WHEN THE OPERATOR WAS STRUCK BY A ROLL-AWAY VEHICLE AFTER PARKING AND EXITING.ALL INJURIES WERE RELATIVELY MINOR.A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE INTERLOCK PIN THAT RIDES IN THE INTERLOCK LEVER SLOT WITHIN THE SHIFT MECHANISM.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WILL BE OPENED TO FURTHER STUDY INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 92
BrakesElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 5, 2019

TAKATA RECALL. I AM HAVING SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THE WHOLE BRAKING SYSTEM, AS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT THE EXACT CAUSE OF HAVING NO BRAKES. I HAVE NO TYPE OF BRAKES AT ALL. WHEN TAKEN OFF PARKING, EVEN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR WILL BEGIN TO MOVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON IN THESE CARS. THE FUEL PUMP WAS ALSO REPLACED AS IT WAS LETTING LESS POWER GO THROUGH. THIS HAPPENS AS THE CAR SITS IN PARKING, AS WELL AS, WHEN DRIVING. ALSO, THE MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR SAID THAT THE PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARDS. THE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES, SOMETIMES RADIO WORKS, SOMETIMES, LIGHTS GET STUCK ON.

NHTSA ID
11184279
Incident
Feb 25, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 13, 2019

DRIVING DOWN ROAD, AROUND 10 MILES A HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT CLUNK ON THE LEFT SIDE, AND WOULD NOT MOVE. GOT OUT TO CHECK, AND THE ENTIRE PIECE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE ON WAS LAYING ON THE INTERIOR OF THE TIRE RIM.

NHTSA ID
11179780
Incident
Nov 8, 2018
Mileage
108,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM 24, 1020 BELMONT ST, BROCKTON, MA, 02301) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE CAMSHAFT TIMING AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO ITS CONDITION. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA ID
11023003
Incident
Aug 25, 2017
Mileage
170,000 mi
Interior & seatsSeat beltsSuspension
Filed Jul 17, 2017

CAR SHAKES AT 75 MILES PER HOUR..FROM THE FRONT END.

NHTSA ID
11006027
Incident
Jun 6, 2017
Mileage
170,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT AND AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E056000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/3/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10702694
Incident
Mar 23, 2015
Mileage
129,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 27, 2015

CAR WILL STALL AT ANY SPEED. WILL RESTART AFTER ABOUT 15 TRIES. HAPPENS AFTER FILLING TANK. 1ST THOUGHT IT WAS BAD GAS. BUT TRIED DIFFERENT STATIONS. SAME PROBLEM. SPORADIC. OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN I SHUT OFF CAR AND THEN ATTEMPT TO START IT AGAIN A FEW MINUTES LATER. DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS COLD. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON HIGH SPEED ROADWAYS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10702127
Incident
Mar 26, 2015
Mileage
140,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Aug 26, 2014

FRONT SEAT BELTS, DRIVER AND PASSENGER LOCK UP AND WILL NOT RELEASE. IT IS GETTING WORSE, IN THE LAST 3 DAYS, IT HAS LOCKED UP TWICE AND CURRENTLY THEY ARE LOCK AND WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE SEATS TO BE USED *TR

NHTSA ID
10628415
Incident
Jul 2, 2007
Mileage
97,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 29, 2014

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCK UP AND DO NOT RELEASE. IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY BUT MOSTLY DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THEY DO WORK THEY TIGHTEN & TIGHTEN TO THE POINT OF ALMOST BEING PAINFUL. MECHANICS DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS SHOULD HAPPEN UNLESS IT IS THE SEAT BELT CONTROL MODULE WHICH CAN ONLY BE DONE BY A DEALER. ONE WORD "EXPENSIVE!" THIS IS A SAFETY & LAW ISSUE AND SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER FOR FAULTY SAFETY PRODUCT AND OPERATION. AFTER MY RESEARCH I SEE MANY OF THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE SEAT BELTS OVER AND OVER. THIS IS A REPETITIVE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10594737
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Mileage
160,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

9004275

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER

KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not program to the vehicle, use the "AC" NIC level part and submit a part warranty.

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

3100619

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

31-003-19

EQUIPMENT

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

31-005-19

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

31-006-19

STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chrysler Sebring Convertible by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005392049.9
2004622053.1
2003243039.1
20021213048.7
20011203050.6
2000782048.7
1999Viewing923259.5
1998523154.0
1997773157.9
1996683158.0

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.