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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.

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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

Steering complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2005
Steering

RECALL CAMPAIGN 984: THE VEHICLE'S FLOOR MATS BECAME SNAGGED IN STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLER PINCH BOLT RETAINING PIN AND LIMITED STEERING ABILITY. *BF THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10110852

66,944 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power TrainSteeringStructure

I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON NOV 2, 2003. WHEN I PURCHASED IT, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE WHEN YOU GO OVER BUMPS, AND ALSO WHEN THE CAR GOES UP TO 70 YOU COULD HERE A GRINDING LIKE NOISE IN (WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE ENGINE). THEY TOLD ME TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE CAR AND THEY SCHEDULED ME FOR SERVICE THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY. WHEN I BROUGH…

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON NOV 2, 2003. WHEN I PURCHASED IT, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE WHEN YOU GO OVER BUMPS, AND ALSO WHEN THE CAR GOES UP TO 70 YOU COULD HERE A GRINDING LIKE NOISE IN (WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE ENGINE). THEY TOLD ME TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE CAR AND THEY SCHEDULED ME FOR SERVICE THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T WORK ON CHRYSLERS AND SENT THE CAR TO TUFFY. WHEN IT WAS TIME TO PICK UP THE CAR, THE GUY TORE UP THE BILL OF SERVICE AND SAID YOU'RE ALL SET, SO I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS DONE. WHEN I ASKED FOR A COPY HE SAID HE DIDN'T HAVE IT, BUT COULD IT ORDER IT FOR ME. WHEN I DROVE HOME, THE RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE FRONT LEFT SIDE WAS GONE, BUT WHEN I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE CAR PULLED AWAY IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND DIDN'T WANT TO TURN. I ALMOST RAN INTO A TREE. I CALLED AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT, SO THEY HAD ME BRING IT IN THAT FOLLOWING MONDAY FOR SERVICE. WHEN I PICKED IT UP AGAIN, THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE BEARINGS, THAT THE BEARINGS WERE BAD. AS I DROVE OFF THE LOT AND ONTO THE FREEWAY, YOU COULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE UNDER YOUR FEET AS THE WHEELS TURNED AND ALSO ANYTIME YOU TRIED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE CAR WOULD GRIND LIKE THE THERE WAS SOMETHING GOING ON BETWEEN THE WHEELS, BRAKES AND STEERING. I WAITED 3 DAYS TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T JUST ME. BUT WHAT APPEARED IN THE BEGINNING TO BE A SLIGHT GRINDING WHEN YOU GET UP TO A CERTAIN SPEED EVOLVED INTO A PROBLEM THAT WAS MUCH WORSE. A PROBLEM THAT YOU COULD HERE MORE CONSISTENTLY, EVERY TIME YOU APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, OR JUST SOMETIMES DRIVING ALONG THE STREETS YOU COULD HEAR THE GRINDING IN THE WHEELS, LIKE SOMETHING HAD RUSTED OR GONE BAD, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO DRIVE HARD. IT TOOK A LOT MORE POWER TO ACCELERATE, SO MUCH SO THAT IT FEELS LIKE THE OVERDRIVE DOESN?T WORK (IT TAKES THAT MUCH POWER TO GET THE CAR GOING, AND IT WASN?T THAT WAY BEFORE.

NHTSA ODI #10071108

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
SteeringCrash

ON JAN 1999 I WAS GOING TO WORK AN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR SO I LOST CONTROL AND HIT AN ENBANKMENT. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO BE SERVICED AND THE SAID IT WAS MY FAULT BECAUSE THERE WAS A WIRE UNDERNEITH THE CAR THAT CAUSED THE BELT TO COME OFF BUT THE WIRE WAS THERE DUE TO ME HITTING THE ENBANKMENT.ALSO…

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ON JAN 1999 I WAS GOING TO WORK AN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR SO I LOST CONTROL AND HIT AN ENBANKMENT. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO BE SERVICED AND THE SAID IT WAS MY FAULT BECAUSE THERE WAS A WIRE UNDERNEITH THE CAR THAT CAUSED THE BELT TO COME OFF BUT THE WIRE WAS THERE DUE TO ME HITTING THE ENBANKMENT.ALSO INSIDE THE CAR UNDER THE STEERING THE CARPET IS BURNED,AND THE CAR 'S STEERING IS NOT RIGHT IV'E TAKEN IT TO BE BALANCED AND ALIGNED AND NOTHING SEEMS TO HELP.ALSO THERE IS A RECENT RECALL. I WOULD LIKE PREVIOUS DAMAGE TO VEHICLE FIXED.DUE TO THE STEERING. I ALSO DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SAFE TOBE TRAVELING IN THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #743058

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2001
Steering

STEERING LOCKS UP INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING. THEIR IS A LOUD POPPING SOUND BEFORE STEERING RETURNS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877499

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringFire

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS HESITATING, CONSUMER HEARD NOISES, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE ,DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 100 FEET ,HEARD EXPLOSION ,VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE, WHICH RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. CHRYSLER INVESTIGATOR FELT POWER STEERING F…

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WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS HESITATING, CONSUMER HEARD NOISES, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE ,DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 100 FEET ,HEARD EXPLOSION ,VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE, WHICH RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. CHRYSLER INVESTIGATOR FELT POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED ON TOP OF CATAYLIC CONVERTER, CAUSING FIRE. *YC

NHTSA ODI #843984

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 1999
SteeringUnknown Or Other

FLOOR MAT GOES UP THE UNIVERSAL JOINT. IT FRAYS AND IT PULLS THE FLOOR MAT. DRIVER NOT ABLE TO STEER.CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #844406

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1999
SteeringUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

RMPS WILL REV UP, AND ENGINE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON . THE DEALER HAS REPLACED STEERING PUMP AND SWITCH. THE DEALER HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLE DUPLICATING THE PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING RACK HAS BEEN REPLACED AND LIGHT HAS NOT COME BACK ON BUT VEHICLE PERFORMANCE HAS NOT IMPROVED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #838799

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringStructure

BRAKE SYSTEM - CALIPER INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AT FACTORY CAUSING ROTOR AND PAD ON FRONT/DRIVER'S SIDE TO FAIL. REMAINING PADS/ROTORS IN FAIR CONDITION. PLASTIC EXTERIOR DOOR PANEL ON DRIVER'S SIDE FALLS OFF WILL SPEED ABOVE 45MPH. SUNROOF FAILS TO OPEN OR CLOSE. BATTERY DIED. ANTI-THEFT NOT WORKING

NHTSA ODI #707082

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

PURCHASED A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING JULY 1998. HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITHIN A FEW WEEK PERIOD THAT THE DEALER TOOK IT BACK, AND GAVE ME ANOTHER ONE IN AUGUST 1998. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS, THE 2ND SEBRING DEVELOPED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS PRIMARILY ON LEFT SIDE, A LOUD METALIC RAT-A-TAT-TAT SOUND COMING FROM WHEEL…

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PURCHASED A 1998 CHRYSLER SEBRING JULY 1998. HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITHIN A FEW WEEK PERIOD THAT THE DEALER TOOK IT BACK, AND GAVE ME ANOTHER ONE IN AUGUST 1998. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS, THE 2ND SEBRING DEVELOPED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS PRIMARILY ON LEFT SIDE, A LOUD METALIC RAT-A-TAT-TAT SOUND COMING FROM WHEELS. ALSO, INTERMITTENT STEERING PROBLEMS. WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, STEERING WHEEL PULLS TO THE LEFT. SAME RESULTS WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, STEERING WHEEL PULLS TO THE RIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #703326

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Steering

POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE AND RETURN POWER STEERING LINES FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #608870

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