RoadVitals

2004 Chrysler Sebring Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Mar 14, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 220 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Chrysler Sebring submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 14, 2025

Driving on [XXX] in Indiana my rpm’s began to accelerate and I hit my breaks and once I got to 30 mph my breaks went out. I looked online and one after another of complaints for exactly this has been posted in rooms. It was towed to our mechanic and hopefully he can figure out why INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11648298
Incident
Mar 14, 2025
Fuel system
Filed May 17, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Sebring. The contact stated that while her fiancée was driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle seemed as if it was running out of gasoline. The check engine and a fuel warning light were illuminated. The driver pulled over at a service station and became aware of gasoline pouring from the fuel return. The driver parked the vehicle in a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ID
11464986
Incident
May 12, 2022
Mileage
95,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 12, 2020
Fire reported

I HEARD A POP THE A LOT OF SMOKE CAME IN THE CAR, I PULLED OVER AND POPPED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A FIRE BY THE FIREWALL, THE FUEL RLN HAD CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11328482
Incident
Jun 8, 2020
Mileage
193,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 21, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUMES OF FUEL COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND A PUDDLE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHERE THE FLUID ORIGINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE FUEL TANK, WHICH WAS REMOVED, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FIRE NEAR WHERE THE RETURN LINE ENTERED INTO THE FUEL TANK. THE COMPONENTS WERE INTERNALLY BURNED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V313000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 03V443000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ID
10750263
Incident
Aug 9, 2015
Mileage
91,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 15, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER DRIVING BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK OR HESITATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE TWO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 04V313000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V443000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP), BUT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ID
10484838
Incident
Oct 10, 2012
Mileage
59,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesEngine+2 more
Filed Apr 20, 2010
Crash reported

CAR COLD STALLS, STALLS WHEN AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, ENGINE SHAKES VIOLENTLY, BRAKES SQUEAL AN GRIND, WHEN STARTING CAR FLOODS ITSELF AND CANNOT BE TURNED ON FOR A FEW HOURS, HAD AN ACCIDENT AT 44-50 MPH AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY,GEARS STICK AND DO NOT COME OUT OF GEAR AT TIMES:INSURANCE WAS CALLED AT TIME OF ACCIDENT AND SAID NO REASON COULD BE IDENTIFIED AS TO WHY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR HAS HAD NEW BRAKES EVERY 3-4 MONTHS,BRAND NEW COOLING SYSTEM, TUNE-UP, OIL CHANGE EVERY 2500-3000 MILES, DEALERSHIP UPDATED SOFTWARE, COLD START STALLING PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF AND NO PROBLEMS FOUND AT AUTO SHOP. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS USED THEY WERE NOT GOING TO AND COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND REFUSED TO CHECK ANYTHING OUT OR EVEN LISTEN TO MY CONCERNS. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE DOING ALL OF THESE THINGS. SINCE THE FIRST INITIAL TIME OF PROBLEM PROBLEMS HAVE CONTINUED. CAR IS AT 96,000 MILES BUT HAS LEFT ME STRANDEDED SINCE AND KEEP HAVING TO REPLACE PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10326626
Incident
Nov 27, 2008
Mileage
78,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 15, 2008
Crash reportedFire reported1 death reported

CLIENT PETRA MONIKA WINN BURNED TO DEATH WHEN THE STEEL (CALIFORNIA) GAS TANK ON HER 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING SPLIT AT A WELD DURING REAR END IMPACT. *TR 10/31/08 ADD INFORMATION *CW

NHTSA ID
10238427
Incident
Aug 13, 2007
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Oct 31, 2006

