2004 Chrysler Sebring Sedan 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 2004 Chrysler Sebring Sedan, 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
- Engine422.2%
- Suspension316.7%
- Body & structure211.1%
- Fuel system15.6%
- Other / unspecified15.6%
- Powertrain (other)15.6%
- Seat belts15.6%
- Transmission15.6%
- Airbags15.6%
- Visibility15.6%
- Brakes15.6%
- Electrical15.6%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN IN MOTION LEAKS COOLANT ON PUBLIC ROADS...ONCE AGAIN. HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED BEFORE WHEN THIS SAID VEHICLE HAD 70,000 MILES ON IT AT THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. REPLACED WATER PUMP.
I WAS CROSSING 4 LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND MY CAR STALLED AND DIED. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD HAPPENED SO I WAS UNSURE WHAT TO DO. THANK GOODNESS I PUT MY CAR IN P AND RESTARTED IT IN ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE I WAS HIT. THIS HAS AGAIN HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST 10+ YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. FUNNILY ENOUGH, AS I PULLED UP TO MY BANK TO MAKE MY FINAL CAR PAYMENT, THE CAR ALSO STALLED. IT WAS TOO IRONIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH IS SUCH A HASSLE AND OF COURSE, THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. NOW, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GOES OFF WITH NO APPARENT REASON. PLEASE ISSUE SOME SORT OF RECALL SO NO ONE IS HURT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. *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
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE CONTROL ARM SNAPPED CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC. THE CONTROL ARMS AND SOME OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED. USING MY CARS VIN THERE IS NOT A RECALL BUT ON THIS WEBSITE THERE IS A RECALL FOR SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL FOR THE SAME REASON. I CALLED CHRYSLER 800-992-1997 AND SPOKE WITH MICAH AND SHE EXPLAINED THAT SHE DOES NOT EVEN SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRINGS CASE# 28647014. BUT HERE IS THE WEBSITE I FOUND IT ON: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/OWNERS/SEARCHRESULTS;JSESSIONID=K261WQCJKJ69RSYYTT48WFRRMDTB80YQJLP8JVCGTQRGPTDR0MQY!-721696947?PRODTYPE=V&SEARCHTYPE=PROD&TARGETCATEGORY=A&SEARCHCRITERIA.MODEL=SEBRING+SEDAN&STATS=774853%2C1%2C0%2C8%2C0%2CSEBRING+SEDAN&MAKESTATS=&JSONBASEURL=%2FDOWNLOADS%2FFOLDERS%2F&SEARCHCRITERIA.MODEL_YR=2004&SEARCHCRITERIA.MAKE=CHRYSLER&SEARCHCRITERIA.PROD_IDS=774853
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE BALL JOINT. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E059000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT HAS DOOR HANDLES THAT HAVE A METAL COVERING ON THEM. I HAVE REPLACED THEM SEVERAL TIMES. THE METAL COVERING ON THE HANDLES START TO PEEL OFF AND IT CUTS YOUR HANDS IF NOT CAREFUL. MY GRANDDAUGHTER REQUIRED STITCHES FROM OPENING THE BACK DOOR. I HAVE ALSO HAD SERIOUS CUTS. AFTER TALKING TO OTHER SEBRING OWNERS I HAVE FOUND THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR HANDLES AND BEING CUT. I WOULD LIKE TO SHE THIS CHANGED TO DIFFERENT HANDLES, HOWEVER I AM ONLY ABLE TO GET THE SAME TYPE OF HANDLE FOR MY CAR. *TR
*WHAT HAPPENED? USE AS MUCH SPACE AS YOU NEED. WE OWN THIS 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING AS WE PURCHASED IT NEW IN THE FALL OF 2004 FROM WESTBORN CHRYSLER IN DEARBORN. IN THE SPRING OF 2005 WE TOOK A TRIP TO FLORIDA, AND AS WE WERE GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY, AT THE FIRST STOP LIGHT, THE CAR WAS JERKING TO THE POINT THAT IF WE DID NOT PUT IT IN PARK IT WOULD HIT THE GAR IN FRONT, THEN IT STOPPED. IT STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES IN THAT TRIP. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER; THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE DROVE THE CAR SHORT DISTANCES SINCE, BUT RECENTLY STARTED TO DRIVE ABOUT 20 MILES ONE WAY, WHEN IT STARTED TO HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS. WE EXPERIENCE SEVERAL CASES OF SUDDEN STALLING, JERKING AND SUDDEN STOPS WHEN TURNING. IT HAPPENS WHEN HAVE TO STOP AFTER A HIGHWAY DRIVE. IN ONE INSTANCE IT ALMOST HIT OUR HOUSE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND WERE TOLD THAT THE RIGHT DOWNSTREAM O2 SENSOR, AND THE HARNESS CONNECTOR HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE FUEL INJECTOR NEEDS TO BE SERVICED. ALSO THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS NOISY. CHRYSLER WOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO PICK UP THE LABOR COST OF $1,103, BECAUSE THE CAR HAS 47,000 MILES, IT IS SO FAR SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEY CLAIM THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE 70,000 MILES OR 7 YEARS WARRANTY. IT IS THE ENGINE AND/OR TRANSMISSION THAT ARE MALFUNCTIONING, BUT THEY TRY TO FIND DIFFERENT THINGS TO GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND AND NOT TO COVER THE EXPENSES. AFTER ALL, T REALLY THING THAT THIS WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS IS ONLY THE EFFECT OF A DIFFERENT CAUSE, THAT IS NOT EVEN FOUND. 2. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THAT ONCE IT RAINS, THE CARPET ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS ALWAYS WET. 3. A THIRD ISSUE, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR. ALL COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS, AS I READ COMPLAINTS. WHY ISN'T CHRYSLER STEPPING UP AND FIXING THESE PROBLEMS? *TR
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
I GOT THE CAR ON JAN 1,14..SINCE I HAD THIS I HAVE PROBLEMS. IN JULY 14 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE FUEL PUMP WENT ON THE CAR..AND ITS READING GAS LEAK AS OF NOW .ALSO THE CAR ACCELERATES BY ITS SELF I WOULD BE DRIVING DOING 60 MPH AND IT WILL A ACCELERATES AND IT SCARES ME TO DRIVE THIS CAR SOME TIMES.ALSO THE SEAT BELTS WERE PUT IN THE WRONG WAY. THE HORN WORKS ONCE IN AWHILE..THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME SO MANY PROBLEMS SINCE I HAD IT. *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
I BOUGHT MY 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING SEDAN IN FEBRUARY OF 2014. TWO MONTHS LATER IN APRIL THE BALL STUDS ON MY TIRES WERE POPPING OFF WHILE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR STARTED WOBBLING. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE PLACE WHERE I GOT IT FROM AND THEY FIXED IT. TWO MONTHS LATER IN JUNE THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE SAME TIRE. THE BALL STUDS FLEW OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE TIRE WAS HANGING ON BY ONE BALL STUD THE OTHERS WERE BROKEN OFF. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP AND IT WAS FIXED. NOW IN AUGUST MY BALL JOINT SNAPPED AS I WAS BACKING OUT A PARKING SPACE, WITH NO WARNING. THE WHOLE CAR FELL TO THE GROUND. THIS CAR IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE BALL STUDS AND BALL JOINT SHOULD BREAK SO EASILY. IF I WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET OR EVEN ON THE PARKWAY I WOULD'VE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I GOT THE CAR ON JAN 1,14..SINCE I HAD THIS I HAVE PROBLEMS. IN JULY 14 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE FUEL PUMP WENT ON THE CAR..AND ITS READING GAS LEAK AS OF NOW .ALSO THE CAR ACCELERATES BY ITS SELF I WOULD BE DRIVING DOING 60 MPH AND IT WILL A ACCELERATES AND IT SCARES ME TO DRIVE THIS CAR SOME TIMES.ALSO THE SEAT BELTS WERE PUT IN THE WRONG WAY. THE HORN WORKS ONCE IN AWHILE..THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME SO MANY PROBLEMS SINCE I HAD IT. *TR
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
I GOT THE CAR ON JAN 1,14..SINCE I HAD THIS I HAVE PROBLEMS. IN JULY 14 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE FUEL PUMP WENT ON THE CAR..AND ITS READING GAS LEAK AS OF NOW .ALSO THE CAR ACCELERATES BY ITS SELF I WOULD BE DRIVING DOING 60 MPH AND IT WILL A ACCELERATES AND IT SCARES ME TO DRIVE THIS CAR SOME TIMES.ALSO THE SEAT BELTS WERE PUT IN THE WRONG WAY. THE HORN WORKS ONCE IN AWHILE..THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME SO MANY PROBLEMS SINCE I HAD IT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
*WHAT HAPPENED? USE AS MUCH SPACE AS YOU NEED. WE OWN THIS 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING AS WE PURCHASED IT NEW IN THE FALL OF 2004 FROM WESTBORN CHRYSLER IN DEARBORN. IN THE SPRING OF 2005 WE TOOK A TRIP TO FLORIDA, AND AS WE WERE GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY, AT THE FIRST STOP LIGHT, THE CAR WAS JERKING TO THE POINT THAT IF WE DID NOT PUT IT IN PARK IT WOULD HIT THE GAR IN FRONT, THEN IT STOPPED. IT STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES IN THAT TRIP. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER; THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE DROVE THE CAR SHORT DISTANCES SINCE, BUT RECENTLY STARTED TO DRIVE ABOUT 20 MILES ONE WAY, WHEN IT STARTED TO HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS. WE EXPERIENCE SEVERAL CASES OF SUDDEN STALLING, JERKING AND SUDDEN STOPS WHEN TURNING. IT HAPPENS WHEN HAVE TO STOP AFTER A HIGHWAY DRIVE. IN ONE INSTANCE IT ALMOST HIT OUR HOUSE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND WERE TOLD THAT THE RIGHT DOWNSTREAM O2 SENSOR, AND THE HARNESS CONNECTOR HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE FUEL INJECTOR NEEDS TO BE SERVICED. ALSO THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS NOISY. CHRYSLER WOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO PICK UP THE LABOR COST OF $1,103, BECAUSE THE CAR HAS 47,000 MILES, IT IS SO FAR SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEY CLAIM THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE 70,000 MILES OR 7 YEARS WARRANTY. IT IS THE ENGINE AND/OR TRANSMISSION THAT ARE MALFUNCTIONING, BUT THEY TRY TO FIND DIFFERENT THINGS TO GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND AND NOT TO COVER THE EXPENSES. AFTER ALL, T REALLY THING THAT THIS WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS IS ONLY THE EFFECT OF A DIFFERENT CAUSE, THAT IS NOT EVEN FOUND. 2. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THAT ONCE IT RAINS, THE CARPET ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS ALWAYS WET. 3. A THIRD ISSUE, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR. ALL COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS, AS I READ COMPLAINTS. WHY ISN'T CHRYSLER STEPPING UP AND FIXING THESE PROBLEMS? *TR
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
WARMING THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PRIVATE DRIVEWAY, NO COLLISION OR OTHER POSSIBLE SHOCK. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR HAD BEEN LIT FOR APPROX 2 MONTHS AND I HAD SCHEDULED REPAIRS BUT HAD NOT HAD THEM COMPLETED. CAR WAS AT IDLE AFTER APPROX 10 MINUTES OF IDLE RUNNING. *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
*WHAT HAPPENED? USE AS MUCH SPACE AS YOU NEED. WE OWN THIS 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING AS WE PURCHASED IT NEW IN THE FALL OF 2004 FROM WESTBORN CHRYSLER IN DEARBORN. IN THE SPRING OF 2005 WE TOOK A TRIP TO FLORIDA, AND AS WE WERE GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY, AT THE FIRST STOP LIGHT, THE CAR WAS JERKING TO THE POINT THAT IF WE DID NOT PUT IT IN PARK IT WOULD HIT THE GAR IN FRONT, THEN IT STOPPED. IT STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES IN THAT TRIP. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER; THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE DROVE THE CAR SHORT DISTANCES SINCE, BUT RECENTLY STARTED TO DRIVE ABOUT 20 MILES ONE WAY, WHEN IT STARTED TO HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS. WE EXPERIENCE SEVERAL CASES OF SUDDEN STALLING, JERKING AND SUDDEN STOPS WHEN TURNING. IT HAPPENS WHEN HAVE TO STOP AFTER A HIGHWAY DRIVE. IN ONE INSTANCE IT ALMOST HIT OUR HOUSE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND WERE TOLD THAT THE RIGHT DOWNSTREAM O2 SENSOR, AND THE HARNESS CONNECTOR HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE FUEL INJECTOR NEEDS TO BE SERVICED. ALSO THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS NOISY. CHRYSLER WOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO PICK UP THE LABOR COST OF $1,103, BECAUSE THE CAR HAS 47,000 MILES, IT IS SO FAR SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEY CLAIM THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE 70,000 MILES OR 7 YEARS WARRANTY. IT IS THE ENGINE AND/OR TRANSMISSION THAT ARE MALFUNCTIONING, BUT THEY TRY TO FIND DIFFERENT THINGS TO GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND AND NOT TO COVER THE EXPENSES. AFTER ALL, T REALLY THING THAT THIS WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS IS ONLY THE EFFECT OF A DIFFERENT CAUSE, THAT IS NOT EVEN FOUND. 2. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THAT ONCE IT RAINS, THE CARPET ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS ALWAYS WET. 3. A THIRD ISSUE, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR. ALL COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS, AS I READ COMPLAINTS. WHY ISN'T CHRYSLER STEPPING UP AND FIXING THESE PROBLEMS? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE BALL JOINT. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E059000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS CROSSING 4 LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND MY CAR STALLED AND DIED. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD HAPPENED SO I WAS UNSURE WHAT TO DO. THANK GOODNESS I PUT MY CAR IN P AND RESTARTED IT IN ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE I WAS HIT. THIS HAS AGAIN HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST 10+ YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. FUNNILY ENOUGH, AS I PULLED UP TO MY BANK TO MAKE MY FINAL CAR PAYMENT, THE CAR ALSO STALLED. IT WAS TOO IRONIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH IS SUCH A HASSLE AND OF COURSE, THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. NOW, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GOES OFF WITH NO APPARENT REASON. PLEASE ISSUE SOME SORT OF RECALL SO NO ONE IS HURT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. *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 .