2001 Chrysler Sebring Suspension Problems

I WAS TAKING MY SON TO SCHOOL AND AS I TURNED THE CORNER THE BALL JOINT COMPLETLY POPPED REAL LOUD AND MY LEFT REAR TIRE CAVES IN COMPLETELY. THEN A WEEK LATER THE RIGHT SIDE REAR DID THE SAME THING EXCEPT I WAS ON A LONG STRETCH ROAD AND A LOUD POP, TIRE CAVES IN AND I STARTED SWIRLING UNCONTROLABLY. UNKNOWN AS TO WHY OR HOW IT JUST ALL A SUDDEN POPPED. I DID FIX BOTH REAR BALL JOINTS MY RECEIPTS ARE WITH ORIELLYS AUTO. AND ALSO STEERING SUSPENSION IS SOUNDING FUNNY AND NO MECHANIC CAN FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11012463

Incident

May 5, 2017

Mileage

130,000 mi

IT WAS CHRISTMAS EVE WE WERE LEAVING A FRIENDS HOUSE HEADED HOME I WAS AT A STOP SIGN MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL RUBBER BURNING BUT ASSUMED IT WAS THE CAR AHEAD OF ME I STARTED TO PICK UP SPEED I WAS IN A 35MPH ZONE WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD BOOM I PULLED OVER AT A LOCAL PARK. I LOOKED TO SEE MY DRIVER SIDE BACK TIRE WAS FACING INWARD AND WOULD NOT STAND STRAIGHT I CALL MY FATHER INLAW WHO IS A MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. I AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NOW BECAUSE IT IS SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR A SECOND TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10701779

Incident

Dec 24, 2014

Mileage

193,466 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT AND THE CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09F056000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 3/24/15*CN

NHTSA ID

10676603

Incident

Jan 19, 2015

Mileage

99,000 mi

I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM SOMEONE THAT BOUGHT IT FROM THE ACTION AND THE SHOCK SUSPENSION ARE TOTALLY GONE REAL BD WANTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THEM ALSO OTHER LITTLE THINGS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10550082

Incident

Oct 26, 2013

THE DASH, RADIO, & CD PLAYER LIGHTS FLASH OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS OCCURS ON RANDOM OCCASIONS. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN OPERATING THE TURN SIGNAL. THE LIGHTS WILL DIM LOW AND WILL NOT RETURN TO A "NORMAL" BRIGHTNESS UNTIL YOU ADJUST THE TURN SIGNAL ARM. OR THE LIGHTS COMPLETELY GO OFF. TURN OFF THE CAR AND THE DISPLAYS WILL START UP. THE SUSPENSION PROBLEM IS THE NOISE OF METAL AND BANGING IN THE SUSPENSION. THE AIR BAGS, HORN DO NOT WORK AS WELL AS CRUISE CONTROL. THE A/C FAILS TO WORK MOST OF THE TIME.

NHTSA ID

10544877

Incident

Sep 15, 2006

Mileage

70,000 mi

ON FEBRUARY 14 2012 SOMETHING ON MY LEFT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BROKE, I COULD NO LONG STEER AND THE WHEEL LAID OUTWARD TOWARD THE GROUND. THERE IS A LONG ARM LIKE PART, THAT WAS LITERALLY HANGING OFF THE WHEEL. IT IS NOW UNOPERABLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I AM SO GLAD I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 30 MPH DUE TO TRAFFIC, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT A AUTO ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10448398

Incident

Feb 14, 2012

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BECAME LOOSE. THE BALL JOINT FRACTURED FROM THE CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 104,000.

NHTSA ID

10368293

Incident

Nov 29, 2010

Mileage

104,000 mi

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER FROM REGARDING 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT, HE COULD HEAR A GRINDING SOUND. THE DEALER FOUND THE LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT WAS WORN, WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. ALSO, THE FRONT STRUTS, OIL PAN AND COOLER LINES WERE ALL LEAKING, AND THE DRIVE BELTS WERE CRACKED. THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITION CONTROLS WERE NOT PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10336979

Incident

Feb 10, 2010

BOUGHT USED IN 2007 SEBRING 2001 AT 87K MILES. AT ROUND 95K, WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACE, HEARD CRACKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL..RESULTING IN NO HORN, AIR BAG LIGHT CONT ILLUMINATED SO CAN'T TELL IF THERE'S A PROBLEM, AND NO CRUISE CONTROL. TOOK CAR TO PRIVATE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED CLOCK SPRING, BUT CHRYSLER SAYS ITS NOT UNDER RECALL PROTECTION ANY LONGER!!! CRAZY, I KNOW! ALSO, SINCE PURCHASE HAVE MANY PROBS WITH ELECTRICAL DASH PROBS IE FLASHING ON/DIMMING AND RADIO JUST TURNING OFF...ALSO NOT COVERED! AND HAD STRANGE HUMMING NOISE SINCE PURCHASE WHILE DRIVING...FINALLY FOUND OUT WHAT IT WAS AND HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT HUBS. ALL OF THESE SAFETY ISSUES SEEM TO BE A CONTINUING PROB WITH OTHER DRIVERS AS PER THE COMPLAINTS I'VE READ HERE AT LEAST AS FAR BACK AS I READ (THRU 2006). WHY IS CHRYSLER NOT BEING MADE TO RECTIFY AT LEAST THE AIR BAG (CLOCK SPRING) ISSUE THEY ALREADY ADMITTED TO???? REALLY KIND OF THE SAME THING WITH THE ELECT ISSUES TOO, BUT I KIND OF UNDERSTAND POSS ISSUES WITH THAT AFTER SO MANY MILES. WOULD REALLY LIKE HELP/ADVICE ON HOW TO MAKE CHRYSLER TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT EXPENSIVE CLOCKSPRING/AIR BAD ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10292389