MY VEHICLE IN MAY 2006 STARTING SHOWING SIGNS OF IGNITION FAILURE. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO TURN OFF VEHICLE OFF,IT REMAINS ON FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES OR LONGER UNTIL I CAN GET IT TO TURN OFF W/O THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THIS MEANS MY CAR IS DRIVABLE W/O A KEY IN THE IGNITION. THIS CAR STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AT 29,000 MILES. THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE GETS EXTREMELY HOT. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL REPORTS WHICH STATES THAT A BREAK IN MOLDING IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO IGNITION FAILURE WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND CAN CAUSE A FIRE. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3X IN LESS THAN 5 MONTHS. ANCIRA JEEP CHRYSLER HAS FAILED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND HAS CONTINUED TO CHARGE ME FOR A FUEL PUMP, CAM SENSOR, AND IGNITION. I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP JUST A FEW DAYS AGO AND NOT EVEN 10 MIN LATER WHEN I GOT HOME THE PROBLEM WAS STILL OCCURING BUT WORSE. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AS WE SPEAK AND I HAVE YET TO HEAR FEEDBACK UNLESS I CALL; EVEN THEN, THEY CAN'T GIVE ME AN ANSWER. THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED ME TO ASK ME HOW TO TURN MY CAR OFF, THERE IS A HUGE PROBLEM WHEN A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP W/MECHANICS IS ASKING THEIR CUSTOMER HOW TO FIX THEIR CAR. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY AT ALL, THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND THE SERVICE AND QUALITY I HAVE RECIEVED IS UNACCEPTABLE. I WAS NOT PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR THERE ERRORS AND I AM RELYING ON OTHERS FOR TRANSPORTATION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10172293
Incident
May 29, 2006
Fuel system
Filed Oct 11, 2006

I PURCHASED MY 2004 SEBRING AT SHELLBY CHRYSLER JEEP\EAGLE DEALERSHIP. JUST A FEW SHORT MONTHS LATER ,MY CAR STARTED JUST CUTTING OFF. THEN IT STARTED JUMPING FORWARD WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET HIT IN SEVERAL INTERSECTIONS. I TOOK MY CAR IN MORE THAN 7 TIMES TO BE TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON THEREFORE IT WOULD NOT PULL A CODE. MEANWHILE, I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK FOR A LEAK SOMEWHERE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. NOW 2 YEARS LATER JUST AS MY WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT, THE CAR STARTS CUTTING OFF AND LEAVING ME STRANDED. I HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY FOR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO SMART OFF AT MA AND TELL ME THAT IT WAS OUT OF GAS. I KNEW THIS WAS NOT TRUE BECAUSE THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST THING I DID WAS TRY TO PUT GAS IN IT. ALSO, WHEN I WAS HAVING TROUBLE ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE GAS GAUGE,BUT OF COURSE,THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE CAR CUT OFF AGAIN AND I TOOK IT BACK,ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE GAS GAUGE AND THEN WAS TOLD THE SENDING UNIT IN THE GAS TANK WAS BAD,NOW THAT ITS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAVE TO PAY OVER 700.00 FOR THE PART TO BE REPLACED. OH YEAH,AND THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF! *NM

NHTSA ID
10170594
Incident
Dec 15, 2004
Mileage
880 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 24, 2006

2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE, 29,500 MILES. ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. ENGINE LIGHT WOULD GO ON PERIODICALLY THEN GO OFF. TOOK TO DEALER. DID DIAGNOSTICS, CHARGE $84.00. FOUND CRACKED RESONATOR PIPE, REPLACED, NO CHARGE. CYLINDERS 3 & 5 MISFIRING. DEALER TELLS ME THAT THEY NEED TO TAKE OUT THE FUEL INJECTORS TO CLEAN, CHARGE WOULD BE $234.00. SO MUCH FOR 3 YEARS, 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN ANY CAR IN FOR THE INJECTORS TO BE TAKEN OUT AND CLEANED. I REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS MY SELF AND PUT IN INJECTOR CLEANER IN THE GAS. CAR IS RUNNING BETTER BUT STILL MISFIRES ON OCCASION. SO MUCH FOR AMERICAN CARS AND THE WORKMANSHIP. THIS IS THE LAST CHRYSLER PRODUCT I'LL EVER LEASE. CALLED AND COMPLAINED TO DEALER. HE TELLS ME WHO DO YOU THINK WILL PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS? OBVIOUSLY, NOT THEM. CALL DAIMLER-CHRYSLER IN DETRIOT. TOO BAD, NOT LISTED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER IN CLEVELAND OHIO WAS CRESTMONT CHRYSLER FOR THOSE INTERESTED. DON'T BUY THERE!!!! I WOULD ASSUME THAT IF THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THERE IS A PROBLEM AND BEING UNDER MILEAGE AND THE 3 YEARS, THIS WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. *JB

