1998 Chrysler Sebring Other / unspecified Problems

AXEL AND BALL JOINT WENT OUT ON ME AFTER BUYING THIS CAR WITHIN 48 HOURS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10654294

Incident

Oct 18, 2014

Mileage

151 mi

I HAVE A CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI 1998 WITH 17 IN. LOW PROFILE WHEELS CURRENTLY 64,000. I NOTICE THAT CITY DRIVING HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HARD ON MY WHEELS. THE FIRST YEAR THAT I HAD IT, THE RIMS BENT UNDER REGULAR ROAD TRAVEL. THE INABILITY TO HANDLE REGULAR DRIVING APPEARS TO BE TO UNCOMMON AND I FELT THAT I MUST FILE A COMPLAINT BEFORE THIS GOES UNNOTICED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10150600

Incident

Dec 16, 1998

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

I AM SO DISGUSTED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE, NOR WILL I ENCOURAGE ANYONE ELSE TO DO SO. I PURCHASED A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI ON 6/29/2000. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: KEY WON'T WORK IN TRUNK ALL THE TIME. LACK OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT - 2 DIFFERENT INCIDENTS (REPORTED IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT) PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL OPEN IF YOU JUST PUSH AGAINST IT - I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE CERTIFIED SERVICE AGENT (OVER A YEAR AGO) WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO ORDER THE PART AND CONTACT ME WHEN IT ARRIVED. HE NEVER DID AND NOW THAT DEALERSHIP IS NOT THE SERVICE AGENT ANYMORE.*AK DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT TWISTS INSIDE THE COVERED AREA ATTACHED TO THE INTERIOR WALL OF THE VEHICLE. HIGH-PITCHED WHINING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AREA. HAVE REPLACED ROTORS TWICE. HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE THOSE EXPENSIVE ($600 - $800) GOODYEAR TIRES ABOUT 4 - 6 TIMES. ONE DAY, ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO, I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING TO WORK, GOING UPHILL AND MY CAR JUST SLOWLY DIED. ALL THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, I COULD NOT GIVE IT ANY GAS, I COULD BARELY STEER IT AND IT JUST ROLLED TO A STOP. I KEPT TRYING TO CRANK IT AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I WAS STILL PARTLY IN THE ROAD, SO I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TRIED TO BACK IT ONTO THE SHOULDER. AFTER DOING THAT, I TRIED TO CRANK IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I DROVE IT TO A GARAGE NEARBY, BUT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. HESITATION WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. MORE COMPLAINTS ARE BEING SUBMITTED IN A SUBSEQUENT FORM.

NHTSA ID

10050738

Incident

Oct 29, 2003

Mileage

50,000 mi

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE RIM IS CUTTING THE TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO LOSE AIR AND THE CONSUMER IS FORCE TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

NHTSA ID

8020680

Incident

Sep 16, 2002

THIS IS THE 4TH WHEEL FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT HAS BENT IN 2 YEARS.*AK

NHTSA ID

756229

Incident

Dec 31, 2001

POSSIBLY WHEEL RIM FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID

754256

FRONT LEFT WHEEL ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLE FELL OFF COMPLETELY WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. DEALERSHIP DID NOT GIVE CONSUMER A REASON FOR POSSIBLE DEFECT. PRIOR WORK WAS DONE BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC - AN INVESTIGATOR LOOKED INTO THIS MATTER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS/PHOTOGRAPHS. *AK

NHTSA ID

885172

Incident

Nov 1, 1999

ROTORS CONSTANTLY BEING REPLACED OR TURNED; VIBRATION BAD; NOW DEALER BLAMING IT ON WEAK WHEELS. *AK

NHTSA ID

742953

RIMS ARE BENDING EASILY AND TIRES WILL NOT STAY INFLATED. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE RIMS REPAIRED 7 TIMES. CONSUMER ALSO STARTED A FILE WITH CHRYSLER #8432551. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID

883606

ENGINE-WELL MAINTAINED FAILED AT 60K MILES. OIL PUMP AND BEARINGS. DOOR ASSEMBLY KEEPS COMING LOOSE, HANDLE FELL OFF. WHEELS TOO SOFT, BENT ALL OF THE TIME. FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 17K MILES. THIS CAR IS A LEMON.

NHTSA ID

742016

I HAVE HAD 4 FLAT TIRES SINCE I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES, BUT AFTER THE FOURTH FLAT, AND SEEING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE, I REALIZED IT WAS THE CAR. THE RIMS BEND, RELEASING AIR AND THE TIRES GO FLAT. THEN THE RIM WRECKS THE TIRE, AND BENDS FURTHER. ESSENTIALLY, IT IS A CAR THAT CAN'T EVEN BE DRIVEN. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TO ALSO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES BUT DIDN'T TELL ME UNTIL LATER, AND SOLD THE CAR TO ME WITH ONLY 10,000 MILES ON IT. AT $200 A PEICE, IT REALLY ADDS UP. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND THEY CONTINUE TO DRAG THEIR FEET. I FEEL THESE CARS SHOULD BE RE-CALLED, ESPECIALLY AFTER HEARING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER SEBRING OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. (TIRESIZE: 2155017)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 2155017 )

