RoadVitals

1996 Chrysler Sebring Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints 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.
71
Latest Jan 18, 2007
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
21%
of 343 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Chrysler Sebring submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 71 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming suspension

The 25 most recent of 71, in the owner's own words

Suspension
Filed Jan 18, 2007

LOWER LATERAL ARM BROKE ON OUR 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING. DEALER AND CHRYSLER HAVE REFUSED TO FIX THE CAR UNDER RECALL. THIS IS THE 3RD MAJOR FAILURE AND INCONVENIENCE OF THIS PART. THE LAST FAILURE WAS 8 MOTHS AGO. THERE IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE HERE AS WELL AS A MECHANICAL DEFECT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10179050
Incident
Jan 18, 2007
Mileage
90,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 9, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE FLIPPED SIDEWAYS, THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT SHEERED OFF THE OIL FILTER AND KNOCKED IT FROM THE MANIFOLD. THIS OCCURRED ON AN ICY ROAD DURING NORMAL BRAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

NHTSA ID
10149901
Incident
Feb 4, 2006
Mileage
107,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 13, 2005

DT: JUNE 30 2005 THE LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 35 MPH. THERE WAS A NOISE, SPARKS WERE FLYING, AND THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL AND BOUNCED OFF A CURVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY INSPECTED IN MAY AND NO PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED. THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF IT. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THERE WAS A CORROSION PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINT. THE CONSUMER DIDN'T HAVE THE RECALL NUMBER. THE VEHICLE IS NOW HAVING REPAIR WORK DONE. CHRYSLER IS WILLING TO PAY THE REPAIRS. THE BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED TWICE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10128557
Incident
Jun 30, 2005
Mileage
70,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 24, 2005
Crash reported

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 00V421002; DAIMLER CHRYSLER ISSUED A LOWER BALL JOINT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HE HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB BALL JOINT SNAPPED AND RESULTED IN THE WHEEL TURNING SIDEWAYS. AS A RESULT THE DRIVEER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO REST THE TIRE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED AND UNDER CARRIAGE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. *SB *NM

NHTSA ID
10105478
Incident
Aug 1, 2004
Mileage
76,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 29, 2004
Crash reported

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN 1999. NHTSA'S RECALL # 99V066003. WHEN TAKEN TO GET SERVICED, THEY DID NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE, THEY ONLY INSPECTED IT. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WHERE FINE. RECENTLY, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT WHERE HE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE FRONT LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE CAUSING HIM TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HE WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. HE AGAIN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD ONLY COVER THE BALL JOINTS AND NOT THE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10105534
Incident
Dec 11, 2004
Suspension
Filed Sep 8, 2004

PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINTS ON 1996 CHRYSLER SEBRING.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN DEC 1997 AND THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE ONLY REQUIRED TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE FRONT BALL JOINTS AND ELECTED TO REPLACE THE LEFT SIDE ONLY UNDER RECALL #750. IN NOV 2002 THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY FELL APART WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10091682
Incident
Sep 1, 2004
Suspension
Filed Jun 15, 2004

WHILE TURNING, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP'S MECHANIC REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT THE CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCED HAVING PROBLEMS. RECALL NUMBER 97V-201-000. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *LA

NHTSA ID
10076226
Incident
May 15, 2004
Mileage
18,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 26, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF DUE TO THE SEPARATION OF THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THE CURRENT CONSUMER OWNED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10055843
Incident
Dec 19, 2003
Mileage
102,000 mi
Body & structureEngineSuspension
Filed Jan 15, 2004

2.4 HEAD GASKET. EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MILEAGE ILLUMINATION. POPPING NOISE FRONT SUSPENSION. RATTLE REAR SUSPENSION, POPING WHEN LFT DOOR GLASS WINDOW PUT UP.LOW FUEL LITE . CAR ONLY HAS 46805 MILES WHEN YOU CAN READ MILEAGE

NHTSA ID
10068722
Incident
Nov 15, 2002
Mileage
46,805 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 30, 2003

DEALERSHIP IS NOT PERFORMING RECALL OOV421002 FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME.*AK

NHTSA ID
10026243
Mileage
100,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 21, 2003
Crash reported

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE FRONT END. THE BALL JOINT FELL TOTALLY OUT OF THE CONTROL ARM CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNDER CARRIAGE AND PANELS. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10023517
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Mileage
98,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 19, 2003

VEHICLE HAS HAD TEN WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENTS SINCE TIME OF PURCHASE. *MR *NM

NHTSA ID
10024426
Incident
Jun 1, 2003
Suspension
Filed Jun 12, 2003

THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED FOR THE TENTH TIME. *NLM *AK THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE WAS A LEMON. CHRYSLER HAS NOT AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10021624
Incident
Mar 1, 1997
Mileage
62,451 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 4, 2003

RIGHT/LEFT BALL JOINTS FELL OFF WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOBILE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10022325
Mileage
60,141 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 7, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

NHTSA ID
10002260
Incident
May 12, 2001
Suspension
Filed Dec 5, 2002

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE LEFT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

NHTSA ID
8023824
Incident
Feb 1, 2002
Suspension
Filed Oct 16, 2002

CONSUMER IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. RECALL#00V421002 LOWER BALL JOINT. PLEASE PROVIDE THE DEALER NAME, ADDRESS AND NUMBER. MR

NHTSA ID
8020922
Incident
Oct 8, 2002
Suspension
Filed Sep 18, 2002

DEALERSHIP COULD NOT PERFORM RECALL 97V201 FOR BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT DUE TO LACK OF PARTS AND TOOLS THAT WERE STOLEN. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP REPLACED BOTH DETERIORATED BALL JOINTS AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT BOTH BALL JOINTS WERE COMPLETELY DETERIORATED AND WAS HAZARDOUS. *TT *DT

NHTSA ID
567529
Suspension
Filed Aug 15, 2002

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 00V421002 REGARDING BALL JOINT DEFECTS. CONSUMER HAD THE PROBLEM THE RECALL IS DEPICTING THREE MONTHS EARLIER. BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF CHRYSLER IS LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGES. *JG

NHTSA ID
567135
Suspension
Filed Jun 19, 2002

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY STEERING WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING AND SHAKING. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, BUT SHE WAS ABLE TO VEER OFF TO THE SHOULDERS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
8012194
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
Suspension
Filed May 22, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, THE LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE, PULLING OUT AXLE, AND DAMAGING FENDER. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. *AK.*MJ

NHTSA ID
8010309
Incident
May 22, 2002
BrakesSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Feb 12, 2002

CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH TIRES, SHE IS NOW ON HER FOURTH SET.*JB

NHTSA ID
564241
Suspension
Filed Jan 24, 2002
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING LOWER CONTROL ARM/ BALL JOINT SEPARATED CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH RESUTLED IN THE VEHICLE HIITTING A EMBANKMENT. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 97V201000 DUE TO VIN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA ID
8002790
Incident
Oct 5, 2001
Suspension
Filed Jan 14, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, THERE WOULD BE A "CLUNKING" NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, SWAY BAR END LINKS WERE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE NOTE: PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
8002083
Incident
Jan 3, 2002
SteeringSuspensionVisibility
Filed Aug 9, 2001

THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RIGHT AND THE CAR MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL NOR WILL THEY ACKNOWLEDGE FAILED PARTS OR DISCUSS THE PROBLEM. BEGNAL MOTORS HAS BEEN HOSTILE AND HAS CLAIMED THE VEHICLE RIDES AS IT SHOULD, THE STEERING SHAKING IS NORMAL, ETC.

NHTSA ID
9003394

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .