← New search

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

23 reports
Clear category filter
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.…

Read full complaint

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

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

60,000 miles · Aug 20, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlInjury

THE DRIVER PLACED THE KEY INSIDE OF IGNITION THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING BUT PARKED. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. THE DRIVER INJURED HIS SHOULDER. THE DRIVER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER. *LA *NM

NHTSA ODI #10083421

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AND THE DRIVER SLIGHTLY TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE RACED BACKWARDS WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019323

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

CONSUMER STATES WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE THROTTLE CONTROL WILL NOT RETURN TO IDLE. PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENLY. MR

NHTSA ODI #8021170

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPRIENCED THE SAME THROTTLE PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL # 02 V 186 000,WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. BUT THIS RECALL WAS FOR YEARS 1995/1996, NOT ON 1998.CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8017163

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD AT A FAIRLY HIGH SPEED WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. HAD BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED 3 TIMES; BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8009515

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 …

Read full complaint

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 · Jun 21, 2000
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. ALSO, UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #863917

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN MULTIPLE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #552186

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