IllustrationWAS 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
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 reportsBOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. APPEAR TO BE MADE OF PLASTIC. NO UNUSUAL FORCE USED ON EITHER HANDLE. JUST SNAPPED OFF. UNABLE TO ENTER CAR CONVENTIONALLY, MUST GO THROUGH TRUNK. TAKEN TO BODY SHOP TO REPAIR. *JB
I HAVE A CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI 1998 WITH 17 IN. LOW PROFILE WHEELS CURRENTLY 64,000. I NOTICE THAT CITY DRIVING HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HARD ON MY WHEELS. THE FIRST YEAR THAT I HAD IT, THE RIMS BENT UNDER REGULAR ROAD TRAVEL. THE INABILITY TO HANDLE REGULAR DRIVING APPEARS TO BE TO UNCOMMON AND I FELT THAT I MUST FILE A COMPLAINT BEF…
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I HAVE A CHRYSLER SEBRING LXI 1998 WITH 17 IN. LOW PROFILE WHEELS CURRENTLY 64,000. I NOTICE THAT CITY DRIVING HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HARD ON MY WHEELS. THE FIRST YEAR THAT I HAD IT, THE RIMS BENT UNDER REGULAR ROAD TRAVEL. THE INABILITY TO HANDLE REGULAR DRIVING APPEARS TO BE TO UNCOMMON AND I FELT THAT I MUST FILE A COMPLAINT BEFORE THIS GOES UNNOTICED. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES ARE PLASTIC AND HAVE CRACKED. THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN THEREFORE; THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT THE LEFT SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE COLLAPSED BUT WAS STILL ATTACHED BY A LOWER PORTION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM WITH LOWER BAL…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT THE LEFT SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE COLLAPSED BUT WAS STILL ATTACHED BY A LOWER PORTION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM WITH LOWER BALL JOINT. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE OUTER DOOR HANDLES BROKE. THIS HAPPENED ONE TIME ON BOTH DOORS. THE SECOND TIME, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. HE PURCHASED THE PARTS AND WAS GOING TO FIX THIS HIMSELF.*AK
DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLE ON MY 1998 CHRYLSER SEBRING: MY DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE BROKE OFF RIGHT IN MY HAND AS I ATTEMPTED TO OPENT THE DOOR. DUE TO EXPENSIVE REPAIR THE HANDLE IS STILL BROKEN . OVER THE YEARS I HAVE NOTICED CLOSE TO A HUNDRED SEBRING OWNERS WITH BROKEN DOOR HANDLES, SO THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURERS DE…
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DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLE ON MY 1998 CHRYLSER SEBRING: MY DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE BROKE OFF RIGHT IN MY HAND AS I ATTEMPTED TO OPENT THE DOOR. DUE TO EXPENSIVE REPAIR THE HANDLE IS STILL BROKEN . OVER THE YEARS I HAVE NOTICED CLOSE TO A HUNDRED SEBRING OWNERS WITH BROKEN DOOR HANDLES, SO THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED!
DT: THE OWNER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON MAY 31, 2005. SUFFERED BRAIN DAMAGE, FACIAL BRUISING AND CLOTTING. ALSO SUFFERED RIB PROBLEMS ON THE LEFT SIDE. OWNER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. OWNER WAS THE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON…
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DT: THE OWNER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON MAY 31, 2005. SUFFERED BRAIN DAMAGE, FACIAL BRUISING AND CLOTTING. ALSO SUFFERED RIB PROBLEMS ON THE LEFT SIDE. OWNER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. OWNER WAS THE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING THAT THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAGS. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE BIGGEST DAMAGE WAS ON THE FRONT QUARTER PANEL, GRILL, HOOD ,AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE DRIVER WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT SUFFERED INJURIES. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE OWNER HAS NOT BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. OWNER WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED.*AK *NM
DRIVER SIDE DOOR MOLDING/PANELING SLID, BECOMING DETACHED. PASSENGER SIDE HAS DETACHED AND BEEN REPAIRED TWICE, DRIVER SIDE ONE OTHER TIME PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT
DT: VEHICLE HAS A HOLE BURNT IN THE GAS TANK FROM HEAT SHIELD/EXHAUST. COULD SMELL FUMES WHEN STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND COULD SEE THE HOLE. VEHICLE PARKED SINCE.*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