1998 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 1998 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
- Body & structure6519.9%
- Brakes3510.7%
- Suspension268.0%
- Driver assistance237.0%
- Other / unspecified237.0%
- Engine216.4%
- Transmission195.8%
- Airbags195.8%
- Visibility164.9%
- Electrical154.6%
- Tires & wheels144.3%
- Steering134.0%
- Interior & seats113.4%
- Seat belts113.4%
- Fuel system92.8%
- Heating & air conditioning30.9%
- Powertrain (other)20.6%
- Exterior lighting20.6%
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
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES ARE TERRIBLE. BRAKES SHAKE AND SHUDDER AND BARELY STOP THE CAR. TRANSMISSION HUMSS AND SHIFTS BADLY
CALLED DEALER 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASE COMPLAINING OF BRAKE NOISE. HAVE REPLACED BRAKES 6 TIMES IN LESS THAN 40,000. DEALER REFUSES TO FIX. TOOK TO OUTSIDE SHOP, HAD TO REPLACE FOR 7TH TIME. WE CAN NOT SELL VEHICLE, AND WORRY ABOUT SON DRIVING.WANT CAR REPLACED, DEALER WON'T BUDGE.*AK
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE LOWER BALL JOINT AND AXLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER ARM CONTROL, LOWER BALL JOINT, TIE ROD, AND AXLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
HISTORY OF FAILED ATTEMPTS OF DEALER [ WHITTEN BROTHERS, RICHMOND,VA ] TO DIAGNOSIS THIS PROBLEM AND CORRECT IT. PROBLEM IS A HARSH NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT [UNDER ] THE CAR WHEN A ROAD POT HOLE OR IMPERFECTION [SUBSTANTIAL ] IS RUN OVER. THE NOISE IS PRONOUNCED , INDICATING SOME TYPE OF DEFECT MUST BE PRESENT. THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE AT WHITTEN BROS [5/2009] THE RECALL WHICH WOULD HAVE CORRECTED THIS WAS NOT ISSUED YET... RECALL ANNOUNCED BELOW ..I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL BY CERTIFIED MAIL. RECALLED ANNOUNCED 12/27/2010 BY NHTSA. NHTSA REFERENCE # 10E059000 NUMBER AFFECTED : 22,689 SUSPENSION : FRONT : CONTROL ARM : LOWER ARM FEDERAL-MOGUL : RECALLED REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES PARTS #. K7425 , 10945 , FA4510X...AND K7427 , 10946 , FA4611X NOTE : THESE PARTS CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THRU THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING. RESULTING IN THE DRIVER LOOSING STEERING CONTROL..CAR CAN CRASH .AT ANY SPEED. FEDERAL-MOGUL WAS TO NOTIFY ME AND REPLACE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. SAFETY RECALL BEGAN 1/ 28 / 2011 CALL FEDERAL-MOGUL TO VERIFY THIS SITUATION IMMEDIATELY..1-877-489-6659. SAFETY REQUIRES THIS SITUATION IS RECTIFIED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON HIGHWAY 69 I PROCEEDED TO PASSING A SEMI NEAR CRAFT ROAD. AFTER PASSING THE SEMI I RELEASE MY FOOT OFF OF THE THROTTLE, BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. FINALLY AT 102 MPH BOUNCING MY FOOT ON AND OFF THE PEDAL WITH NO CHANGE. WHEN GOING INTO THE CORNER I THEN BUMPED THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE KEY OFF. I POPPED THE HOOD, GOT OUT AND COULD SEE NO ISSUE WITH THE CABLE, STILL IN IT'S FACTORY LOCATION. NO BINDS OR KINKS I THEN PUSHED DOWN ON THE THROTTLE LINKAGE ON THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT POPPED LOOSE. I GOT BACK IN AND HAVEN'T HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM SINCE.
I WAS GOING 55 MILES PER HOUR WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE MY CAR STARTED GOING FASTER AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN I HAD TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND GO INTO A FIELD. *TR
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
AXEL AND BALL JOINT WENT OUT ON ME AFTER BUYING THIS CAR WITHIN 48 HOURS. *TR
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECREASE IN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,002.