NHTSA ID

741322

Incident

Jan 17, 2001

IN 2.5 YRS I HAVE HAD 5 RIMS BEND RESULTING IN BLOWN TIRES. VERY POOR DESIGN. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO HANDLE THIS BEFORE SOMONE GETS HURT OR DIES!!! AND IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE!!! *AK (TIRESIZE: P215/50R17)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/50R17 )

NHTSA ID

740852

Incident

Feb 12, 2001

ALL 4 WHEELS ARE BENT ON CAR FROM ROAD POT HOLES. THE RIMS ARE MADE FROM ALUMINUM. THEY ARE TO SOFT FOR THE LOW PROFILE GOOD YEAR TIRE THAT IS ON THE CAR. WENT THE RIM BENDS THE TIRE BELTS BREAK CAUSING THE CAR TO VIBRATE. THE GOODYEAR TIRE THAT IS ON THE CAR IS THE ONLY 17 INCH TIRE THAT FITS THE CAR. I HAVE CHECKED OUT MANY OTHER SEBRINGS MOST OF THEIR RIMS ARE BENT ALSO. THIS IS A VERY BAD SAFTY ISSUE. I USE MY CAR TO TRAVEL FOR MY WORK.*AK

NHTSA ID

739468

SINCE PURCHASING MY SEBRING IN MAY '98 I HAVE HAD 6 FLAT TIRES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A FLAT BEFORE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER SEBRING OWNERS IT SEEMS THERE COULD BE A FAULT IN THE SOFT ALUMINUM WHEELS. I HAVE JUST HAD MY SECOND FLAT IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS AND AM AFRAID TO GET INTO THE CAR. THIS IS HAPPENING ON 3 OF MY WHEELS,NOT JUST THE SAME ONE. USUALLY IT IS A SLOW LEAK. I WORK FOR THE AIRLINES AND I AM OUT OF THE COUNTRY QUITE A BIT. THIS MAKES IT EVEN MORE STRANGE AS I PROBABLY DRIVE HALF THE MILES OF ANYONE ELSE. SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR FROM ANOTHER PERSON IN MAY '98 I HAVE DRIVEN ONLY 15,000 MILES. WHAT SHOULD I DO? THANKS.*AK (DOT NUMBER: ? TIRESIZE: OEP215/50R)

NHTSA ID

737610

SIDE MOLDING FELL OFF ON THE FREEWAY. BRAKES VIBRATED. DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL WEAR. RIMS HAVE BENT SEVERAL TIMES. FRONT END WAS VERY LOW TO THE GROUND. ENGINE DIED BECUASE SERPENTINE TIME BELT CAME OFF, CAUSING ENGINE TO CEASE. DEALER TRIED TO REPAIR PROBLEM, BUT IT STILL SQUEALED. DEALER COULDN'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

869247

Incident

Aug 29, 2000

REPLACED THE RIMS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS FIVE TIMES DUE TO PREMATURE CRACKING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID

861543

ALL FOUR WHEEL RIMS BENT, CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL. DEALER SAID CONSUMER NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL THE RIMS. PREVIOUSLY, REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID

861407

Incident

May 3, 2000

TIRE RIMS ARE TOO SOFT!!!! HAVE REPLACE 2 RIMS AND HAVE OWNED VEHICLE LESS THAN 18 MONTHS. DOOR PANELS ARE DEFECTIVE!!! SUNROOF UPHOLSTERY IS DEFECTIVE. ENGINE ROARS. OVER DRIVE BUTTON IS LOCATED IN A BAD PLACE. INSTRUCTIONS ARE CONFUSING BETWEEN PANEL INSTRUCTIONS AND O/D MANUEL. I LOVE TO DRIVE THIS CAR....BUT I HATE IT! AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!!!( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ID

719993

Incident

Feb 12, 2000

WHEEL RIMS LEAK AIR, COUSING TIRES TO GO FLAT. *AK

NHTSA ID

857965

Incident

Feb 6, 2000

I HAVE HAD 3 OUT OF 4 MY RIMS BEND (AT SPEED FROM 40 - 55 MPH), WHICH CLAUSED FLAT TIRES. THESE RIMS ARE HIGHLY UNRELIABLE!!! PLEASE INVESTIGATE!!! I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER SEBRING OWNERS, AND ALL HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS!!!

NHTSA ID

711607

Incident

Sep 19, 1999

THE RIMS ON ALL FOUR WHEELS ARE BENT DUE TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN WHICH MAY CAUSE A TIRE BLOWOUT. COMMON PROBLEM. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID

845466

Incident

May 30, 1999

WHEN DRVING AT ANY SPEED THE OUTSIDE FRAME PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS COMING OFF. ALSO, ALL FOUR WHEEL RIMS ARE BEND AND STICKING IN THE TIRES. *AK

NHTSA ID

845260

Incident

Feb 2, 1998