1998 Chrysler Sebring Body & structure Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING ONTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. ADDITIONALLY, THE DISTRIBUTOR FAILED TWICE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND AN INCREASE IN THE VEHICLE TEMPERATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ID

10483486

Incident

Jun 15, 2012

Mileage

132,000 mi

I PURCHASED A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI THE CAR HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, ONE IS THE CONTROL ARM IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A LIST OF OTHER EVAC PROBLEMS - I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS - PLEASE ADVICE - NEED HELP - CALLED CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS AND FIRST THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED - THEN THEY TELL ME THEY CAN CHARGE ME $149.00 TO RESET THE COMPUTER CATALYST(G)/NMHCCATALYST(D) EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM(G)/ UNSUPPORTIVE(D) 02 SENSOR(G) EXHAUST GAS SENSOR(D) 02 SENSOR HEATER (G) PM FILTER (D) EGR/VVT (G,D) PO455 EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED (LARGE LEAK) MY HEADLAMPS ARE YELLOW AND MY REAR WINDOW LOOKS LIKE THERE IS SOME KIND OF MOLD SANDWICHED INTO THE GLASS AND DEFROST...ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10482488

Incident

Oct 28, 2012

Mileage

131,000 mi

WHEN WE ACQUIRED OUR 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING JUNE 2010, BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WERE BROKEN. WE COULD ONLY OPEN THE DOOR THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW. THE DEALER WANTED $500 TO INSTALL THEM. IN APRIL 2012, THE PASSENGER HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. NOW, JUNE 2012, THE DRIVER HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. THE PARTS INSTALLED TWO YEARS AGO HAVE BOTH BROKEN AGAIN. THESE PARTS ARE PLASTIC AND APPARENTLY DO NOT LAST VERY LONG. IS THERE A RECALL? WHAT DO WE DO? *TR

NHTSA ID

10462871

Incident

Jun 1, 2010

Mileage

201,000 mi

PLZ NOTE 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRINGS DOOR LEVERS WILL BREAK ON YOU BOTH MINE DID AS WELL AS OTHERS I NOTICE ON THE INTERNET. FIRST IT WAS ONE DOOR HANDLE TRIED TO LIFT IT AND THE OTHER ONE BRAKES. SO FOR MTHS I HAD TO GET INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO OPEN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THEN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LEVER WONT OPEN. I READ SOME GUY DOOR EVEN CAME OF WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. AND TO THERE IS A DISTRIBUTOR YOU WILL HAVE THAT PROBLEM I NOTICE WITH A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING IT WILL DIE ON YOU. YOU WILL TOW IT AND COST THOUSANDS TO REPAIR. AS FAR AS THE DOORS IM CALLING CHRYSLER IF ANY RECALLS ON BOTH DOORS..AND MOST LIKELY PAY HUNDREDS TO GET IT FIX BY SOME1. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10334190

Incident

Jun 1, 2010

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN THE TURN LANE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSING IN THE WRONG LANE. THE PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT FENDER, AND ALIGNMENT WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED ON THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN, THE DOORS WERE NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY, AND OIL WAS LEAKING FROM HOLES IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY FIVE BODY SHOPS AND THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 06/07/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR FACILITY DID A POOR JOB OF FIXING THE VEHICLE AFTER AN ACCIDENT. UPDATED 05/08/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10267661

Incident

Jul 13, 2007

Mileage

89,000 mi

I BOUGHT A USED CAR FROM A LICENSED INSPECTION STATION AND USED CAR DEALER 28 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR I FOUND OUT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED AND IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER PASSED INSPECTION THE PLACE I BOUGHT THE CAR INSPECTED IT WHEN I TOLD THE DEALER ABOUT IT HE REFUSED TO REFUND MY MONEY OR RETURN MY CALLS I DON'T BELIEVE THAT A USED CAR DEALER LIKE THIS SHOULD BE IN BUSINESS AND WOULD LIKE SOMETHING DONE THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES TO MY FAMILY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10222736

Incident

Mar 19, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR CLIPS WERE NOT TIGHTLY SECURED AND OFFERED TO REPLACE THE DOOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,000.