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.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
UPON ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR JIGGLE THE GEAR IN PARK IN ORDER TO START THE CAR. I REPLACED THE STARTER THINKING THAT WAS WHY THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I WAS INFORMED BY SEVERAL AUTO PART STORES THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, HAD THAT REPLACED AND THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO GANLEY DODGE TO HAVE THEM PUT THE TRANSMISSION BACK INTO MY CAR, WHICH COST ME $70 PLUS $180 DIAGNOSTIC. THE GANLEY DODGE GAVE ME A QUOTE OF $3500 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THAT WAS NOT IN MY BUDGET, I THEN HAD MY CAR TOWED BY TRANSMISSION WORLD TO THEIR SHOP, I EXPLAINED TO THEM THE PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING WITH MY CAR, PRIOR TO THIS I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT TOOK TRANSMISSION WORLD A WEEK BEFORE THEY COULD GET THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF THE CAR, TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION TAKEN OUT AND TAKEN APART TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG IT COST ME $2,037.00 FOR A 3 YEAR WARRANTY ON A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 98V183000 FOR THE SHIFT INTERLOCK. TOOK VEHICLETO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD UPON HER ARRIVAL, THAT RECALL REPAIRS FOR HAD BEEN PERFORMED IN FEBUARY 2005. CONSUMER HAD NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT DATE.*AK
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE HORN DID NOT WORK. IF THE HORN WORKED I COULD HAVE STOPPED VEHICLE FROM HITTING ME. *NM
DT: THE OWNER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON MAY 31, 2005. SUFFERED BRAIN DAMAGE, FACIAL BRUISING AND CLOTTING. ALSO SUFFERED RIB PROBLEMS ON THE LEFT SIDE. OWNER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. OWNER WAS THE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING THAT THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE BIGGEST DAMAGE WAS ON THE FRONT QUARTER PANEL, GRILL, HOOD ,AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE DRIVER WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT SUFFERED INJURIES. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE OWNER HAS NOT BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. OWNER WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED.*AK *NM
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD FOGGING UP. MORE OF A PROBLEM DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS OPEN OR CLOSED. HAVE HAD TO LOOK OUT THE SIDE WINDOWS TO VISUALIZE THE HIGHWAY. DATE LISTED IS JUST ONE OF THE TIMES WE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS!*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE HORN DID NOT WORK. IF THE HORN WORKED I COULD HAVE STOPPED VEHICLE FROM HITTING ME. *NM
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OCT 2003. TOOK IT TO THE GOODYEAR (GY) SERVICE CENTER PUT ON A DIAGN. MACHINE. INDICATED MISFIRES. MAJOR TUNE-UP PERFORMED. PICKED CAR UP 4:30 P.M. SERVICE ENG LIGHT WAS OFF. BY 8:00 P.M. IT WAS ON AGAIN. TOOK BACK NEXT DAY & ANOTHER TUNE-UP DONE W/ CHRYSLER POINTS & PLUGS THIS TIME. PICKED UP THAT AFTERNOON. LIGHT WAS OFF. CAR RAN ROUGH & MADE LOUD ROARING NOISE. NEXT DAY LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR BACK. NOISE STOPPED. LIGHT OFF FOR A FEW HOURS & CAR WAS STILL RUNNING ROUGH. COST INCL. TIRES - $1480.00. IN RICHMOND, VA FOR 5 WKS FOR TRNG FOR NEW JOB. DEC 4, CAR IDLED ERRATICALLY. EVERY TIME SLOWED DOWN IT CUT OFF. TOOK IT TO MEINEKE SERVICE CENTER IN RICHMOND. DIAG. INDICATED ERRORS W/ FUEL INJECTORS & MISFIRING. TOLD ME TAKE BACK TO GY FOR THEM TO CORRECT. THAT DAY TOOK TO GY SERVICE CENTER. THEY CONTACTED WARRANTY PERSON & GY SERVICE CENTER IN DANVILLE, VA & TOLD ME DANVILLE GY SAID WHEN I BROUGHT CAR TO THEM IT DIDN'T HAVE INJECTOR PROBLEM & WARRANTY PERSON SAID ID HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY WORK. MADE AN APPT. HAYNES CHRYSLER JEEP IN RICHMOND TO CHECK CAR 12/9. INVOICE STATED "5 DIFFERENT CODES PRESENT. MULTIPLE MISFIRE, INJECTOR #2, #4 & #6 CONTROL CIRCUIT, MAP SENSOR WON'T CHANGE ON START UP. PERFORMED DIAG TEST W/SERV MANUAL 4 EVERY SINGLE CODE. NO PROB FOUND. CALLED ED TECCONECT FOR HELP. WE FIGURE THAT EGR VALVE WAS CAUSING ALL THE PROBLEM. REMOVED & REPLACED EGR VALVE. TEST DROVE. CAR RUNS NORMAL." THE COST WAS $452.43. MADE APPT. WI/CHRYSLER SERVICE HOME FOR RECALL WORK ONBALL JOINTS. 