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1998 Chrysler Sebring

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sebring years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Chrysler Sebring are substantially higher than the model-year median of 132.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 62 of 267 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.

  • Structure. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports5 fire reports19 injury reports

What owners actually said

267 reports
154,352 miles · Dec 1, 2020
Vehicle Speed Control

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.…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11377278

128,000 miles · Oct 9, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

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 MANU…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10780992

140,000 miles · Jul 20, 2015
Suspension

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10735188

117,000 miles · Mar 24, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

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

NHTSA ODI #10701343

151 miles · Nov 12, 2014
WheelsCrash

AXEL AND BALL JOINT WENT OUT ON ME AFTER BUYING THIS CAR WITHIN 48 HOURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654294

44,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014
Suspension

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 TI…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10627938

44,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014
Suspension

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 T…

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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 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 RECALLED... RECALLED ANNOUNCED 12/27/2010 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 [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627936

44,000 miles · Aug 24, 2014
Suspension

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 T…

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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 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 WITH A RECALL LETTER. RECALLED ANNOUNCED 12/27/2010 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 [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627927

129,002 miles · Aug 4, 2014
Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI #10618841

132,000 miles · Nov 6, 2012
EngineStructure

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10483486

Official recalls

3

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.

98V045002 · Vehicle Speed Control

Mar 3, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

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

4

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.

PE00007 · Door Panel/garnish Separation

Opened Feb 2, 2000 · Closed Jul 18, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

ALLEGED THAT THE PLASTIC GARNISH PANELS MOUNTED ON DOORS DETACH FROM THEIR MOUNTINGS, SOMETIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION

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