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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

Electrical System complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2006
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrash

WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE HORN DID NOT WORK. IF THE HORN WORKED I COULD HAVE STOPPED VEHICLE FROM HITTING ME. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10159177

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2003
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSuspension

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OCT 2003. TOOK IT TO THE GOODYEAR (GY) SERVICE CENTER PUT ON A DIAGN. MACHINE. INDICATED MISFIRES. MAJOR TUNE-UP PERFORMED. PICKED CAR UP 4:30 P.M. SERVICE ENG LIGHT WAS OFF. BY 8:00 P.M. IT WAS ON AGAIN. TOOK BACK NEXT DAY & ANOTHER TUNE-UP DONE W/ CHRYSLER POINTS & PLUGS THIS TIME. PICKED UP TH…

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SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OCT 2003. TOOK IT TO THE GOODYEAR (GY) SERVICE CENTER PUT ON A DIAGN. MACHINE. INDICATED MISFIRES. MAJOR TUNE-UP PERFORMED. PICKED CAR UP 4:30 P.M. SERVICE ENG LIGHT WAS OFF. BY 8:00 P.M. IT WAS ON AGAIN. TOOK BACK NEXT DAY & ANOTHER TUNE-UP DONE W/ CHRYSLER POINTS & PLUGS THIS TIME. PICKED UP THAT AFTERNOON. LIGHT WAS OFF. CAR RAN ROUGH & MADE LOUD ROARING NOISE. NEXT DAY LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR BACK. NOISE STOPPED. LIGHT OFF FOR A FEW HOURS & CAR WAS STILL RUNNING ROUGH. COST INCL. TIRES - $1480.00. IN RICHMOND, VA FOR 5 WKS FOR TRNG FOR NEW JOB. DEC 4, CAR IDLED ERRATICALLY. EVERY TIME SLOWED DOWN IT CUT OFF. TOOK IT TO MEINEKE SERVICE CENTER IN RICHMOND. DIAG. INDICATED ERRORS W/ FUEL INJECTORS & MISFIRING. TOLD ME TAKE BACK TO GY FOR THEM TO CORRECT. THAT DAY TOOK TO GY SERVICE CENTER. THEY CONTACTED WARRANTY PERSON & GY SERVICE CENTER IN DANVILLE, VA & TOLD ME DANVILLE GY SAID WHEN I BROUGHT CAR TO THEM IT DIDN'T HAVE INJECTOR PROBLEM & WARRANTY PERSON SAID ID HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY WORK. MADE AN APPT. HAYNES CHRYSLER JEEP IN RICHMOND TO CHECK CAR 12/9. INVOICE STATED "5 DIFFERENT CODES PRESENT. MULTIPLE MISFIRE, INJECTOR #2, #4 & #6 CONTROL CIRCUIT, MAP SENSOR WON'T CHANGE ON START UP. PERFORMED DIAG TEST W/SERV MANUAL 4 EVERY SINGLE CODE. NO PROB FOUND. CALLED ED TECCONECT FOR HELP. WE FIGURE THAT EGR VALVE WAS CAUSING ALL THE PROBLEM. REMOVED & REPLACED EGR VALVE. TEST DROVE. CAR RUNS NORMAL." THE COST WAS $452.43. MADE APPT. WI/CHRYSLER SERVICE HOME FOR RECALL WORK ONBALL JOINTS. 12/18-HUSBAND LEAVING FOR WORK CAR WOULDN'T GO IN GEAR AT 1ST. "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT BACK ON. THE CAR HESITATING BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR HAS OCCURRED 2 OR 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. TRIED TRADING VEHICLE. OWE APPROX $12,000 ON IT, TRADE IN VALUE ABOUT $5,000.DEALERS WANT $9,000-$10,000 DOWN PAYMENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10050745

50,000 miles · Dec 18, 2003
Air BagsElectrical SystemEquipment

I AM SO DISGUSTED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE, NOR WILL I ENCOURAGE ANYONE ELSE TO DO SO. I PURCHASED A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI ON 6/29/2000. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: KEY WON'T WORK IN TRUNK ALL THE TIME. LACK OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT - 2 DIFFERENT INCIDENTS (REPORTED IN A PREVIOUS COMP…

