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1997 Chrysler Sebring

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Chrysler Sebring do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 132.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 34 of 210 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

36 crash reports4 fire reports16 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

18 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 29, 2004
Electrical System

WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR, I PURCHASED IT USED. I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS THEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A SHORT OR A SENSOR PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A SENSOR LIGHT BURN OUT, AND THAT IS WAS NOT GETTING OXYGEN TO THE ENGINE. I PAID $…

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WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR, I PURCHASED IT USED. I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS THEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WAS A SHORT OR A SENSOR PROBLEM. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A SENSOR LIGHT BURN OUT, AND THAT IS WAS NOT GETTING OXYGEN TO THE ENGINE. I PAID $250. ON A TUESDAY TO GET THAT FIXED. THAT WEDNESDAY THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE IS ABOUT 3 SENSORS IN THE ENGINE, AND ANOTHER ONE HAS GONE OUT. AND IT WILL COST ME ANOTHER $250. TO REPLACE THAT ONE. THIS WAS ALL IN A 2 DAY SPAN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS, OR WILL I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING TILL ALL THE SENSORS ARE REPLACED, AND HOW WILL I KNOW IF THEY ALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED. VERY UPSET COSTUMER. AND I WORK FOR CHRYSLER, THIS IS TERRIBLE BUSINESS. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10074460

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2003
Electrical System

THE VEHICLES CONSOLE DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM THE ODOMETER AND TACHOMETER WERE INTERMITTENT. POSSIBLY DUE TO A SHORT. THE CONSUMER HAS TALKED TO OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. SCC

NHTSA ODI #10012314

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2002
Electrical System

WE HAD TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSORS TO BE ABLE TO GET THE ENGINE LIGHT OFF AND THEN THE IGNITION FUSES STARTED TO BURN OUT. THEY ONLY BURN OUT WHEN YOU TURN RIGHT. IT ALSO HAPPENED AT A LOW SPEED OF 35 MILES PER HOUR. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. NLM

NHTSA ODI #767602

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2002
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

MY CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL FAILURES IN ALMOST EVERY ASPECT OF THE CAR. IT HAS HAD 4 ELECTRICAL FAILURES, 3 BRAKE FAILURES, 4 MECHANICAL, AND 7 OTHER PROBLEMS. BASICALLY THE CAR HAS BEEN A COMPLETE LOSS. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING CHRYSLER FOR 3 YEARS AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP AT ALL. I FEEL AT 60,000 MY CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE…

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MY CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL FAILURES IN ALMOST EVERY ASPECT OF THE CAR. IT HAS HAD 4 ELECTRICAL FAILURES, 3 BRAKE FAILURES, 4 MECHANICAL, AND 7 OTHER PROBLEMS. BASICALLY THE CAR HAS BEEN A COMPLETE LOSS. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING CHRYSLER FOR 3 YEARS AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP AT ALL. I FEEL AT 60,000 MY CAR IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAS CAUSED ONE ACCIDENT IN WHICH I STILL HAVE NECK PROBLEMS. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SEE MY WEBSITE AT WWW.POSTALHISTORYSTORE.CHRYSLER.HTM THANK YOU!

NHTSA ODI #765812

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2000
Electrical SystemFire

WIRING BEHIND LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE RUBBED AGAINST MANIFOLD AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. FUEL LINE NEAR BY WAS ALSO WEAKENED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #723183

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2000
Electrical System

AT ANY TIME, EITHER WHEN I FIRST STARTED THE CAR OR WHILE DRIVING DIGITAL ODOMETER GOES BLANK AND THE TACHOMETER FALLS TO 0 RPM. THIS OCCURS EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE CAR. SOMETIMES THEY WILL COME BACK ON AND SOMETIMES THEY WON'T. ALSO, EVEN THOUGH THE ODOMETER HAS WENT BLANK, IT CONTINUES TO COUNT THE MILAGE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #722692

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

DEALER WORK ON ALL PROBLEMS/I BELIEVE POHANKA SOLD ME A LEMON CAR AND DEALER WANTS BRAKE ENGINE DOWN AND DON'T WANT TO FIX THEY ORIGINAL START WORKING ON MY CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #715741

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 1999
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE IN USE THE CALIPERS FAILED TO OPEN. VEHICLE WOULD STOP UNTIL NOISE INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. WOULD TAKE TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC REPLACED BRAKES. THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES SO FAR. LAST TIME BRAKES JUST GAVE WAY & NEEDED TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. ON 5TH SET OF BRAKE…

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WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE IN USE THE CALIPERS FAILED TO OPEN. VEHICLE WOULD STOP UNTIL NOISE INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. WOULD TAKE TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC REPLACED BRAKES. THE BRAKE PROBLEM HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES SO FAR. LAST TIME BRAKES JUST GAVE WAY & NEEDED TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. ON 5TH SET OF BRAKES. ALSO, REMOTE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK/ BOTH FRONT WINDOWS GLASS DISTORTED/REPLACED SPARK PLUGS/REPLACED TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SYSTEM/REPLACED NOISY FRONT END/REPLACED STARTER, AND REALIGNED DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE.

NHTSA ODI #852142

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 1999
Electrical System

WIRING CAME APART UNDER DASH LEAVING PORTION OF INSTRUMENT PANEL INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ODI #708137

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Electrical System

BATTERY FAILED AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR A WEEK. YH

NHTSA ODI #606566

Official recalls

5

02V186000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jul 8, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L V6 ENGINES, THE THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE CAN FRAY CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BIND OR STICK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE CABLE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V421002 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Dec 18, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.

98V183000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Aug 6, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

97V201000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Nov 13, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

97V081002 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Aug 8, 1997

THE HEADREST GUIDE BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES ONLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE HEADREST SUPPORT BRACKET CAN BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY.

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

5

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.

EA99028 · Steering Shaft Binding

Opened Sep 10, 1999 · Closed Jul 26, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE99030 · Steering Shaft Binding

Opened May 3, 1999 · Closed Sep 10, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

EA98014 · Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock

Opened May 29, 1998 · Closed Sep 14, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

ALLEGED FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM THAT EITHER ALLOWS THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR IS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR TO BE SHIFTED WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED OR PREVENTS THEIGNITION KEY FROM BEING REMOVED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR IS IN THE PARK, OR ANY OTHER, POSITION.

EA97025 · Convertible Top Cover Disengagement

Opened Nov 24, 1997 · Closed Nov 17, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

ALLEGED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE TOP COVER MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.