NHTSA ID
10153581
Incident
Mar 14, 2006
Fuel system
Filed Nov 22, 2005

THE FUEL LINE LEADING FROM THE FIREWALL AREA TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL LEAKING ALLOWING PRESSURIZED FUEL TO SPRAY IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS WAS NOT NOTICED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT WAS DETECTED BY THE ODOR AFTER SHUTTING CAR OFF.CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ME THE CORRECT PART TO REPAIR AND SO AN AFTERMARKET PART WAS USED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO SERVICE TEMPORARILY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10143422
Incident
Nov 10, 2005
Mileage
21,000 mi
Fuel systemSeat belts
Filed Nov 16, 2005

NO SUMMARY LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10142850
Incident
Jun 20, 2005
Mileage
16,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 7, 2005

WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK AFTER PURCHASING A 2004 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE LIMITED, THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE ALMOST DYING OR DYING STARTED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MORE OFTEN AT HIGHER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE ENGINE DROPS DOWN TO 200-250 RPM. WHEN IT RECOVERS IT OVERSHOOTS THE LOW IDLE SPEED CAUSING THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD. SEVERAL TIMES THE ENGINE HAS DIED. THE ENGINE WILL RESTART IMMEDIATELY. ONE DAY AS I WAS GOING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT A CAR TURNED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO MAKE A PANIC STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND THE ENGINE DIED. I ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED BECAUSE THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE NOT EXPECTING ME TO HAVE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. YOUR WEB SITE DEFINES THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DRIVER HAS AN UNEXPECTED EVENT THAT PUTS THE DRIVER IN A SITUATION WHERE THE DRIVER CANNOT SAFELY CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING LIKE A SEWING MACHINE. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE BEGINS TO RUN ROUGH. IT REMINDS ME OF THE DAYS OF CARBURETOR CARS WHEN THE CHOKE WAS STUCK ON. SUDDENLY IT STARTS RUNNING LIKE A SEWING MACHINE. MOST MORNINGS, BUT NOT EVERYDAY, AFTER BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE AND PUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE THEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WILL STUMBLE 1-4 TIMES. THE ENGINE SPEED BEGINS TO COME UP AND THEN STOPS ACCELERATING, THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATES AGAIN. THIS ONLY HAPPENS SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN STARTED. ONCE THE ENGINE WARMS UP THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT HAPPEN. CONTINUED 1 OF 3 *JB THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FUEL DRAINS BACK TO THE TANK WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS OVERNIGHT. AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED THE FUEL SYSTEM IS NOT PROPERLY PRESSURIZED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, WHICH COULD BE A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE COMPONET.

NHTSA ID
10110392
Incident
May 6, 2004
Mileage
528 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 26, 2005

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V313000, AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE CONSUMER SMELLED GAS, PULLED INTO A GAS STATION, AND THERE WAS GAS LEAKING OUT THE VEHICLE. DEALER REPAIRED THE FUEL LINE. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10108960
Incident
Jan 25, 2005
Mileage
16,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 28, 2004

MY CAR, 2004 SEBRING SEDAN WITH 19,000 HAS HAD A SURGING PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. AS I,M COMING TO A STOP, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD AS IF I WAS GIVING IT GAS. ON 10/28/04, I'VE HAD THE CAR EXAMINED COON RAPIDS CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT OUTSIDE OF MISFIRES IN THREE CYLINDERS. THEY SAID THEY ROAD TESTED THE CAR AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE WHAT I EXPERIENCE EVERY DAY DURING EVERY STOP. I WAS TOLD THEY RESET THE PCM AS THIS IS WHAT MANUFACTURER RECOMENDS. WHEN I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME SURGING FROM THE VERY FIRST STOP AND ALL THE OTHER STOPS DURING THE FIFTEEN MILE DRIVE HOME.NEXTWEEK I'LL TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND SEE IF THEY CAN FIX THIS. I'VE NOTICED THAT MYCARSTATS.COM HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND THE DEALERS/MANUFACTURER APPEARS TO NOT DEALING WITH IT. I'VE COME VERY CLOSE TO REAR-ENDING CARS DURING MY TRAVELS. I EXPECT THE SURGE AND PREPARE FOR IT BUT THERE HAS TO BE A FIX.*AK

NHTSA ID
10097941
Incident
Oct 28, 2004
Mileage
15,500 mi

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .