1997 Chrysler Sebring 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 1997 Chrysler Sebring, 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
- Brakes3212.1%
- Suspension2810.6%
- Transmission269.8%
- Seat belts249.1%
- Airbags249.1%
- Engine228.3%
- Body & structure186.8%
- Electrical186.8%
- Driver assistance166.0%
- Visibility145.3%
- Other / unspecified124.5%
- Steering114.2%
- Fuel system62.3%
- Tires & wheels51.9%
- Interior & seats41.5%
- Powertrain (other)31.1%
- Exterior lighting20.8%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 1997 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, he was rear-ended by a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that the driver claimed that the brakes had failed on his vehicle and he was unable to stop. The contact stated that he sustained back and neck injuries but did not seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was informed that the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was a total loss by the other driver’s insurance company. The contact stated that both vehicles were towed to collision repair centers. The contact stated that his vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage of both vehicles were unknown.
THE BRAKES WERE NOT OPERATING AND WERE MAKING NOISE WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AFTER REPAIRS, AND WHILE PULLING OUT THE BRAKES FAILED ONCE AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS AGAIN, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. *AK
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E059000 (SUSPENSION). WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY FRACTURED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS BENT INWARDS TOWARDS THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 208,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPAIRED IN 1998 ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V201000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V421002 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) IN 2000. THE CONTACT DID NOT REMEMBER THE FIRST RECALL REPAIR; HOWEVER, IT IS IN THE SYSTEM AS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. HE BELIEVES THAT THE REPAIR WAS NEVER PERFORMED, BUT WAS DOCUMENTED AS COMPLETED IN ORDER TO GET PAID BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING THE CAR FELT AS IF FELL OUT OF CAR AND TURNED COMPLETELY OFF. THIS HAPPENED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN NOTHERN NEW JERSEY AND COST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO BE TOWED BACK TO PHILADELPHIA. THE PROBLEM IS BELIEVED TO BE WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THERE WERE NO WORNIGN SIGNS AND THE CAR ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 76,000 MILES ON IT. MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF THE PASSENGERS WERE VERY MUCH IN DANGER SINCE WE WERE STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY FOR SEVERAL HOURS UNTIL A TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. *NM
VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF A GARAGE , IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. DRIVER DROVE VEHICLE HOME AND WILL CONTACT THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. *AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT ON THE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RELEASE AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE SOLENOID WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 07/14/16.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WERE LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 152,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
FIRE IN RIGHT FRONT DASH AREA( PASSENGER SIDE) TO THE RIGHT OF THE AIR BAG. BROKE/MELTED FRONT WINDOW/WIPER BLADE, BURNED A 12" SQUARE HOLE IN THE DASH. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER SMELT SOMETHING BURNING--NO SIGNS OF SMOKE, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED OVER NIGHT. THE DAMAGE WAS NOTICED THE NEXT MORNING.
I PURCHASED THE 1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING IN NOVEMBER OF 2014. I DID NOTICE THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS SLIGHTLY EJECTED. I HAVE GONE TO AUTOMOTIVE SHOPS AND EVEN A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP, AND BOTH INFORM ME THAT THE AIRBAGS FOR THIS PARTICULAR CAR ARE NO LONGER MADE. I NEED HELP ON HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN.DEALER REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAD THE OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH A EXHAUST MANIFOLD- STILL DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN! DRIVING AT ABOUT 65MPH ON BUSY HIGHWAYS THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN. ANY INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE. PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD. HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING OIL FROM THE ENGINE. DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC CONFIRMED WHAT PROBLEM WAS. HAD NOT HAD HEAD GASKETS REPAIRED. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE CALLED THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION ABOUT THE DRAINING HOLES OF MY SEBRING AND THEY HAVE SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I'VE ASKED A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND THEY SAID THAT THE HOLES ARE TOO SMALL. MY CAR WILL GET DESTROYED AT THIS RATE. WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALER THEY THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE CONVERTIBLE TOP OR THE SEALS OF THE WINDOWS. NOW I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT THEY SAY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE.
