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1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 72.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

27 reports with mileage · 41 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports7 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherService Brakes, Air

WELL WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE BACK WINDOW WAS FULLY OUT, ALSO WHEN IM DRIVING IT SEEMS AS THO IM GOING SLOWER THAN WHAT MY SPEEDOMITER SAYS. THE ALARM DOESNT WORK AT ALL. MY BREAKS BONT FULLY BREAK ON TIME SO I HAVE TO STOP EARLYER THAN USUAL.ALSO ONE DAY I WAS IN THE CAR AND I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL B…

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WELL WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE BACK WINDOW WAS FULLY OUT, ALSO WHEN IM DRIVING IT SEEMS AS THO IM GOING SLOWER THAN WHAT MY SPEEDOMITER SAYS. THE ALARM DOESNT WORK AT ALL. MY BREAKS BONT FULLY BREAK ON TIME SO I HAVE TO STOP EARLYER THAN USUAL.ALSO ONE DAY I WAS IN THE CAR AND I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACK SLOWLY ALSO THE STERING WHEEL LOCKED.ALSO WHEN I PUT GAS IN IT , IT SAYS ITS HALF EMPTY FAST WHEN I ONLY DRIVE AROUND THE CORNER,BUT WHEN I TURN IT OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE THE MEETER GOES UP.

NHTSA ODI #10321795

132,000 miles · Dec 30, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATION PROBLEM. GOING 35-40 IN RESIDENTIAL AREA, THOUGHT WE WERE SLOWING DOWN FOR STOP LIGHT, ACCELERATION PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. CAR SPED UP. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED AND CAR PUT INTO NEUTRAL. STOPPED BEFORE REACHING TWO CARS AHEAD WAITING TO TURN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146598

30,000 miles · Oct 19, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

FOR ABOUT A YEAR I HAVE HAD AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE TACHOMETER AND ODOMETER ON MY JXI. SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1996 AND 1997 'S AND THAT I NEED A NEW CIRCUIT BOARD AT A COST OF OVER $700.00. NOT REPLACED YET.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10096038

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

FUEL INDICATOR, TACHOMETER AND ODOMETER OPERATE PROPERLY INTERMITTENTLY (TACH & ODO ARE MORE FREQUENTLY INOPERATIVE THAN OPERATIVE) USUALLY TACH IS AT 0 AND ODO DOES NOT INDICATE ANY NUMBERS. FUEL GAUGE USUALLY OPERATES, BUT DROPS SUDDENLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088201

86,269 miles · Mar 30, 2004
EquipmentVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

MY NAME IS [XXX]. I HAVE A 1996 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE I PULLED INTO A FILLING STATION AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT, IT REVVED UP AND ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. I PRESSED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD BUT COULDN'T STOP THE CAR. I WENT THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE STATION AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP IN THE COFFEE MACHINES. I WAS…

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MY NAME IS [XXX]. I HAVE A 1996 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE I PULLED INTO A FILLING STATION AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT, IT REVVED UP AND ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. I PRESSED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD BUT COULDN'T STOP THE CAR. I WENT THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE STATION AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP IN THE COFFEE MACHINES. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. I WAS IN FLORIDA AT THE TIME AND I RECEIVED A TICKET FOR CARELESS DRIVING. THE POLICE OFFICER SAID NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE CONTROL OF YOUR CAR. THERE WAS NO WAY TO HAVE CONTROL OVER THE CAR. I HAD ONLY OWNED THIS CAR 5 MONTHS. IT SHOWS THAT THE CAR WAS IN FOR A RECALL IN AUG OF 2002 FOR THROTTLE REPAIR. ON MARCH 17 IN SAVANNAH GA THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO A 1996 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE AND HE HIT 9 PEOPLE. I HAVE TALKED TO THE GENTLEMAN. HIS SEBRING REVVED UP, ACCELERATED AND HE COULDN'T GET IT STOPPED. HIS HAD ALSO BEEN IN FOR RECALL IN 2002. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE DEALER SHIP IN FLORIDA AND IS BEING REPAIRED FOR THE DAMAGES CAUSED IN THE ACCIDENT. I DON'T THINK I COULD EVER DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN IN FEAR THAT IT WILL DO IT AGAIN AND MAYBE CAUSE A INJURY OR DEATH. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10064148

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS IS DESIGNED POORLY. WHEN TRANSFERRING FOOT FROM ONE PEDAL TO ANOTHER IT WILL GET STUCK BETWEEN THE PEDALS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042488

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WOULD RACE WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT THE SAME TIME WHEN BRAKING, ON ONE OCCASION CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE EVEN WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, ALSO THERE WAS A RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE REGARDIING THE GAS LINE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE REOCCURED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #568364

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR CABLE FRAYED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO SPEEDS OF UP TO 80 MPH. THEN, CONSUMER STOPPED VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8012681

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ACCELERATOR STUCK AND VEHICLE REVVED EVEN THOUGH CONSUMER HAD TAKEN HIS FOOT OF PEDAL, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE, HE HAD TO SHUT OFF ENGINE TO STOP VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE CABLE HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT WAS FRAYED WHICH HAD CAUSED IT TO GET STUC…

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WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ACCELERATOR STUCK AND VEHICLE REVVED EVEN THOUGH CONSUMER HAD TAKEN HIS FOOT OF PEDAL, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE, HE HAD TO SHUT OFF ENGINE TO STOP VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE CABLE HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT WAS FRAYED WHICH HAD CAUSED IT TO GET STUCK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #899594

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2001
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 75 MPH, AND LOST CONTROL. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE TRAFFIC BARRIERS APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES BEFORE STOPPING. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ACCELERATOR CABLE FRAYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #897053

Official recalls

1

04V021000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Jan 13, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA03011 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock

Opened Jul 17, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.