Incident

Feb 9, 2007

Mileage

97,000 mi

I PURCHASED A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING 5 YEARS AGO. NICE LOOKING CAR, BUT THE ENGINE IS TOTAL JUNK. TRANSMISSION LEAKS, LEAKS OIL, POWER STEERING, MASSIVE VIBRATION WHEN AT A STOP, MASSIVE ENGINE NOISE. ENGINE IS JUNK. HAD TO TRADE IN FOR A MUCH BETTER AND RELIABLE CAR. I WILL NOT PURCHASE CHRYSLER AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10253103

Incident

Dec 24, 2008

REAR MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE STRUT BROKE, CAR WAS MAKING A BANGING NOISE IN THE REAR. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME FROM WORK AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD THE CAR NOT BEEN TOWED. PART HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE FROM CHRYSLER SINCE 6/26 AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AT LEAST THE FIRST OF AUGUST. I AM TOLD THERE ARE 8000 OF THESE PARTS ON BACK ORDER NATIONALLY, AND THE WAY THE PART OXIDIZED, I'M CURIOUS WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS IS NOT A COMMON PART TO HAVE TO REPLACE. ALSO CHRYSLER REFUSES TO OFFER ME A LOANER CAR UNTIL THE PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10234335

Incident

Jun 26, 2008

Mileage

113,000 mi

ON MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING ONE OF THE BALL JOINTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED IN A PARKING LOT, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BECOME DETACHED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED IT WAS RUSTED OUT WHICH WAS SURPRISING SINCE THE CAR ONLY HAD 37K MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MICHIGAN AND OHIO FOR 5 YEARS AND CALIFORNIA FOR 2 YEARS. THE MECHANIC WAS SURPRISED AND HE SAID IT NORMALLY TAKES OVER 100K MILES FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE CAR WAS REPAIRED (WITH REPLACEMENT OF ALL BALL JOINTS AND THE CONTROL ARMS) AND I HAVE THE PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10224387

Incident

Apr 4, 2008

Mileage

37,200 mi

THE REAR SHOCK MOUNTS COMPLETELY CORRODED AWAY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP AND THE SHOCK AND SPRING WAS COMPLETELY LOOSE FROM THE FRAME BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY BRACKETS THAT HAD FAILED. ALSO THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE BATTERY FAILED AND THE ONLY THING IT WILL DO NOW IS FLASH THE TREBLE/BASS LIGHTS AND WILL NOT FUNCTION.*CN

NHTSA ID

10213576

Incident

Mar 14, 2006

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY DETACHED WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HE REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AXLE AND BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT FOR IT TO PERFORM NORMALLY. AS OF DECEMBER 17, 2007, THE MECHANIC HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,888.

NHTSA ID

10212115

Incident

Sep 1, 2007

Mileage

136,000 mi

HEARD SOMETHING RIP OR BREAK INSIDE STEERING WHEEL WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, FOLLOWED BY THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNING ON. NO PROBLEMS WITH STEERING, BUT FEAR A COSTLY REPAIR FOR THE AIR BAG AND OR CLOCK SPRING MECHANISM. HAD TO REPLACE HUB BEARINGS 3 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10190727

Incident

May 14, 2007

Mileage

95,195 mi

I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK END OF MY 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING. I NEEDED TO PICK UP CHILDREN AND INTENDED TO LOOK INTO NOISE WHEN I GOT HOME. ABOUT A MILE FROM HOME ON A BUMPY COUNTRY ROAD, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE STRUT SUPPORT HAD CORRODED AND BROKEN, THROWING THE SHOCK INTO MY TIRE. TIRE IS DESTROYED AND STRUT/SHOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC LOOKS AT THE OTHER SIDE AND FINDS THAT IT TOO IS CORRODED AND READY TO BREAK. A FRIEND IS A MECHANIC FOR A CHRYSLER DEALER AND SAYS HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE AND CHRYSLER KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THIS MALFUNCTION SENT MY CAR INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE, AND I WAS JUST LUCKY THAT I WAS IN THE COUNTRY AND NO ONE WAS COMING THE OTHER WAY! THE WARRANTY ON MY CAR EXPIRED 2 MONTHS AGO. IS CHRYSLER IN ANY WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS? *JB

