IllustrationSUSPENSION IS LOOSE, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES, CONSUMER FEELS COULD LOSE STEERING CONTROL. *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.
33 crash reports5 fire reports19 injury reports
What owners actually said
267 reportsIN 2.5 YRS I HAVE HAD 5 RIMS BEND RESULTING IN BLOWN TIRES. VERY POOR DESIGN. CHRYSLER NEEDS TO HANDLE THIS BEFORE SOMONE GETS HURT OR DIES!!! AND IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE!!! *AK (TIRESIZE: P215/50R17)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/50R17 )
ALL 4 WHEELS ARE BENT ON CAR FROM ROAD POT HOLES. THE RIMS ARE MADE FROM ALUMINUM. THEY ARE TO SOFT FOR THE LOW PROFILE GOOD YEAR TIRE THAT IS ON THE CAR. WENT THE RIM BENDS THE TIRE BELTS BREAK CAUSING THE CAR TO VIBRATE. THE GOODYEAR TIRE THAT IS ON THE CAR IS THE ONLY 17 INCH TIRE THAT FITS THE CAR. I HAVE CHECKED OUT MANY OT…
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ALL 4 WHEELS ARE BENT ON CAR FROM ROAD POT HOLES. THE RIMS ARE MADE FROM ALUMINUM. THEY ARE TO SOFT FOR THE LOW PROFILE GOOD YEAR TIRE THAT IS ON THE CAR. WENT THE RIM BENDS THE TIRE BELTS BREAK CAUSING THE CAR TO VIBRATE. THE GOODYEAR TIRE THAT IS ON THE CAR IS THE ONLY 17 INCH TIRE THAT FITS THE CAR. I HAVE CHECKED OUT MANY OTHER SEBRINGS MOST OF THEIR RIMS ARE BENT ALSO. THIS IS A VERY BAD SAFTY ISSUE. I USE MY CAR TO TRAVEL FOR MY WORK.*AK
STEERING LOCKS UP INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING. THEIR IS A LOUD POPPING SOUND BEFORE STEERING RETURNS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
GOODYEAR EAGLE RSA TIRE, P215/50R17, DOT M6PCLNWR107, EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING VIBRATION, GOODYEAR EXCHANGED TIRE AT A 50% PRORATE. *SLC
SEVERAL FLAT TIRES, SINCE LESS THAN 15K MILES ON VEHICLE -- I'VE HAD OVER A HALF DOZEN FLATS IN THE TWO YEARS I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE( DOT NUMBER: )
THE TRIM ON THE OUTSIDE OF BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS HAVE BEEN FIXED ONCE AND REPLACED ONCE. THE TRIM SEEMS TO FALL OF DURING THE SUMMER WHEN TEMPURATURES REACH 105 OR ABOVE FOR SEVERAL DAYS IN A ROW. THE TRIM HAS COME LOOSE FROM THE PASSANGER SIDE DOOR AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH THE DEALER SINCE SEPTEMBE…
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THE TRIM ON THE OUTSIDE OF BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS HAVE BEEN FIXED ONCE AND REPLACED ONCE. THE TRIM SEEMS TO FALL OF DURING THE SUMMER WHEN TEMPURATURES REACH 105 OR ABOVE FOR SEVERAL DAYS IN A ROW. THE TRIM HAS COME LOOSE FROM THE PASSANGER SIDE DOOR AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH THE DEALER SINCE SEPTEMBER 15, 2000, I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALER SHIP 3 SINCE SEPTEMBER, AND I RECEIVED A REPAIR NOTICE IN THE MAIL. THE NOTICE STATED THAT CHRYSLER WORLD REPLACE THE PART FREE OF CHARGE FOR MY CAR. THE LAST TIME I BROUGHT MY CAR IN, THE DEALER HANDED ME A QOUTE FOR $276. I WAS TOLD THEY WILL NOT REPLACE FOR FREE UNLESS I HAD THE CARD, WHICH I CAN NOT FIND. *AK
THE CAR IS DESIGNED SO THAT ANY SPEED BUMP, DRIVEWAY,OR PARKING LOT BLOCK CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THIS CAR. IT IS ABOUT HALF THE DISTANCE FROM THE GROUND AS ANY OTHER CAR AND THE FIBERGLASS BODY SPLITS AND MUST BE REPAIRED FOR HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I KNOW THAT WHEN I SEE AN ELEVATED DRIV…
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THE CAR IS DESIGNED SO THAT ANY SPEED BUMP, DRIVEWAY,OR PARKING LOT BLOCK CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THIS CAR. IT IS ABOUT HALF THE DISTANCE FROM THE GROUND AS ANY OTHER CAR AND THE FIBERGLASS BODY SPLITS AND MUST BE REPAIRED FOR HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I KNOW THAT WHEN I SEE AN ELEVATED DRIVE AHEAD OF ME, I MUST SLOW DOWN TO 3 MILES AN HOUR AND ENTER AT A DIAGONAL SO AS NOT TO HEAR THAT SCRAPING SOUND*AK.
SINCE PURCHASING MY SEBRING IN MAY '98 I HAVE HAD 6 FLAT TIRES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A FLAT BEFORE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER SEBRING OWNERS IT SEEMS THERE COULD BE A FAULT IN THE SOFT ALUMINUM WHEELS. I HAVE JUST HAD MY SECOND FLAT IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS AND AM AFRAID TO GET INTO THE CAR. THIS IS HAPPENING ON 3 OF MY WHEELS,NOT JUST T…
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SINCE PURCHASING MY SEBRING IN MAY '98 I HAVE HAD 6 FLAT TIRES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A FLAT BEFORE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER SEBRING OWNERS IT SEEMS THERE COULD BE A FAULT IN THE SOFT ALUMINUM WHEELS. I HAVE JUST HAD MY SECOND FLAT IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS AND AM AFRAID TO GET INTO THE CAR. THIS IS HAPPENING ON 3 OF MY WHEELS,NOT JUST THE SAME ONE. USUALLY IT IS A SLOW LEAK. I WORK FOR THE AIRLINES AND I AM OUT OF THE COUNTRY QUITE A BIT. THIS MAKES IT EVEN MORE STRANGE AS I PROBABLY DRIVE HALF THE MILES OF ANYONE ELSE. SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR FROM ANOTHER PERSON IN MAY '98 I HAVE DRIVEN ONLY 15,000 MILES. WHAT SHOULD I DO? THANKS.*AK (DOT NUMBER: ? TIRESIZE: OEP215/50R)
FRONT BUMPER HAS COMPLETELY CRACKED INTO TWICE. I BOUGHT THE CAR 5/1999 AT GRUBBS NISSAN IN BEDFORD.*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