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I AM SO DISGUSTED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER VEHICLE, NOR WILL I ENCOURAGE ANYONE ELSE TO DO SO. I PURCHASED A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI ON 6/29/2000. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: KEY WON'T WORK IN TRUNK ALL THE TIME. LACK OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT - 2 DIFFERENT INCIDENTS (REPORTED IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT) PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL OPEN IF YOU JUST PUSH AGAINST IT - I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE CERTIFIED SERVICE AGENT (OVER A YEAR AGO) WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO ORDER THE PART AND CONTACT ME WHEN IT ARRIVED. HE NEVER DID AND NOW THAT DEALERSHIP IS NOT THE SERVICE AGENT ANYMORE.*AK DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT TWISTS INSIDE THE COVERED AREA ATTACHED TO THE INTERIOR WALL OF THE VEHICLE. HIGH-PITCHED WHINING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE AREA. HAVE REPLACED ROTORS TWICE. HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE THOSE EXPENSIVE ($600 - $800) GOODYEAR TIRES ABOUT 4 - 6 TIMES. ONE DAY, ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO, I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING TO WORK, GOING UPHILL AND MY CAR JUST SLOWLY DIED. ALL THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, I COULD NOT GIVE IT ANY GAS, I COULD BARELY STEER IT AND IT JUST ROLLED TO A STOP. I KEPT TRYING TO CRANK IT AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I WAS STILL PARTLY IN THE ROAD, SO I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TRIED TO BACK IT ONTO THE SHOULDER. AFTER DOING THAT, I TRIED TO CRANK IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I DROVE IT TO A GARAGE NEARBY, BUT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. HESITATION WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. MORE COMPLAINTS ARE BEING SUBMITTED IN A SUBSEQUENT FORM.

NHTSA ODI #10050738

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2003
Electrical System

THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN IN THE PARK POSITION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INDICATED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS RECALLED BUT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10012298

54,020 miles · Jan 30, 2003
Electrical System

THE IGNITION HAD LOCKED UP, AND THE KEY WOULDN'T UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. TS THE SHIFTER WAS ABLE TO MOVED. SCC

NHTSA ODI #10006026

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

CRUISE CONTROL FROM PURCHASE DIDN'T WORK, SALESMAN TOLD ME I NEEDED TO BE TRAVELING 55 MPH FOR IT WORK. TURNED OUT, IT WAS BROKEN, COST ME $100 TO REPAIR. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, CAR DEAD, TURNED OUT IT NEEDED A BATERY. DEALERSHIP PAID THE COST. 2ND MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, CHECK ENGING LIGHT CAME ON, CAR RUNNING SLUGGISH AND …

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CRUISE CONTROL FROM PURCHASE DIDN'T WORK, SALESMAN TOLD ME I NEEDED TO BE TRAVELING 55 MPH FOR IT WORK. TURNED OUT, IT WAS BROKEN, COST ME $100 TO REPAIR. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, CAR DEAD, TURNED OUT IT NEEDED A BATERY. DEALERSHIP PAID THE COST. 2ND MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, CHECK ENGING LIGHT CAME ON, CAR RUNNING SLUGGISH AND POPPING NOISE, TURNED OUT I NEEDED A SPARK PLUG. I REQUESTED THEY CHANGE THEM ALL. THEY WOULDN'T. 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE CHECK ENGING LIGHT ON AGAIN, CAR RUNNING VERY SLUGGISH, POPPING NOISE AGAIN, FILLED UP WITH GAS, CAR WOULDN'T START, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED IT. THIS IS REDICULOUS. I WANT TO FILE A LEMON. LAW. I CAN'T AFFORD A $400/MO PAYMNET AND PAY FOR MY CAR TO BE REPAIRED ON A MONTHLY BASIS. WHAT CAN I DO?*AK

NHTSA ODI #754413

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2001
Electrical System

INTERMITTENTLY HORN ASSEMBLY IS INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #882543

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2000
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS CAR!! THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN CHARLOTTE, BUT I LIVE IN SPARTANBURG, SO ALL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED AT QUALITY CHRYSLER (1030 N. CHURCH ST., SPARTANBURG, SC 29303; PHONE: 864/596-4550). THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY IN 11/98, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND A…

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I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS CAR!! THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN CHARLOTTE, BUT I LIVE IN SPARTANBURG, SO ALL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED AT QUALITY CHRYSLER (1030 N. CHURCH ST., SPARTANBURG, SC 29303; PHONE: 864/596-4550). THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY IN 11/98, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AT THE DEALERSHIP. IT WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THEY FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM IN 6/98. STARTED HAVING ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS IN 11/99, AND THEY STATED ONCE AGAIN THAT THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM. - THE DOOR PANELS HAVE COME OFF OF BOTH DOORS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. BLEW A TIRE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH. RIM APPEARS TO HAVE CUT THROUGH SIDE WALL. - HORN ON RIGHT SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT I COULDN'T ALERT A VEHICLE THAT WAS ABOUT TO SHIFT INTO MY LANE. I HAD TO DRIVE ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. - I HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS THAT ARE NOT SAFETY ISSUES, INCLUDING : SPOTS IN PAINT ON SPOILER, ALARM SOUNDING WHEN UNLOCKING PASSENGER DOOR WITH KEY, SPOTS ON BACK WINDOW. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS CAR, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS MY VERY FIRST NEW CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #717496

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury

AFTER THE DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM THE CAR AGAIN WENT TOTALY DEAD, BUT THIS TIME WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON A MOUNTIN ROAD. TH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED, RESULTING IN NO HEADLIGHTS AS WELL AS NO ABS OR POWER STEERING AND MY EMPLOYEE HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #714936

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

ELECTRICAL. HORN. BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #609803

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