NHTSA ID

10200361

Incident

Aug 12, 2007

Mileage

138,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES ARE PLASTIC AND HAVE CRACKED. THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN THEREFORE; THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP. *NM

NHTSA ID

10147924

Incident

Jan 17, 2006

Mileage

50,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE OUTER DOOR HANDLES BROKE. THIS HAPPENED ONE TIME ON BOTH DOORS. THE SECOND TIME, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. HE PURCHASED THE PARTS AND WAS GOING TO FIX THIS HIMSELF.*AK

NHTSA ID

10140781

Incident

Sep 20, 2005

DRIVER SIDE DOOR MOLDING/PANELING SLID, BECOMING DETACHED. PASSENGER SIDE HAS DETACHED AND BEEN REPAIRED TWICE, DRIVER SIDE ONE OTHER TIME PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT

NHTSA ID

10125333

Incident

May 31, 2005

Mileage

21,000 mi

THE STRUCTURE INSIDE OF DOOR PANEL WARPED BETWEEN THE GLASS AND DOOR PANEL. DRIVER'S HANDS WERE CUT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. STATED VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10111264

Incident

Feb 9, 2005

WHILE PARKING, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP UNRAVELED FROM THE REAR WINDOW SEAL. THIS CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK THIS PROBLEM REMAINED CURRENT. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10063371

Incident

Mar 17, 2004

THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER INSIDE PANEL, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAS A WARRANTY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10074184

1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. LAST YEAR SPORT MOULDING FELL OFF PASSENGER DOOR. TWO WEEKS AGO, PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHEN OPENING DOOR. *AK

NHTSA ID

10066440

Incident

Apr 7, 2004

Mileage

80,000 mi

I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON NOV 2, 2003. WHEN I PURCHASED IT, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE WHEN YOU GO OVER BUMPS, AND ALSO WHEN THE CAR GOES UP TO 70 YOU COULD HERE A GRINDING LIKE NOISE IN (WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE ENGINE). THEY TOLD ME TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE CAR AND THEY SCHEDULED ME FOR SERVICE THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T WORK ON CHRYSLERS AND SENT THE CAR TO TUFFY. WHEN IT WAS TIME TO PICK UP THE CAR, THE GUY TORE UP THE BILL OF SERVICE AND SAID YOU'RE ALL SET, SO I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS DONE. WHEN I ASKED FOR A COPY HE SAID HE DIDN'T HAVE IT, BUT COULD IT ORDER IT FOR ME. WHEN I DROVE HOME, THE RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE FRONT LEFT SIDE WAS GONE, BUT WHEN I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE CAR PULLED AWAY IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND DIDN'T WANT TO TURN. I ALMOST RAN INTO A TREE. I CALLED AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT, SO THEY HAD ME BRING IT IN THAT FOLLOWING MONDAY FOR SERVICE. WHEN I PICKED IT UP AGAIN, THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE BEARINGS, THAT THE BEARINGS WERE BAD. AS I DROVE OFF THE LOT AND ONTO THE FREEWAY, YOU COULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE UNDER YOUR FEET AS THE WHEELS TURNED AND ALSO ANYTIME YOU TRIED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE CAR WOULD GRIND LIKE THE THERE WAS SOMETHING GOING ON BETWEEN THE WHEELS, BRAKES AND STEERING. I WAITED 3 DAYS TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T JUST ME. BUT WHAT APPEARED IN THE BEGINNING TO BE A SLIGHT GRINDING WHEN YOU GET UP TO A CERTAIN SPEED EVOLVED INTO A PROBLEM THAT WAS MUCH WORSE. A PROBLEM THAT YOU COULD HERE MORE CONSISTENTLY, EVERY TIME YOU APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, OR JUST SOMETIMES DRIVING ALONG THE STREETS YOU COULD HEAR THE GRINDING IN THE WHEELS, LIKE SOMETHING HAD RUSTED OR GONE BAD, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO DRIVE HARD. IT TOOK A LOT MORE POWER TO ACCELERATE, SO MUCH SO THAT IT FEELS LIKE THE OVERDRIVE DOESN?T WORK (IT TAKES THAT MUCH POWER TO GET THE CAR GOING, AND IT WASN?T THAT WAY BEFORE.