12/18-HUSBAND LEAVING FOR WORK CAR WOULDN'T GO IN GEAR AT 1ST. "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT BACK ON. THE CAR HESITATING BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR HAS OCCURRED 2 OR 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. TRIED TRADING VEHICLE. OWE APPROX $12,000 ON IT, TRADE IN VALUE ABOUT $5,000.DEALERS WANT $9,000-$10,000 DOWN PAYMENT. *AK
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
BEGAN HEARING A LIGHT VIBRATION IN THE SEATS OF MY VEHICLE AS I WAS DRIVING. I DROVE APPROX. 90 MILES ON IT WHEN PART OF THE TIRE TREAD OF MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL BEGAN PEELING OFF. IT IS A COOPER COBRA 91T P215/55R16 M45 RADIAL GT THAT I PURCHASED APPROX. AT MOST 12,000 MILES AGO. I BOUGHT THESE TWO REAR TIRES FOR MY 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. MY FRONT TIRES I PURCHASED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO BUT GOT A DIFFERENT BRAND. I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SOON AS IT HAPPENED AND CHANGED THE TIRE WITH MY MINITATURE SPARE TIRE. THIS ALL HAPPENED TODAY.....NO ACCIDENTS/NO INJURIES...THE TIRE IS STILL INFLATED..IT IS JUST MISSING THE OUTER AND A COUPLE OF INNER LAYERS OF THREAD WITH NUMEROUS WIRES PROTRACTING OUT. THE AREA EFFECTED IS APPROX. 10 INCHES LONG...
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT FROM THE INSIDE. THIS RESULTED IN CONSUMER LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THEN, VEHICLE WENT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ROLLED ONTO A FIELD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC,WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECALL CAMPAIGN 984: THE VEHICLE'S FLOOR MATS BECAME SNAGGED IN STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLER PINCH BOLT RETAINING PIN AND LIMITED STEERING ABILITY. *BF THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NM
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.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCHES MALFUNCTIONED AND COULD NOT BE UTILIZED TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOORS WAS TO LEAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN AND UNLATCH THE DOORS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
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
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
FRONT SEAT BELTS FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE NOT WORKING AT ALL. CONSUMER STATES IT SHOULD BE LIFE WARRANTY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED; HOWEVER, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
IT ATTEMPTS TO TURN OVER BUT JUST CANNOT CATCH, AS WELL AS UTILIZES FUEL EXTREMELY FAST. *TR
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED. CALUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
A/C EVAPORATOR STARTED LEAKING WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. REPORTED TO CHRYSLER WITH NO RESPONSE.*AK
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 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.
TRANSAXLE/DIFFERENTIAL SEAL FAILED. NLM
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
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
SEAT BELTS CONTINUALLY LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING AFTER THIRTY MINUTES, UNABLE TO FIX.
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 .