NHTSA ID

10162233

Incident

Jul 10, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PUDDLE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE COOLER HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V011002, REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 8/14/2006 - THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE WORN. *NM

NHTSA ID

10151509

Incident

Mar 1, 2006

Mileage

59,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON A BUSY INTERSTATE, THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AND THE FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP QUICKLY AND PULL INTO THE MEDIAN. I HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP ONLY 2 MONTHS PRIOR WITH "POPPING" NOISES IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERFORMED AN INSPECTION AND SAID "ALL FRONT END COMPONENTS TIGHT AND SOUND /NO FAILURES DETECTED". LESS THAN 2,000 MILES LATER, THE BALL JOINT FAILED! WHAT IS EVEN MORE CONCERNING IS THAT THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS WERE EXPERIENCED 2 YEARS AGO AND MANY COMPONENTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION (INCLUDING BOTH BALL JOINTS) WERE REPLACED. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS AT 37,000 MILES AND COST ME $598.66 (SINCE THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERED TO 36,000 MILES - IRONIC, HUH?). THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED AT 63,000 MILES AND COST ME $693.06. UPON DRIVING THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE AFTER BEING TOWED, THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE BALL JOINT POPPED COMPLETELY OUT OF IT'S JOINT AND SHOWED ME THAT THE TIRE WAS ONLY BARELY HANGING ON. HE ALSO SAID I WAS "LUCKY" THAT I HADN'T WENT 20 MORE FEET ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE THE TIRE WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLY INJURY. THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE REPAIRS BUT WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE EXPENSES. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY OR REFUND THE COST FOR THE FAULTY INSPECTION THAT WAS PERFORMED 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10147251

Incident

Dec 29, 2005

Mileage

63,192 mi

FRONT TOP BALL JOINT SNAPPED WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. NO WARNING, HAD TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIR. FOUND DAMAGED CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES WHEN REPLACING BOTH FRONT TOP AND BOTTOM BALL JOINTS. ONLY 53,000 MILES ON THE CAR! INTEND TO WRITE TO CHRYSLER.

NHTSA ID

10127112

Incident

Jun 25, 2005

Mileage

53,190 mi

DT: CALLER SAID THE WHEEL FELL OFF IN DRIVEWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE TOP UPPER BALL JOINT GAVE WAY, LEAVING THE BOTTOM BALL JOINT TO HOLD THE TIRE. DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER HAS NOT HAD IT FIXED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10126070

Incident

Jun 18, 2005

Mileage

62,000 mi

UPPER BALL JOINT IN PASSENGER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FOLD INWARD WITH AN ASSOCIATED TEMPORARY LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. NEW PART WAS INSTALLED AND UPON INSPECTION, THE OLD BALL JOINT APPEARED RUSTY AND CORRODED.

NHTSA ID

10122160

Incident

May 24, 2005

Mileage

70,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER PULLED TO THE SIDE, AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEANING TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID

10064656

Incident

Mar 19, 2004

NARY 05/21/2003 *MR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED REAR BRAKE SUSPENSION, TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, REAR WINDOW SEALANT LOOSE, AND STEERING PROBLEMS. *CB

NHTSA ID

10020379

Incident

Jun 5, 2001

FRONT END SUSPENSION, WHEEL BEARING & STEERING - GRINDING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER SMALL HOLES OR HILLS SUCH AS SPEED BUMPS & POT HOLES. ALMOST NEVER WHEN DRIVING DIRECTLY FORWARD, BUT OFTEN WHEN TURNING. DEALER MADE 4 (FOUR) REPAIR ATTEMPTS AND STILL HAS NOT GOTTEN IT RIGHT. NOT 2 MONTHS AFTER LAST REPAIR, WHICH TOOK SIX WEEKS TO GET ALL THE PARTS TOGETHER (DURING WHICH THE LEMON LAW COVERAGE FOR MY CAR EXPIRED - GO WONDER ABOUT THAT..) THE NOISES HAVE RETURNED AGAIN. OTHER ISSUES, I HAVE SEEN 6 TOTAL ISSUES MENTIONED IN THIS SITE THAT I CAN IDENTIFY WITH. AS FOR THOSE SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS SOME HAVE MENTIONED, YES I AGREE THE PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE WHICH MAKES IT EASY TO MASH BOTH BRAKE & GAS PEDALS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10018387

Incident

Jan 25, 2003

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY CHRYSLER SEBRING AT AROUND 25,000 MILES. THE DEALER SAID HE'S CHANGED AT LEAST 4 OTHER SEBRING'S FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. I THINK CHRYSLER SHOULD ORDER A RECALL TO PREVENT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*JB

NHTSA ID

10014027

Incident

Mar 22, 2003

Mileage

28,316 mi