NHTSA ID

10071108

Incident

Oct 15, 2003

Mileage

66,944 mi

DON\\\\\\'T KNOW EXACT DATES BUT HAD WINDOW TRIM REPAIRED FOR LEAKING ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE WINDOWS AND INTERIOR COVERS UNDER DOOR HANDLES REPLACED FOR PEELING AWAY UNDER ORIG. WARRANTY. CALLED DEALERSHIP W/I 10 MOS. BECAUSE SAME PROBLEMS CAME BACK AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COSTS (INCLUDING RENTAL CAR) AND THEN I COULD SUBMIT MY CLAIM TO SEE IF I WOULD EVEN BE REIMBURSED. CAR NOW HAS APPROX. 65,000 MILES AND TOOK IT TO BE DIAGNOSED SINCE I PURCHASED A 75,000/7 YR. EXTENDED WARRANTY. PAID $75 FOR DIAGNOSES AND APPROX. $30 FOR RENTAL CAR AND AM STILL TOLD \\\\\\TOUGH LUCK\\\\\\ ON MY REPAIRS AND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY. OH, AND COME TO FIND OUT IF I HAD BEEN INFORMED CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME THAT MY REPAIRS WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BECAUSE THEY ARE WARRANTIED FOR TWELVE MONTHS!! OF COURSE I RELIED ON AN ANSWER FROM AN EMPLOYEE AT CHRYSLER/JEEP IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN AND SINCE THEY MISINFORMED ME I AM SOL. I HAVE ALSO GONE \\\\\\'ROUND AND \\\\\\'ROUND WITH CHYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY HAVE BEEN VERY UNHELPFUL.

NHTSA ID

10070091

Incident

Mar 15, 2003

IN APRIL 2003 MY EXTERIOR DRIVERSIDE DOORHANDLE BROKE OFF. IN JUNE2003, MY EXTERIOR PASSANGER SIDE DOORHANDLE BROKE OFF. BOTH HANDLES BROKE OFF IN THE SAME PLACES. VERY WEAK PLASTIC, DEALER TOLD ME THE CAR WAS OLD(1998). I HAVE OWNED OLDER CARS AND HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE HANDLES BREAKING OFF. I AM NOT THAT STRONG I DIDN'T RIP IT OFF. *AK

NHTSA ID

10025169

Incident

Jun 28, 2003

Mileage

85,000 mi

MY PANELS ON THE SIDE OF MY DOORS ARE BECOMING LOOSE. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10017135

Incident

Apr 21, 2003

Mileage

66,000 mi

FRONT BUMPER GETS CAUGHT ON PARKING STOPS. DESIGN ALLOWS BUMPER TO EASILY SLIDE OVER STOP, BUT GETS CAUGHT WHEN CAR IS BACKING OUT. BOLTS HOLDING BUMPER UNDER AIRDAM BROKEN AND BUMPER MATERIAL TORN AT STRESS POINT. NO REPAIR POSSIBLE. STAYED STABLE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT THEN DAMAGED SECTION BROKE FREE WITHOUT WARNING. HAD TO CUT SECTION FROM BUMPER TO AVOID UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE. NLM

NHTSA ID

767611

OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE UPON ATTEMPTING TO OPEN UNLOCKED DOOR. ONE JUNK YARD INFORMED ME HE HAS 10 CALLS A WEEK ON THE SEBRING DOOR HANDLES. *AK

NHTSA ID

767284

Incident

Sep 6, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES FELL OFF, WITHIN THREE DAYS APART. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

NHTSA ID

8014755

Incident

Jul 16, 2002

WHEN IT RAINS VEHICLE FLOODS DUE THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DRAIN BEING CLOGGED.*AK

NHTSA ID

8009908

Incident

May 11, 2002

CONSUMER STATES AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS COMPLETED TO THE DOOR GARNISH MOLDING TRIM CLIP, THERE WAS A MINOR VIBRATION THAT COULD BE HEARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED THE PASSNEGER DOOR MOLDING HAD MOVED TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN OPENING THE THE PASSENGER DOOR, THE MOLDING CONTACTED THE FRONT FENDER, WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR AND MOVING THE MOLDING AWAY FROM THE FENDER TOWARD THE REAER OF THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY HALF AN INCH, THE VIBRATION NO LONGER OCCURED. *SLC

NHTSA ID

565526

Incident

May 31, 2001

DOOR HANDLES ARE BREAKING OFF -- BOTH DOORS ON MY VEHICLE -- AVERAGE 8 PER MONTH AT THE COLONIAL CHRYSLER PLYMOUTH DEALERSHIP IN MESQUITE, TEXAS. *AK

NHTSA ID

750832

Incident

Jul 1, 2001

EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BREAK OFF AND INTERNAL COMPONENTS FALL INSIDE OF DOOR. THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE. THE DOOR HANDLE COMPONENTS ARE OR APPEAR TO BE MADE OF SOME TYPE OF HARD PLASTIC, WHEN EXPOSED TO ELEMENTS IT BECOMES BRITTLE.*AK

NHTSA ID

748516

Incident

Jul 14, 2001