VEHICLE INTERIOR FLOODS DURING MODERATE TO HEAVY RAINFALL.*MR IN LIGHT OF THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS, THE COST OF REPAIRS THE CONSUMER HAS INCURRED ON WHAT IS APPARENTLY A DESIGN FLAW ON PARTS THAT HAVE NO MECHANICAL WEAR, IS UNBEARABLE. THE CONSUMER IS NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM CHRYSLER AND NEED ASSISTANCE IN RESOLVING MATTER SAFELY AND PROMPTLY. *CB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR, I PURCHASED IT USED. I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS THEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A SHORT OR A SENSOR PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A SENSOR LIGHT BURN OUT, AND THAT IS WAS NOT GETTING OXYGEN TO THE ENGINE. I PAID $250. ON A TUESDAY TO GET THAT FIXED. THAT WEDNESDAY THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE IS ABOUT 3 SENSORS IN THE ENGINE, AND ANOTHER ONE HAS GONE OUT. AND IT WILL COST ME ANOTHER $250. TO REPLACE THAT ONE. THIS WAS ALL IN A 2 DAY SPAN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS, OR WILL I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING TILL ALL THE SENSORS ARE REPLACED, AND HOW WILL I KNOW IF THEY ALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED. VERY UPSET COSTUMER. AND I WORK FOR CHRYSLER, THIS IS TERRIBLE BUSINESS. *LA
THE VEHICLES CONSOLE DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM THE ODOMETER AND TACHOMETER WERE INTERMITTENT. POSSIBLY DUE TO A SHORT. THE CONSUMER HAS TALKED TO OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. SCC
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
WHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES, CAUSING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. *AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE CALLED THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION ABOUT THE DRAINING HOLES OF MY SEBRING AND THEY HAVE SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I'VE ASKED A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND THEY SAID THAT THE HOLES ARE TOO SMALL. MY CAR WILL GET DESTROYED AT THIS RATE. WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALER THEY THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE CONVERTIBLE TOP OR THE SEALS OF THE WINDOWS. NOW I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT THEY SAY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE.
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT LEFT BALL JOINT SEPARATED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF AND THE VEHICLE TO FALL ON FRONT BUMPER AND FRONT RIGHT FENDER. BOTH THE BUMPER AND THE FENDER WERE DAMAGED. *YH
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE HASN'T BEEN AN ACCCIDENT THAT HAS HAPPENED BUT THE UNSAFE PART ABOUT THIS CAR IS THAT EVERONE OF THE LUGS:NUTS ON THE WHEELS WERE NOT THE CORRECT LUGS:NUTS FOR THE CAR AND THEREFORE MY WHEELS WERE NOT ON MY CAR SECURELY. I HAVE MADE ROAD TRIPS TO FLORIDA AND ALABAMA WITH MY CAR BEING VERY UNSAFE.*AK
THE RIMS BENT UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS RESULTING IN DEFLATED TIRES. THE TIRE BLOWOUT OCCURRED ON ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED.*JB
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON APRIL 23, 2005, MY SON WAS TRAVELING TO WORK, ABOUT 12:30 IN THE AFTERNOON, TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON THE 210 FREEWAY. AT SOME POINT, HIS LEFT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT. HIS CAR LOST CONTROL AND SPUN COUNTERCLOCKWISE, ACROSS FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC, AND HEAD ON INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER. HIS CAR CONTINUED TO SPIN IN THE SAME DIRRECTION AND IMPACTED AGAIN AT THE RIGHT REAR QUARTERPANEL, AND THE RIGHT REAR BUMPER. MY SON GOT OUT OF THE CAR, AND THE CHP ARRIVED WITHIN TEN MINUTES TO HAVE HIS CAR TOWED. I CONTACTED DAIMLER CHRYSLER TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN. THEY SENT AN INSPECTOR TO THE SALVAGE YARD. TWO WEEKS LATER I GOT A LETTER FROM CHRYSLER SAYING THAT THEIR RECALLED UPPER BALL JOINT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRASH. I HAD A MECHANIC EXAMINE THE VEHICLE, HE HAD IT LIFTED UP WITH A FORKLIFT, AND SHOWED ME THE RACK AND PINION THAT WAS DANGLING DOWN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE SAID THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE REST OF THE UNDERCARRAIGE, THE BROKEN STEERING WAS WHAT CAUSED MY SON'S CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, AND CRASH INTO THE MEDIAN, INJURING HIM, AND THREATENING THE OTHER COMMUTERS.
