THIS IS THE 4TH WHEEL FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT HAS BENT IN 2 YEARS.*AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sebring years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
267 reportsCRUISE 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
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
POSSIBLY WHEEL RIM FAILURE. *AK
ON 12/2000 A TREAD SEPARATION WAS ENCOUNTERED AND YOU WERE INFORMED AT THAT TIME. ON 9/27/01 I SURVIVED A COMPLETE TIRE FAILURE. THE SIDEWALL WAS RIPPED IN A STRAIGHT LINE FROM THE BEAD TO THE TREAD. THE GOODYEAR DEALER SAID IT WAS A TREAD SEPARATION AND INFORMED ME THAT THE OTHER FRONT TIRE (RIGHT), WAS IN DANGER OF DOING TH…
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ON 12/2000 A TREAD SEPARATION WAS ENCOUNTERED AND YOU WERE INFORMED AT THAT TIME. ON 9/27/01 I SURVIVED A COMPLETE TIRE FAILURE. THE SIDEWALL WAS RIPPED IN A STRAIGHT LINE FROM THE BEAD TO THE TREAD. THE GOODYEAR DEALER SAID IT WAS A TREAD SEPARATION AND INFORMED ME THAT THE OTHER FRONT TIRE (RIGHT), WAS IN DANGER OF DOING THE SAME THING. BOTH TIRES WERE REPLACED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: M6PCLNWR25 TIRESIZE: P215/50R17)
WHEEL HUB BEARING ON LEFT REAR WHEEL WENT BAD. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT GO BAD UNTIL I REACH AT LEAST 80,000 MILES ON MY CAR. HIS COMMENT WAS THAT THE PART MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE FROM THE START. MY COMPLAINT ABOUT THE MOLDING: I TOOK MY CAR TO AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH AND IT CAME OUT WITH A BENT MOLDING WH…
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WHEEL HUB BEARING ON LEFT REAR WHEEL WENT BAD. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT GO BAD UNTIL I REACH AT LEAST 80,000 MILES ON MY CAR. HIS COMMENT WAS THAT THE PART MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE FROM THE START. MY COMPLAINT ABOUT THE MOLDING: I TOOK MY CAR TO AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH AND IT CAME OUT WITH A BENT MOLDING WHICH THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP SAID HAD TO BE REPLACED AND COULD NOT BE FIXED. THEY ENCOURAGED ME TO GET THE MONEY FROM THE CAR WASH, HOWEVER, WHEN INVESTIGATING THEY DETERMINED THAT THE MOLDING ON MY CAR WAS LOOSE ON THE OTHER SIDE AND THE CAR WASH COULD NOT BE AT FAULT. THIS WAS $200.00 OUT OF MY POCKET FOR A POORLY ASSEMBLED CAR.
A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT WHEELS WHENEVER YOU INCREASE SPEED, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR OF MY TIRES TWICE, AND STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM OF THE TIRES GOING FLAT. THE BRAKES PULSATE WHENEVER COMING TO A STOP AND THEY CONSTANTLY SQUEAL. I HAVE WENT TO THE MECHANICS FOR ALL OF THIS LISTED COMPLAINTS AND NO …
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A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT WHEELS WHENEVER YOU INCREASE SPEED, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR OF MY TIRES TWICE, AND STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM OF THE TIRES GOING FLAT. THE BRAKES PULSATE WHENEVER COMING TO A STOP AND THEY CONSTANTLY SQUEAL. I HAVE WENT TO THE MECHANICS FOR ALL OF THIS LISTED COMPLAINTS AND NO ONE WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MY BRAKES PULSATING WAS SAID TO BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE KIND OF BRAKES THAT CHRYSLER PUTS ON THERE VEHICLES A SEMI METALLIC TYPE. MY FRONT WHEELS FEEL AS THOUGH THEY ARE ABOUT TO FLY OFF. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE.*AK
STARTED CAR, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE WENT FROM PARK TO REVERSE TO NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. WHEN CAR WENT INTO DRIVE IT RACED OUT OF CONTROL. RESULTING IN HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE
WHILE DRIVE FROM PHILADELPHIA PA TO LINTHICUM, MD ON I-95, MY DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE - WHICH IS 6 WEEKS OLD - BLEW OUT. MY TIRE WAS NOT IMPROPERLY INFLATED NOR WAS I APPROACHING OR EXCEEDING THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED SPEED RATING. HAVING TO CROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO SAFETY, DURING RUSH HOUR ON AN INTERSTATE WAS MORE THAN HAZA…
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WHILE DRIVE FROM PHILADELPHIA PA TO LINTHICUM, MD ON I-95, MY DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE - WHICH IS 6 WEEKS OLD - BLEW OUT. MY TIRE WAS NOT IMPROPERLY INFLATED NOR WAS I APPROACHING OR EXCEEDING THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED SPEED RATING. HAVING TO CROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO SAFETY, DURING RUSH HOUR ON AN INTERSTATE WAS MORE THAN HAZARDOUS, HOWEVER I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE PREVENTING INJURY TO MYSELF, MY PASSENGER, OR OTHER COMMUTERS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED WHO INFORMED ME THAT I HAD NO RECOURSE THROUGH THEIR ESTABLISHMENT OR THE MANUFACTURER. THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A LEGITIMATE STATEMENT CONSIDERING THAT THIS TYPE OF DEFECT ENDANGERS SO MANY LIVES. PLEASE INVESTIAGE THIS INCIDENT AND ADVISE ME WHAT OTHER COURSE OF ACTION IS AVAILABLE.*AK (TIRESIZE: P215/55R16)
A/C EVAPORATOR STARTED LEAKING WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. REPORTED TO CHRYSLER WITH NO RESPONSE.*AK
Official recalls
300V421002 · 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
4PE02082 · 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
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