THE STEERING COLUMN AND RACK AND PINION BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT A SPEED OF 35 - 40 AND AS A RESULT, MY HUSBAND HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND WE VEERED ACROSS THE LANE OF THE ON-COMING TRAFFIC AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. *JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED A BIT SLUGGISH DUE TO LDP PUMP FAILURE. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON FULL THROTTLE (02V-186) TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *YH
IN PASSING A VEHICLE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE AND THE THROTTLE JAMMED IN THE FULL ON POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE SPEED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE ENGINE RACED TO OVER 7000 RPM. I THEN HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE RACING. THE AUTOMATIC GAS CUT OFF DID NOT APPEAR TO WORK. I ENDED UP IN THE GRASSY MEDIAM TO AVOID HITTING CARS AS I HAD LITTLE BRAKING AND STEERING POWER. UPON RESTARTING THE CAR IT APPEARED TO WORK AND I WAS ABLE TO GET ALMOST HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE PEDAL WAS FULL OPEN AND WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF, THE AUTOMATIC CUT OFF APPARENTLY WORKED AS THE CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. IT WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. I AM TOLD THE CABLE WAS SERIOUSLY FRAYED WHICH CAUSED IT TO JAM IN THE OPEN POSITION. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT AND WAS GRATEFUL MY DAUGHTER OR WIFE WERE NOT DRIVING.
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
1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI 6 CYL. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 69,000 MILES HAD TO BE REPLACED $1,808.00. ENGINE FAILED 86,000 MILES $2,500. HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALUMINUM WHEELS EASILY DAMAGED REPLACED ALL 4. I WOULD NEVER IN LIFE BY ANOTHER CHRYSLER. WOULD NOT EVEN TAKE A FREE ONE! BOUGHT IN 1997 AS A DEMO. PROBLEMS SINCE 1 WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. I DON'T LOOK THEIR DIRECTION WHEN PASSING DEALERSHIPS. HAD A TOYOTA CAMRY FOR 3 YEARS PRIOR TO SEBRING. NO MAINTENANCE ISSUES. *JB
DRIVER LOST STEERING CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A BARRIER. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT ANY TIME, EITHER WHEN I FIRST STARTED THE CAR OR WHILE DRIVING DIGITAL ODOMETER GOES BLANK AND THE TACHOMETER FALLS TO 0 RPM. THIS OCCURS EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE CAR. SOMETIMES THEY WILL COME BACK ON AND SOMETIMES THEY WON'T. ALSO, EVEN THOUGH THE ODOMETER HAS WENT BLANK, IT CONTINUES TO COUNT THE MILAGE OF THE CAR.
WIRING CAME APART UNDER DASH LEAVING PORTION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL INOPERABLE.
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
TACHOMETER AND ODOMETER INTERMITTENLY WORK - DEFECT IN CIRCUIT BOARD, THEY ONLY WORK 10% OF TIME.*AK
WHEEL BEARING WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING WHEELS TO FALL OFF. CONVERTIBLE TOP BLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, AFTER THE TOP RAILS OF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN ADJUSTED BY THE DEALER TO CORRECT THE NOISE PROBLEM FROM THE WIND.*AK.ET.
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
TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING GEARS TO STICK.
VEHICLE STATIONARY, CONVERTIBLE TOP WENT DOWN TWICE; ON 3RD TIME, WENT DOWN OKAY, BUT GOING UP, IT KEPT GOING. TURNED TOP MOTOR OFF BUT IT KEPT RUNNING. WIRING HARNES BURNED. TAIL & DASH LIGHTS FLASHED QUICKLY & TRUNK LID POPPED OPEN.
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 .